October Night

It sure does get cold in October. My hands and face are numb, a drop of rain hangs from my nose. I wipe it off and look back, my mind racing through the night. I just performed the greatest set of magic in my life. I did it all, the three aces, fishbowl levitation, a needle through the arm, a spoon bend, a hammer bend, I swallowed a dagger, I made a bird vanish, and I even caught a bullet.

I had never attempted a bullet catch before. Everyone says it's too dangerous, that it's not worth the risk, especially at a kid's birthday party. But with every look of amazement and pure wonder, with each trick I pulled from the bag, my confidence rose. And then I caught a glimmer of my Colt 45 and thought, there's a first for everything.

Now I find myself standing outside in the unsettling cold, my equipment safely in the trunk, my mask still snug against my face. I clutch my car keys. It's time to go, but I can't pull myself away.

They won't need me for another year. I can't wait that long. I have to see her again.

Justin's mom, I have to talk to her. I've never seen anything more beautiful. I never felt more inspired. I know it is because of her that things went so well.

What's the matter with me? I can't go back in there. The job is done. Besides, what's it been, eight years since I last saw her? Still, I never stopped thinking about her, of wondering what might've been. But it couldn't have ever been, because then there would be no Justin.

It was nice to see her again.

Just drive away, Gary. Just drive away.

I could act like I forgot something.