Hello There, Do You Still Know Me?

by Arnold, Laurie B. ;

  She threw her arms around his neck and he turned stiff as a board.

  “OK, OK. Enough of your carryin’ on.” Walter blushed.

  Before she left, the lady got his address so she could pay him back. Then after he bought his own things with his credit card, Walter told us to follow him outside.

  “I got somethin’ for ya,” he mumbled.

  Noah and Leroy waited by the van. At the sight of Walter, my dog growled.

  “Easy boy.” Noah tugged on the rope leash.

  Then Leroy spotted Walter’s fanny pack. His shiny nose began to twitch as if inside there might be a great smelly treasure.

  “What are you after, dog?” Walter looked puzzled and unzipped his pouch. To his amazement, he pulled out a crumpled bag that had “For Your Favorite Pooch” printed on it. Inside, he found a piece of fatty steak. Leroy’s favorite.

  “Well, I’ll be,” said Walter, who was finally beginning to understand the power of his magical fanny pack.

  Leroy licked Walter’s hand and then snatched the meat.

  “Hard as it is for me to say so, savin’ somebody’s life is probably more important than rackin’ up a few more dang lottery tickets.”

  He opened the van door, pulled out Rosalie Claire’s fanny pack, and handed it to me. “All charged up, good as new.”

  I thanked him and unzipped it. Inside was the honey-yellow nugget of frog amber.

  “What about this?” I asked, holding it up.

  “You might need it again for your granny. Though I’m guessin’ you were twistin’ the truth when you said it was Florida. Not a ghost of a chance that could be true.”

  I shrugged and said nothing. It was better if he believed that. Walter was only just learning about magic. He wasn’t nearly ready to understand the wonders of time travel.

  “Anyway, I shouldn’t be needin’ that amber for another thirty years. As long as I don’t slip up and get too selfish, that is.”

  I had the urge to hug him, greasy overalls and all, but I stopped myself so he wouldn’t get embarrassed.

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll leave the amber with Grandma Daisy. Then if you ever make a mistake, she could still recharge it overnight.”

  “I’d be much obliged, ’cuz Lord knows I’m not perfect.”

  “Who is?” I said. “Oh, and Walter? I have something for you, too.”

  I dug the newspaper clipping from my jeans pocket. “The ring was for Betty Montoya, wasn’t it?”

  Walter’s eyes opened wide. “How in tarnation did you know that?”

  “A good guess,” I said and gave Walter the article. He studied it and looked so sad I thought he might cry.

  “Betty and me, we’d been plannin’ to marry, then she got cold feet. Gave me back the ring and took off. Who can blame her? I guess I wasn’t always the nicest guy. But the thing is, I was a better man when she was around.”

  I was just about to zip up Rosalie Claire’s fanny pack when I noticed something else inside. An envelope addressed to Walter, postmarked today. Weird.

  “Looks like you got mail.” I handed it over.

  Walter opened it and pulled out a piece of pale pink stationery.

  “It’s from Betty. Glory be, I think this old blind squirrel just found himself an acorn.”

  Walter looked faint and sank onto the passenger seat of his van. The letter fluttered from his grasp and landed on the sidewalk. Violet snatched it and offered it back.

  “Go ahead. You read it. Then tell me the devil’s not playin’ tricks on me.”

  She read it aloud.

  Dear Walter,

  I’ve been thinking about you every day for fifteen years. I’m sorry I left you like I did. I made a mistake. Or at least I think I did. I now live in Philadelphia, and I would like to be in touch and know how you’re doing.

  Please write back.

  Your friend,

  Betty Montoya

  “Sweet niblets,” gasped Violet.

  “How in the world did that thing show up in your pouch?” Walter shook his head in disbelief.

  “It was something you needed. After a while, you just learn to trust the magic,” I said.

  “This is the kind of magic a fella could get used to.”

  I swear it looked as if Walter’s eyes were sparkling with a bajillion stars of happiness.

  “And Walter?” said Violet. “If you’re going to get Betty to like you again, you’d better think about getting yourself cleaned up.”

