6 Months Later “You got everything?” “Think so.” “Sure?” “Yes Mommy.” Ally laughed.  She was helping Howie pack for a promotional tour that he was taking through South America for 2 weeks.  His bedroom was covered in clothes. “I hate to see what your tour bus would be like.”  Ally shook her head. “This,” Howie held his hands up, “Times five.” “When is your ride coming?” “About half an hour.  Are you sure you don’t want to come?” “I got a business to run.” “The drinks are real good.” “Oh, if only for the drinks,” she pouted.  Howie laughed.  Ally checked her watch.  “Well I better get back to the store or else Mario and Kira will kill each other.” “Whose Mario?” “The stock clerk.  He only works part time, but when they get together…” Ally made a slashing motion across her throat. “I see.” “So, I better get going.”  Ally gave Howie a hug.  “Have a good time.” “I will.” “Call me if you ever get the chance.” “Promise.” Ally let go of Howie and walked out of the house. ~*~ A week later, Ally sat in her office among a mess of papers.  This was not one of her better days.  Kira had called in sick, which left Ally to do the work of two people, her car had gotten a parking ticket for letting the meter run out, and the store was unusually crowded.  The PMS that was settling in had not put her in the mood with the customers.  After calling in a seasonal employee to come in for the day, Ally was behind in her books.  She sat down finally to put a dent in, and then she realized that her computer had gotten a glitch in it.  After banging on the screen, she went outside where Maureen had just finished the tenth crowd that barreled through. “How you holding up?” Maureen let out a long breath.  “I thought Christmas was tough.”  Ally had decided that this day was over.  “I think we should call it in.”  She flipped the “CLOSED” sign on the door.  “I’ll pay you for the rest of the day.” “But it’s early…” “And I made up for it in the crowds.” Ally finished.  “Go on, get out of here.”  Ally and Maureen packed everything in and headed out. ~*~ Ally seemed to calm down that night, after taking some Midol and getting into her favorite shorts and tank top.  She lay on the couch, waiting for her massive headache to subside.  When she seemed to feel better, she got up and looked around.  The house seemed unusually… big.  It was times like this when she needed her mother the most—to come in, give her a glass of iced tea, and let Ally rant away.  It was a release for her, but she had no one to talk to.  She could go over and see the Dorough’s, but then realized Paula and Hoke had gone out of town.  Kira was nursing a weird virus, so she didn’t want to burden her.  She really knew who she wanted to talk to, and found herself surprised when she was actually… missing him. She was going to head to Blockbuster, when the phone rang.  She went to the phone and answered it. “Hello?” “Hola from Puerto Rico!” Howie stressed his Latin accent. Ally laughed.  “I think you’ve been there too long.” “Think so too.  What’s up?” Ally sighed.  “It’s been one of those days.” “OK who did you kill?” Ally put her knees to her chest.  “You know, one of those days where everything goes wrong…” “Like a stack of dominoes that never seems to stop falling,” Howie finished. “Yeah.  I was going to go to your house, but realized no one’s home… but enough about me.  How’s it going down there?” “Great… did some appearances, and did a solo show.” Ally laughed.  “Look out Ricky Martin!” “Yup, I’m living La Vida Loca.” “It must be beautiful there.  I haven’t been back there since I was a kid.” Ally remembering her half-Latin roots.  “All I remember is the sky being so full of stars.” “I’m outside on the terrace, and believe me, nothing’s changed.” “I wish I could see it.” “Do me a favor.  Go outside.” “Why?” “Want to wish on a star?” “Jesus, what am I, 6?” “Are you gonna friggin’ argue, or are you gonna go outside?” “OK,” Ally sighed.  She went to her back patio.  “Ready?” “I guess.” “OK, close your eyes, pick a star, and wish?  Ready?” “Yes.”  She picked the brightest one in the sky. “1, 2, 3.  Wish.”  Ally closed her eyes and wished, picturing Howie doing the same thing. “Did it?” “Yeah.  You?” “Yup, how much you wanna bet we picked the same one?” “Yeah right.” “I bet we did.  We always did when we were kids.” “Even if you’re far away?” “Even if that.” “OK, I’ll hold your word to it.”  Ally smiled. “Well, I’m gonna go.  Feel better?” “Actually I do.  I’ll talk to you later.” “Bye.” “Bye.” Ally hung up the cordless phone and stared at the sky before her.  Maybe she did pick the same star as he did.  Maybe she didn’t.  But after talking to him, she felt better. ~*~ Howie stood out on his terrace, looking at the beautiful sky before him.  He leaned on the railing, and let out a sigh.  Something in him knew she was upset, that’s why he called her.  He really did wish on a star, the brightest one out there.  But what it was for, and why he asked her to join him, he couldn’t figure it out.  Wishing that he had something that Kevin and Brian had, he smiled to himself and went back to his room. Chapter 11 Contents Chapter 9