I waited twenty minutes for Ambie in our meeting spot next to the oak tree until I couldn’t wait any longer without being late for class. I took one last look up the street and slowly started towards the main entrance. Ambie hadn’t told me she was going to be away, so maybe she was just running late. This was the first week her mom started working at the bakery, and the Guido family schedule might have been thrown off. It wasn’t like Ambie to be late, though. She was pretty self-sufficient.
I met Evan at the door to our classroom. His blonde hair was newly trimmed, and his blue eyes looked rested.
“You look well today,” I said.
“Yeah. I’m feeling a lot better. You look a little worried.”
“No, it’s nothing. Just that Ambie was supposed to meet me before school, and she never showed up.”
“She might have just gotten held up.”
“You’re probably right, but it’s not like her.”
“Move along, kids. Find your seats,” Mr. Williams said as he wiped off the chalk board.
I started towards my desk. When I glanced back at Evan, I realized he’d never admitted before that he wasn’t feeling well. Had he been sick?
The class seemed to drag. Mr. Williams spent the entire period lecturing about matter and energy exchange in ecosystems. “The biosphere is made up of biomes, each containing many different ecosystems,” he began. I’d have to say that was the most understandable part of his lesson. Mr. Williams was famous for talking over our heads, and I knew I’d have to read the chapter if I wanted to understand anything about ecosystems.
I looked over at Toby Manning. His eyes had closed by minute five of the lecture. By the ten minute mark, he was snoring softly, and his friends were pelting him with spitballs whenever Mr. Williams turned to write something on the board. I wasn’t surprised when six names were called out for detention at the end of the period, including Toby’s.
Evan was waiting for me at the door. “I’m not going to miss these lessons when we move,” he said.
“That’s right. This was your last biology class.”
We started walking down the hall. I spotted Cindy and Rosemary with their heads together standing next to the water fountain. Cindy saw me and said something to Rosemary, as if they were having an argument. Evan looked over at them too.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” I said under my breath.
“They probably don’t like seeing you associating with me,” Evan said. “I’ve been told I have a reputation.”
“They’re not like that. Besides, your reputation is more on the mysterious side.”
Evan grinned at me. “See you later, Jennifer.”
“See you.” I was almost at Madame Grégoire’s door when I heard Cindy call my name. She was standing near the lockers across the hall, and Rosemary wasn’t with her. I stepped around a few groups of students to stand in front of her.
“What’s up, Cindy?” I asked
Cindy twirled a strand of red hair as she spoke. Her eyes were worried. “Rosemary said I shouldn’t say anything, but I thought you should know.”
“Know what? Is this about Ambie?”
“Yeah. It’s about Ambie.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“Not really, but I know she’s meeting her dad.”
“Mr. Guido? Is that why she’s late?” I was starting to sound like a game show where they ask questions for points. Getting information out of Cindy was hard work.
“No, her real dad. We wouldn’t have known, except Rosemary read an e-mail Ambie’d printed off when we were over visiting a few days ago. The note was lying by Ambie’s phone. She made us promise not to tell.”
I grabbed Cindy’s arm. “Where did Ambie say she was meeting him? You have to think—it’s important.”
“I . . . she never said. I don’t know,” Cindy wailed. “Oh, my god. Is Ambie in trouble?”
I tried to calm down. “No, nothing like that. You did the right thing telling me.”
Cindy looked relieved. “Well, gotta go. See you later, Jennifer.” She spun around and sped away without looking back.
I turned to go into Madame Grégoire’s classroom but knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. Instead I slipped past the door and ran towards the nearest side door out of the building. I needed to find Ambie before she got herself into something she might regret.
I slung my knapsack over my shoulder and started running as fast as I could towards Ambie’s house. She lived closer to the school than I did, and I was at her back door within fifteen minutes. I knocked sharply on the window, already knowing that Ambie’s parents were at work. I was half-hoping Ambie would answer the door, but no such luck. I dropped my bag and darted over to Mrs. Guido’s herb garden. Kneeling down, I felt under the rock border until my fingers wrapped around a key. I pulled it out and raced back to the house.
Once inside, I checked the kitchen and saw a note lying on the table. I picked it up. It was addressed to Ambie’s parents. I hesitated for a second but knew I had to find out what Ambie had written. I unfolded it and read. It was worse than I thought. Ambie had lied and said she was spending the night with Rosemary to work on a project and watch a movie. She also said she’d phone around suppertime. I folded the note and put it back on the table.
Then I jogged down the hall to Ambie’s room. I took a quick survey of her things but nothing looked out of place. She’d made her bed and folded her pajamas on the chair under the window. She was always tidier than me—something we used to joke about. I turned on her computer, and while it was starting up, I checked through her papers. The e-mail that Rosemary had seen didn’t look to be anywhere around. I checked the floor and in the garbage but found nothing.
I clicked on her e-mail and skimmed the incoming messages. There was nothing from Martin Donaldson. The folder titled Research was empty of messages. Ambie had cleaned it out. I was luckier when I clicked on the folder marked “trash”. She’d emptied it recently but had missed an e-mail from Martin Donaldson dated the night before. I said a silent prayer and clicked it open.
Dearest Ambie,
I’m so looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! You don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you again for sending the loan—I’m really upset with my Hong Kong bank for tying up my money like they have, but I’ll be paying you back with interest. Without your help, we’d have had to wait until next year, I’m afraid. I’m working on a project that’s taking all my time and resources.
Well I shouldn’t go on about money when what I’m really interested in is you and our visit! My flight gets in at three—Air Canada flight 320. I’ll meet you just outside the baggage claim. (You’ll know me by my big, happy smile.) Seriously, I have the picture you sent and will have no trouble picking you out. We’ll have a nice meal, and Suki and I’ll rent a car and drive you back to Springhills whatever time you like. I’ve booked a place nearby for a few days.
See you soon
Martin (Dad)
I gulped and pressed print. Then I started the internet and checked Air Canada flights. Flight 320 was coming from Calgary and landing at Toronto Airport. I printed the flight information too then shut down the computer. I’d have to go home, get some money and figure out how to get to Toronto. Ambie had a few hours head start on me, but at least now I knew where to find her.