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Nikki crossed her arms and pouted. It wasn’t fair. She wanted to stay and see what other exciting stuff might happen next. But Mrs. Harrison, Willie and Melinda’s mom, made them all leave the restaurant. Now she sat squeezed in the back seat, in the middle as always, with Hank on one side and Willie on the other.
“Why couldn’t we talk to the cops? Everybody else got to stay.” Hank leaned forward to speak to Mrs. Harrison. “I could’ve got a ride back with Dustin and Zeke.”
“I’m not responsible for Dustin and Zeke. But I am responsible for you. Your mother trusts me to take care of you. She can decide if you need to talk to the police.”
The restaurant was fun, especially when the boys made funny pig noises and got everyone snorting. Nikki giggled at the thought. She loved the Hog Hell cap, and cradled her gift box of treats. Hank already ate his, but she saved hers for Hope-Kitty. “Why’d the police stop the show, anyway?” She stared out the window. The TV people said Mr. Felch wasn’t on the show anymore and went to Hollywood. Had he taken Hope with him?
“I don’t know.” Mrs. Harrison didn’t elaborate. She hunched in the driver’s seat, neck stuck forward to peer out the windshield, and slowed at nearly every intersection to read the street signs.
“Will Daddy come talk to us?” Willie kicked his foot against the back of the passenger seat until Melinda turned around and glared.
“Your father will talk to you, if that’s necessary. But I think the police have more than enough people to talk to at the restaurant.” The car nearly stopped, and then sped up again.
Nikki braced herself against the front seat and her seatbelt cramped across her lap. Willie didn’t notice, but Hank put his finger to his lips and shook his head when Nikki would have complained about the jerky driving.
She knew Melinda and Willie’s dad was a cop. He didn’t live with them anymore because they all got divorced. It was sort of like her and Hank not having Daddy home, even though he and Mom were still married. It sure would be nice when Daddy finally came back from the war.
Mrs. Harrison rubbed her eyes like they hurt, and the car sped up. “What a fiasco.”
“What’s a fiasco? Is that like a Spanish party?” Willie poked Nikki. “Fiasco, fiesta, get it?”
Melinda groaned, but Nikki giggled despite herself, and poked him back. “Good one.” Daddy liked puns, too.
“Mom, you missed the turn.” Melinda spoke softly.
Mrs. Harrison bit her lip. “My eyes won’t focus. We’ll go around the block.” She peered at Hank in the mirror. “Your mom told me she wouldn’t be home for another hour. I left her a voicemail you’d both be with me. She can pick you up from our house.” She paused, and then muttered, “If I can find the damn turn. There it is!” She put on the signal, and the car banked sharply.
Hank shook his head. “That’s okay, Mrs. Harrison. You can drop us at home. Right, Nikki?” He elbowed her.
“That’s right.” She took the prompt. “Mom has Hank watch me every day after school. Even though I’m not a baby.” She smiled when Melinda met her eyes. “Girl power, right?”
“Totes.” Melinda again turned to her mom. “The road is back there. Mo-om!”
“Let me drive! I know the way home, for heaven’s sake.”
But Nikki thought she acted confused, maybe even a little scared?
She continued to complain. “What an embarrassment. An embarrassment to the city, to the Chamber, and to me personally. And where’s the effin’ house?”
“Mom.” Melinda turned in her seat. “Are you okay?”
“Just dandy.” Mrs. Harrison patted her hair. “Need to get a cut, maybe time for a new style. What do you think, Lindy?” The car stopped at the corner with a jerk, and she cupped her face in both hands.
“Um, Mrs. Harrison? Please, you can drop us at home, that’d be fine. It’s two blocks over that way.” Hank leaned forward and started to pat the woman on her shoulder, and then thought better of it. “Just turn right. And then at the next block turn left.”
Mrs. Harrison straightened up. “That whole restaurant situation blows my mind, you know? Got me totally rattled. A fiasco.” She cranked the wheel and gunned the engine, and the car slid around the corner. “Hang tight.” She laughed, and then stopped at the next corner. “Which way? You, boy, what’s-yer-name, you have to tell me how to get there. I’ve never been to your house.”
“She picked us up two hours ago,” Nikki whispered to Hank. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Turn left here.” Hank’s hand squeezed Nikki’s knee, and she made a silent “ouch” shape with her lips but took the hint and shut up.
The car made the turn and zoomed four blocks before the driver slowed to a stop, well past their house. Melinda mouthed, “Sorry,” as Nikki and Hank climbed out of the car. Willie acted ready to cry.
“Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Harrison.” Hank opened the car door, and held it until Nikki slid out. “Lindy, maybe you should call your dad?”
Melinda nodded. Mrs. Harrison barely waited for the car door to slam before zooming away.
“Wow, that was epic.” Nikki hugged herself.
“Yeah, an epic fail.” Hank shrugged, and grabbed her sleeve. “I didn’t see Mrs. Harrison drink anything but sweet tea. Weird.” He pulled the Hog Hell cap down over his face and stared out of the ski mask holes. “It’s cold. Let’s go home.”
She hesitated, and then cocked her head and smiled. “Race you! On your mark, get set, GO!”
She watched him pelt down the sidewalk, ducking through a neighbor’s yard and vaulting a low fence. He never looked back.
Nikki turned around, and jogged in the other direction. With a bit of luck, she’d be home before she was missed. If he told Mom about the barn, tonight might be her last chance to see Hope.
