He observed them as they approached from the parking lot. He was glad to see Grace wasn't in costume. She was far too beautiful to cover her features, of course, that French maid outfit would have been okay.

He had to get into position for step one of his plan. Waiting off to the side of the large glass front doors, he watched as they entered and Grace and Michael got the girls settled. Then they headed over to the adult side. Grace had walked past him so close that he could smell her sensual woodsy perfume. The heady aroma filled his senses, having the same effect as a drug would. It carried him away on a euphoric cloud. It took him a few moments to recover.

~~~~~

Michael ordered Grace and himself a glass of Merlot. The bar was crowded and the general mood was festive. Many of the adults had come in costume. Looking around, Grace was reminded of the bar scene from Star Wars and it made her laugh. Just then, a crusader with a sword run through his chest moved in and ordered two apple martinis. Looking over at Grace he winked and said, "War is hell!"

"To us," Michael toasted holding his glass up to her.

~~~~~

He waited until the girls had been served some punch. Getting a cup for himself, he reached in and grabbed the amulet and squeezed it into his drink. He thought that the Syrup of Ipecac should work within twenty minutes. Walking over to where Alex was sitting he clumsily hit the table knocking her drink onto the floor.

"Oh I'm sorry honey," he apologized. "Here take this one. I haven't touched it."

~~~~~

"Thanks," Alex said as the stranger dropped a bunch of napkins on the spill, moved them around with his foot, then bent and picked them up.

~~~~~

"Have a nice time," he said as he walked away.

~~~~~

Alex thought his costume was creepy. She turned back when she heard the announcement that it was time to begin reading ghost stories. She took a big sip of her punch and smiled over at Jessie.

~~~~~

"Well, hello!"

Grace looked out at the sea of costumes trying to determine where the voice came from.

"Oh," she said. "Ray, how are you?"

He looked over at Michael and smiled. "Hi I'm Ray," he said reaching out to shake his hand.

"Ray groomed Reggie this last time," Grace said.

"It's nice to meet you," Michael reciprocated.

Ray ordered a glass of Cabernet and moved in closer to Grace, "This is some shindig."

Michael nodded, "It gets better every year."

One of the volunteers from the children's party came up to Grace. She whispered to her briefly and then disappeared.

"Michael, Alex is sick."

They slowly worked their way towards the other side of the restaurant. Grace followed the volunteer into the bathroom. Alex was in one of the stalls sitting on the edge of the toilet. She looked pale and uncomfortable.

"It's okay darling. Do you hurt?"

"My stomach hurts. It really hurts Aunt Grace," she moaned.

"Okay let's get you home."

Grace put her arms around Alex and led her back into the restaurant. Michael stood by the bathroom door waiting to see how she was.

"I have to get her home," Grace informed him. "She's really sick."

"Okay, I'll get Charlie and Jessie."

"Maybe you guys can stay. They're having so much fun."

He looked over at Charlie and Jessie who were listening intently to the story being read.

"You can't drag Alex back out to pick us up," he reasoned.

"I'm going to be sick!" Alex yelled as she turned back towards the bathroom.

"You're right," Grace agreed as she ran after her.

"I could take them home." Ray, who had strolled over from the bar side offered, "I'm ready to leave anyway."

Michael turned to face him. "That's nice of you, but I think we should call it a night."

"Okay, but I really don't mind dropping them off."

"That would be great," Grace said as she approached with a pale and moaning Alex.

Michael looked over at Jessie and Charlie then back at Alex and Grace. "Okay," he relented, "but call me on my cell when you get settled."

Grace nodded as she rushed Alex out the door before she had to run to the bathroom again. "I hope she can make it home before she gets sick."

"Don't worry about it, this old truck has seen worse."

After getting Alex and Grace settled in, Ray got behind the wheel. "Okay, which way?"

"We don't live far," she told him as she pointed out the direction.

Pulling into the driveway he asked if Grace could get Alex in alright.

"Yes, I think I've got it."

She lifted Alex down from the truck and steered her towards the porch. She turned back to wave at Ray as his truck backed around and out of the driveway. She fiddled with her keys, dropping them as she tried to fit the house key into the lock. Reggie was barking and carrying on as if the devil himself was trying to get in.

k8