Lucas hadn’t been inside a library in two years. Browsing the titles filled him with both eagerness and sadness. He loved books, as had his mom and dad, and trips to the library back home had always been special. However, the foster mother had refused to take him, saying she didn’t have the gas or time, so he’d placed his love for reading in the spot in his heart where he’d buried all the other neat things he’d cared about in his old life. Being able to take out books again was awesome. Ms. Gemma had gotten him and Jaz library cards. Wyatt said she brought him here at least twice a month, which was twice more than Lucas ever hoped for while in the foster care system. He took down the first Harry Potter book. He’d already read the series and remembered how great it had been to lose himself in the story of Harry and his friends, so he took down the second book also and added them to the ones he already had in his arms. With no school to interfere, he could read as much as he wanted.
Wyatt came up beside him and asked quietly, “How many books do you have?”
“Five. You?”
“Five.”
They shared grins and walked over to the checkout desk. Lucas liked Wyatt and guessed they could be good friends but because life would never allow him to be happy again he wouldn’t allow himself to get close. Less heartache that way.
On the ride back to Ms. Gemma’s he savored the weight of the books in his lap and couldn’t wait to dive into them. “Thank you, Ms. Gemma.”
She smiled at him in the mirror. “You’re welcome. We’ll go as often as we can.”
He glanced over at Jaz and she grinned. She had a bunch of books, too. It was good seeing her happy, even though he was certain it wouldn’t last. He thought back on the visit with the social worker. He hadn’t liked her. When she did the house inspection she’d been real cold to Ms. Gemma; wouldn’t make small talk, never smiled. She was all about the business. He guessed she hadn’t liked being called out by Tamar. Actually witnessing how scary Tamar could be made him never want to get on her bad side, ever. Lucas knew about the Negro National Anthem, but he didn’t know all the words the way Wyatt did, and it made him wonder about the Henry Adams school. He’d seen the outside and Wyatt said their teacher Mr. James was amazing, but that the school only had one teacher was as puzzling as learning they sang the Anthem every day. Henry Adams was a really different place and one he wouldn’t mind being in permanently, but he had about as much of a chance of that happening as he had of receiving a welcome letter from Hogwarts.
Seated in the backseat beside him, Jaz asked, “Ms. Gemma, what else do you have to do to be our foster mother?”
“Take a couple of online classes and fill out more papers.”
“How long do you think it’ll take?” Lucas asked.
“A month maybe?”
“That’s a long time.”
“I suppose but if all goes well, we’ll have everything in place by the time school starts in September.”
Wyatt added, “We’re supposed to be getting another teacher. I hope I get to still be with Mr. James.”
“I think you will. The new teacher is supposed to be teaching the younger kids, or at least that’s my understanding.”
“Lucas, you’ll like Mr. James,” Wyatt said. “He does what he calls topical teaching. Instead of just using textbooks, he teaches us about stuff in the news. It’s kinda awesome. He’s real serious about us getting a good education, but he also makes it fun. Sometimes.”
Although Lucas was intrigued by Wyatt’s enthusiasm, he refused to hope that he’d be around when the time came to go to school.
When they got back to Ms. Gemma’s he and Jaz and Wyatt sat out on the deck and read until the sun began going down. Jaz and Wyatt went inside but Lucas stayed. He had so many thoughts running through his brain and for the past few days being alone with the silence of the countryside seemed to calm his insides.
“The mosquitoes will be out soon,” Ms. Gemma said, stepping outside to join him.
He gave her a small smile. She walked over and stood beside him and, like him, gazed out at the plains.
“This is a lot different than being in Chicago,” she said.
“Dayton, too.”
“I grew up in Franklin, but being a kid I never appreciated the silence the way I do now that I’m an adult.”
“I didn’t know you were from here.”
She nodded. “Moved to Chicago when I was sixteen.”
“It’s real quiet.”
“It is.”
They stood silently for a few moments before she said, “I like having you and Jaz here.”
“Thanks.” He looked over at her and the kindness reflected in her eyes made him turn away because he didn’t want to acknowledge how much he could become attached to her as well.
“Things will work out, Lucas.”
“No, they won’t. They haven’t since my parents died and it isn’t going to change.”
That she didn’t try and convince him otherwise made him think she maybe understood.
