“I don’t know Darth Vader,” Jake said. “Is it better than being a cowboy or a pirate?”

Despite their fears upon first meeting her, Mrs. Burlinski didn’t seem to mind Tony spending time with Jake. At least at school. Halloween was going to be the first time they would spend with each other outside of that. Maybe that was another reason for Jake being so picky about his costume.

After the death of her parents, Halloween had stopped being special for Madison. When she’d moved in with her grandmother, she had lost all her friends to enjoy it with and the witch didn’t care about Halloween at all. Even though it should be her favorite holiday, given how scary she’s all the time.

Madison suppressed a chuckle and raised her glass of water. “Tonight we’re going to watch the first of the old Star Wars movies. After that, you can decide what to wear.”

“Columbo airs tonight,” Rita Mae mumbled.

“So what? Watch it in your room,” Madison said.

“With Columbo, it’s about every detail.” Rita Mae gesticulated enthusiastically. “The big TV in the living room is much better for that.”

Before Madison knew what was happening, everybody opened their mouths to join in with the debate. At least nobody was suggesting they watch anything on the huge TV in her bedroom. She held up both hands to gain control again. “Enough already. We’re watching Star Wars and that’s it.”

When all went silent, she realized how surreal this was. Just a few months ago, she would have headed from club to club, drinking herself into a stupor and having meaningless sexual encounters. Now all she had in mind was what they would watch on TV and where. And the weirdest part in all of this was that she liked it—much more than she had ever enjoyed spending time with the guys.

None of her so-called friends had so much as sent her a text message recently. Not even Phil. But surprisingly, she didn’t miss any of them.

Janice and Danielle were the only ones she spent time with nowadays. And Sherry. She shook her head. Who would have thought that she would ever be surrounded by women and not sleep with any of them?

“Eat your vegetables,” Sherry told Jake, but Madison sped up her eating too at her stern voice.

“Yes, Mom,” he said, and Madison almost repeated it.

When she became aware of her childish behavior, she held her head up extra high. “By the way, Danielle finally asked her mechanic out on a date and wants us to join them because she’s terrified to go alone.”

Sherry looked up. “Wow. It took her long enough.”

“Who’s asked her mechanic out?” Rita Mae asked. “And why would you join them on their date?”