Page 44 of Grinchland
“I have immunity.” I folded my arms and met her gaze head-on.
She drew her eyebrows together. “You have what?”
“Immunity.” I narrowed my eyes. “For about four more days. It’s a deal I made with the mayor.” I gave her a smile. “So don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
Her lips pursed and her nostrils flared, but I could tell that there was a part of her that was interested in seeing how this was all going to play out. When she sighed, I celebrated.
“You tell Silas that this was not my idea and that I tried to stop you, okay?”
I raised my right hand at a ninety-degree angle. “Will do.”
She studied me for a moment longer before she sighed again and shook her head. “It’s your funeral.”
There was a part of me that wished she left the classroom on a more positive note. A “break a leg” would have been nice, but she just shook her head once more before heading out of the room.
Now alone, I glanced around before I picked up my phone and shot a quick text to Silas. He was going to be my little elf.
Meet me at the elementary gymnasium tonight. I have a plan.
NINETEEN
SILAS
Clara spent the entire day sending me cryptic messages.
First, she told me to meet her at the elementary school gymnasium. Then she asked me to pick up a gallon of black paint and brushes. Then she asked me to pick up twinkle lights. To say I was sufficiently confused when I climbed into my truck after a quick trip to the hardware store was an understatement.
Thankfully, after I fed Isabelle dinner, Mrs. Bloomburg was more than happy to come over to help her get ready for bed. I told her I’d be back by nine at the latest, but she just shook her head and told me to take my time. As I walked out the door, she told me that she was happy to see me “get out there, again.”
I wanted to turn around and tell her that I was being forced into leaving my house, that this wasn’t voluntary, but I stopped myself. I knew she would just smile and say, “okay,” but not really believe me. The best thing for me to do was to just leave it alone as I shut the door behind me and hurried to my truck.
It was seven thirty when I pulled into the elementary school parking lot. I let the engine idle for a moment before I turned it off and pulled the key from the ignition. I gathered the supplies Clara asked me to pick up and got out of my truck. The door to the cafeteria was unlocked, so I pulled it open and headed inside.
As I neared the gym, I heard voices. I frowned as I peeked through the door to see Clara and…Todd standing there. Todd was talking and Clara was nodding while she swept her gaze over the large pieces of plywood spread out on the floor in front of them.
Of all the things I thought we were going to do, being the third wheel to whatever was going on never crossed my mind. I was so confused as I stared at Todd. He hadn’t mentioned coming here when I left the office a few hours ago…why hadn’t he said anything?
The longer I watched them, the deeper my frown got. Clara looked so happy standing there with her hands clasped and with the biggest smile on her face. Todd was matching her energy as he moved his hands around while talking.
Clara never looked that happy to see me. She’d never looked so animated during our conversations. A surge of jealousy rushed through me. I blinked, not expecting that reaction at all. I shook my head, forcing that feeling from my mind.
I’d officially gone crazy.
Todd was the first person to notice my entrance. As soon as his gaze locked with mine, he grew quiet. That seemed to draw Clara’s curiosity. When she saw me, her smile changed. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the same as the one she’d given Todd. I was unsure of what that meant, and I knew, for my sanity, the last thing I should do was stand here and try to figure it out. So I cleared my throat and approached them.
“What’s going on here?” I asked as I swept my gaze over the plywood.
“You’re here!” Clara said as she clapped her hands. Her gaze dipped down to the bags I was carrying. “And you brought the stuff I asked you to bring.” She glanced up at me and her smile emerged, causing my heart to inexplicably pound, again.
“Paint and twinkle lights,” I said as I raised the bags slightly. Then I glanced over at Todd. “What are you doing here?” I winced. My tone had a bite to it that I hadn’t intended.
This was all Clara’s fault. She was confusing me and I hated that.
“Did you know that Todd is a master carpenter?” Clara asked, her wide smile had returned as her attention shifted back to Todd. “Look at what he created from just a few short text messages.”
I glanced at the items that Clara was motioning toward. I wanted to be impressed, but I had no clue what they were or what I had to do with what was going on here. If Todd was her knight in shining armor, why did she call me?
I kept looking for a hint as to why I was here, but nothing came. I was standing here, clueless.
