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said.
    â€œThe houses look really huge…at least what I can see of most of them,” I said.
    The properties were so large and there were so many big trees that most of the houses were hidden from the road.
    â€œI’ve been following the numbers. It isn’t too much farther. You should slow down. It might even be the next house,” Kia said.
    My mother slowed down. On the left we were passing a long stone wall. I knew there was a house up there somewhere but it was out of sight. Up ahead there was a driveway.
    â€œCan you see the address?” I asked.
    Kia leaned forward and looked through the windshield. “Four…seven…six…that’s it!”
    Mom pulled the car into the driveway, stopping in front of a gigantic metal gate. She rolled down her window and pushed a little button— a sort of doorbell. There was a buzzing sound.
    â€œHello,” called out a female voice over an intercom.
    â€œHi, we’re here at the invitation of Jerome. My name is—”
    â€œYou’re Kia and Nick and his mother. I can
see
who you are,” the voice responded. “Look at the camera and wave!”
    I looked up. A few feet above the buzzer was a camera, pointed right at us. I gave a weak little wave.
    â€œCome on in,” the voice said. Whoever it was, she sounded friendly.
    Slowly the big metal gate opened, and we drove through. The driveway was long and wound its way across a beautiful lawn. The house—the big house—was up at the top behind a grove of trees.
    â€œWow, quite the place,” Kia said.
    â€œI don’t think he’s going to make us sleepon the couch,” I said. “I figure he’s got lots of room.”
    We came to a stop at the big, double front doors of the house. As we climbed out of the car the front doors opened. Out came a woman, holding a little toddler, and a teenage girl, holding the hand of another little girl.
    â€œHello,” the woman said. Her voice was soft and she was smiling. “I’m Nikkollette, Jerome’s wife.”
    â€œPleased to meet you,” my mother said, and they did a sort of ladylike handshake thing.
    Nikkollette then shook hands with both Kia and me.
    â€œI feel a little uncomfortable just dropping in on you like this,” my mother said.
    â€œYou shouldn’t. Jerome is always inviting people to stay with us. We love the company! Now let me introduce you to our girls.”
    â€œHi, I’m Sherea,” the teenager said. “And these two little angels are my sisters. The baby is Giselle, she’s three.”
    Giselle turned away and sort of snuggled her face into her mother to hide.
    â€œShe’s a bit shy,” Sherea said. “And this is Gabby.”
    â€œGabrielle,” the little girl said defiantly. She shook her hand loose from her sister and glared up at her.
    Sherea laughed. “Yes,
Gabrielle
, and you can see that she has
no
problem expressing herself. She’s not shy.”
    â€œI’m not shy…I’m Gabrielle.”
    â€œPleased to meet you, Gabrielle,” Kia said as she bent to the girl’s eye level.
    â€œPleased to meet you too,” she replied. She was one confident little kid.
    â€œSherea,” Nikkollette said, “how about if you give everybody a tour while I finish making dinner.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œHow about if I help you finish making dinner,” my mother suggested.
    â€œThat’s a lovely offer, but you’re our guest, and I just want you to make yourself comfortable.”
    â€œHelping you make supper would make me feel comfortable…and at home.”
    â€œIn that case,” Nikkollette said, “I’d appreciate your help and your company. We’ll get everything ready and then wait for Jerome to arrive.”
    â€œHe’s not here yet?” I asked.
    â€œHe and Johnnie, their father, and of course, Joshua, are driving kids home from the camp. It could