“My daughter was in the Army and died over in Afghanistan.”
He tensed and met her eyes. “Was she Wyatt’s mom?”
“Yes.”
“He and I have a lot in common then.”
“Yes. Neither of us thought we’d ever smile again.”
Lucas knew what Wyatt must have gone through and admitted with a whisper, “This is hard.”
“Very, and it will be awhile before it gets easier.”
Silence settled around them again.
She rubbed his back gently. “Don’t let the mosquitoes carry you away.”
With that, she went inside and he was left alone with his thoughts.
In the dream, she was making her way up the mountain’s narrow path. Wind whipped at her black-and-red caftan, causing her gray hair to wave behind her like a banner. The harpy eagle flew above, its calls urging her on. She still had no idea why she was climbing but the urge to keep going was strong. On the wind came sounds of music; the faint tinkle of bells and the rhythmic beat of drums bringing with it the echoes of gunfire and screams. Fog descended, turning the dream world a ghostly gray. Suddenly, the ground was littered with mangled dead bodies of men, women, and children all wearing the colorful dress of her ancestors. Off in the distance, panicked voices cried out in Spanish, English, and in tongues she didn’t recognize. Filled with dread, she searched the fog but saw no one. A charred wooden sign appeared. Negro Fort. She startled. She knew this place. The eagle screamed and she woke up.
It was 5:00 a.m. and still dark. Shaking, she sat up in bed and dragged shuddering hands down her face. Her heart pounded. Why am I having these dreams? Negro Fort was a Black Seminole enclave in Spanish Florida, blown up in 1816 by soldiers sent by President Andrew Jackson. Hundreds of warriors, women, and children died from the American cannons; some bodies were even found in the tops of trees. Survivors unable to escape were either sold into slavery or executed. It was the first skirmish in the Seminole Wars.
Tamar hugged herself against the chilling memory. Was this a sign of some kind? Was she on the final journey to join her Black Seminole ancestors? She had no answers, but wanted the dreams to stop because this one scared her to death.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep she got up and started a pot of coffee. When it was ready, she poured herself a cup, fired up her laptop, and did a search on harpy eagles. She knew they weren’t native to the United States but per the information she found, they had at one time called parts of Mexico home, a portion of which encompassed areas the Black Seminoles settled in after fleeing Indian Territory. Places like Nacimiento and Piedras Negras. Tamar had never believed in coincidence and she didn’t plan to start now. The dreams and the eagle meant something. But what, remained a mystery.
Later that morning, she was sweeping her porch when a cab pulled up to the house. Since she wasn’t expecting anyone, she paused to see who would step out. It was her cousin. Eula. Age-old resentment rose. Eula Nance. Snooty, self-absorbed, and the wealthiest member of the widespread July family, she was the great-granddaughter of Tamar’s great-aunt Teresa July Nance. Tamar had no idea what she wanted. That the cabbie was unloading luggage from the trunk meant she planned to stay awhile. Tamar would have Mal or Trent drive Eula over to one of the hotels in Franklin because she wasn’t staying with her.
“Morning, Tammy.”
“Eula.” As always, her attire reflected her financial status: a nice pair of gray slacks, white silk blouse, gold in her ears and around her neck. She had on a wide-brimmed straw hat and pricey designer shades. She was using a cane, which made Tamar wonder if she’d had a stroke. She hadn’t seen or heard from Eula in a good five or six years, and once again wondered why she’d come.
Standing at the bottom of the steps, Eula said quietly, “Surprised to see me, I’ll bet?”
“Give the woman a cigar.”
“Are you going to invite me in?”
“Do I have to?”
“Unfortunately, for both of us, you do.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m dying, Tam, and I need you to bury me when the time comes.”
Tamar was stunned. She certainly hadn’t been expecting that. “Come on in, then.”
The cabbie brought the luggage to the porch. Eula struggled up the steps and followed her inside.
“Place looks nice,” Eula said once she was seated.
“Thanks.”
When Eula removed her hat and shades, Tamar saw the gray pallor of her skin and the dullness in her eyes. There were short, sparse patches of gray hair on her nearly bald head.
“It’s cancer,” Eula explained unprompted.
“Why come to me?”
