I manage to teeter the whole way to the concession shack with Wes. Once there, I use the countertop to help me stay upright as I drag myself along, hand over hand, making my way to the back. Finally, I find myself clutching the door handle to Wes’s office.
“Wait!” Wes shouts too late. “It’s booby-trapped!” I hear him just as the door pops open, and I wince in anticipation of more glitter. Instead, I’m immersed in furry full-body slams from my aunt’s three wolf dogs.
They knock me to the ground, thanking me for releasing them by licking my face until they’re dangerously close to exposing my identity.
Instinctively, I reach up and begin massaging the closest wolf’s ears. The giant dog gradually rolls onto his back and gives a happy grunt.
Moving quickly, I manage to subdue the other two dogs before my Lana face is uncovered. With three dogs and only two hands, it’s a bit like playing a game of whack-a-mole.
“That’s amazing,” Wes says, “it totally blisses them out.” He drops to his knees to help me massage pointy ears.
“Was this what you needed help with?” I ask as we continue to sit on the ground with the docile wolves.
“Not exactly. You see . . .” Wes opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something, then closes it, reconsiders, and tries again.
Mutely, I watch him struggle to find words, and a fear begins to grow in my chest. “Are you accepting the MegaMart offer from that real estate guy?” I ask through the lump in my throat.
“What?” He sounds surprised. “No, that’s silly. Folks have been after me to list this property for years. People who only care about money, and that guy is the worst one yet. Can you believe he had the nerve to go ahead and find a buyer without my okay? And then to come in here badgering me right when we’re in the middle of an outstanding reopening. I mean, obviously MegaMart is offering a lot of money . . .”
“So then what did you want to talk about, Wes?” I cut him off before he realizes “a lot of money” may be too much to pass up.
“It’s about your aunt,” Wes says and then looks at me. “Those white eyes are freaking me out, Ricki. Can you maybe lose the contacts while we talk?”
I think about Lana’s blue irises underneath these contacts. “Sorry, I forgot contact solution. What do you need to ask me about my aunt?”
Wes blushes. “I was kind of wondering if May is, er . . . free? I mean, not free, but available?” He sighs. “I don’t normally do relationships, but Ricki, I really like your aunt May.”
“Well, based on that drive-by kiss I saw her give you earlier, I’d say you’re in.”
“Oh, you saw that, huh?” Wes gives a bright smile. “Yeah, I mean I know we like each other and all, I’m just thinking I might be ready for, you know . . . like, if she might be open to a just her and me for good sort of thing.”
“I have never seen you so uncomfortable, Wes,” I say. “It’s nice. And hey, look, you’re already bonding with her wolf babies and that’s a really big step.”
“Yes!” He grins and leans down to give a belly rub to one of the dogs. He’s immediately whacked in the head with a giant paw that knocks off his hat. Wes laughs as he places his hat on the desk. One of the pups instantly accepts it as a gift and sniffs the inside thoroughly before moving on to chew the brim.
I ease the hat out of the dog’s mouth before he can do too much damage.
“Well, if you’re asking for my blessing to date my aunt, you’ve got it,” I say. “In fact, I wish you luck because you both happen to be two of my favorite people.”
Wes rubs some of the slobber off the brim and puts his hat back on his head.
“I may need every bit of that luck,” he says. “Remember how you and I were discussing whether or not she was avoiding me earlier today?”
“She wasn’t, I told you,” I say. “And look at the amazing pendant she was busy making you.”
Wes wraps his hand around the twinkling blue stone at his chest and takes a deep breath. “But that’s the thing,” he says. “Tonight’s movie was supposed to be our first date and a really big deal. And now here I am, with The Wizard of Oz all cued up as a special after-the-movie movie surprise, and here she is, well, not here.” He lets the pendant drop to his shirt. “I’m really worried about her deciding to take off for LA just now—does she know I’m serious?”
I think a minute and then shake my head. “If you understood the bond that my aunts and my mom have, you’d know that she had to go with them. No matter what. My aunt April is going through some stuff and needed the support.”
“So, you think I might have a shot with May? For, like, something real?” Wes pulls at the hem of his shirt.
“Here’s the thing about my aunt,” I say. “First of all, May is amazing. She’s the most unique and creative and generous person I know. She will make you see nature though a new lens of beauty, and I can promise she’ll make you belly laugh at least once every single day. She is absolutely worth loving.”
Wes says, “I can see all that in her. It sounds like you were about to say ‘but.’”
“I was just going to add that there are no guarantees. There are reasons the both of you have gotten to this point in your lives single, and you’re each a bit set in your ways.”
His face falls.
