Page 3 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Kip whistled between his teeth. “That’s the real deal, allright.”
Tami’s fingers trembled as she prodded at wax-sealed string.The impression was of a striking cat’s paw—Hisoka Twineshaft’s own crest.
“Here,” offered Kip, pulling a multi-purpose tool from oneof his many pockets and unfolding a slender blade. He worked it under the seal,lifting it away. “That’ll do it.”
Hands shaking even worse, she pushed the packet into Kip’schest. “I can’t. You open it for me.”
“If you want.” He gave her a dubious look. “Isn’t this yourbig moment.”
“This moment’s too big for one person.” Tami flapped a handat him. “Share it with me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a jaunty salute. “Okay. There’s acover letter. Signed with a pawprint.”
Tami’s brow furrowed, and she leaned in to see. “You can’tbe serious.”
“I’mtotallykidding.”
She cuffed his shoulder. “What does it say?”
The janitor straightened up, and with all the grandeur of apresenter at an awards gala, he read off the message. “Principal TamikoReaverson, it is with great pleasure that I am able to inform you that LandmarkElementary has been selected for the Twineshaft Initiative, alongside ArcherMiddle, West Branch High, and Bellwether College.”
Her heart leapt. Good news, indeed!
Kip winked at her over the top of the page and read on. “Mycommittee members were favorably impressed by your passion and by your group’s ingenuityin proposing an integration program that stretches from kindergarten throughgraduate school. We are prioritizing a similar strategy in every state, withyour schools serving as a flagship for peace. I look forward to meeting you inperson.” Kip tapped the page. “And while there’s no pawprint, itissigned by Spokesperson Twineshaft, on behalf of the Five.”
And then she was squealing and bouncing, and Kip was bouncingright along with her. He brought Remill into their celebratory circle, and Tamihugged the herald and kissed his cheek. The dove gave a soft, twittering laugh,so she kissed his other cheek, as well.
The blushing herald excused himself with a graceful gestureand the hope of future meetings.
Kip asked, “What can I do to help?”
Tami impulsively suggested, “Be on my planning team?”
He thumped his chest. “I’m there.”
She doubted a janitor could contribute much, but Kip’senthusiasm was contagious.
True to her assessment, he caught her hands and spun herinto an impromptu waltz. He was broad in the shoulder and bulky about themiddle, but light on his feet. She laughed, and he beamed as if that had beenhis whole goal.
“I hear the door,” he sang out.
And then Mrs. Dabrowski was there, hand on her hip. “Kip,you rascal! Unhand Principal Reaverson!”
He guided them closer, gave Tami a final spin, then claimedher spluttering secretary for his next partner. Switching to an energetic polka,which Flootie Dabrowski had no trouble matching, he announced, “We’recelebrating.”
Mrs. Dabrowski stopped and swung around. “We got it?” sheasked Tami.
Tami flung her arms wide. “We got it!”
More squeals and hugging, and Tami was surprised by a fewtears. She’d worked so hard for this, wanted it so much. And it wasactuallygoing to happen. “The Amaranthine are cominghere, to our little town.Oh, I hope they like it.”
“Why wouldn’t they? This is just as pretty a piece ofcountryside as you’ll find!” Flootie patted her shoulder and staunchlydeclared, “We’ll give them what they haven’t always found—a warm welcome.”
TWO
Elderbough Initiative
Frowning at the single, shimmering paper that held Melissa’sassignment, the head of Perch County’s Office of Ingress asked, “What’s allthis?”
