Page 84 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Funny little coincidence, that.” Cyril’s hands slippedunder Joe’s, supporting them from beneath. “I revealed myself earlier. Tami’shad a good day and a bad day, all bundled into one.”
“Why?”
He pursed his lips, then sighed. “Some blessings seem aburden. Comfort her as best you can.”
Joe stole upstairs and tapped on his sister’s door.
“Come in.” Her subdued reply was better than more crying.
Tami’s room was a cheery accumulation of mismatchedfurniture that only made sense together if you knew her. Because she lovedeverything in there. Like the tall, carved cabinet from their grandparents’house in Kyoto and the old rolltop desk that used to sit in the front hall.Back in the day, it had been where the Reaverson family kept track of all theorchard’s accounts. Then there were the vintage apple crates that served as herbookcases. And the antique bedstead that was as old as the farm. That’s whereTami sat, in a spot that meant she’d left room for him.
Clad in flannel pajama pants and a hoodie that wastechnically his, even though she wore it more than he did, Tami looked morecomfortable … and in need of comforting.
The featherbed sank with his added weight, pushing themtogether. Same as always. Joe wrapped his arm around her shoulders and waited.
Tami took a deep breath and blurted, “I don’t want to spendforever without you.”
He mulled that over for a few moments, then nodded hisagreement.
“Nobody told me. Probably an oversight.” Tami looked him inthe eye and said, “Biddie changed my life.”
Joe had to smile. “No kidding?”
But Tami’s eyes were brimming again. “She changed how longI’ll live.”
As she regaled him with this new twist in tragic tones, helistened with increasing amazement. Because this was huge and happy. Only shedidn’t know it yet. And he didn’t want to be the one to spoil the surprise.
Handing her a tissue, Joe risked saying, “Plenty of womenwish they could be twenty-nine forever.”
She gaped at him, then shoved his arm. “I don’t want tospend forever without you.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
“How?” she asked, less skeptical than he expected. Tamialways had believed him capable of anything—in a good way.
“Not sure yet, but I think you’re focusing on the wrongtwin. Biddie needs you.” He smiled at her surprise. “Isn’t that why you’rebound together? Because she’ll need your love and protection for her wholelife?”
Tami’s attention wasn’t on her losses anymore. He could seeher mind working.
Joe gave her a little squeeze. “You’ll have a sister to lookout for, and you’ll have wolves and squirrels and pheasants and … oh. Hey, Ialmost forget. Ash came by earlier.”
Her whole body tensed. “He did?”
“And he’s still here.”
“He is not.” Tami’s expression begged him to be teasing.
“Sure, he is. I stashed him in our third best hiding place.”
Tami’s expression wavered a while, then settled on bewilderment.“You put the man I love in the haymow?”
“He went along with it.” Joe shrugged. “He wanted someplaceprivate to talk. I promised to bring you there once you got home.”
Predictably, Tami’s hands flew to her face, her hair. “I’m amess!”
“I don’t think he’ll mind.”
“He … he’s.” Tami’s fluster mounted. “I can’t be with him.”
