Romiette and Julio (15 page)

“No, but the candle smells good.”

“Feel a dream coming on?” Romi felt nothing. She hoped Destiny had better luck.

“Not yet. I feel hungry. Is there any popcorn left?” Destiny ate constantly and never gained a pound.

“Forget your need for food. This is much too important. Sleep now, and dream.”

“How can I go to sleep?” Destiny moaned. “This is the worst music I ever heard in my life!” Destiny glanced at the digital clock radio that sat between the bed. She sat up suddenly. “Oh, my goodness! Romi! Look at the time! We almost missed it!”

“Missed what? I was almost asleep! What are you talking about?”

“Look at the clock!” Destiny squealed with excitement.

“Oh, you’re right! How could I be so stupid? It’s ten minutes after eleven. Are you ready?”

“Ready!”

“Here it comes—the magic wishing time—eleven minutes after eleven—11:11 on the digital clock.” Destiny and Romi had been playing this game for years, even though they had long outgrown it.

They did it almost unconsciously most of the time. When the clock read 3:33, that was a chance for a wish, and again at 4:44, and around the clock. But for only two minutes out of twenty-four hours
are the numbers in perfect alignment—at 11:11. These were the most powerful wishing times.

“I know what I’m wishing for!” Destiny whispered.

“Sh-sh-sh-sh. Shut up and wish, Destiny!” Romi urged. Even though she didn’t really believe all this, Romi figured there was no harm in a wish, and if somebody said that was the best time to do it, then she wasn’t missing the opportunity.

“I’m wishing! I’m wishing!” Destiny squeezed her eyes shut as the numbers 11:11 blinked onto the front of the clock.

“Did you wish for your soul mate to appear?” Romi asked.

“You know the rules say you can’t tell your wish. If you do, it won’t come true, Romi.”

“I know. Destiny, did you ever catch the Fantastic Five?”

“Once I got close. I wished on 1:11, then I caught 2:22. At 3:33, I was in the bathroom, but I remembered just in time and caught it and wished before it clicked over to 3:34. Then I just sat by the clock until 4:44. I knew I had it. I wished the same wish every time.

“Then my mom made me go to the grocery store with her at 5:30. I tried to explain that I had to wait twenty-five minutes, but of course she wouldn’t hear of such a thing, so I got in the store, looked frantically for a digital clock, but by the time we got out of the store, the clock in the car said 6:22. I was so upset. I’ve never gotten that close since.”

“I’ve never caught more than three in a row. I wonder what would happen if you caught the Fantastic Five and 11:11 as well,” Romi mused.

“They say that if you wish the same wish on all of them, it’s guaranteed to be granted, plus you get a bonus wish as well—for free!” Destiny said with authority.

“Sounds like extra credit in school.”

“Hey, Romi, did you ever wonder who ‘they’ is? You know, how ‘they’ say something will happen, or ‘they’ think the world is changing?” Destiny asked.

Romi flopped back on her pillow and grinned at the darkness. She and Destiny often had the same weird questions, and this was one she had considered often. “Yep,” she said, “I think I figured it out. The ‘they’ that everybody talks about as experts on everything is
women!”

“Women?” Destiny repeated.

“Yeah. Men will never admit that women know everything, so when you hear the statement that ‘they’ say the ozone layer is disappearing, you’ll know it’s a woman’s opinion being quoted by men!”

“I like that! One day I’m gonna catch all those times on the clock,” Destiny promised herself.

“I wonder what ‘they’ will say.”

“‘They’ will say that history has been made—finally!”

“By a woman, of course!” added Romi.

“Of course! Good night, Romi. Dream on!”

“The last time I talked to Julio on the computer, he signed off with ‘Sweet dreams’!”

“See there, you’re guaranteed no bad dreams!”

“Destiny?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Nothing. Everything.”

“G’night, Romi.”

“G’night, Destiny. Julio’s coming over tomorrow!”

“Sleep!”

“OK!”

Destiny woke up first. She looked around, glanced at the clock, and tried to remember if she had dreamed at all. She felt mellow and well rested, and she seemed to remember music—not the tinny tape from last night, which mercifully had shut off after thirty-five minutes, but loud, powerful, stimulating music. Then she remembered. “Romi, wake up! I saw him! My soul mate!”

