Midnight Girl Part 3

"Could she hate me because Mama won and she lost?"

"Who cares what an Arkan thinks? I promise you, now that I know she's here, she won't trouble you for much longer."

"Thanks, Granny Lupe." Cat glanced at the time on her cell and stood.

"Where are you going?" "To get ready for dinner with Uncle Olujimi and Auntie Fong." Granny Lupe winced, then smiled. "Tell them I think of them often." "You could join us. I closed all the curtains." "No, my terror." Granny Lupe took Cat's chin in her hand and peered into her eyes. "Some things cannot be. It's not because I don't love you. And I'll give them this much. It's not because they don't love you."

Cat shrugged. "It's cool. I get two birthday celebrations, dinner with them and a party with you and Tia Ysabel." She caught herself in time to keep from saying, And Cousin Baldomero. A secret should stay a secret. She liked knowing she and Baldomero shared something no one else knew. She added, "Next year, we could reverse that."

Granny Lupe smiled. "The de la Sombras prefer parties to dinners." "Okay. See you after trick or treating." "You're old enough to prefer tricks to treats, you know." Cat sighed, "Yes, Granny."

She ran up to the hall, then gasped in surprise. Her father was sitting by the front door. He said quietly, "Kid. Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

Had he seen her at Ms. Arkan's building? As blood rushed to her cheeks, she realized she was a.s.suming too much. "Did the police call you?"

"Yes." "I was going to tell you, but I forgot." "You forgot you were nearly run over?" She shrugged. "It missed me. No biggie." He shook his head. "Kid, nearly getting hit by a car is a biggie." She wanted to throw her arms around him and say she was more afraid than she had ever been. She wanted to know that he would find the driver of the orange van and make her fear go away. She shrugged as if she didn't care and said, "I went to tell you when I got home. You were out."

"Had to return some books to the library."

She studied him. He could have been lying to her all his life. Shouldn't a daughter be able to know when her father lied?

A car door slammed in the street. Professor M said, "That must be --"

Cat turned and ran to the front door. Throwing it open, she called, "Uncle Olujimi! Auntie Fong!" and raced out to meet them.

As a man in a white suit and a woman in a black one came from the taxi, Cat thought anyone could tell they were her father's family, even if they came from distant branches. So what if Uncle Olujimi was a stocky Yoruban who shaved his head and Auntie Fong was a tall Chinese with long white hair? Uncle Olujimi and Auntie Fong had the same dark brown eyes as her father, and Auntie Fong had the grim look that said any price is better than surrender.

Like her father, Uncle Olujimi and Auntie Fong wore silver rings shaped like snakes wrapped around gems. Uncle Olujimi's was an onyx, and Auntie Fong's was a sapphire. The only time Cat ever saw Granny Lupe frown as if she was truly angry was when she looked at those rings.

Cat threw her arms around Uncle Olujimi, and he pulled her into a big hug. "Hey, Tiger! How is it you get more gorgeous every year?"

She grinned as she let go of him. "Best uncle ever!"

Auntie Fong held out her hand. As Cat took it, Auntie Fong said, "You look well, child."

"Thanks, Auntie."

Professor M braked just behind Cat, then pushed against his armrests to stand, saying, "Olujimi, mi hermano!"

They hugged, and Professor M added, "How are the Udofias?"

Olujimi's grin grew wider. "My family is well, thank you. Dayo is expecting a child. How are the Medianoches, my brother?"

Professor M said, "The ones in Tucson are glad you're here. Last I heard, the Spaniards are still doing the same old things in the same old ways."

"People like tradition," Auntie Fong said, nodding to him. "It binds us."

"That's the word I'd use," said Professor M. "How are the Fongs?"

Auntie Fong narrowed her eyes at him. "Have you heard of any trouble in our part of the world?"

"No." "Then you know." "Excuse me," said Cat, looking at the shopping bags that Olujimi held. "It's Selfish Birthday Girl Day, and that looks like--" "Dinner from Maya Quetzal!" said Olujimi. "Pupusas, chips and salsa, chile rostizado, chile relleno, borracho beans, rice, fresh corn tortillas, quesadilla with mangoes--" He sighed. "I have missed this country." Cat looked at the bag in Auntie Fong's hand. "That doesn't look like food." Auntie Fong said, "No." "I'm the luckiest girl ever," Cat said, thinking, This is how Halloween is supposed to be.

"I hope you are," said Auntie Fong.

