Unwritten: Diary of a Lean Green Plumber

Out of the Loop 2: The Loopening

16 March 2002

Brooklyn, NY

Dear Diary,

Jasmine's fifth birthday party was held at a water park. I asked Daisy to accompany me, and she accepted. And boy, Jas was thrilled to meet my Flower Princess. We explained to her what a "special friend" was, and that when she got older, she'd meet a special friend of her own.

"Like Jake?" she asked. "I think he's my special friend, because I really, really like him."

"I really can't say," said Daisy. "Only time will tell."

"Yeah," I said, remembering Grace's story about Greg. "And your special friend doesn't necessarily have to be the one you marry."

"Marry? And have babies? Ick!" grimaced Jas. "I didn't say anything about marrying Jake. I only said that he's my special friend."

Daisy and I exchanged a look.

I volunteered as a chaperone, keeping the younger party guests out of trouble and tending to them whenever they got "boo-boos". When some were wary of the water slides, I identified with them, so I accompanied them during the ride, both of us screaming and laughing in no time. The majority of the little ones recognized me and shyly confessed that they preferred me over Mario, and they told me about this game for the GameCube, Luigi's Mansion. So—they made a video game out of my exploits. Plus, it was the launch title for the GameCube. Bonus points!

When we weren't riding down water slides or splashing in the pool, I kept the young party guests occupied by telling them my side of the mansion story. They listened quietly, goggle-eyed, only asking questions when I was finished.

"And people say I'm not brave," I shrugged.

"But you are," one of the kids, identified by her name tag as Monica, told me. "You are."

"Just—cautious," said another, named Kate. "My mommy and daddy say that being cautious is a good thing, because if you're not, then you can get a boo-boo."

I gave a nervous laugh. "You don't have to remind me."

"Is it okay if I tell my parents and my friends about this?" chirped a boy named Bradley.

"Just—be careful who you tell," I said.

"That was a very fun story," said another boy, and I finally got a good look at Jake, Jasmine's special friend.

He was dressed in a white shirt with a purple clip-on bow-tie and tan slacks with black suspenders. His hair was wavy and dirty-blonde, and his hazel eyes were innocent and kind. Jake and Jas were sitting next to each other, covertly holding hands.

"Thank you for sharing, Luigi," Jake went on.

"You're welcome," I said.

"But I'm not scared of any ghosts or Boos or their kings," he said, puffing out his chest. "Just let one come near Jas. I'll knock 'em out flat!"