  I think he heard her, although it was hard to tell for sure. Walter appeared to be off in some other world, hypnotized by Cupid’s arrow.

  We said goodbye and wished him luck.

  I had no idea if finding true love would wind up changing Walter’s surly nature. I sure hoped so. But as my mom used to say, life doesn’t come with a guarantee.

  “I guess that means it’s time to go back to Costa Rica and help your grandma,” said Noah. “Besides, you owe me a surfing lesson.”

  I knew it was time to go, although I’d made a promise to my mom I wouldn’t break.

  In the distance we heard the honking of car horns and the clanging of cymbals. The parade was about to begin and my mom would be looking for us in the crowd. We had to hurry.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  The Fiesta Parade

  We wove our way along the crowded sidewalk, searching for a place to watch the parade. Finally, we squeezed into an open spot on the curb, a few doors up from the Wildflower.

  The high school band led the pack, followed by a string of horses. Mostly the riders were dressed like circus clowns, except for a few who wore their everyday cowboy gear. Leroy hadn’t seen that many horses in his life. He sniffed the air and panted with excitement.

  Then came a hodgepodge of tractors, bulldozers, and pick-up trucks decorated with banners advertising practically everyone’s business in town.

  “Hey, Madison! Isn’t that your neighbor who sold you Leroy?” Violet pointed to a black pick-up rolling our way, hauling a mountain of old computer parts. Duct-taped to the side of the truck, a sign said: Manny’s Computer Repair. Opening Soon!

  “That’s him all right. And I bet I know where he’s taking all that junk. Right to his backyard.”

  When the truck pulled alongside us, Manny waved in our general direction, and the parade came to a temporary stop.

  That’s when Leroy noticed who was driving. He trotted over to the front truck tire and lifted his leg.

  Violet giggled. “Looks like Leroy recognizes him too.”

  “Talk about raining on the guy’s parade,” Noah said and the three of us laughed ourselves silly.

  Even though the parade began to move again, Manny stayed put so he could shout a few curse words at Leroy for peeing on his tire. Then he revved his engine and took off to catch up with the pack of bulldozers and tractors.

  The procession went on and on. Native American drummers beat out a rhythm on their buckskin drums. Miss Fiesta, wearing a tiara and a poofy lavender gown, rode in the back of a convertible, showing off her royal wave. Next, Smokey the Bear lumbered by, walking two poodles dressed like circus dogs. I felt sorry for the guy in that Smokey costume with the blistering sun blazing as hot as any forest fire.

  “I hope your mom comes soon,” Violet groaned. “I’m starving. And roasting.”

  “Seriously. I think it’s hot enough to cook pancakes on my head,” I said.

  “You do that and I’ll eat them,” Violet joked.

  That’s when we heard the eruption of hoots and hollers from the crowd. Everyone pointed at a red and white circus tent on the back of a flatbed truck that was rolling our way. Grandpa Jack sat behind the wheel, his tape deck cranked up high, blasting the cheery sounds of circus music.

  Leroy wagged his tail and barked. Attached to the back of the truck was the giant papier-mâché elephant on wheels we’d passed by the first time Mike drove us out to Walter’s. Riding on top was Florida in all her glory. Her fire engine red sequined costume
shimmered in the sun as she wriggled to the rhythm of the music, blowing kisses to the crowd. Hang on, Florida, I thought. I’m coming back soon to Costa Rica to save your future self.

  I scanned the back of the float and recognized Florida’s three best friends in their matching sequined suits, and just like my grandmother, they looked a whole lot younger. They held lacy umbrellas and pretended to walk back and forth on an invisible tightrope.

  But where was my mom? Did Florida ground her? Or did she get cold feet?

  I made my way into the street to get a better look. The four daughters of the Red Hot Mamas sat on the far side of the float, all in matching sparkly baby pink. Three of them hid their faces in embarrassment, but the girl on the end kept turning her head as if she was looking for someone.

  It was my mom. Over her costume she wore cutoffs. It looked like Florida hadn’t made her carry the Chicky Boom-Boom sign after all. When her eyes found me they softened, and she smiled. It was exactly the way she used to smile whenever I’d shown her a picture I’d drawn, or I’d given her a rose I’d just picked from our garden. She blew me a kiss, and Grandpa Jack rolled on down the street.

