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down.
    â€œAren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Johnny?” Mom asked, smiling at Elizabeth.
    â€œOh snap. Right,” he said. “Mom, this is Elizabeth. Elizabeth, this is my mom and this is my best bro, Charlie.”
    â€œYou can call me Claire,” Mom said, shaking Elizabeth’s hand.
    â€œYou can call me Mr. Fantastic,” I said. “And for the record, I’m his only brother.”
    â€œWatch out for Charlie,” Johnny said, slapping me on the back. “He won’t quit.”
    â€œIs Elizabeth involved with the show?” Mom asked.
    â€œNo, Ma. She picked me up.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe was on the side of the road,” Elizabeth added.
    â€œExcuse me?” Mom asked.
    â€œI drove here, Ma.”
    â€œNot on your motorcycle. You know I hate that thing, Jonathan. You’re going to kill yourself one of these days.”
    â€œIt was smooth sailing until a couple of crazies ran onto the highway just outside of town. I managed to swerve onto the shoulder, but I blew out my back tire. Would’ve had to walk the rest of the way if Elizabeth hadn’t stopped to give me a lift.”
    â€œWhoa, hold up a minute,” I said, turning to Elizabeth. “You picked him up on the side of the road? In the dark?”
    â€œSure, bro,” Johnny said. “It happens.”
    â€œNot in real life it doesn’t,” I said. “Maybe on Jaysin Night, Vampyre Hunter , but in real life girls driving alone, at night, don’t stop and pick up strangers along the highway.”
    â€œYou’re Jaysin Night?” Elizabeth said, staring up at Johnny. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.”
    â€œWell, he looks a lot smaller on TV,” I said.
    â€œWhat happened to your motorcycle?” Mom asked.
    â€œRelax, everything is copacetic, Ma. Elizabeth’s dad is going to take care of things.”
    â€œMy dad owns the garage in town. He’s going to have someone pick it up and fix the tire. Johnny can get it tomorrow afternoon — but only if I get an autograph,” she added.
    â€œYou bet,” Johnny said, flashing his Hollywood smile.
    â€œWhat’s your father’s name?” Mom asked.
    â€œVictor Opal.”
    â€œI hear he’s building a new resort.”
    â€œRolling Hills is getting popular again,” Elizabeth said.
    â€œI hope so,” Mom said, glancing back at the inn. “I’d love to invite you in, but we’re just finishing up the renovations, and I’m afraid the cupboards are bare at the moment.”
    â€œThat’s not true,” I said. “We have a bottle of mustard we could share and a few slices of cold vegetarian pizza.”
    â€œActually, it’s vegan pizza,” Mom said. “Lilith’s gone vegan.”
    â€œShe’s gone a lot of other things, too,” I added.
    â€œThat’s all right,” Elizabeth said. “It’s late, and I really need to get going. It was nice meeting you.”
    â€œGive me a call when you get tired of listening to Johnny’s stories about being awesome.”
    â€œSure, Charlie,” she said, and turned to leave.
    Johnny followed her back to her car, which I could now see was a Porsche, although I couldn’t quite make out the color in the dark. They said a few things, and then he came back carrying a backpack and his motorcycle helmet.
    â€œI didn’t think you were coming until next week,” Mom said.
    â€œShooting wrapped up early,” he said, “and I wanted to surprise you.”
    â€œThat’s sweet, and I’d love to hear more about your near-death experience, but I’m exhausted, and we’ve got a full day of work ahead of us tomorrow. We’ll catch up in the morning,” Mom said, heading inside.
    â€œYou bet, Ma,” Johnny said. “I could use a little shut-eye.”
    â€œYeah, I’m feeling a little