Page 150 of Instant Karma

I don’t know if I’m happy or sad at the news. What if I never see Lennon again?

The bell jingles on the front door.

“Hey, Ari,” says Jude.

“Hey, Jude. Pru.”

I turn off my phone and look up to see Ari strolling through the aisles, her fingers skimming over the tops of the records in their bins. “What are you doing here?” I ask. “You’re off today.”

“Yeah, but I thought I’d check on you. See if you needed some moral support.”

Ah—because the gala is tonight. I’m doing my best to forget, though the universe keeps throwing it back in my face.

I was shocked at first to learn that they planned to continue with the gala at all. How could they do it without me? It was my idea. These were my plans. It was practicallymygala!

But they are continuing with it, and—to my endless annoyance—they seem to be doing a pretty good job of promoting it, too. I see the posters everywhere I go, not just in our own store window, but plastered all over town. And,gah,I hate to admit it, but they’re great posters, with artwork and typography reminiscent of the Beatles’Yellow Submarinemovie poster, and not a single word misspelled.

They’ve been talking to the media, too. Not just theChronicle,but also local magazines and radio stations. Rosa even appeared on a feel-good regional lifestyle TV show, promoting the center and their mission.

A vengeful part of me wants to see them fail. I want the gala to be a disaster. I want Quint to come crawling back, begging me for help.

But from what I can tell, that’s never going to happen. Maybe I’m not as irreplaceable as I thought.

“So,” says Ari, drumming her hands on the counter. “It’s Tuesday. Which means… who’s up for some tacos and karaoke?”

Jude makes a sound like he’svery interested,but I know he’s just doing it to encourage me. Another attempt to pull me out of my slump.

“Nice try,” I say, “but there is no karaoke tonight.”

Ari frowns. “What do you mean? Carlos isn’t doing it anymore?”

“No, he is. But tonight, Trish Roxby will be setting up her karaoke equipment at the Offshore Theater, as the entertainment at the first annual rescue center gala.” I add, grumbling, “I saw it on their Facebook page.”

“Karaoke? At a gala?” says Jude. He shakes his head. “That’ll be a complete bust.”

I force myself to smile at him, because I can tell he’s trying. “Thanks, Jude. But I actually think it’s kind of genius.”

He knocks his fist against the counter. “I know. I do, too, but I was hoping I wouldn’t have to admit it. Karaoke will be so much better than some boring symphony.”

I wince, but I don’t think Jude notices. I have a feeling karaoke was Quint’s idea. And it is a good idea. It’ll easily take what could be a stuffy, tedious event, and make it fun, memorable, unique.

I hate that he thought of it and I didn’t.

I hate that I’m not going.

Jude clears his throat. “We could play D and D? I could call the gang over, make some popcorn, finally get you two set up with your own characters…”

Ari and I exchange looks.

“Just an idea,” says Jude. “I don’t want you to mope around all evening, Pru.”

“I do not mope.”

Ari’s lips twist to one side.

“The last few weeks notwithstanding.”

“And justifiably so,” says Ari. “But not tonight. Let’s go see a movie—oh. Never mind.”

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