“Happy Halloween,” said Vanessa. She reached out near his shoulder and felt the shirtsleeve fabric between her thumb and forefinger. “It’s beautiful. I would toast you, but I haven’t hit the bar yet.”
“Can I get you something?” he asked. He leaned in and spoke quietly. “My treat. For a farewell toast?”
“About that,” she said. Vanessa drew him aside near the aquarium. “I changed my mind. I’m staying.”
He wanted to hug her. He wanted to grab her hands and spin in circles like children until they both fell down, dizzy and laughing. Instead, he let his joy shine forth in a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. “That’s wonderful news. A celebratory toast is much better than a farewell toast, anyway.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I will have to give you a raincheck for later, though—for now, I must mingle. And you have a plate of seafood to get back to, I think.”
Vanessa
Vanessa moved through the crowd, greeting crew members and admiring costumes, until she became too hungry to abstain from the buffet any longer.
It’s my turn to pile up a plate.
Fully provisioned, she found Charlotte’s table and sat down. She complimented Charlotte’s radiant green sequined cocktail dress, then fell to cracking crab legs with a practiced hand.
They chatted amiably, back on solid ground after their temporary falling-out.
Across the room, Thomas appeared to be telling a story that involved balancing on one leg and gesturing wildly.
Charlotte followed Vanessa’s gaze. “You’re staring,” she said.
Vanessa choked on her drink.
Charlotte laughed. “Vanessa, you are too easy to rile.”
“I am not,” Vanessa protested. “Besides, this is Destiny Park, not ‘The Dating Game.’”
“Could’ve fooled me,” said Charlotte.
“What are you doing with your art lately, Charlotte?”
“I see you changing the subject. But I’ll let you do it because I love to talk about myself.”
“Please do,” said Vanessa, with a flourish of her hand.
“I am still working on my portfolio. Someday—when it’s ready—I’ll submit it to the design department, see if I can get on the art team.”
“Don’t stop,” said Vanessa. “I’m rooting for you.”
“Thank you,” said Charlotte.
Maribel approached the table. “Is this seat taken?”
“No! By all means, have a seat,” said Vanessa. “I love your witch costume.”
“Thank you,” said Maribel. She set her plate and glass on the table, removed her pointed hat, and sat down.
“That reminds me,” said Vanessa. “I have something to show you. Grab my neckerchief.”
Maribel looked at Vanessa like she’d gone mad.
“I haven’t lost my mind. Yet. I promise. Go on, give it a pull.”
Maribel reached toward Vanessa, seized the fabric, and tugged on it.
It came away in Maribel’s hand. She laughed. “What’d you do?” she said.
“I altered this one. It’s a prototype,” Vanessa said.
“I like it,” said Maribel. “Now you just have to get Mr. Destiny on board.”
The three women settled into pleasant conversation punctuated by occasional refills of their glasses and plates.
“Oh, my,” said Vanessa, staring past Charlotte.
“What?” said Charlotte. She whipped around to see what Vanessa was looking at.
Dirk marched through the rows of sea fans, dressed like a Prussian nobleman, complete with dress military jacket, gold epaulets, a sash, and a crown.
Crew members were already crowding around to admire his choice of costume, blocking Vanessa’s view.
“Excuse me,” she said to Charlotte and Maribel. “I’ll be back.” She pushed back her chair and stood up, determined to greet Dirk and take a closer look at his Halloween get-up.
“Are you a … prince?” Vanessa said, joining the crowd that had formed around Dirk.
“Prince Dirk, at your service.” He bowed stiffly, from the waist.
“That’s quite a costume,” Vanessa said. It was so over the top that she almost found it endearing, in a weird way, despite her dislike for him. He seemed genuinely happy for the first time.
She withdrew from the group and took a turn about the room, soaking in the beauty of the undersea-themed lighting and the flashes of silver from the fish in the aquarium. The sound of the self-playing piano mingled with the chatter of crew members and the clink of glasses and silver.
As the night progressed, enough of the crew members partook of the cash bar to loosen their inhibitions. Laughter grew loud and stories more outlandish as Vanessa circulated through the crowd.
A commotion in the center of the floor drew her attention. Someone figured out how to shut off the piano, and someone sat down to play.
The crowd cheered as Dirk launched into a spirited performance.
Vanessa watched from a distance. Absorbed in the strange spectacle, she didn’t notice Thomas standing quietly next to her until she caught the scent of pine.
“I didn’t know he could play,” said Vanessa.
“He’s talented,” said Thomas.
Side by side, they listened to the music for the length of a song.
“I haven’t forgotten that toast you promised me,” said Vanessa.
“I would never dream of disappointing you,” said Thomas. “Would you like to catch a little fresh air?”
Vanessa nodded. “Sounds refreshing,” she said.
“See that side door over there? Past the dessert table? If you go out that door, there’s a little fire escape that overlooks the park. You can take a breather while I fetch the glasses,” Thomas said.
They parted. Vanessa found the stairs just as Thomas described. She sat down on the top stair. The view of the border between Discovery and Galaxy contained layers of natural beauty topped with the glowing globes and spokes of a space-themed Ferris wheel.
The door behind her clicked open.
Thomas emerged from inside, carrying two champagne flutes filled with ruby red liquid. He handed one to her and sat down on the same stair.
“It’s a champagne–pomegranate cocktail,” he said. “Specialty of the night. Champagne, or something like it, with pomegranate juice, and some of those little pomegranate seeds floating on top.”