  It was almost time to go back to the future. Even though the parade wasn’t done, I was done with the parade. I’d kept my promise to my mom, and now I needed to say goodbye to Grandma Daisy. We walked a few doors down to the Wildflower.

  “I can’t wait to get back to Costa Rica, jump in the ocean, and surf,” Violet said.

  “Mind if I take my turn first?” Noah asked.

  “Oh my gosh, I was a total surfboard hog, wasn’t I? I’m so sorry.” Violet’s apology made Noah smile.

  “Sometimes she gets a little excited,” I said, and shrugged.

  I pushed open the front door and took a deep breath. It wasn’t going to be easy to say goodbye.

  The Wildflower bustled with tourists. Grandma Daisy stood on her tiptoes, returning a stack of books to a shelf in the middle of the store, while Mike worked the cash register.

  We told Grandma Daisy all about Walter, how he learned to use magic to help others, and that at last he’d returned Rosalie Claire’s fanny pack.

  Then I handed her the piece of magic amber. “Walter said he’ll leave his pack with you overnight if it ever needs a recharge.”

  “You kids accomplished a miracle getting this back.” Then Grandma Daisy looked at us and sighed. “I guess this means you’re leaving.”

  We all nodded.

  “Oh dear. I suppose that’s the way of things.” She took my hands in hers. “Best of luck with Florida. I hope she gets better.”

  “Thanks. Me too.”

  “And Madison? Someday when Angela finally knows she’s your mom, she’s going to be so proud of you. I can feel it in my bones.”

  I threw my arms around her and we hugged goodbye. I told her that I’d never forget her in a zillion years. When I noticed Violet and Noah standing awkwardly off to the side, looking a little left out, I motioned them over.

  “Come on guys, group hug.” The four of us pulled in close and draped our arms around each other.

  Leroy whined.

  “You too, boy,” I said. “Get in here.” He wriggled between our legs into the middle of our circle.

  When we pulled apart, Mike looked up from the cash register.

  “Bye kids. Hope to catch you in the future.” And then he winked.

  I made a note to myself that the next time I saw Future Mike, I’d ask him if this Mike was his dad.

  By the time we went back outside, the parade had ended. A stream of spectators clogged the streets and sidewalks, shuffling toward Ralph Edwards Park.

  There was one more person I needed to find so I could say goodbye.

  That’s when we heard an earsplitting explosion coming from down the street.

  KA-BANG!

  Leroy took off faster than a jackrabbit, yanking the rope leash from my hand. He disappeared into the crowd.

  “Leroy!” I yelled. “Leroy, come!”

  But Leroy was nowhere to be seen.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Chasing Down Leroy

  “Sweet Mother Pickles, what was that?” Violet had plugged her ears with her fingers.

  “Probably a whopper of a cherry bomb,” Noah said. “Loud and harmless.”

  Unfortunately, Leroy didn’t know that. The blast had sent him running for his life. As we raced through the crowd, we called out for him. We whistled. We asked everyone we passed if they’d seen a chubby wiry white dog on the loose. A few of them pointed in the direction of the park.

  Ralph Edwards Park swarmed with people milling around the food booths and carnival games. A country western band blasted music with their amps on high.

  Violet and I shouted for Leroy, and Noah let out a piercing two-fingered whistle. Even if he was close by, I wasn’t sure he’d be able to hear us over the rowdy racket of the Fiesta.

  First we checked the food booths since there’s nothing my dog likes more than finding some little kid’s dropped hot dog. No luck.

  “If I were him, I’d get away from all this insanity,” Noah said. “Should we check by the river?”

  Of course! Leroy loved dunking himself in the Rio Grande and chasing mallard ducks he could never catch.

  And that’s exactly where we found him. Snuggled beside a blond-haired teenaged boy sitting on the riverbank.

  “Your dog?” he asked.