When they went inside, to everyone's surprise, Granny Lupe was waiting in the shadows of the parlor. She looked at the shopping bags, sniffed, and said, "As if I would poison the lot of you."

Everyone was quiet for a second. Then Auntie Fong began to laugh, and the rest joined in, except for Professor M.

Cat asked Granny Lupe, "You'll eat with us after all?"

"No." She smiled at Auntie Fong. "I just didn't want anyone to think I was hiding from them."

"We have no illusions about you," Auntie Fong replied, and held out her bag to Cat. "You might as well open this now." Cat yanked wrapping paper off the top of the bag, then pulled out a pair of roller skates. "Purple! The perfect!" With a glance at Granny Lupe, Auntie Fong said, "Just something to get you out in the sun more." Granny Lupe said, "A quiet way to travel is especially useful at night." Olujimi, looking at the two old women, said, "Some things never change." He grinned at Cat. "There might be something in my pockets for you." And then he did his usual trick of reaching into different pockets of his clothes and handing Cat something from each. This time, he had a dream catcher from an Ojibwe tribe in Canada, a small bronze statue of an elephant-headed G.o.d from India, a porcelain Buddha from China, and a silver cross on a necklace from Italy. Each gift made Granny Lupe smile, except for the cross, which made her laugh.

Granny Lupe left them before dinner. Professor M never seemed quite as evil when Olujimi was around. The professor was still quiet, and his face was still grim, but when Olujimi laughed, Professor M would rock back in his chair slightly and nod as if he was laughing too.

As Cat was finishing dinner, her cell vibrated. She checked the screen: "TRICKORTREAT?"

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Auntie Fong said, "We had business with your father anyway." Olujimi said, "Which means, we're very glad we could come, too." Cat hugged him, shook hands with Auntie Fong, nodded to Professor M, and started for the front door. In the hall, when the professor rolled up behind her, she looked back in surprise.

He said, "Kid, be careful out there."

"I know. Run and scream, and if someone tries to force me anywhere, fight them. In that order." She pulled the front door open. "Don't worry. I've got my cell."

"It's charged?" As she glanced back at him, he said, "Stupid father question. You're a teen. Of course your cell phone's charged. One more thing."

"What?" she said, barely keeping the exasperation from her voice.

He turned his head in the expression that, if she had not known how humorless and self-absorbed he was, she might have mistaken for a smile. "Have fun."

"I will," she said, and ran out, determined that no matter what happened, she would make that come true.

Tarika's house was like most houses in Tucson's Barrio del Rio: small, stuccoed, with a red tile roof, burnt orange walls, and purple trim around the doors and windows. When Cat rang the bell, a tall skeleton in a dark suit opened the front door and said, "You're late."

"Like that's different." The skeleton said, "On Halloween." "Uncle Olujimi kept telling funny stories about his kids and wives.

He's so nice he likes Evil Dad. Also, something happened." "No talk." Tarika yanked Cat inside. "The maestro must work." "But I've got to tell you about this afternoon!" "Which is why I'll do your hands first." Tarika dragged Cat to her room, a mash-up of Mexico and Africa.

Against one wall were an acoustic guitar, a keyboard, a doumbek, and a hammered dulcimer. One corner of the room was bare so Tarika could dance. One wall had a mural she had painted of her heroes. Muhammad rode a flying horse through the night sky, Jesus walked above a lake during a storm, and Shakira danced in s.p.a.ce with the earth, the moon, and the sun behind her. Below the mural was lettered in gold paint, You are a song written by the hands of G.o.d.

Cat dropped onto a big pillow on the floor. While Tarika painted finger bones on her skin, Cat told everything she had seen and heard about her trip to Arkan Exterminators. When she finished, she asked, "What do you think?"

"I'm with Granny Lupe. Ms. Arkan's a stalker ex-girlfriend." "And someone stole her van and nearly hit me? Big coincidence." Tarika shrugged. "If there weren't coincidences, there wouldn't be a word for them. Is Ms. Arkan dumb enough to run someone over in a car with her name on the side?"

"Maybe someone wanted to frame her."

"You think your dad could have two stalker girlfriends? Someone reads too much manga."

"Would a stalker show up after fourteen years?" "Why not? Your dad's the hot." "The hot? Evil Dad?" "Totally Heathcliffy."

Cat frowned. "He's like a cartoon cat?" "He's like the guy in Wuthering Heights. I would so stalk him." "La, la, la!" Cat stuck her fingers in her ears. "I'm not creeped out." Tarika pulled Cat's wrists down. "If I was old and into Heathcliffs, which I'm not. I want a boy who can laugh, like Trick or Ilya." As she began painting Cat's face, Tarika added, "You ever see any of the old Professor Midnight videos? From before you were born?"

