Page 113 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Eating piping hot pizza one-handed was a challenge shewasn’t ready to face. Reaching for the provided water glass, she pulled the tornpaper cuff off her straw and took a sip. “Why the assigned seating?”
“This is a friendly council.” Ash pointed to each table inturn. “Doon-wen and Cyril represent Bellwether enclave, and you have threegenerations of Reaversons to represent Red Gate Farm. The professor and thelady emissary came at us sideways. Very bad manners, but how were they supposedto know about an alliance that’s barely a week old?”
“And we represent … Landmark Elementary?”
“We’re here for Biddie.” Ash gave their joined hands a smallsqueeze. “Tamiko, if you don’t eat something, I might embarrass us both byfeeding you.”
She searched his face. He wasn’t kidding. “You want to feedme?”
“Reallydo, but also really don’t. At least, not infront of our fathers.”
Her attention jumped to the neighboring table. Kip had takenhis place on her other side, and he was crowding the corner, talking animatedlywith Joe. Or at leastatJoe, who said little but smiled more than heusually did in public. Empty plates and even a couple of empty pizza pansstacked haphazardly in front of the redhead, forming a sort of barricade. Overwhich her father was watching closely.
Tami didn’t think he could tell they were holding hands, butshe couldn’t have been sitting any closer to Ash. Dad might not see the wingcurving possessively, but he couldn’t miss the arm resting along the back ofher chair.
Dad leaned over to ask Joe something.
Both Joe and Kip turned to look at her.
Ash’s body tensed, but he didn’t retreat.
Joe said something to Dad, and his surprise took a fewmoments to decide where to go next. The glimmer of interest was promising, andDad might have come right around the table to introduce himself to Ash, butCyril interrupted all conversation by clinking a butter knife on the edge ofhis plate.
He stood and made the same gesture Ash had earlier, if witha bit more flourish. “Tonight’s honor may have been unexpected, but it is welcomedon all sides!”
As all attention swung to Cyril, Ash pressed a piece ofchicken in alfredo sauce between her lips. “Tamiko, please just take a bite,”he begged.
She stifled a laugh, pocketed her gift, and applied herselfto her pizza while Cyril rambled through some preliminaries. He introducedeveryone at the tables except their esteemed guests, then urged them to takethe floor.
“I am Lady Estrella Mettlebright of the winter fox clans,and I am here—in a general sense—at the behest of Spokesperson Twineshaft, whoenlisted my aid in all matters pertaining to the old groves.”
Grandad asked, “Because of your close familial connection tothe Five?”
“No, sir. It seems the old cat learned the secrets of mypast.” With a nod to her companion, Estrella said, “There is a remote enclavewhere rare and unique varieties of Amaranthine trees have been gathered,nurtured, and propagated. I spent my childhood among the trees and their kin,alongside other Amaranthine protectors, including members of the Silverprongclan.”
Arno stood then, offering the barest of introductions. “Ihave often served as a university professor in order to stay current with researchand rumors, experiments and exploration. Lone trees, such as your own, do cropup from time to time. Seeds do travel, as is their wont and—I daresay—theirdesign. But such trees cannot be left to languish alone. Would you indulge me,good sir?”
He was talking to Grandad, who straightened in his chair.“Well?”
“How long has your family been orchardists?”
“We’ve been here four generations, beginning with myparents.”
“And before?” Arno leaned forward. “Were they always in thebusiness of tending trees?”
Grandad pursed his lips. “Can’t say for sure. What does itmatter?”
Tami’s heart began to beat faster. They’d grown up onstories about the founding of the farm, of its expansion and their innovations.All their family stories began and ended right here in Archer. Grandad hadnever—openly—talked about a before.
“Youdoremember where you came from …?” Arnoprompted. “By your accounts, you were old enough.”
“Sure, I remember,” Grandad grumbled. “I’d never forget.”
Tami could see how hard this was. Secrets kept this longweren’t easily spoken. She glanced Melissa’s way, and her cousin offered asmall smile.
She knew.
Of course, she knew. She’d looked it all up when researchingtheir family ties. But she’d never said anything.