  I nodded and looked Leroy straight in the eye. “No more running off, boy. You scared me!” The instant he saw me he grinned, wagged his tail, and pierced the air with a few sharp barks. Then he gave the boy a sloppy lick on his cheek.

  “I think he likes me.” He grinned and wiped away the slobber.

  Leroy plopped his head on the boy’s lap.

  “Those dudes were about to set off another cherry bomb. I told them it was flipping out the dog and to knock it off.” He stroked Leroy’s fuzzy head.

  “Thanks,” I said. I couldn’t quite place it, although the boy looked like someone I knew.

  Just then I heard a familiar voice.

  “Well, look who’s here!” It was my mom. She’d pulled her Bart Simpson t-shirt over her costume and she carried her video camera.

  “I knew Leroy had good taste.” She smiled, looking straight into the guy’s bright blue eyes.

  Was my mom flirting with him?

  Leroy’s new best friend smiled back at my mother.

  Yep. Definitely flirting.

  “I see you’ve met Danny.”

  His name was Danny?

  “We haven’t been officially introduced,” he said.

  My mom made the introductions. “Madison, Violet, Noah? This is my friend Danny McGee.”

  My skin tingled and every inch of my body buzzed. It was my dad! I thought my mom hadn’t met him until college. But when I finally looked into his eyes, I had no doubt that he was my father. They were the same sky blue, exactly like mine. It was almost as if I was looking into a mirror.

  Leroy panted, barked, and let out a long squeaky whine. I think maybe he knew it was my dad too. My mom used to say that things happen for a reason. Maybe this was the reason Leroy hitchhiked with us to the past. It was so he could lead me to my father.

  Violet elbowed me in the side. She and Noah looked just as shocked as I did.

  A zillion and one questions flooded my brain, although there was no way I could ask my kid-dad a single one of them. He wouldn’t be able to answer. None of the stuff I wanted to know had happened yet.

  “Hey, I’m going to go shoot some video,” my mom said. “Who wants to come?”

  “I do.” My kid-dad scrambled to his feet.

  “What about you guys?” she asked the rest of us.

  Violet, Noah, and I traded looks.

  Just as I’d promised, I’d watched my mom in the parade. Now I knew it was time to leave. This was truly goodbye.

  “We have to go home,” I said, and did my best not to cry. “I really wish I could sta
y.”

  My mom let out a sigh. “That’s a drag. We’ll see each other again, right?”

  Eight years from now she would become my mom and see me on the morning I was born. Then we’d be together every day for the next ten years, nine months, and twenty-four days. But my time with her was done. Except of course in my heart and my memory, where she would live until I turned at least 103.

  “Yeah, of course,” I reassured her.

  I threw my arms around my kid-mom and hugged her tight, breathing in her scent. It wasn’t anything like her grown-up aroma of cinnamon and butterscotch. It was the fragrance of fresh vanilla and warm spun cotton candy.

  “Thanks for everything. You’re the best,” she whispered in my ear.

  “You too. I’ll never forget you.”

  “Better not.” My mom smiled. “Besides, you can’t. We have these.” She held up her moonstone bracelet that was just like mine. It sparkled in the sun.

  She smiled at me warm and wide. I looked one last time into her eyes, soft brown flecked with gold. Then she turned with my future dad to walk toward the carnival games. I could just make out their conversation.

  “Someday I’m leaving this place,” she told him. “I’m thinking about going to college in San Francisco.”

  “That’d be cool,” he said. “Maybe I’ll come with you.”

  My dad took my mom’s hand in his and they disappeared into the Fiesta crowd.

  Leroy followed my friends and me downriver until we found a private place with no one around except for a red-winged blackbird spying on us from a willow tree.

  I pulled the remote control from my backpack. Noah took Leroy by the collar and the three of us held hands. I took one last look around, and then I pressed the buttons.

  PING!

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Back to Costa Rica

  The sticky night air of Costa Rica greeted us the instant we popped back into the lobby of La Posada Encantada. So did Grandpa Jack. He stared at us in a wide-eyed stupor. I flew straight into his arms.

  “Sunshine! I’ve been waiting for you!”

  “When did you get here?” I asked.