Emily nodded and ordered both of them a drink.

Emily: “Are you sure they’re really your parents?”

Jacob didn’t answer right away, leaving Emily to assume he wasn’t going to answer at all. She wondered what state a person’s mind would have to be in to have them doubting their own parents’ identity.

Jacob: “Reasonably.”
Emily: “Do you know why they’re suddenly back?”
Jacob: “It’s likely they were never dead in the first place.”

The bartender placed a pair of drinks in front of them, giving them an odd look before stepping away to help someone at the opposite end of the bar.

Emily: “Why would you think something like that?”
Jacob: “If it’s possible for me to have full-blown hallucinations several times a week, it’s every bit as possible that I was mistaken about the death of my parents. There’s just so much that doesn’t make sense, though. They worked for the government, but they always took me with them before. ”

Jacob stared warily at the magenta liquid in his glass before taking a hesitant sip. He made a face, but was quickly taking another drink. Emily waited until he’d finished before she leaned in and dropped her voice.

Emily: “What if I told you there’s every bit as much a chance that they were dead and really did come back to life tonight?”
Jacob: “How so?”
Emily: “I don’t know the how of it, but something really strange happened earlier tonight.”

She paused to take another drink, already feeling a strong buzz from the one Mary had brought her.

Emily: “Tristan’s mom showed up tonight, and there’s no doubt that she’s been dead for a long time.”
Jacob: “Interesting.”

While there was no change in his outward expression, Emily couldn’t help but notice that Jacob’s hands were unsteady as he quickly finished off his drink.

Emily: “Need another?”

Jacob nodded emphatically.

Emily: “One more, then we should head back. I don’t want to miss any of the show. We can talk to Tristan after; maybe together we can figure something out.”

Emily ordered another round of drinks, plus another Cosmopolitan for Mary, before leading the way back to the table. Anthony had arrived while she’d been at the bar, and he and her friend were deep in conversation. She wasn’t sure, but she thought Jacob slowed down as soon as he saw Mary’s date. He recovered quickly enough that she had to wonder if it had just been her over-active imagination at work. Just as they reached the table, the lights dimmed and she stumbled briefly before Serge caught her arm and guided her safely back into her chair.

Mary: “Are you sure it’s such a good idea to let him drink? And just how many have you had?”
Emily: “He’s fine, and just two. I brought you a Cosmo.”
Mary: “Once again cementing my undying love for you.”
Anthony: “How are you, Emily?”
Emily: “Just dandy.”

The lights went from dim to completely off, startling Emily and bringing a total hush to the crowd. She thought she heard a muffled giggle from Jacob’s general direction as a blue-violet strobe light illuminated the stage a few seconds later. Just as murmurs were starting up again, a low electric buzzing began.

From her seat against the back wall, Emily could just make out the band taking their places on the stage. As James began to play the opening chords of the first song, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.