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.