“Julia wouldn’t take my calls. So, given the choice of you or that brother of yours and his family of hooligans, you won.”
Tamar forced herself not to remind Eula that beggars, especially dying ones, couldn’t be choosey. “Julia still mad about you taking her to court?”
Julia was a cousin descended from Harper and Vivian July. They’d lived in Wyoming back when Olivia, Neil, Teresa, and her banker husband, Madison Nance, resided in nineteenth-century Henry Adams. Julia and her clan now lived in Florida.
“Yes, and I realize it was not one of my finer moments.”
Twenty years ago, Julia borrowed a large sum of money from Eula. When she couldn’t repay it, Eula took her to court.
“You warned me I’d need my family one day, but I didn’t believe you. I know better now that it’s too late.”
“How long have the doctors given you.”
“If I’m lucky, six months.”
“I’m sorry, Eula.” And she was.
“So am I. I have a ton of regrets. A ton.” Her lips trembled and tears filled her eyes. “I was so afraid of dying alone.”
And with that, Tamar let go of a lifetime of animosity and eased her cousin into her arms. “You won’t be alone,” she whispered. “I promise.”
Eula wept bitterly. As Tamar held her close, tears filled her eyes, too.
Tamar settled Eula into one of the spare bedrooms and while she slept, Tamar pulled out her phone. The rest of the family needed to know about Eula. She’d be needing a proper homegoing to mark her passing, and therefore hatchets had to be buried. The Spirit knew Tamar wasn’t looking forward to another visit from Thad and his havoc-causing Oklahoma clan, but it couldn’t be avoided. Setting thoughts of them aside for the moment, she brought up her contacts and called Julia.
Rocky and Siz were cleaning up the kitchen after the breakfast rush when he asked, “What’s up with Mal?”
“He’s mad at me.”
“Why?”
She explained.
“I think a new place is a great idea.”
She was glad to have his support. “He doesn’t.”
“I was wondering why he was so grumpy this morning.”
“He’s threatening to fire me if I invest.”
Siz stopped. “Whoa. Wait. That’s crazy. Who’s going to run this place if that happens?”
“You tell me.”
“I can’t work here without you, Rock.”
“I appreciate that, babe, but I think he’s just blowing smoke.”
“Hopefully, because that would be a disaster and I’d be wearing a tee shirt that said: ‘Miami here I come.’”
“Have you heard anything from the chef down there?”
“Yeah. Got an e-mail last night. He’s in Tokyo right now and wants me to come down when he gets back.”
“Did he say when that’ll be?”
“Probably first week of September. Be nice to be in Florida for the winter doing sunshine instead of snow and below zero.”
Rocky agreed, but still she didn’t want him to leave.
“So how soon will Ms. Brown’s place open?”
“Not sure but she’ll let me know.”
Mal came into the kitchen. “I need to talk to you, Rock. In my office.” And he walked out just as abruptly.
Rocky wanted to run after him and smack him on the back of his head. Instead, she calmed herself and said to Siz, “Be right back.”
In the office, he was seated behind the desk.
“What’s up?” she asked.
He said, “I have a solution to our so-called problem. Come look at this.”
He turned the laptop her way so she could view the diagram on the screen.
“What am I looking at?”
“The new layout for the dining room. I took out the booths on the back wall and added four more tables.”
She studied it for a moment. “How wide is this aisle here?” she asked, pointing to the space between the new tables and the old ones in the center of the room.
“About fifteen inches.”
“The servers can’t maneuver in a space that narrow.”
“Sure they can.”
“No, they can’t.”
“They’ll adjust.”
“Before or after they drop a tray on someone’s head or in their lap?”
He glared.
She ignored it. “Have you shown this to Luis?” Luis Acosta was Henry Adam’s fire chief and fire marshal.
“No.”
“I can tell you now, he isn’t going to approve it. We’re already pushing the envelope on code.”
“I say we try it.”
“I say we don’t. Unless you want him to close us down. He does have the authority.”
He blew out a breath. “Then what do you suggest?”
“You already shot down my suggestions, remember?”
“You’re determined to take Bernadine’s side, aren’t you?”
“I’m not going another round with you on that. Everybody and their mother knows what this place needs, except you. What’s with the blinders? Is there something going on that you aren’t telling me?”
