“Archie, are you really going to let this girl leave here—”

“Katherine, let it go. She’s got her own life and she’s got to try living it.” Her father picked up his paper and flipped the page. “Didn’t you hear her? She’s got a beautiful librarian to catch.”

Her mother was a gaping fish. For the first time, in her own household, no less, no one sided with her in a dispute. She looked from child to husband, puzzled by the idea that she’d lost an argument. “I don’t know what to say.”

“We can talk about it when I get home,” Victoria said, taking her mother’s hand. “Just know that I love you no matter what, but you’ve got to stop running my life. Some of your decisions led me to vomiting at a retirement party.” She gave a tender squeeze before releasing her mother’s hand.

“Be careful getting home, baby,” Archie said with a wave.

“Will do, Dad. I’ll see you guys later.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

“You should be Spider-Man,” Becca said, pointing to the panel on the wall. She slung the bag with her Wonder Woman costume over her shoulder as she perused the adult costumes with keen interest. “We can be superheroes together.”

Something about the spandex bodysuit didn’t necessarily appeal to John. Chris, who stood beside him, must have read his mind and shook his head. “Nope.”

“I don’t think I’ll feel comfortable,” John said.

“But Spider-Man is the best,” she argued.

If it wasn’t for Becca and the Friends of the Farmingdale Public Library Halloween party, John wouldn’t spend a Sunday in a crowded party store looking for last minute costumes. Unfortunately, Director Wegman required every library worker’s participation, in full costume, to celebrate the community, the board of directors, and patrons. Becca just loved Halloween. Chris had come along to offer assistance, but John knew he was just curious about the latest gossip concerning Victoria.

He didn’t have much to spill. It had been two full days since he’d last spoken to her.

“Why don’t we go with a literary theme and do Sherlock Holmes,” Chris suggested. “They’ve got the hats over here.”

John shook his head. “No.”

“How about Captain Ahab? We could wrap cardboard around your leg.”

“How about Zorro?” Becca asked. “Since you have to wear a mask?”

John paused to think. “That’s a possibility.”

Chris sidled up beside him and asked in a low voice, “Will Dr. Reese be there?”

He sucked in a breath and ignored his friend. “Becca picked the perfect costume. I’ll go with Zorro and it can double as that guy from Princess Bride.”

“What’s Princess Bride?” Becca asked, grabbing a cape and sword.

“She’s obsessed with Alanis Morissette, but Jessi never taught her about Princess Bride?”

“Another reminder that we’re getting old,” John muttered.