"But how do you put on makeup?"
"Practice.Plus,Constantine will not hesitate to tell me if it is askew."
They all laughed.
We continued to eat and drink and converse aboutRomania and Dullsville.
"We really appreciate your inviting us to your home/' Mrs. Sterling said. "We have kept to ourselves since we returned here. This town doesn't seem to be very inviting to outsiders."
"Well, I'm hoping to fix that before it's too late," my mom said. "We wouldn't want you to feel unwelcome."
Mr. Sterling and Mrs. Sterling glanced at each other knowingly.
"I think we'll always be outsiders," Mrs. Sterling said, "no matter where we go."
As we all said our good-byes, I glanced over at my parents hugging and shaking hands with the Sterlings . I felt higher than a soaring bat, watching a scene I'd never have imagined even in my wildest dreams.
Chapter 19 Bomb shell
"What an evening!" I said to Alexander later that night at the rail yard. He was waiting for me in the Mansion replica boxcar.
"Did they have a good time?" my handsome boyfriend asked, fishing for reassurance.
"The best time ever. On the way home, they couldn't stop talking about 'Constantine and Cassandra.' How interesting and worldly they are. They were so happy to have finally seen the inside of the Mansion. Thank you so much for inviting my parents over-and me."
"I wasn't sure... with the whole bat thing happening."
"Are you kidding? They couldn't stop talking about it." "My family adores yours," he said with a twinkle in his eye. Then he placed his hand on mine. "But you must understand, I don't want you to get too excited-"
"We all were excited. My dad was so impressed with the Mansion. It was a tour of a lifetime."
"I'm glad they liked it, but-," he started.
"These last few days were more amazing than I could have imagined," I said, cutting him off. "I love your parents. Can we trade?''
"Our parents?Sure. I think yours are cool."
"What?No way!"
"My mom carries an umbrella in the moonlight," he said with a chuckle. "And my dad insists on wearing a cape."
I had no idea Alexander viewed his parents like I viewed mine-slightly embarrassing. "I love your parents' style. My mom and dad think plaids orpinstripes is all the rage."
"Yours are way cooler!" he said, tickling my side.
"That's just because they aren't your parents. If you lived with them, you'd change your mind."
"And you might, too," he said. "Especially when you know that-"
"What was I thinking when I was spying on those two lovely people outside the Mansion. They don't have skeletons! Not in theircloset, or otherwise."
"There's something I need to tell you." Alexander turned serious.
"I was just being immature. Please don't tell them."
"I won't."
"Promise."