Page 142 of Switch!

“And I’ll be even older,” Trixie says, “but I’ll let him practice flirting with me via texts so he’s more likely to impress the next one. Are you both ready?”

Yes, I think.What’s going on?

This doesn’t get a response, so I try to be louder.

“I think he said yes,” Jesse tells Trixie. “And he might be confused. Are you sure this isn’t all in my head?”

Trixie rolls her eyes. Then she takes his arm and leads him away. “We’ll prove it to you when we’re somewhere less public. Jesse has gone skeptical again, Travis. That’s why he agreed to meet us here.”

“Not quite,” Jesse replies. “I’m here because Colin would never forgive me if I turned down an opportunity to do this again. He’ssuperinto your story. If he wasn’t at work, he’d be here now. And yeah, maybe I keep doubting what I experienced previously. My favorite theory is that I was having a nervous breakdown while hanging out with crazy people. No offense intended.”

“None taken,” Trixie says. “This lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Although it’s gotten easier since we started living in a millionaire’s house.”

Jesse looks over at her sharply. “What?”

She nods coolly. “Travis got into a rich dude’s head and found out that he’d be gone for a couple of weeks. We’ll show you.”

“Oh-kay.” Jesse sounds manic when he laughs. “Let’s start there!”

During the drive to Gary’s house, Trixie fills him in on what we’ve been up to. The recap helps me understand why Jesse still has his doubts. Especially when she gets to the part about Gismonda.

“You had to run from a storm?” Jesse asks. “That’s…”

“Exciting?” Trixie finishes for him. “I think so too. Hey, wait until you hear what we did for Patrick. You’re going to be thrilled!”

While listening to her explain what happened, I feel proud of what we accomplished. A man who was on the verge of committing suicide is now reunited with his estranged wife. Not bad for a couple of teenagers. It’s a far cry from a happy ending, and I have no doubt that Serena’s death will continue to trouble them both, but at least now they can face that challenge together.

“So if I call Patrick,” Jesse says, “he’ll back up your story?”

“Totally!” Trixie says. “Of course, he might be another crazy person like us. It’s hard to know who you can trust. Turn here. It’s the first house on the left.”

Jesse follows her instructions. Then he stares. The house makes one hell of an impression. We invite him in for a grand tour. Everything is just as we left it. Including the indoor pool.

“It’s possible that you broke into this place,” Jesse begins.

“Not only is it possible,” Trixie says, “it’s a fact! But you won’t find any smashed windows or forced doors. We know the pin number to the alarm system, remember? Of course, maybe I worked here as a babysitter or was given the code for some other reason. If you want, we can start fresh. Travis will possess the neighbor and invite us over. Then we’ll do the next house over, and the one after that. The entire neighborhood can’t be in on it.”

“No need,” Jesse says, shaking his head “I’m back to believing again. It just all seems so…”

Unreal?

“Exactly!” Jesse covers his mouth with his hand.

“What’s wrong?” Trixie asks.

“I just felt the baby kick,” Jesse says. “So to speak.”

This cracks Trixie up. She plops down in one of the deck chairs. Jesse is more careful when sitting. “So we’re really going to Tacoma?” he asks.

Are we?Frustrated with being nothing more than internal dialog, I attempt to increase my volume and add,Do you mind if I take over? I have too many questions.

“I think he wants to drive,” Jesse says. “Do I need to do anything?”

“Naw,” Trixie says. “If you’re cool with it, he’ll do the rest.”

Jesse nods. It’s all the encouragement I need.

“That’s better,” I say once I’m in control. “First of all, how were you able to contact Jesse while we were on the plane? Or did you have this planned out all along?”