“Who?” Romi asked groggily. She always slept hard and she didn’t awaken easily like Destiny. Romi didn’t like early mornings. And lately, she didn’t like dreams either.

“My soul mate,” Destiny insisted. “The System works! What about you? Did you dream of Julio? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure. I did dream—but it’s hazy and unclear.”

“Was it Julio? Is he your soul mate?”

“Yeah, I did dream of Julio, but it wasn’t a good dream,” Romi said slowly, trying to remember. “It was the same dream again. We were running, and
there was water all around, except this time there was fire too. The water was on fire, I think. We were both screaming and … I don’t know. I can’t remember anything else. Maybe that stupid system does work. But I thought it was supposed to give you a good dream. What’s all this stuff about fire and water?”

“That’s proof it works!” declared Destiny. “Don’t be afraid. Your star signs are fire and water. I knew the Scientific Soul Mate System was worth the money!”

“Destiny, I’ve been having that same dream for weeks now—for free!”

“No, Romi, you had it this time because of the candle and the music and the ointment.” Destiny was determined to be a believer.

“What about you, Destiny? You dreamed about your soul mate?”

“Yes! I saw him! But I’m not sure what he looks like. I kept seeing this rainbow. Colors all around. Red, blue, bright orange. The rainbow kept me from seeing his face clearly. But I could tell he was fine—so fine! And I think he had freckles.” Destiny got out of bed and danced around the room.

“Freckles? Was he black?”

“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. I remember something else. There was music. Lots of music. Loud, glorious, clanging music. And opera music.”

“Maybe you will get to the prom after all. Opera music? That was a nightmare!” Romi scratched her head and yawned.

“I don’t think this was prom music. I think I’ll have to expand my musical appreciation to opera too, because this dude is just too fine to pass up. I’ll educate him about real music later.”

“What’s his name?”

“I’m not sure, but I know he’s a Taurus—or maybe his name is Taurus, or Tauran—something like that. But he’s strong like a bull, and you know that Taurus is the only sign I can marry, because that is my only cosmic match, and there are
no
boys in Cincinnati who fit the description!”

“That’s what you say. Where does this dude live, Destiny?”

“I will meet him in London.”

“London? When will you get to England?

“Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter. He will wait for me until I get there. He knows of me and is waiting now. It might be months, but I will know him when I see him. And he will know me. Just like you and Julio.”

“I like your faith. But the prom is just a few months away.”

“I may have to go to the prom with a lesser soul. In the meantime, I better find out where I can take music lessons. I must be ready for when my true soul mate comes into my life.” Destiny sighed with acceptance.

“Speaking of ready—looks like I’m gonna get good weather for this afternoon, and I only have eight hours to get ready!”

“Sorry I can’t stick around, but I promised Mom
I’d let her take me shopping this afternoon after church.” Destiny gathered up her bags.

“You’re so kind to her.”

“Yeah, she needs me. What else would she do with her money if she didn’t have me? Call me after Julio leaves. I want to hear every single detail!”

“You got it!”

Destiny dressed quickly and ran to the kitchen. “You got any doughnuts?” she yelled up the stairs to Romi.

“Look on the second shelf of the refrigerator,” Romi called down.

“Got it. Thanks, Romi! See ya! Call me tonight!”

“You get the first report with all the juicy details! Promise!”

With that, Destiny breezed out the door to her car.

Romi checked the mirror one last time, then checked again. Her hair was perfect, makeup understated, her clothes casual but enticing. She had changed six times that afternoon, but just as she predicted to Destiny, she ended up wearing Destiny’s green outfit. Destiny’s red hair seemed to fight with the green sweater and slacks. But Romi’s soft brown hair and golden brown skin complemented the green. She had brushed it back and held it with a hair comb. It looked casual and unplanned, even though she had worked for that look for hours. Satisfied finally, she went downstairs, checked to see that the dishes were put away, the counters were clear, and the living room neat and tidy. Max, the black Labrador retriever, had slipped in the back door. She chased him out and wiped up the floor where he’d left paw prints. She even ran the vacuum. Her mother watched in mild amusement. Romi had never shown this much interest in the cleanliness of the house.

“Everything looks fine, Romi,” she called. “Just relax, dear.”

“I don’t want him to think the wrong thing about us,” Romi told her mother. “I want everything to be just right,” she added as she fluffed a pillow on the sofa.