“No.”
She’d known him most of her life and at that moment, she swore he wasn’t telling the truth. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, so just go on back to the kitchen. Be time for lunch in a minute.”
Rocky stood there for a moment. He wouldn’t meet her eyes.
“Okay, Mal. I’ll see you later.” She left the office filled with the sense that something was going on and that it wasn’t good.
The feeling stayed with her for the rest of the afternoon and she found herself discreetly observing him to try and figure out what he might be keeping from her, but he gave her no clues. She was convinced he hadn’t fallen off the wagon; he took too much pride in his sobriety and there was no hint of alcohol on his breath or clothing. Of course, it was quite possible that nothing was amiss and she was simply looking for an excuse to explain away his pigheadedness when in reality it was him just being pigheaded, but her Spidey sense was tingling and it wouldn’t go away.
After the lunch rush, she walked down to the rec center hoping to talk to Tamar but found Marie there instead.
“She’s at home today,” Marie explained. “A cousin of hers showed up this morning, so she’s spending the day with her. Anything I can help you with?”
Marie knew Mal probably better than anyone so Rocky explained her concerns.
Marie nodded understandingly. “He is pretty bent out of shape over this new restaurant idea. He says Bernadine refuses to listen to reason.”
“He’s the one being unreasonable.” And Rocky explained what she meant by that.
Marie sat back. “He didn’t tell me all that, but then this is Mal we’re talking about. He has a blind spot about his own issues sometimes. So, you didn’t threaten to quit?”
“He threatened to make me quit if I threw in with Bernadine.”
Marie sighed. “Lord.”
“Something’s going on with him, Marie, and I’m worried.”
“You could be right. He’s coming by tonight to watch baseball. Maybe he’ll talk to me.”
“I hope so. He’s supposed to be giving me away. I don’t want whatever this is to come between us.”
“I understand.” Marie changed gears. “Have you ordered your wedding leathers?”
She hung her head. “No.”
“Rocky?”
“I know. I’ll do it tonight after work. Promise.”
“I’m going to call you this evening to make sure.”
“Okay.” Glad that Marie hadn’t dismissed her concerns, Rocky left the rec and walked back to the Dog.
Seated behind her desk in her office, Bernadine reviewed some of the bids for the three remaining open spots at the Sutton Hotel facility. She’d halfway settled on one being a bank branch but had to decide which corporate entity to choose.
“Ms. Brown, can I talk with you a minute?”
It was Kelly Douglas, the town’s hairdresser and Crystal’s best friend. Kelly and her husband, Bobby, had moved to Henry Adams last winter with their twin toddlers: Bobby Jr. and Kiara. “Sure. Come on in,” Bernadine said, smiling.
Kelly took a seat and Bernadine asked, “How are things?”
“Things are good. No issues.”
“And Riley?”
“Doing his job, which is all I ask. Keeps talking about running for mayor, but I tune that part out.”
“The last time he ran he got one vote. Genevieve’s. He might get a goose egg this time around.”
“He won’t get mine. That’s for sure.”
“Mine, either. So, what brings you by?”
“I’ve picked out a name for the salon and want to know what you think.”
“Okay.”
“We’re all about town history here and from talking with Tamar I know that back in the day there used to be a saloon called the Liberian Lady, so I want to call my shop The Liberian Lady and Gents Salon.”
Bernadine beamed. “I love that, and the play on the word saloon is just perfect. Brilliant, Kelly.”
“Thanks. I’d like to have the name either on the glass on the front door or one of the windows. Maybe use a fancy, scrolly kind of font. Would that work, or be too expensive?”
“I’m sure we can find a way to do it and keep it cost effective. I love the idea of the old-fashioned font.”
“Good. When Amari, Brain, and Leah get back from vacation, they’re going to help me put up a web page, so we can let people know we’re here.”
“You’re on the ball, my dear.”
“Learning how to turn my world by watching you.”
“I appreciate that.”
Kelly stood. “Let me get back before Riley turns the shop into his campaign headquarters. Can’t wait to move in this weekend.”
“I’ll get started on ordering your signage.”
“Thanks, Ms. B.”
“You’re welcome, Kelly.”
