CHAPTER 17

JAMES

Corinne Huffmann’s announcement wasn’t really sinking in. James felt as if he had a concussion. Ms. Huffmann started walking around the room, shaking hands and looking deeply into people’s eyes. When she got to James, he thought, She’d probably make a good politician. He was grateful, of course. How could he not be? Her generosity was unbelievable. And apparently it was real, unlike her dad’s. Still . . . there were some things this rich lady couldn’t fix.

Aunt Beth put her arm around him. “Darling, let’s go home.”

James nodded.

It was time to say good-bye to his grandfather.

But first he turned to Ana and Izzy. “High five for the champion unicorn-drawer,” he said to Izzy. She grinned slapped his outstretched palm with hers. “It was an honor to hang out with you, Isabel Rivera.”

“The honor was ours, James Trudeleau,” said Ana solemnly.

James looked up at her. “Where do you go now?”

Ana shrugged. “Another foster family. I’ve got evidence that Philip was abusing us. They’ll send us somewhere else. Maybe split us up. But it’s less than a year till I turn eighteen, and then I’ll have this money and get Izzy back.”

James said, “I can’t believe this is real.”

Just then, Colin came over to them. “I know, right? I guess I’ll believe it when the money is in my bank account. This means my family can rebuild the store.”

“I’m so glad!” said Ana. “I never would’ve forgiven myself if you’d lost the business.”

Colin lowered his voice. “And Danni can have her surgery too. If I can convince her to take a loan from me, anyway.” He smiled over at his sister.

Maiv joined them too. “James, I meant to ask—how’s your grandfather?”

James looked down. “He’s fading. All the money in the world probably wouldn’t save him. I have to go see him now. There’s not much time left.”

Izzy embraced him, and the other three piled on in an awkward, messy group hug. James sensed that they were all crying, though he couldn’t see much through his own tears.

Nothing would ever be the same again. Nothing would take the place of his grandpa. But at least he had these people, these friends, in his life. “My grandpa would have liked you guys,” he said.

Maiv pulled back and said in a choked voice, “James, call us, please. Let us know how you’re doing.”

Colin said, “Yeah, man. I mean, we’ll see you at Huffmann’s trial for sure, but that could be a zillion years from now. Stay in touch.”

“Please do,” Ana added and kissed his cheek.

James felt their support flow through him. “I will. And I’ve still got Colin’s insurance papers and Ana’s backpack, so stop by my apartment anytime.”

Colin grinned. “Definitely.”

Ana added, “Thank you, James, for everything.”

“I wish we hadn’t met this way,” James said to all of them, “but I am glad we met.”

As he and his aunt turned to leave, James knew that he was ready. He would be there for his grandpa, for however long they had left. And he would be the man his grandpa had believed he could be. He would make his grandpa proud.

James let out a long breath.

The Contest was over.