Page 74 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Thank you, my friend.” Bouncing lightly on the balls of hisfeet, Dr. Bellamy added, “Have you met Principal Reaverson? Tami, Lou is one ofthe owners of this establishment.”
Lou took her hand in both of his. “Tami. I’ve heard nicethings about you.”
“Are you sure you can trust your sources?” She shot Dr.Bellamy a bland look.
The coffee shop owner laughed. “Cyril and I are old friends,but I was thinking of Melissa. She’s becoming increasingly indispensable aroundhere.”
“Oh!” Melissa had always been a little vague about herpart-time job, and Tami hadn’t made the connection. “I don’t think she’s evermentioned this place by name. It’s a small world.”
“Amazingly so.” Still holding her hand, Lou asked, “Whatshould I bring—coffee, tea, sweets, savories?”
Cyril ordered far too much, claiming, “The fare here isworth sampling. You’ll thank me later.”
Tami was used to humoring Dr. Bellamy’s whims, just as shewas sure his advice was good.
They made quick work of her agenda, especially when it cameto weighing the advantages of hiring each potential staff member. By the time Tamiselected the three Amaranthine who were the best fit for Landmark Elementary, shewas confident in her decisions.
Since exploring differences was one of the goals ofSpokesperson Twineshaft’s initiative, Dr. Bellamy had suggested choosingAmaranthine who fit two simple criteria. First, they should not come from oneof the predatory clans—what big teeth you have. Second, if possible, sheshould choose people who looked the least human.
Given the current climate, wolves were out of the question,even though it might have been nice to have a staff member with a tail. Instead,she’d chosen three volunteers who readily displayed their unique heritage withantlers, antennae, and fire engine red hair.
These Amaranthine were not in hiding. They were different,but that wasn’t bad. And in becoming part of the Landmark family, theseAmaranthine representatives would be able to gain the trust of the children …and their parents.
“That’s settled.” She shook her head in awe. “How do youknow so many little details about the different deer clans?”
“Oh, that? We were building our proposal for months,” Dr.Bellamy pointed out. “Such things require research.”
“But I’m quite sure we didn’t look into butterfly clans.”She studied one of the attached photographs. “And how can you eventellthat this person is from a woodpecker clan? All it says on his profile isavian.”
Dr. Bellamy nibbled at a tea cake. “I suppose it’s possiblethat I’ve heard his clan name before.”
Tami didn’t want to quibble, especially over something sosmall. But there had been so many small things in the last couple of hours.Almost as if Dr. Bellamy was dropping hints. “Are you leading up to something?”
“I suppose I am. How could you tell?”
“Nothing in particular.” She toyed with her empty coffeecup. “Maybe all those months of proposal-building left me with some insights,as well. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Dr. Bellamy seemed pleased. “I did promise you a treat.”From an attaché case, he withdrew a sheaf of papers and presented them with hisusual pomp. “Opportunities abound!”
Pamphlets. Brochures. Fliers. As Tami skimmed theircontents, her excitement mounted. Amaranthine throughout the region had beenappearing at state and county fairs, local festivals, and theme parks. Therewere also street performers who made the rounds of vacation spots and touristcenters.
“Many of their programs are perfect for schools.” Dr.Bellamy tapped a glossy flier showing a family of minstrels in the traditionalcostumes of their clan. “They’re making themselves available to schools whoapply for Twineshaft’s integration programs.”
Tami whispered, “They’d come all the way here?”
“Theyarehere. Or as good as. This samplingrepresents Amaranthine in easy traveling distance. If you invite them, theywill come.”
“The children would love this!”
“Andtheir parents,” said Dr. Bellamy.
“We could host regular programs! Invite the wholecommunity!”
“Easily.”
A uniformed team of Kith handlers who worked closely withpolice. Forest rangers who monitored wildfires with the help of an eagle clan.A group of jugglers and acrobats from a lion clan whose performers included twocubs not much older than Landmark’s students. Folk singers who taught the traditionalsongs and dances of the cozy clans.
“This is new to me. What are the cozy clans?”
