It’s good to see your dumb face again Natalie said hugging her back You know in person I mean When they finally let go of each other Natalie’s mom gave Kara a quick hug too Hi sweetie she said We’ve missed you Thanks Mrs Willen Kara said Me too So what Natalie said you didn’t like the sign Natalie held it out again as if she was planning to draw more attention to the three of them Kara looked at it and nodded Her name was written in big bold letters and outlined with gold glitter pen There were little fuzz balls glued across the face of it It was big and loud and over the top just like Natalie I love it Kara said I wanted it to be like those limousine guys who wait for important people at the airport Natalie said Right Kara said But we’re at a train station in New Jersey and your mom drives A minivan Natalie finished Close enough The three of them walked toward the small parking lot just past the small green station house Other people people were getting into their vehicles to continue their commute Kara Nichols everybody Natalie shouted as they PHANTOM OF THE TRACKS
got close to the car She’s here in New Jersey Limited time only Oh wow Kara thought as she ducked into the back of the minivan as quickly as she could She is on fire today It was a ten-minute drive from Gladstone Station to Natalie’s new house On the way Kara recounted her train-hopping adventures and let Mrs Willen know how her parents were doing As they pulled into Natalie’s driveway she saw another familiar face standing in the front yard While Kara was happy to see Mr Willen again the black blur running around his ankles was even more exciting to her What You guys got a dog Kara cried Why didn’t you tell me I wanted to surprise you Natalie said We just got him last week He’s a rescue from Newark Kara didn’t waste any time leaving her bag behind in the back seat and jumping through the back door to meet him in person As she squatted down the black Labrador bounded over to her and planted both feet on her shoulders HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA
knocking her back A series of slobbery dog kisses followed followed across her face Zeke Mr Willen called Get down buddy Stay down A moment later the excited pooch was pulled off of Kara who popped up with a smile across her tongue-moistened face He’s awesome Kara declared Yeah Natalie admitted We really like him Kara scratched behind Zeke’s ears and felt him press his head closer to her fingers This is perfect Kara said I’ll have someone to hang out with all weekend Good Natalie joked back Because I didn’t want to hang out with you anyway The four of them ate at a Mexican restaurant that the Willens all raved about then spent the rest of the night playing games in the dining room When it got to be close to 10 30 p m Kara could barely keep her eyes open Long day on the train Mr Willen asked Kara A little bit Kara admitted covering her mouth PHANTOM OF THE TRACKS
