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a serious conversation with someone in a bumblebee costume.
     
    “Now, tell me about this promotion.”
     
    “Well, I think it’s pretty much a done deal. The social campaigns we’ve done so far have been successful, and the holiday promos I pitched to Raven Cosmetics were approved. Now, if I can just get my replacement trained.”
     
    “What’s wrong with her?”
     
    “She requires a lot of reassurance and I have to explain everything three to five times.”
     
    “She’ll get it.”
     
    “Yeah, I’m sure she will. I’m just anxious to get started with my new team and move on to other projects.”
     
    “I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it.”
     
    The doorbell rang and Crystal wobbled over to it. I smiled as I watched her go. It was nice having her to talk to again. I hadn’t told a soul about Patrick and me and, as I watched Crystal hand out candy and Crest, I realized I was bursting to tell her all about him. So I did.

Chapter Seven

When the Masks Come Off, Part Three
Patrick
     
    Patriot Street was the central street in Roman Glen. It ran straight through the center of town, ending at the gazebo that served as an entrance to Roman Glen Park. It was also where you’d find Lots Pharmacy, Mrs. Hudson’s Bakery, the courthouse, police station, and the firehouse where my father served for many years. The annual parade had just ended, but the street was still filled with families in costumes. The parade was a real community-binding event. Local businesses participated with their employees dressed up on floats along with classes from the local schools. It was just another reason I loved growing up in Roman Glen. As a kid, nothing beat trick-or-treating with my friends and then heading over to Patriot Street for music and wonderful food.
     
    Every year my mother set up a booth by the firehouse and sold warm pies. She didn’t always sell them. She used to give them away, but Dad thought she should get paid for her efforts, so she started charging for them: fifty cents. She didn’t do it for the money, she explained, but because she enjoyed doing things for others to make them happy. She liked caring for others. Chloe reminded me a lot of my mother in that regard. It was nice to see that some things didn’t change as I approached my mother’s booth and found her dressed as Betsy Ross and my father as George Washington. She was selling sweet-smelling apple pies. I walked up just as a couple was leaving with two pie boxes.
     
    “See you in church, Marie.” My mother called as they left. She smiled when she saw me. “Patrick, look at you! I almost didn’t recognize you.”
     
    “That’s the idea, Ma,” I joked, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
     
    “Hey, son.” My dad gave me a solid pat on the back. 
     
    We talked briefly about the parade and who was wearing what costume. When my mother asked if I’d heard from Charlotte, I didn’t have the heart to tell her the details surrounding our most recent and disturbing conversation earlier that night. Instead I told her that I had spoken to Charlotte and she’d already had plans to attend a party that evening. I knew she was disappointed, but she seemed to take some small relief that someone had at least spoken to my sister and confirmed she was still alive. My father didn’t look as convinced though, and I kept my eyes fixed on the teenagers bobbing for apples in a nearby booth so as not to meet his gaze.
     
    “Have you seen Paul yet?” my mother asked, changing the subject. 
     
    “No. I’m hoping to hook up with him later, though.”
     
    My mother cast a quick glance at my father, who remained silent. “Well, we saw him and his… uh… friend shortly before you arrived. They mentioned going on the hayride.” 
     
    I knew without asking who my mother meant. Paul was officially out of the closet and dating Derrick, the new guy at work. We hadn’t spoken about it much, but I had made Paul promise that he was doing this for