“But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue this!” I say. “If I guaranteed she would say yes to a real relationship with you, that would be cheating. Fear of rejection is part of the journey.”
Wes says, “Rejection is the worst.”
“I totally agree,” I say. “But someone special recently told me that getting rejected means you tried something that you weren’t sure you could do. And that’s a pretty cool way to look at it.”
Wes’s eyes light up. “So, you really think I should go for it?”
“Yes, I do.” I give the brim of his hat a playful tug. “But you’ll have to ask her all this yourself because, Wes, this is not high school.”
“Don’t kid yourself, Ricki.” Wes straightens his hat. “The whole world is high school.”
I laugh. Wes puts a hand on my shoulder and I steady myself by putting one back on his.
He says, “I want you to know I’m really grateful for all the work you and Jake have put into saving the Starlight. You two jumped in right when I was starting to run a little low on hope for this place and it truly means a lot.”
“We’ve loved every minute,” I say. “This drive-in is incredible.”
“Yes, it is,” he says. “And so are the two of you.” He pauses a moment. “Can I ask why you’ve been avoiding Jake today?”
“Wow, Uncle Wes, feel free to barge right into my business.”
“Sorry,” he says. “It’s just that you don’t run a drive-in for as many years as I have without developing a knack for spotting couples in love. I’ve been watching you two for a while now, and today was kind of hard to witness.”
“It’s complicated,” I say. “But I haven’t been avoiding Jake.”
“You told him to meet you in the bouncy castle and then drove off in that crazy pink convertible with your cousin’s boyfriend,” Wes says. “Poor kid looked crushed.”
“You don’t understand,” I say. “That wasn’t really me.”
“Well, it sure looked like you,” Wes says. “And anyway, that wasn’t the first time I saw that crushed look on Jake’s face. Am I wrong about you liking him?”
“That’s not . . .” I start, and then try again. “I was waiting for . . .”
“Waiting for what?” Wes raises one eyebrow.
“Fine!” I growl. “I was waiting for a Magical Starlight First Kiss Under the Stars. There, I said it. To my boss.”
Wes laughs so hard the dogs all rush to his face to check on him. He pushes them away and says, “Holding out for one of those magic Starlight kisses, huh? You know who came up with that legend?”
I keep my white mummy eyes turned on him, but he just grins and nods. “Seriously?” I say. “It was you?”
Wes tips his hat to me. “Turns out, it’s easier to start an urban legend than you’d think. Just tell a few folks a success story or two using specific examples. Make up a catchy slogan to put in your ads, and voilà: A Kiss Under the Stars at the Starlight turns magic. Next thing you know, we’re all wearing the T-shirts.”
“But wait,” I say, “what about all the people who were still together after sharing their first magical kiss here? I talked to some of them. Still totally in love after years. The magic works!”
“There are actually two explanations for that,” Wes says. “First, I believe that going to the drive-in together is a pretty kick-butt way of getting to know someone and starting off a relationship. The Starlight does get folks going on the right foot.”
“Okay, so that’s definitely true,” I say. “What’s the other reason?”
“Well, did you really interview everyone who ever shared their first kiss here?” Wes laughs. “Or were you only talking to the long-term couples because they were still together?”
“Oh,” I say. “I guess you’re right.”
“I told you about all the people who came to the drive-in while dating, then eventually got married and brought their children here,” Wes says. “But trust me, I could give plenty of examples of folks who came with different dates for years and never made a lasting connection with any of them.”
“That’s sad,” I say.
“I’ve seen plenty of couples fighting and leaving early over the years too,” he says. “The magic of the drive-in is really all about who you share the experience with.”
“It’s still magic though, right?” I try to sound positive, but my voice cracks and gives me away. “With the right person?”
“Absolutely, Ricki,” Wes says. “I didn’t mean to make you lose faith.”
“But I really may have ruined things with Jake already,” I whine pitifully.
Wes says, “You just told me that fear of rejection is part of the journey.”
“But that was when I was talking about you and your love life.”
Wes laughs, and I gradually join in. He puts a hand on my shoulder and says, “Well, it’s my turn to take over the front booth. Jake will be freed up if you want to spend some time with him.”
“I do,” I say. “I just wish I was feeling more myself tonight.”
“It’s up to you, but the movie starts soon,” Wes says. “Whether you’re ready for it or not.”
“Let’s go,” I say and begin hobbling along in my heels.
I put my arms out and give a few groans to really sell it, and Wes shakes his head and laughs as he ushers me out the door. The three wolf dogs fall into formation as Wes and I make our way out of the building and across the drive-in lot.
