Jonathan laughed. “Beats working, I guess. Sure, I’ll stay with you.”
“There’s just one catch.”
“Hey, no problem. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“No, you won’t,” said Jessica softly. “The catch is… there’s someone I want you to meet.”
* * * * *
Ninety seconds before midnight ended, they alighted outside her window.
Jessica hauled herself in and extended her hand back to Jonathan. He was still limping from his slither bites and reached up to let her pull him in. But when he got inside, Jonathan stammered, “Uh… Jessica?”
“That’s the catch,” she said. “Just for a few minutes. She’s been wanting to meet you.”
“Yeah, but… are you sure this is a good idea? Me just appearing out of nowhere?”
Beth sat on the bed where Jessica had left her an hour before, hands over her eyes, an annoyed expression clearly visible on her motionless face.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” Jessica smiled. “Surprises are good for her.”
“But… won’t she wonder where I came from?”
“I already told her: Pennsylvania.” Jessica giggled. She checked her watch, excitement building in her. Maybe this was a crazy idea, but she wanted to give Beth some small measure of the blue time—Jonathan, here and now, just as midnight ended.
Jonathan stood still, looking at the open window as if contemplating a mad leap in the remaining seconds.
“Listen,” Jessica said, “I told her I had a surprise for her, and she really did want to meet you. Just for a few minutes, then she’ll go to bed.”
Finally Jonathan laughed nervously and sat down on the windowsill, one leg up as if he’d just darted through. “Okay, sure. I’m glad to meet her. Just one question.”
“What?”
“What is it with you and your little sister, anyway?”
Jessica smiled. “It’s a work in progress.”
Seconds later the world shuddered. The blue light faded, and rich colors settled over everything. Her room looked alive again, set free from the arresting paleness of frozen time.
“—is so retarded,” Beth finished.
“Okay,” Jessica said. “You can look now.”
Beth dropped her hands, a resolutely unimpressed expression already fixed on her face, one that lasted about half a second.
“Jesus!” she cried, half jumping up from the bed. “Who the hell…?”
Jessica started to say something, but laughter snorted out of her instead of words. She struggled to suppress more giggles and felt her face turning red.
Jonathan smiled, holding out his hand.
“Hi, Beth, my name’s Jonathan,” he said politely. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”