"No. Like the new ones aren't embarra.s.sing enough."

"He wasn't Heathcliffy then. He joked around. Like he knew his show was silly, but he didn't care, because he loved sharing what he knew about monsters and all. I'll bet he was one of those guys who could've been with any straight girl or gay boy he wanted, only he was too clueless to know it."

"Not doubting the clueless." Tarika set down the makeup. "You're awful hard on him." "How often does your mom tell you she loves you?" "Um, every day? At least." "Evil Dad never said he loved me." "Cat, he takes great care of you." "That's 'cause he's got an ego thing about being responsible. I think I was an accident, so he feels obliged to pay for it." "That's more than some fathers do." "Yeah. I don't call him Evilest Dad, do I?" Cat nodded at the makeup. "Who's wasting time now?" Tarika resumed painting Cat's face. "Why don't you think Ms.

Arkan's just a stalker girlfriend?" "'Cause they were talking about danger. About his arms being strong." "Don't be shocked, girl. Sounds like s.e.x talk." "No way! He's not interested." "You're like evidence to the contrary." "But he hasn't gone out with anyone since Mom died." "Doesn't mean he's not interested." "He's crippled!" "Just because he can't walk doesn't mean he can't--" "No. If you'd heard, you'd know. It was about something dangerous." "Okay. Let's say the van wasn't an accident. Maybe your dad and Ms. Arkan were international spies, and the Russian mob is trying to get revenge on them by killing you and framing her."

Cat laughed. "I'm not the only one who reads too much manga."

"But if I'm right, someone might try to kill Ilya and frame your dad now."

Cat shook her head. "I don't think it's spies." "So ask your dad about it." "I did. He lied." "Your dad? He never lies!"

"He said he was at the library. Maybe he lies all the time, and I never caught him before."

"Maybe he had a good reason, like it's something private that doesn't affect you. I say stop worrying and start trick-or-treating."

"Easier said than done." Tarika held up a mirror. "Say you can't." Cat stared at herself in delight. The second skeleton was ready for Halloween. They grabbed hats, a jazz musician's porkpie for Cat and a black- and-silver mariachi sombrero for Tarika. As Cat picked up the karaoke machine, Tarika said, "Maybe this isn't the best idea after all."

Cat said, "What's the second rule?" "I'm not wimping out! I'm just not sure I'm ready--" "And when would you be sure?" Tarika swallowed, then nodded. "At least no one'll know who we are in our make-up." "No, not at all," Cat said. "We could be any two kids in the barrio.

Who look like ninth-grade girls. One short, one tall." Tarika sighed. "Whose stupid idea was this?" "Yours," Cat said, laughing, as she hauled Tarika through the house. As soon as they stepped outside, Tarika relaxed and Cat started looking for orange vans, white wolves, and strange people. Then she smiled. Pirates, zombies, and superheroes were walking along De Anza Street. Strange is the point of Halloween.

Cat said softly, "No wimp outs." Tarika glanced at her. "Heard it the first time, Cat." "Saying it for me, Tee." "Oh," Tarika said, and then, "Oh! Are you still shook--" "Way no!" Cat said loudly to convince both herself and Tarika.

"Let's do it." She marched toward the neighbors' home. Tarika said, "Can I half-wimp?" "It's the Sanchezes." Cat set down the karaoke player and rang the door bell. "They'll love it, even if it's all fail." "We could just get candy and go." Cat punched play. "Too late." For the next two hours, they raced from house to house performing Halloween carols: "Monster Mash," "Thriller," "Ghost Riders in the Sky," "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner," "Jumbie Jamboree," and "I Put A Spell On You." Tarika sang lead, Cat sang back-up, and they danced to their own ch.o.r.eography. When they were exhausted and their bags were stuffed full of candy, they staggered back to Tarika's house, where Mrs. Soto insisted they perform all the songs again. When they dropped Cat off at home afterward, she told Tarika, "Best. Halloween. Ever!"

But she knew the best was yet to come.

Chapter Four.

Midnight Girl.

The only thing better than trick-or-treating was coming home to the front path lit by candles in tin luminarias, a jack o'lantern glowing by the door, and Professor M and Granny Lupe sitting on the porch. Under the yellow porch light, Granny Lupe rocked in her chair, snapping her fingers to the beat of whatever was playing through her earbuds. Professor M, reading a book, sat near her with a blanket over his legs. Cat laughed--this was how every trick or treating was supposed to end.

