Chapter 29: Second Interlude

I let the scene fade back in, without Rebecca this time. Then I sat back for a second and sort of "invited" Allison to join me. Soon she came out of the little cabana that I had set up for Rebecca to change in.

"Wow! This is nice. Is this where you met Amy?"

"Uh-huh. I brought Rebecca here to talk too. I told her everything. I also let some stuff slip that I hadn't planned to."

"Like what?"

"Like your name and my face."

"But not your name?"

"That part was easy, she was already calling me Jimmy so at least I didn't screw that up. You think it will be a problem?"

"I doubt it. What about you? Do you trust her?"

"Yeah, I do. Enough that I am not worried about her causing problems for us. I think it actually made me more believable. Once she saw that I was really just a kid I think she immediately crossed me off the list of suspects."

"How did it happen?"

"I got carried away, I was telling her about playing on the beach with Amy, how I turned into a troll and throwing her around in the water. She didn't believe it so I changed and did it to her. When she came up she said the exact same thing Amy had, 'Do it again!' I laughed so hard I lost control."

"I am inclined to trust her on this. Actually, not her so much as I trust Amy bringing you to her. I know it's weird but I just have this sense that we can trust Amy. Does that make sense?"

"Actually it does. I feel the same way. Do you really like it here?"

"Very nice, you're definitely getting better. How's the water?"

I got a really big grin on my face, "Only one way to find out." Suddenly I was in troll form again and stalking toward her.

"Jimmy! Don't you dare," she warned.

I leapt at her and suddenly she was gone and I found myself falling into a deep pit. I was startled but recovered quickly. I made a trampoline at the bottom and sprang back up out of the hole. I closed it behind me as I bounced out and looked for Allison. There she was, sitting in one of the chairs with a very smug look on her face. I started toward her. She disappeared again.

"Uh-uh-uh," I heard from behind me. I turned to find myself staring at a giant. She reached and picked me up then stepped toward the water. I tied the laces on her brand new tennis shoes together and flew away when she fell and her hand opened. I had shrunk to fairy size and was flitting around watching her as she fell. She disappeared in a flash of light as she hit the sand. From out of nowhere a butterfly net swooped in and I was caught. I looked up and there was Allison in a very fetching Captain Hook outfit.

"Gotcha, me fine little flitter-bug! Now we'll have no more of your tricks or it's the plank for ye."

I teleported behind her and changed into my Peter Pan outfit.

"I don't take orders from codfish," I said and poked her in the butt with my cattle prod.

With a very satisfying "EEEK!" she jumped around and I knew I was in for it.

Ever see the movie "Fire Starter"? Or better yet, read the book? There is a scene at the end where Charlie finds out that she has been played by the bad guy and gets really, really pissed off. Mr. King describes it as something like discovering how a steak feels in a microwave oven. The look on Allison's face was all it took. I did the only thing I could do. I surrendered. I switched back to my bathing suit and dropped to my knees.

"I'm sorry! Allison, I got carried away, heat of the moment, temporary insanity. Call it what you will. I'm sorry. That was a cheap shot. I didn't mean to hurt you."

She stopped and looked at me like I was insane. "Jimmy, what the heck are you talking about? Hurt me? This is a dream. That was supposed to be practice, quick thinking, improvisation, tactics, control, that sort of thing. You didn't hurt me you big dope. I think you're getting better, too. That last shot did sting a little though. Here, tell me if it left a mark."

She switched to her floss and fluff outfit and turned to show off her cute little behind. I gave her a very thorough inspection before we called it a night.