She exited and left Bernadine smiling. Lily and Trent had taken the week off and were in Kansas City acting out their own version of Home Alone, so Bernadine had the Power Plant to herself. She hoped they were having fun. She, on the other hand, kept being distracted by thoughts of Mal and the ongoing mess between them. He still wasn’t responding to her texts, so she stopped sending them. She hadn’t seen him, either. Rather than get caught up in a public confrontation at the Dog, she’d avoided the place and had taken to eating lunch at her desk and dinner at home. She missed him. She missed them.
“Hello, Ms. Brown.”
Bernadine looked up to see social worker Aretha Krebs on the threshold. The smug smile on her face instantly set off warning bells. “Ms. Krebs. Good to see you.”
“I’ve come to collect the Herman children.”
Bernadine froze.
The smug smile spread. “They have a great-aunt in Cincinnati who’s agreed to take custody, and my counterpart in Ohio has solved the mystery of their parents’ estate. The businesses were sold and the money’s been in an escrow account, along with life insurance payouts. The family’s financial advisor had a stroke a few days after the parents’ accident and the original caseworker retired before all the financial background work was finalized.”
“And it wasn’t caught.”
“No. Their office dropped the ball, probably due to large caseloads and being overworked as we all are. The advisor isn’t physically able to return to his practice, so his daughter’s been going through the files and just found the estate paperwork a few days ago.”
“So, the great-aunt has stepped up now that the kids have money?”
“I talked with her last evening. She said she didn’t know the kids were in the system.”
“And you believe her?” Bernadine asked skeptically.
“I believe the children will be better off with a family member than with Ms. Dahl.”
Bernadine knew Krebs’s feeling on the matter so she let it go. “Have you vetted the great-aunt?”
“I have and there are no red flags.”
Bernadine sighed inwardly. She didn’t like this outcome but lacked the authority to step in.
Krebs gave her another fake smile. “So if you can have the children brought here, we can get them on a plane to Cincinnati this evening. A caseworker and the aunt will meet them at the airport.”
Bernadine thought back on Lucas’s desire to stay with Gemma. “And the children get no say?”
“No. Not when there’s family willing to take them in. My counterpart in the Ohio office agrees the aunt’s a better fit, too.”
Bernadine understood the policy but wanted to know where the aunt had been for the past two years. She also wondered if it was wrong for her to disbelieve the woman’s claim of not knowing the kids were in foster care. “How old is the aunt?”
“Seventy-three. She’s the grandfather’s sister.”
Bernadine didn’t like this at all. “Okay. Let me call Gemma and we’ll have the kids packed and ready to leave shortly.” This news was going to break the kids’ hearts, Gemma’s too, but maybe the great-aunt would give them the stability and love they needed. She set aside her misgivings and called the store.
Lucas, Jaz, and Wyatt were spending the day at the rec center with Ms. Marie. He and Lucas were playing checkers and Jaz was in a chair reading. When Ms. Dahl showed up unexpectedly Lucas saw her red-rimmed eyes and wondered if she’d been crying. Rather than be nosy and ask about it, he studied her silently. He didn’t like seeing her looking so sad.
She spoke to Ms. Marie first. “Marie, I need to talk to Lucas and Jasmine. Can I use Tamar’s office?”
Lucas froze.
“Sure, go right in.”
Wyatt, seated on the other side of the checkerboard asked, “What’s going on Gram? Have you been crying?”
Her lip trembled for a second before she gave him a watery smile. “Let me talk with Lucas and Jaz first, okay?”
“Gram, what’s the matter?”
“In a minute, Wyatt.”
Lucas shared a look with the now serious-faced Wyatt. Something had happened and he sensed it wasn’t good.
He and Jaz followed her into the office and she quietly closed the door. “You’re going back to Ohio.”
Jaz screamed, “No!” and began crying. “No!”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Your grandfather’s sister wants you and Lucas to come and live with her in Cincinnati.”
Lucas felt like he’d been turned into ice. “What if we don’t want to go?”
“Ms. Brown asked about that, but Ms. Krebs said when a family member wants custody, you and Jaz have no choice.”
Jaz continued to sob. Her shoulders shook with emotion. Ms. Gemma’s tears rolled down her cheeks as she pulled Jaz close and held her. “I want you to stay here, too. But I don’t have any legal standing.”