Which made her think of Baldomero. He had never been part of her Halloween. But she did not mind changes that made Halloween even better.

Granny Lupe grinned at Cat and took the buds from her ears. "Have a good time, my terror?"

Cat shook her head. "Who should I punish?" Cat laughed. "I had a great time." Granny Lupe nodded. "You are truly--" "Yourself," Professor M finished. "Yes," Granny Lupe agreed. "You should get ready for your midnight party." "I can't be skeleton girl?" Granny Lupe smiled and shook her head. "How often does Ysabel get to see you? Be beautiful for her." "Skeleton girl is beautiful." "You don't have to hide yourself, my fierce one. You're beautiful exactly as you are." "I wish I looked like Tarika." Professor M said, "Tarika's got that covered. Look like you, and you'll be fine." "Yeah, right." Cat headed inside, thinking that in father-talk, "fine" meant "hopelessly weird." Granny Lupe said, "I'll start hot chocolate." "With cinnamon?" Granny Lupe lifted her chin high and stared at Cat. "We are a proud family of a n.o.ble lineage! Of course, with cinnamon!"

Professor M said, "I'll light the fire." Cat said, "S'mores?" Professor M nodded. "It is your birthday." "I wish Tarika could come over."

Granny Lupe said, "We de la Sombras are jealous of our good luck." "Tarika could have hot chocolate and s'mores before Ysabel comes." Professor M glanced at Granny Lupe. "Maybe next year." Granny Lupe shrugged. "Who can know?"

Professor M rolled down the ramp and went from luminaria to luminaria, blowing each one out. Cat asked, "Can't we let them burn?"

Granny Lupe shook her head. "Ysabel doesn't need the light. Or want it."

In her bedroom, scrubbing away makeup, Cat thought about the Halloween Fairy's gift. A white dress and slippers were so meh after all the birthday costumes she had known. But she was fourteen now. White meant innocence. Maybe the costumes would become more mature with each birthday after this: pink for fifteen, red for sixteen, crimson for seventeen, black for eighteen. Or maybe white didn't mean a thing. Maybe whoever brought the costumes simply thought a change would be nice.

What would Baldomero think?

She put on the dress, wondering if the right clothes would transform her from a big-nosed, flat-chested girl to a gorgeous young woman who looked like her mother. When she looked in the mirror, she thought, Chica, you're just funny-looking. Accept it.

She saw a girl dressing up like a woman. She turned from side to side, but she could not make herself look like Mama. She studied the painting over her bed. She could see a resemblance, but it was like a sculptor's apprentice had taken all the same pieces and put them together slightly off.

Baldomero was lying or crazy. She hoped for crazy. She wished Tarika was there to do her hair and makeup. If she tried to do anything more than comb her hair, she would look like a clown or a zombie.

She shivered. Whoever chose her costume had forgotten Tucson nights could be cold by the end of October. She closed her bedroom window, then thought, If you have to look like a funny-looking girl, look like a comfortable funny-looking girl.

She pulled on striped black-and-purple leggings and her purple hoodie. That made the white slippers look odd, so she changed them for her low purple boots, then checked in the mirror.

Her father was right. Since she couldn't be Tarika or anyone else, she should be herself.

When she came into the parlor, the fire was blazing. Professor M glanced at her and nodded. Granny Lupe's eyes narrowed. She said, "That's--"

Professor M said, "Yes?"

Granny Lupe shook her head. "Different. Which proves she's the daughter of Zoraida de la Sombra."

Professor M winced as usual at her mother's name. Cat asked Granny Lupe, "Have you been drinking sherry again?"

Granny Lupe laughed. "It's a wonderful night. I had a taste." Professor M said, "Four tastes." Granny Lupe whirled toward him. "You'd be better company if--"

Then she smiled. "No. You would sink from glum to maudlin. Stay sober."

Professor M shrugged and poked at the logs in the fireplace. "It's my birthday," Cat said. "You two have to play nice." Professor M turned his head like a hawk, and Cat thought of the things that had happened during the day. She opened her mouth to ask about Ms. Arkan, but before she could, Granny Lupe said, "Hot chocolate's ready. Help carry."

And Cat decided that anything unpleasant could wait one more day.

For the next hour, they drank hot chocolate and toasted s'mores. They played Chinese checkers, and Cat won every game. She was bouncing a marble across the board in victory when the hall light flickered, and she turned.