Page 166 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Running through things with Harrison.” His knuckles lightlybrushed her cheek, and he smiled weakly. “If Faisal wouldn’t come back here andharass me for undoing your fancy up-do, I’d be preening you right now to helpme calm down.”
She hadn’t realized he was nervous. “Does it work if I preenyou?”
Ash’s head tilted as he considered. “You’re welcome to try.”
“Hold my coffee.”
Tami pulled the tie from his ponytail and worked her fingersthrough the length of his hair. He immediately angled toward her as much as hiswings would allow. She scratched little circles into his scalp, and he leanedinto her, their foreheads touching.
At times, everything about her life seemed to be hurtlingtoward the unknown, yet times like this, the whole world seemed to pause. If itwas Ash’s doing, maybe it was some kind of Amaranthine magic. As if having along life didn’t diminish the importance of moments. He definitely had a knackfor drawing out the potential of each one. He was always singling them out andslowing them down, so they could linger in them together.
Little by little, she would match his rhythm. Keeping timewith the trees, she would true her heart to his. Ever and always rememberingjust how much power the meeting of a moment can hold.
Landmark Elementary’s gymnasium was bursting at theseams, even though reaver tradition meant opening up the school on one ofAmerica’s national holidays. Although all were welcome, students and theirfamilies were being given priority by the teachers at the doors, all of whomwere accompanied by a reaver and an undercover Nightspangle or Woodacre.
Press was confined to the back wall, not that there werereally all that many. Not when Spokesperson Twineshaft was scheduled to attendthe January 1 program at Archer Middle, and especially not after the medialearned that Eloquence Starmark would be making a surprise appearance at theopening festivities for West Branch High.
Decoys and diversions. Because the real story was here. Andthey’d tell it in their own way.
On the stage, five chairs waited to one side of the podium,where Tami stepped up to the microphone. Taking a deep breath, she felt themoment slow and hoped she could help her Landmark family to linger here, at thebeginning.
From her pocket, she withdrew one of her courtinggifts—Faisal’s tiny bell. The microphone broadcast its sweet note, as if tosummon Bethiel to sing on her behalf. A hush fell, and Tami greeted friends andneighbors. As her gaze swept the room, she caught sight of Joe, standingbetween Cyril and Rook at the back.
Her twin was here. And he looked calm.
Heart light, Tami got with the program and introduced her audienceto the first of their new neighbors. “Please join me in welcoming FossaCraghart, who is a member of one of the deer clans—the American pronghorn. Forthe rest of this year, she’ll rotate through the classrooms, teachingsupplemental sciences. By next fall, we’ll have added a lab, where studentswill enjoy more hands-on learning. Doe Craghart will also be working alongsideMrs. Connell in Phys. Ed. and assist Mrs. Wainwright, our school nurse, in encouragingour kids to have active, healthy lifestyles.”
Fossa joined her at the microphone—tall and tan, with shorthair and black antlers, she wore loose-fitting clothes that resembled scrubsand a lab coat. Tami met her palms, then presented her with her Landmarklanyard. “Please tell us a little more about yourself.”
In richly modulated tones, Fossa gave a fuller introduction,then took her seat.
Tami kept the ball rolling. “Now, help me welcome VivBellsweet, who is from one of the butterfly clans. She’ll be filling a vacancyin our school. We’ve been without a school librarian for too long. Viv willbring a much-needed boost to our school’s literacy program … and come alongsideour teachers as we help our kids cultivate a love for books and a respect forthe worlds they open.”
Viv was a delicate beauty with hair that passed forstrawberry blonde in photos but was much more of a peachy pink in person. Mostarresting was a set of graceful antennae where most people kept their eyebrows.
“Lady Bellsweet has already brought our collection up todate and is scheduling story times, author talks, and a book fair.”
She presented Viv with her lanyard and let her say a fewwords.
Nearly there.
“Next, I’d like you to meet Torrey Highbranch, who is fromone of the avian clans. We’ll be keeping him very busy because we’re sharinghim with Archer Middle. Professor Highbranch specializes in history, customs,and community. We’ll learn more about Amaranthine culture firsthand, sincehe’ll be bringing in regular guests—both Amaranthine from the surroundingregion and students from West Branch High.”
The professor grinned when Tami presented his lanyard andeagerly introduced himself to the audience. His energy levels rivaled Kip’s,and she was sure he’d gain the trust they needed.
Almost time.
When the professor took his seat, Tami rang her little bellagain. “Harrison, where did you get to?” she called. “It’s your turn, youknow.”
“Coming, Principal Reaverson!” And so Harrison Peck, localcelebrity, sauntered across the stage in his crossing guard uniform.
He gave her a wink.
She smiled and retreated a few steps, yielding the floor.
“Who here is a student of Landmark Elementary? Let me seethose hands!” he asked, squinting past the lights. “Oh, now that’s a bunch. Butlet’s add to the number. How many of you used to attend classes here, even ifit was a long,longtime ago?”
Easily eighty percent of the people in the room had theirhands up. Even a couple of the journalists. Tami found Joe in the crowd, andthey raised their hands together.
