Page 82 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Ash exhaled a funny, fluttering breath, just the way Mr.Black used to, then dredged up a small smile. “Guess I need a friend right now,and my usual cohort is having a long nap. Are you sure you’re okay with all ofthis?”
He took Joe’s hand and pressed his knuckles into it. Slowly,he opened his fingers, and Joe could feel the smooth backs of long clawsagainst his skin. He glanced down, but Ash’s fingers looked normal.
“Close your eyes,” Ash directed.
Joe did, and that was less disorienting. He explored thetruth with his fingertips and accepted it. Eyes still firmly shut, he offeredhis palms. “Are you a squirrel like Kip?”
“No.” Warm hands covered his. “I’m different. I’ll show youlater. After your sister, okay?”
He nodded. Belatedly, he opened his eyes again.
Ash said, “I’m going to accept your invitation, Joe. Isthere someplace private. Someplace the wolves won’t be?”
“Umm … sure. I know a good spot.”
THIRTY-ONE
Close Your Eyes
Complaining would be silly. Tami had every reason to beamazed, delighted, and grateful. There were Amaranthine in Fletching, and theyhad welcomed her as a friend. She had their support, both as a principal and ona personal level. Inclusion in an enclave. Plans for the community.
She’d been building toward a brighter future withoutrealizing she’d be part of it. Possibilities multiplied by years. She couldtruly see this through. Make a difference. Change lives. Promote understanding,peace, and cooperation.
Her smile only lasted until Cyril escorted her back to hiscar. Because the dizzy swirl of good news kept circling back to one horrible,terrible truth.
“What about Joe?” she whispered. “I can’t leave Joe.”
Cyril made no move to put the key in the ignition. Eyesfixed on the hands loosely folded in his lap, he asked, “You and he are close?”
“Twins.”
He measured his words before answering. “You’ll always bethere for your brother. That doesn’t change.”
Tami knew what people thought, that Joe needed her. But itwas really the other way around. Always had been. Always would be. And thatscared her. “I need Joe. That doesn’t change.”
Cyril didn’t contradict her, didn’t offer platitudes. Hesimply asked, “Will he be at home?”
“Yes.”
“Shall I take you there?”
“Please?”
“My pleasure.”
Tami hardly noticed the passing of familiar landmarks asCyril played chauffeur. But just outside of Fletching, her wheeling thoughtshit a fresh snag. She’d outlive everyone she loved, and that included Ash.
The only fair thing to do was break it off. And she couldn’teven explain why.
“Here, my dear.” Cyril pressed a silken square into herhand.
When had she begun crying?
Joe was still mumbling reassurances when his head cameup, his attention gone. His priorities shifted, and he made for the ladder.Halfway down, he blurted, “Gotta go. Tami needs me.”
Ash’s face appeared above him, tense with concern. “Issomething wrong?”
“Something’s wrong.” Joe’s boots hit the barn floor.
