Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare for Everyone Else)

  Chapter Seven

  “Are you nervous?” Donnie asked, looking at the door. It was later in the evening now, the smell of fall was in the air and jack-o-lanterns were strewn all about. Every one seemed to wear a different expression.

  “There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Clark said, ringing the doorbell.

  “What if she’s a dog?”

  “She won’t be a dog, she’s Heaven’s cousin,” Clark said.

  “Cousins can be deceiving—”

  “I’m doing this,” Clark said firmly. “I want Heaven to take me back.”

  The door opened to reveal Leo standing there with a smile that couldn’t quite be deciphered. “Good evening. I take it that your presence means you’re still set on taking out Heaven’s cousin for this evening?”

  “I’ll take out whatever you give me.”

  “I’m happy to hear it,” Leo said. “Come on!” he shouted up the stairs. “The boys are here! You’re not getting any younger!”

  “Look who’s here,” Donnie said looking over his shoulder. “Good evening, Bennett.”

  “Good evening,” he grunted, joining them on the stairs.

  “What’s the matter?” Donnie asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. You don’t want to fight Clark now, do you?”

  “I’m not here to fight,” Bennett said. “I came to say that I’m happy with the way things have turned out. Heaven’s name has been cleared and you’re doing your best to get back in her good graces, Clark. I’m…I’m proud of you.”

  “Proud of me?” Clark sputtered. “Well damn. I didn’t expect that.”

  “Just don’t mention it again,” Bennett said, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets.

  “Aww come on, man. You know you hated fighting with us,” Clark said, pulling him into a hug.

  “Damn boy! Let me go!” he shouted, jerking away.

  “Does that mean you’re back on the team?” Donnie asked.

  “If my position’s still available.”

  “We couldn’t do it without you,” Donnie said, clapping him on the shoulder.

  “So we’re all cool?” Bennett asked.

  “We’re good. Now come on, I’m sure the girls are waiting for us,” Clark said, stepping in the door. “Wait…wait a minute!”

  “What?” Bennett asked.

  “What are you doing here? Could it be?”

  “Don’t say it,” Bennett grumbled.

  “You’re taking Bea to the dance, aren’t you?” Clark asked. “That’s why you’re here and you’re all dressed up. You’re taking her to the Halloween dance. I love it!”

  “If you don’t shut your mouth right now, I might kick your ass after all.”

  “Sealing lips,” Clark said smugly, snickering behind his hand.

  “Oh…damn,” Bennett said as the women started coming down the stairs. He could pick out Beatriz right away, surprised to see her in a tight black pencil skirt that hugged every curve on that gorgeous body of hers. He swallowed. They were wearing masks but he could tell which girl was his from the start. “You…you look incredible.”

  “Eat it,” Beatriz said from behind her mask, though Bennett could detect playfulness in her tone. “Let’s go.”

  “And…and where’s…” Clark trailed off, realizing that he didn’t even need to ask. A frail beauty was coming down the stairs, a bit slimmer than Heaven but still amazing nonetheless. Her mask was white and silver and she moved with a grace that reminded him so much of the girl he was trying to win back. “H-hello,” he said, drinking her in. “I believe I’m your escort for the evening.”

  The girl bowed formally, linking her arm through his without a word.

  “Let me see what you look like,” Clark whispered. “I want to see your face.”

  “Not yet,” Leo said. “Go to the dance, have a good time, and then you might get to see her face.”

  “I won’t waste another moment,” Clark said, patting the girl’s delicate hand. “I’m ready to go if you are. Do I look all right?” He smiled as the girl nodded shyly. So much like Heaven. If he wasn’t so set on getting her back he might have been interested in this girl, but that wasn’t the point of this. The point was to get her back. “Have a good night everyone,” he said, turning around slowly so he could escort the mystery girl to his car.

  “And you as well,” Leo said, waving. “Good luck, Bennett.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Bennett said from behind him mask.

  “Good luck?” Beatriz asked as they slid into the back seat. “What was Leo talking about just now?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Bennett said. “You look good enough to eat.”

  “You don’t look so terrible yourself,” Beatriz muttered back with a faint hint of a blush.

  “And…” Donnie said, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Here we go.”