All his fears were realized. He’d been right not to dream or hope or attach himself to anyone there. Empty inside, he asked, “When do we leave?”
“Immediately. Ms. Krebs is waiting for you at Ms. Brown’s office.”
Jaz looked up and cried, “Please! We don’t want to leave. Please help us, Ms. Gemma.”
“Sweetie, I can’t. This breaks my heart, too. I’m so sorry. Your aunt is probably really nice.”
Lucas thought the only good thing about this whole heartbreaking situation was that he and his sister would still be together. He took her hand and said softly, “Come on, Jaz. We need to get our stuff.”
He met Ms. Gemma’s eyes and her tears reflected the ones he had hidden inside.
Up in his room, Lucas was stuffing his small cache of belongings into the new trash bag Ms. Gemma had given him when Wyatt appeared in the doorway. He looked both sad and angry.
“Hey,” Lucas said.
“Hey.”
“Thanks for everything. It’s been nice.”
“You’ll be back.”
Lucas offered a rueful smile. “If you want to think that, go ahead.” His packing done, he stared over at the boy he wouldn’t have minded calling brother. “Will you take my books back to the library when you go next time?”
He nodded solemnly. “Do you have our phone number, in case you want to call.”
“I do, but I probably won’t.”
“Why not?”
Lucas wanted to say it would hurt too much. “I just won’t, that’s all.”
“Okay,” he said as if understanding. “Was nice knowing you, Lucas.”
“Same here.”
They shared one last long look and Wyatt left. Alone, Lucas wiped away a tear and carried the bag down the hall to hook up with Jaz. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “I want to stay here so bad.”
“But we can’t,” he snapped. Then he felt bad. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I need to stop acting like a baby.”
He saw their mom’s features in her face and all the pain and fear rushed up inside him again. He wanted to hug her tight and tell her everything would be all right, but then they’d both start crying again, and the Krebs woman was waiting. No sense in delaying the inevitable. “Hand me your bag.”
“No, I can carry it.” She met his sad eyes and said, “I love you, Lucas. You’re a good big brother.”
“Thanks. I love you, too, Jaz.”
And together they set out to face life’s next challenge.
Lucas managed to remain stoic when the time came to say goodbye to Ms. Gemma and to Ms. Bernadine in her office. He knew if he began crying he’d never stop. Beside him, Jaz stood quietly while tears ran down her cheeks.
“Take care of each other,” Ms. Gemma said, hugging them each in turn. “I’ll miss you both.”
Lucas nodded. Jaz grabbed her tightly around the waist and held on. A teary-eyed Ms. Gemma rocked her gently.
Ms. Krebs cleared her throat. “We need to get going so we don’t miss the plane.”
Jaz stepped away, wiped her face, and took her spot beside him.
Ms. Bernadine said, “We’re always here if you need anything.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Krebs said impatiently, “They’ll be just fine. My office recommends you have no future contact so you don’t interfere with them bonding with their family member.”
Lucas didn’t like her and blamed her for being prejudiced against Ms. Gemma, and for why they couldn’t stay. She’d be flying with them on the plane to Ohio and he hoped that once they arrived, he and Jaz would never have to see her again.
Storing Ms. Gemma’s kindness in his heart, he followed Ms. Krebs out to her car. She opened the back door for them and said, “I was pretty excited the first time I flew on a plane. Have you ever flown before?”
Lucas said, “Yeah. I flew to Australia with my mom for a doctor’s conference when I was seven.”
She stopped, stunned. Rolling his eyes, he climbed in and helped Jaz with her seat belt before buckling his own. When Ms. Krebs entered, he saw her eyeing him in the mirror with an odd expression on her face, but he turned away.
When they arrived at the Cincinnati airport it was dark. Lucas pulled the rolling suitcase Ms. Krebs had given them to stuff their trash bags into and waited while she looked around the nearly empty baggage claim area. A tall African American man wearing a suit walked up with a short, round, elderly African American woman wearing a black-and-white polka-dot dress and a big wide-brimmed church lady hat. She smiled the moment she saw them, so Lucas assumed this was their great-aunt. Ms. Krebs told them on the plane that her name was Wanda Borden.
