Professor Squall came in with the curator from the museum. I shook their hands.
"Again," I said. "Sorry about that display and all."
"Water under the bridge," Mr. M said, handing his coat to Wane.
Not only was it water under the bridge, but Mr. M had given me a gift. While they were putting the display back together they couldn"t figure out which Pillage the bronze statue was. Not even my father knew. So, the museum had given it to us, and we put it up near the end of the driveway as a reminder of all our ancestors and the amazing things they had been through to help bring us to this moment.
Students continued to pour into the manor. Kids who had always rubbed me wrong were now all smiles and kind words. I thanked everyone for coming, but I was still waiting for the most important guest.
I looked around at the manor and marveled at how beautiful things were. I didn"t know for sure, but I had a feeling that someday my memories would be fuzzy and that certain things would be forgotten. I smiled knowing that at least I had The Grim Knot. It had helped in so many ways, and I figured it would help in the future to keep my mind filled with all that had happened.
My dad came up next to me.
"You doing okay?" he asked kindly.
"Yes," I answered, knowing I wouldn"t be doing great until Kate arrived.
People just kept coming and coming. The driveway and road were lined with hundreds of cars now. As the crowds coming in began to decrease, I started to worry about whether I had said something to make Kate stay away.
I looked past the foyer and into the main hall where the music was playing and people were dancing. I could see Wyatt happily dancing with a girl he had liked for years but had never had the courage to talk to. I guess formal parties just bring out the best in people.
Of course, the best person still was a no-show.
I was about to walk out and go search for Kate when she finally walked in. I looked at her across the room and realized that she was way too good for me. She didn"t have on a dress; instead she was wearing her faded Beatles shirt and blue jeans. She had her hair back, and her blue eyes were drawing me in like magnetic oases.
I walked across the foyer, suddenly feeling way too overdressed.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"I couldn"t find a dress I liked," she replied, smiling.
"You look amazing," I told her.
"You too," she said looking at my tux.
"What?" I asked defensively. "The invitations we sent out said formal, remember?"
"I know," she said apologetically. "I just started thinking about all the people who would be here and having to sit down and talk to everyone."
"I love how antisocial you are," I complimented her.
"Hey, Beck," she said softly. "Remember that false floor you found in that room on the fourth floor last week?"
I nodded.
"Did you ever check it out?"
"No," I said. "I usually do that kinda stuff with you."
Kate smiled, and my fingers and toes popped. She had a strange, wonderful effect on me.
"Well," she hinted. "There"s no time like the present."
I leaned in and kissed Kate. I kissed her because I loved her and because she was my girlfriend and because she was beautiful, but mainly I kissed her because she had her priorities in order. I pulled back and looked into her eyes.
"Let"s go see where it goes," she whispered.
"I love you," I whispered back.
The two of us made our way to the fourth floor as half of Kingsplot ate, drank, and made merry in the name of Pillage.
Other Books by Obert Skye.
The Pillagy Series.
Pillage.
Choke.
The World of Foo.
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo.
Leven Thumps and the Whispered Secret.
Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra.
Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder Professor Winsnicker"s Book of Proper Etiquette for Well-Mannered Sycophants.
Beyond Foo, Book 1: Geth and the Return of the Lithens.
The Creature from My Closet Series.
Book 1: Wonkenstein.
end.