Lana has finished painting faces and I spot her leading Erik into the bouncy castle. I marvel that she is willing to risk her heart with someone so reckless. But then Erik seems worth it. He really does love her, and whatever happens with their relationship, I’ll be here for her. She and I make each other brave. And I’m glad she’s back in my life for good.
We pass a couple dressed as Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega, dancing together beside their car, and my cousin’s giggles ring out across the sparkling lot.
I look up at the stars poking through the darkening sky. “Here they come,” I say quietly.
“What’s that?” Wes asks.
“The magical stars,” I say. “I’m choosing to believe.”
“Yes. It’s a pretty great night.” Wes rubs the ear of the wolf dog closest to him and snickers. “And don’t the five of us make quite the pack.”
To all of the people in their cars getting ready to watch the movie, we probably look pretty awesome. Butch Cassidy and the Mummy just passing through, surrounded by three giant wolves.
Who would ever guess that Wes and I are both cowards when it comes to love, and that the three dogs at our sides are obsessively scanning the landscape for the one thing they’re truly frightened of: a three-pound Chihuahua no bigger than a teacup.
I rub the head of the closest dog and whisper to him, “You’ve got this.” Looking up I see Jake’s silhouette in the ticket booth window and think, We’ve got this.
* * *
Wes and I arrive at the front booth just as two guys dressed like zombies pull up in a Mercedes and stop outside the window to buy tickets.
“Whoa, classic,” the driver says when he sees Jake and me. “The Wolf Man and the Mummy!”
His friend in the passenger seat adds, “Noice.”
“You guys look great too,” I tell them as Jake takes the credit card the driver hands him.
“I’m a zombie from Z,” he tells me.
His passenger says, “And I’m a Night of the Living Dead zombie.”
Jake laughs. “Well, I think we’ve already got zombies from Zombieland and Warm Bodies, so it sounds like you two are just in time.” He hands back the card with their tickets.
I say, “And here’s a free popcorn coupon for coming dressed as your favorite movie characters tonight.”
“Keep the coupon, we’re here to spend,” the driver zombie says.
“Tonight is all about saving this adorably timeless drive-in!” The passenger zombie gives the driver a sharp high five.
“We’re huge fans of Erik’s channel and cannot wait to see what prank he has planned for tonight.”
“A prank?” I look at Jake.
“It’s a surprise,” Jake says as we watch the cross-film zombie duo pull away.
“Wait, so you know about Erik’s plan?” I say. “Is he pranking me or Lana? Holy cow, is he pranking all these people? What on earth is he up to?”
“Wes?” Jake says. “I think it’s time.”
“Already made the call,” Wes says. “Should be here any moment.”
“Come on, Ricki, you can help me,” Jake says.
“What is happening?” I’m starting to get nervous.
Jake takes my hand. “You want to know what the prank is? You can help me do it.”
The way Wes looks at me as he rubs one of the wolf dog’s ears makes it clear; this is it. Time for me to let down my guard and take a risk.
I nod to Wes as I turn to do my mummy-walk after Jake.
He looks back from a few strides ahead and stops to let me catch up. “Nice commitment, Ricki,” he says. “But we actually need to hurry.”
I shuffle a little faster, and Jake slows so we’re moving side by side.
A small child isn’t looking where he’s walking and bumps into Jake’s leg. The little boy stops and looks up, leaning back so far it looks like he’s going to topple backward.
Jake waves at the little boy and we both hold our breath.
Finally, the boy’s face expands into a huge smile. “Hi, doggie,” he says, and we both sigh in relief.
“Enjoy the movie,” I say, and the boy looks over at me and gives the highest-pitched scream of all time. We hurry past as his mother rushes to his side.
“Sorry,” Jake tells her.
The two of us start laughing as soon as we’re out of earshot. I can’t help but think Rick Baker would be proud.
As we continue on, Jake explains to me that Erik posted a cryptic promise on BubeTube at the end of their livestreamed Starlight theater tour.
“He said he’s going to be performing a prank here at the drive-in after dark tonight and everyone is welcome to come and witness it firsthand.”
He looks around at the lot. Nearly every single space is already filled with cars.
“It definitely didn’t hurt our turnout,” Jake says.
“I guess we owe him a thank you,” I say.
“Well, we are thanking him by helping him with the prank,” Jake says. “Everyone’s watching, so he’s staying visible with Lana and we’ll execute the prank in private.
We’re almost at the projection shack. “So what is this big caper we’re pulling?” I ask.
“You’re about to see.” Jake grins, baring his wolf fangs at me. “I’m so glad we’re doing this together, because you’re going to love it.”