The janitor came running down the hallway. His keys were jangling, and his janitor boots were making a very authoritative sound as they hit the polished floor of the Golden Glen.

The janitor had a determined look on his face. He didn’t seem at all like a man who would play mournful music on the piano. His fingers were too thick. Also, he didn’t look very much like someone who would own a yellow bird.

“Oooooh,” said Louisiana. “Hurry. Follow me.”

Louisiana led them down the hallway. “In here,” she said. “Right there.” She pointed at a small room with the door open. Inside the room, there was a desk, and right in the center of the desk was A Bright and Shining Path: The Life of Florence Nightingale.

“Is that it?” asked Beverly. “Is that your stupid library book?”

Above the desk, there was a birdcage, rocking back and forth. It was empty. The little door to the cage was open.

Something about the open door on the cage made Raymie feel sad.

At home right now, Raymie’s mother was probably sitting on the couch, staring into space. Mrs. Borkowski was probably in her lawn chair in the middle of the road. And Mrs. Sylvester was surely at her desk, typing, the giant jar of candy corn in front of her trembling slightly from the hum and clatter of the electric typewriter.

And Raymie’s father? Maybe he was sitting in the diner with the dental hygienist. Maybe they were both holding menus. Maybe they were thinking about what they might order.

Did her father think about her?

What if he had already forgotten her?

Those were the questions Raymie wanted to ask somebody, but there wasn’t anyone to ask.

“Why are you just standing there?” said Beverly. “Are you going to get the book or not?”

“Well, my goodness,” said Louisiana. “I will get the book.” She ran into the janitor’s office and grabbed Florence Nightingale off the desk and ran back out.

From somewhere in the Golden Glen there came another scream.

“I think we should go now,” said Louisiana.

“That’s a good idea,” said Beverly.

And the three of them started to run.