Chapter Thirty-Five

 

AJ dumped the contents of the tip jar onto his bed the next morning. Forty-two dollars. He’d need a lot more than that for a recording session.

Grandpa leaned in the doorway. “Did you have a good take?”

AJ chuckled. “Not bad for the first night, I guess. I don’t suppose you’re responsible for this twenty?” He waved it in the air.

His grandfather shrugged. “I contributed, certainly.”

“Grandpa, I can’t take this from you.” He held it out.

“Nonsense. I didn’t say the twenty came from me. In fact, I believe Mel put it in there. Moved by guilt, no doubt, for not paying you.” A hissing noise came from the kitchen, and Grandpa hurried down the hallway.

He laid back on the bed. Last night was the latest he’d been out in a long time. It had taken a toll.

The telephone rang. Grandpa said, “Hello?” He repeated the greeting, then hung up.

“Wrong number?” AJ called.

“I have no idea. This is the third time it’s happened.”

AJ pushed himself up and went to the kitchen. “Really? That’s odd. I mean, that doesn’t happen to you much, does it?”

Grandpa stirred a pot on the stove. “No, not at all. My number’s on the Do Not Call list, so I haven’t had any telemarketer calls in years. Maybe someone is a clumsy dialer.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” He couldn’t escape an odd feeling. “You know, I never did get my cell phone back.” AJ walked to the sliding glass doors and looked out.

“Where did you leave it?”

“At Chaz’s place. With Cassiopeia.”

His grandfather turned slowly to face him.

AJ bit his finger. “It can’t be. The battery would be dead by now. And it wouldn’t work underwater. No, I’m not thinking clearly.” He ran a hand through his hair as he paced to the sliding glass door.

Grandpa turned the stove knob.

His grandfather’s silence disturbed AJ. “Right? I mean, it couldn’t be her. Do you think?”

“Right. Absolutely.” Grandpa leaned against the sink. “Unless…”

“What?” He stepped closer.

Grandpa shook his head. “No, that’s ridiculous. I’m not thinking clearly, either.”

AJ moved to his grandfather’s side. “Tell me.”

With a sigh, his grandfather braced his hands against the sink and said slowly, “Well, she’s a quick study. Maybe it’s not your phone she’s using.”

A chill went through him. “You think she got hold of someone else’s?”

“It is possible.” Grandpa looked at AJ. “But not probable. Think of the logistics.”

He pulled a glass from the cabinet. “You’re right. She hates me, anyway. She’d never call. It could have been anyone.” He poured some milk, walked to the table and sat, propping his head in his hand. “I should give up. Ask one of the girls from last night for their number. Or Susie.”

Grandpa scolded, “No, not Susie. Or Darlene. Tobias would not approve.”

AJ ran a finger along the rim of the glass. “So, Grandpa. What is the story with Tobias, anyway?”

“What story?” His grandfather puttered between sink and stove.

“He hasn’t asked me any questions about Cassiopeia. He knows she’s a real mermaid.”

His grandfather took a sudden interest in the dirty coffee cups sitting in the sink since early morning. “Tobias is a good friend. Completely trustworthy.” He washed the dishes, dried them, put them away.

“Grandpa.” He studied his grandfather, who evaded his gaze. “There’s got to be more to it than that.”

As he wiped his hands on the towel, his grandfather said, “Why does there? Isn’t it enough to be a good friend?”

AJ pressed his lips together. “It’s a big secret. Even for a good friend.”

Grandpa stirred the pot on the stove. “That’s part of what’s wrong with your generation. No loyalty. No standards.”

With a sigh, he gave in. There would be no answers from Grandpa about it, and no other way to find out the truth. Might as well forget it.

“I prepared sausage and peppers, if you’re hungry.”

“It smells good.”

Grandpa smiled. “I even bought fresh rolls.”

“Well then. I better jump on that.” AJ reached for the cabinet door.

“Sit, I’ll make you a sandwich.” His grandfather pulled out two plates and set a roll on each, then spooned the contents of the bubbling pot.

When AJ said thanks, he thought of all the things his grandfather had done to help him.

Grandpa paused. “You’re welcome, son.”

The roll felt soft in AJ’s hands. Since he arrived, things had improved quite a bit, all the way around.