Page 27 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
His claws sliced easily through twine, and she shook outarmfuls of dried grasses until they were waist deep.
“Are there herbs you favor?” Melissa looked to True andexplained, “Back home, we add mint to feline bedding. And our avians have beenon a lavender kick. The scents are soothing.”
Torloo turned expectantly to True. After several moments, hesaid, “Fallen leaves. She likes the scent of autumn and the way they rustle.”
“It may take me a little while,” said Melissa. “Not manytrees around here are dropping their leaves yet. But autumn isn’t far off.”
“How soon?” Torloo reached up with both hands high above hishead. When the she-wolf lowered her muzzle, he stroked her inky fur. “Are youcounting the days? The season will turn in a matter of weeks. Is that why youare so restless?”
Melissa gently laid her hand beside Torloo’s, adding hersupport. “Is there something special happening in autumn?”
“Doon-wen promised to return before the falling of leaves.” Theboy chuckled. “If he is late, she wants to recline upon a bed that gives proofof his lies.”
“That would serve him right,” said Melissa. “And if he’slate, I’ll definitely help. But the way Rook described his brother, I get theidea that he keeps his promises. And that means your wait is almost over.”
Silver eyes slowly closed, and the she-wolf let her headdroop lower. Torloo was quick to stroke her face, crooning comfort. His growls weren’tdeep enough to rumble, and they reminded Melissa of purring. She added her own caresses,sifting her fingers through the thick fur framing True’s face. “May I tend you,True?”
With a grumbling whine, the Kith backed up and sagged ontoher bed of hay.
Torloo caught Melissa’s hand and led her over, all smiles. “Trueis ready for tending.”
“Where should I sit?”
“Here.” The boy indicated the space between True’s forepaws.“For Rook’s sake and for Christopher’s and for Jiminy’s, she will take you toher heart.”
Melissa gladly curled up between soft fur and fragrant hay,but she muttered, “What’s Jiminy got to do with anything?”
If True answered, the only translation Torloo offered was asoft giggle.
TWELVE
No Running in the Halls
Within a week of school starting,Tami quickly realized thateverychild at Landmark Elementary knew Ashand Kip. A slightly guilty snoop through their personnel files showed that yes,the two janitors had worked at the school long enough for all the kids to havebeen introduced to the duo during kindergarten orientations past. And thestudentsadoredthem.
Was it strange for janitors to have so much influence? Maybe.Then again, she remembered Joe being fond of one of the old janitors who’dworked at Landmark back when they were kids.
Not every role model had to be a teacher.
Since she was already being nosy, she gleaned a few morefacts. For instance, Kip really was short for Kipling—Alder Kipling. She wasshaking her head in sympathy for a young Kip, only to realize thatAlderwas possibly the lesser evil, at least, from a kid’s point of view. Ash wasshort for Ashishishe. Tami could only assume this was a traditional name, amark of his Native American heritage. A quick search on her phone brought up ameaning.
Crow.
A second surprise came with the unexpected realization thatAsh and Kip lived together. Their address was indeed out in Nocking, whichmeant their commute was even longer than hers. They weren’t only alwaystogether … they mightbetogether. Tami had no experience with that sortof thing. Maybe if she watched for signs, she’d be able to tell if they werethe best friends she’d assumed them to be or … more.
Tami whisked the folders away without reading any further.If she wanted to know anything more about the two, it would be from them.
Her phone chimed, alerting her to a new comment on her inquiryabout their mystery tree. With everything else going on, she’d half-forgottenabout her forum post.
Stumped by Your Orphan
Cannot possibly be native to N. America. Forwarding yourquery to a colleague in Europe who is the last word in trees.
Progress! She could hardly wait to tell Joe.
Tami was hurrying along the hallway, bound for thelibrary. She needed a few snapshots to accompany a full listing of theircatalog to attach to her request for an Amaranthine librarian. Coming towardher along the wide hall was Ash with a push broom, giving the floors his usualcareful attention. Only he appeared to be dragging a couple of third-gradersalong behind him. The boys, who’d been released for morning recess only a fewminutes ago, lay on their bellies, their hands locked around his ankles. Withevery step Ash took, they slid forward.
“Morning, Principal Reaverson,” Ash calmly greeted.
