“Well, he's not a weirdo." I didn't turn around to look at Malcolm because he was probably eating dish soap or mayonnaise or something.”

“Standing in the beam of refrigerator light, Malcolm squirted ketchup into his mouth."He's . . . visiting," I said.Vincent narrowed his eyes and his voice took on a fatherly tone. "Why's he here at midnight?" Malcolm licked the inside of a mustard lid, then said, "I'm here at midnight because I'm fulfilling Katrina's desire.”

“You got anything more to eat?" He walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and pulled out a cube of butter. Before I could stop him he took a bite. He worked the butter around inn his mouth, then swallowed. "Bit odd," he said, setting the rest of the cube onto the counter.”

“He waved to me to be quiet, as if I were annoying background noise. "Look, whatever your name is..."Benvolio Montague."Right. Look, Benvolio, why don't we go outside and get a taxi? My label has a New York office. We can go there and get you a money order or something." He smile, thinking himself clever. "Come on, what do you say?"Benvolio raised an eyebrow. "I am begining to believe that you are insane.”

“He didn't say anything. Then he leaned closer, so that his arm touched my shoulder. A jolt ran down my body. Everyone in our little group watched, waiting for a response. "I would be honored to escort you, Katrina.""Oh. Okay." I pulled the bathrobe collar as high as it would go to hide my flaming cheeks.Malcolm slapped his hand on his knee, then turned to the man sitting next to us and said,way too loudly, "I'm taking Katrina to the Solstice Festival.""Good for you kid.”

“I cant help but notice that you are not wearing a wedding ring, dear lady. Are you, by any chance, looking for a husband?' He smiled eagerly, his drenched hat clinging to his round head.Looking for a husband? Why?' Grandma Maxine asked. 'Did I lose one?”

“'You do know what magic is, don't you?'Magic's when you close your eyes, make a wish, and it comes true.''No, that's coincidence.'Magic's when a princess kisses a frog and it turns into a prince.''No, that's evolution.'Isabelle scratched her neck. 'Well, then, what is magic?”