“Ms. Krebs?” the tall man asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Ed Gladwin from Ohio Social Services. This is Mrs. Borden.”
Krebs smiled. “Glad to meet you, Mrs. Borden. These are the kids. Lucas and Jasmine Herman.”
She was still beaming. “How are you? Welcome to Cincinnati.” She opened her arms. “Come give your auntie some sugar.”
He and Jaz shared a quick look before Lucas walked over and let himself be folded in against her round body. She smelled like peppermint and her face was a bit sweaty. When she turned him loose, Jaz took his place. After the hug, she said, “What a pretty name for a pretty little girl. I had jasmine in my yard when I lived in California and it made the night smell so sweet. How was the flight?”
“Okay,” Lucas voiced quietly.
“You must be exhausted. Are you hungry?”
“A little bit,” Jasmine said.
“I’m a great cook, and I left some stuff on the stove. We’ll eat soon as we get there.”
So far, so good, Lucas thought but he knew better than to hope. Ms. Krebs watched his face, but he didn’t acknowledge her. She’d gotten them here; now she could go.
Aunt Wanda said, “Ms. Krebs, I want to thank you for letting me know about them. I’m sure we’ll be fine from here on out. Won’t we, kids?”
Lucas nodded because he knew it was expected. Jaz did the same.
Mr. Gladwin said, “Ms. Krebs, I’ll take you to your hotel. Kids, I’m your worker and I’ll be by tomorrow to check on things. Nice meeting you both.”
Ms. Krebs met Lucas’s cold eyes and, if she’d been expecting a fond farewell, she didn’t get one. “Take care, kids.”
He and Jaz nodded but that was all. She left with Mr. Gladwin and they followed Aunt Wanda out to her car.
Once they were inside, she drove off. “I’m so glad to have you two with me. Nothing like youngsters to keep an old lady young.”
She asked what grades they were in, in school. They told her and she replied, “The one near my house isn’t fancy like the one you probably went to when you lived with your rich mama and daddy but you’ll be okay there.”
She said the word rich as if it were a bad word and Lucas became instantly wary.
“Going to be lots of changes living with me, but again, you’ll be okay.”
In the shadowy backseat, Jasmine slid her hand into his and he squeezed hers gently in response.
The car left the highway and merged into an area like the inner-city neighborhoods he’d lived in during his first stint in foster care. A few minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of a house on a quiet street.
“We’re here,” she announced.
They took their suitcase out of the trunk and followed her up the two cement steps to the porch. By the light from the bare bulb above them Lucas saw the burglar bars on the door and the windows across the front of the house. Aunt Wanda stuck a key into the full-length bars first, and once it was opened, she fumbled for another key to unlock the main door that led inside.
The interior was lit by a lone lamp in the small front room. Lucas spied a brown couch, an old cracked-leather recliner and a big flat-screen TV. The air smelled like stale perfume.
She put down her purse and removed her hat. “Put those bags down. Got some work for you to do before you eat.”
Lucas stopped. He was hungry after the long day and so was Jaz. “We’re really hungry. Can we eat first?”
“You sassing me, boy?” she asked ominously.
He froze and whispered, “No, ma’am.”
“Good because you don’t want to find out if you do. Now follow me.”
They climbed the worn, slick carpeted stairs to the second floor. She clicked on a light and led them down the short hallway. “You’ll be sleeping in this room.”
Another light was thrown on to reveal a space filled with boxes, furniture, and clothing piled high, and he couldn’t tell what else lay beneath all the layers of stuff. He looked around with wide eyes.
“Take everything in here down to the basement,” she instructed them. “There’s some sheets and blankets beneath those big boxes in the corner. When you find them, go put them in the washer. Once they dry and you get the beds made, you can eat.”
She exited.
He glanced over at his sister, who said in a voice bordering on a wail, “She’s mean, Lucas.”
“I know.” He’d been stupid to hope. “Let’s get started so we can eat.”
At 1:00 a.m., after eating a cold plate of collards, pork and beans, and chicken, they fell into bed. Lucas could hear Jasmine crying softly in the dark in the bed beside his. He didn’t try and tell her things would work out because they both knew it was a lie. Fighting exhaustion, he wanted to at least console her but his tired eyes slid shut and he dropped like a stone into sleep.