Page 72 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“… from the most famous of the moth clans. Dimityblest.”
“I’ve heard that name. Aren’t they clothiers?”
“That and more. My father’s friend arranged everything. Inless than a week, we were sworn out, swooped up, and sent here. My parentswarned me never to speak of the life we left behind, but sometimes we wouldremember together.”
Although he wasn’t usually one to eavesdrop, Joe slowlylowered himself to a stair.
Tami murmured something too soft to hear.
Joe scooted down a few more steps and switched off hisflashlight.
“Because reavers are meticulous when it comes to pedigrees.The truth would have come out. Our family was in trouble. Maybe even indanger.”
“Why?”
“Apparently, there are only two situations that can lead toa tree-child being born to a male surrogate. Either one should have beenimpossible for a reaver in my father’s position. Unless he was involved in theillegal trade of rare items … or a thief.”
“Was he accused of wrongdoing?”
“No. And he liked to remind Mother and me that people weremissing the obvious.”
Tami said, “I’m sorry, Grandad. I don’t know the samestories you do. What would people have accused Great-grandad of doing?”
“Eating forbidden fruit.”
Joe heard his sister scoff.
“I’m only quoting the old songs. Trees would seducepassersby and feed them. Anyone who ate fertile fruit would soon discover theywere pregnant.” Grandad said, “That would mean my father broke into aheavily-guarded tree sanctuary and stole the life he carried.”
Tami murmured a protest.
Joe eased onto the bottom step, not wanting to miss a word.
“The only other way was to consume a golden seed, and thatwould be an unconscionable crime. Because that would mean separating a tree-kinfrom their twin. And robbing them of a tree’s blessing.” Joe heard Grandadthump the table, rattling the dishes. “Dad never did such a thing! He was nothief, and he was no liar.”
Tami’s tone was soothing. “Did he tell you what happened?”
“Lots of times, and always with a look that was soft andwarm and … just really glad.” Joe could hear that remembered smile in Grandad’svoice—hushed by awe, touched by wonder. “Your Great-grandad met an angel.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Flagship Alliance
She was running very late. Buses were already unloadingat the main entrance by the time Tami pulled into the only open slot in thestaff lot—the one usually occupied by Coach. Did that mean Ash and Kip weren’there?
Checking the time, she forced herself to focus on meetingagendas as she hurried to the school door. Dr. Bellamy was the punctual sort,and she was scraping it close.
Tami was only two steps inside when she spied Ash loiteringnearby, fussing with the spotless floor. Had he been waiting? Had he beenworried?
Abandoning his janitorial equipment, he cut her off. Hetouched her cheek, checked the diminishing lump on the back of her head, andsearched her face. “Can we talk?”
“I have a meeting.” She pushed as much apology into her toneas she could. “Dr. Bellamy might already be here.”
Ash’s shoulders hunched, then relaxed. A slow-motion shrugthat was hard to interpret. “Yeah. He is.”
“Come find me later?”
“I’ll do that.”
