Page 153 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Tami flashed her a grateful smile and helped Mom find extrachairs while Joe helped Dad add a leaf. Greetings floated around, and snacksmade their way onto the table. Biddie went straight to Ash, who lingered by thedoor. Not out of reluctance to join in, Tami realized, but because his wingswould be in the way.
They were part of him, and they forced him apart. But onlyfrom those who didn’t know his secret. Why had she left this so late?
She touched a chair on the side of the table that left themost room. Ash kissed her cheek, and she sat beside him. Kip claimed the chairon Ash’s other side, casually shielding his best friend, just as he’d alwaysdone.
Melissa lead out. “I’m being pursued by a wolf of theNightspangle pack. Which is like courtship. If Jiminy had his way, I’d alreadybe part of his den, but my adoptive father is making me wait until after mywhelping feast.” A small smile touched her lips. “I think Doon-wen is using atechnicality to tease Jiminy.”
Dad rallied first. “It sounds like congratulations are inorder!”
Mom asked, “Jiminy’s a wolf? I thought he was a reaver.”
“He’s human, but he was raised by wolves and is consideredone by the Nightspangle pack.” Melissa quietly added, “Actually, I’m consideredKith-kin. By adoption.”
“Get out!” exclaimed Kip. “Me, too! Except not the adoptedpart.”
Ash asked, “True?”
“True.” Melissa’s smile warmed and widened. “If you countRook, I’m up to four mothers.”
“He’s mine, too.”
Tami eyed her parents. Dad was utterly bewildered, and hermother was barely holding back a burgeoning inquisition. So she jumped into thenext gap and announced, “Argent Mettlebright has agreed to be go-between forAsh and me.”
Joe calmly banished the sudden silence. “I like Ash.”
Biddie giggled. “AndIlike Ash.”
“Not as much as I do,” said Tami.
“Hold up.” Grandad pointed at Tami. “Say that again.”
“I like Ash?”
“Argent. Mettlebright.”
“Oh, him.” She rallied like a Reaverson. “Lord Mettlebrightagrees that America needs a love story to soften their hearts toward theAmaranthine. Ash and I volunteered. With the help of the Amaranthine Council,we’ll be going public with our engagement.”
There. It was out.
All eyes swung to Ash, who recognized his cue. “I’m acrosser.”
“I’m hopping the bandwagon,” said Kip. “IalsolikeAsh, but that’s never been a secret. Is that what this is? A chance to spillsecrets?”
“Yes,” said Joe. “This is your chance.”
“Awesome.” Kip spread his hands on the table, taking theproverbial floor. “I’m pretty sure you have to have realized by now that I’mnot even a little bit human. Only you’ve been too polite to let on.”
“What?” asked Dad.
“Wait. No?” Kip was playing it up. “You guys saw me makewith the wards at the pizza parlor, right?”
Dad said, “I thought that meant you were a reaver. Like Mr.Ismal.”
“Oh, that does make sense. I wasn’t sure how much Jiminytold you when he brought me in that first time. Guess it’s out.” His glib tonesoftened slightly. “Who wants to play Guess My Clan?”
Grandad shook his finger at Kip. “Woodacre ring any bells?”
Kip held up his hands. “Guilty as charged.”
