Title: Lucky Tickets

Kristen gave me an exasperated look.

I smiled. "Kristen, I love you."

"I love you, too." Kristen smiled. "You know, that’s the first time we did it that way. Usually, I say, I love you and you say you love me too."

"But I mean it from the bottom of my heart," I answered. "It took me a few days to realize it, but I can say it without cringing."

"I love you, too," Kristen said. "Even if you have to cringe when you say it. And don’t you ever forget that I love you."

There wasn’t anything I could ask for more.

* * *

After Kristen left, I told my mother that Kristen was having a pool party at her house that day with all of our friends, and that I would probably be eating dinner there.

My mom asked if I could bring Merry.

I hesitated. I knew that there would be nudity, and Merry was only thirteen. How would she react? How would Mom react? I mean, I had gotten my mother’s tacit permission to have liaisons with Patty and Kristen in my room. I didn’t really want to press my luck.

I then thought about my tickets. I could make Merry all right with skinny dipping, and not think it was too big a deal.

"Sure, Mom," I finally said. "Kris would be happy to see Merry again. But let me give her a call to make sure, OK?"

My mother smiled at me. "You’re growing up, Jim. A week ago, you probably wouldn’t have even thought about asking, huh?"

I just shrugged. How does a kid respond to that?

I went into the den and dialed Kristen’s number. Kristen answered, and I told her that my mother had asked if I could bring Merry. Kristen said fine, and she’d even allow my step-sister to bring a bathing suit, if it would make her feel more comfortable.

After I told Kristen about my idea about using a ticket on Merry, she paused, and said, "Be careful about how you phrase your request. If you just make her OK with the concept, then she might feel fine to skinny dip anywhere and with anybody, you know?"

That hadn’t occurred to me. "Good thinking, Kris."

"I love it when you call me that."

"Oh? You said all your friends call you that."

"Yeah. I think the first one was Wendy, actually."

"Well, I like calling you that, too."

"When will you get here? Patty called and won’t make it, by the way."

"Oh? Why not?" I was really disappointed.

"She’s spending time with her mother," Kristen explained. "I think her mother’s packing to visit Patty’s aunt. She’s in the hospital. That’s why I came this morning to your house, actually."

"Uh, huh. Maybe I should call her."

"Do that, Jim. She’ll really appreciate it."

"Sure. Thanks. And could you pick me and Merry up in, say, and hour?"

I could hear Kristen smile over the phone. "You just love riding my red Camaro, don’t ya? And Merry’s just itching for a ride!"

I giggled. "You bet. Maybe you could give me a ride to school when it starts on Wednesday."

"Sure. Either Patty or me will be there anyway, giving you your daily suck, right?"

"Kris," I said carefully. "That is not an obligation, you know. Patty thought of that herself as some weird way of thanking me."

"Oh, you," Kristen responded. "You just try to keep me away from that thing of yours."

The conversation was going off on a tangent, and I wanted to call Patty. "Right. Anyway, I’ll see you in an hour, right?"

"Uh, huh."

There was a pause. "I love you, Kris."

"I know you do. But I love hearing it. And I love you, too. I guess you want to call Patty, huh?"

"Um, yeah."

"That’s just great," Kristen said. "Tell me you love me, and then hang up and call another woman. Typical man, if you ask me."

"Hey! It was you that suggested it!"

Kristen’s giggle could be heard over the phone. "I know. I’m just pulling your chain. See ya in an hour."

"Yeah. Good bye!"

We hung up, and I called Patty’s number. Her mother answered and then put Patty on the line.

"Kris told me that you wouldn’t be able to make it today."

"Yeah," Patty said, sadly. "They moved Aunt Grace into intensive care. The prognosis isn’t good. Mom’s leaving on a flight at two, and I have to drive her to the airport."

"I’m really sorry to hear that. I missed you this morning."

"No you didn’t," Patty countered. "The love of your life was there, I made sure of it!"

"Well, I still missed you," I pouted.

"Jim, when I called Kris earlier, I didn’t know Mom’s flight information. I could be back around three if her plane leaves on time. Think she’d mind if I’m a bit late?"

My spirits lifted. "I think she’d be ecstatic!"

"Cool," Patty said. "Tell her, then. I’ll call if my Mom’s plane gets delayed."

"Sure. I’ll be seeing Kris in about an hour. Oh… My mom suggested I bring Merry with me."

Patty paused. "You sure that’s a good idea?"

I said, "I talked it over with Kris. She said that Merry could wear a suit because of her age. I suggested using a ticket to make her OK with it when at Kris' house. What do you think?"

Patty didn’t sound very sure. "When I called Wendy last night, she suggested that since Wednesday would be a school night, we might do our Kneely Park thing at Kris' house."

"But Kris' parents will be returning today."

"Hmmm. I forgot that," Patty said. "I’ll call Wendy and make sure that she tones it down. A skinny dipping party is one thing, and can be seen as harmless. An orgy is a completely different thing."

Again, that word "orgy."

I answered Patty, "Yeah. Good idea. Merry will keep everybody honest. And don’t forget Patrice will be there. She’ll be uncomfortable as well."

"Yeah. Well, I need to get back to help Mom pack. Hope to see you later."

"Yeah. See ya."

* * *

My step-sister Meredith was in her room. I knocked on her door and she said, "Who is it?"

"Jim. The big ogre that puts up with you."

Merry laughed and opened her door. She was wearing white shorts and a halter top. "Hey, Jim! What’s up?"

"You remember Kris? Kristen… she was here a few days ago."

"Yeah. The one with the Corvette."

"Camaro," I corrected. "But yes. She’s having a pool party and wanted to know if you’d like to come."

Merry’s eyes opened. "A pool party? With seniors? Way cool!"

"Yeah. She’ll be picking us up in a little less than an hour. Remember she promised she’d take you for a ride?"

"Wow! Yeah! Let me run down and ask Mommy!"

I knew that Merry already had permission, since Mom had been the one to suggest that she go.

"Wait a second, Shortcake!" I pulled a ticket from my back pocket. "Here."

"You have one wish."

"I just want you to be cool with whatever goes on at Kris' house today. Don’t get too embarrassed and just have fun. OK?"

"Your wish is my command."

Merry looked at the ticket in her hand. "Number 53? Where’s the other ones?"

"Oh, I’ve been handing them around. People sort of like 'em."

Merry put her ticket on her dresser. "I still can’t find number one. It was special."

"Sorry, Shortcake," I said. "I didn’t take it. Maybe Mom saw it and thought it was garbage."

"I asked her, and she said she never saw it."

"Well, if I find it, you’ll be the first to know."

Merry looked over on the dresser and ticket number 53 had disappeared. "Wait a second! Where’s the new one?"

I had seen it just a second or so ago. I never saw it disappear. "Wow!" I said. "I was nowhere near it."

"The window’s closed. It couldn’t have been the wind." Merry looked all around, but the ticket was gone. "SHIT!"