“This young man must be really something, Romi.”

Romi smiled broadly. “Oh, Mom, he is. I don’t know why or how, but he makes me feel like I can fly.”

“You met him at school?”

“Well, it’s a long story, but yes. He’s a transfer student from Texas,” Romi answered. She knew that trying to explain all the details of how they first met on-line would cause too many questions from her mother.

“New students from other places are always fresh, and so much more interesting than the kids you see every day, right?” her mother said. “And if the new student is a boy, then fireworks are likely to happen. Am I right again?” Mrs. Cappelle smiled.

“You’re pretty smart for an old lady, Mom,” Romi teased. She dodged as her mother tossed a sofa pillow at her.

“You’d better watch it, kid,” she warned. “This old lady is armed!”They chased each other for a moment, laughing and giggling. They landed together on the sofa just as the doorbell rang.

“He’s here!” Romi touched her hair again.

“So open the door,” her mom said, pushing her toward the door.

“You open it, Mom!” Romi insisted. “I don’t want to look like I’m too anxious.”

“OK, if you insist.” She made a face at Romi,
opened the door, and smiled graciously at the nervous young man standing in front of her.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Cappelle. I’m Julio Montague.”

“Come on in, Julio. Romi is expecting you. Get down, Max,” she said to the big black dog who greeted Julio as if he were his best friend. “Max knows how to open the back door, and he keeps sneaking inside to get away from his kids, I guess. Max is our retriever daddy. He’s not much of a watchdog—much too friendly and lovable. Mandy, the mom, is out back with the puppies. She’s a golden retriever. Have you had a retriever before?”

“No, I had a German shepherd back in Texas, but we had to leave her when we moved.” Julio was glad the dog was there. He rubbed the dog’s fur, grateful to have something to do. Max, of course, was pleased to have so much attention.

“That must have been rough. What part of Texas are you from, Julio?” Mrs. Cappelle looked around for Romi, who had disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’m from Corpus Christi. All my relatives are from Mexico, but I was born in the U.S.”

“That’s really interesting. So I guess you—oh, here’s Romi—your friend from school who wants the puppy is here, Romi.” Romi completely ignored her mother. She didn’t notice that Max had gotten into the house. She saw only Julio. She smiled.

“Hola,
Julio,” Romi said, trying not to act as nervous as she felt.

“
Hola,
Romi. I like that outfit. You look like a beautiful flower—
¡una flor hermosa!”

“Thanks, Julio. You always say things so … so fancy! It’s really cool.” Romi blushed, pleased that he noticed, and pleased that he thought she looked good.

“When I see you, I see poetry,” he whispered low enough so her mother wouldn’t hear.

Romi grinned. “Wow, you’re too much! I’m gonna have to keep you around! Mama, we’ll be in back.” Romi headed with Julio toward the back door. Her mom was collecting her keys and purse.

“That’s fine, dear. I’m on my way to the shop. I just have to do a little paperwork, so I should be back by six. We’ll have dinner then, OK?” She picked up her briefcase and paused at the front door. “Lock the door if you leave the house—call me if you need to. You two behave yourselves, you hear me?”

“We’re just looking at puppies, Mom,” Romi declared innocently.

“You say puppies. I hear poetry. I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.” Her mother gave her a smile.

“OK, Mom. I know what you’re saying.” Romi was glad her mother was so perceptive. It was easier than having to tell her everything. Lots of times she just depended on her mother’s intuition to figure things out. Then they’d talk about it.

“Give me a hug, Romi. If you keep grinning like that, your face is gonna pop! Call me at the shop, OK?” Mrs. Cappelle seemed pleased that her
daughter was so happy. Julio watched the two of them closely.

“OK, Mama.” Romi couldn’t hold in the smile, even though she tried.

“See you later. I’ve got to get to the shop now. Bye.” She left, and they could hear her car pulling out of the driveway. Julio and Romi were alone in the kitchen, with Max wagging his tail cheerfully between them. Romi smiled as they headed out the back door to the pen where the puppies were kept.

The four puppies started yipping and jumping as soon as they saw Julio and Romi head their way. Julio grinned as soon as he saw them. “Oh, they’re awesome—two black ones and two gold. It’s hard to decide. I know I want one of the gold ones. Oh, this one is so small.” He picked up the smallest puppy and cuddled it in his arm.