“Signing it right now, sweetheart. Lizzie, where’s a pen?” I take one out of my bag from the floor at my feet and hand it to her. “Do you remember where I put the permission slip?”
“Table in the entryway.”
“Thanks, honey.” She runs out of the kitchen.
“Hales, we need to leave. Come on slowpoke!”
“Coming, Geesh!” I hear her yell back, feet stomping down the stairs. She has a black hair band in her teeth and then loops it around her hair. I take a moment to mentally critique what she’s wearing. Long capri pants and a long-sleeved button-down shirt.
“You know, it’s still like eighty degrees outside. You may want to lose the top. You’ll be sweating bullets as soon as we walk out the door.”
“Nah, I’m good.” She slides on her shoes and grabs a muffin. “Ok, I’m ready.”
Mom meets us at the door and hands Hailey her permission slip. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Be good girls,” Mom kisses both of us. “Hailey, are you picking Lizzie up from work today?”
“Jayson’s got me," I tell her. "See ya, Mom!”
I throw my bag into the back of our sedan as Hailey asks me, “So, how are we doing this? Ambush style or straight up gangsta?”
“I vote ambush style. Maria’s been avoiding me. She usually gets to school around seven and helps out in the main office. We should be able to corner her there and find out why she's been avoiding me.”
“You still don’t know why she hasn’t spoken to you? That’s not like her. You guys are almost as joined at the hip and you and Jayson.”
“I have a pretty good suspicion on why.”
Hailey shovels the rest of her muffin in her mouth as she drives. “And?” she says when she is able to swallow. My sister is like a damn hoover when it comes to food.
“Like I told you. She and Ryder broke up.”
“And what, you think she blames you? That’s bullshit.”
“Is it?”
“Hell yes. Look, I’m your sister and have had the pleasure of living with you my whole life. That also means I have had the pleasure of growing up around Jayson, Julien, and Ryder. I know the deal when it comes to all of you. But I also know that you and Ryder, you and Julien, have not once crossed the line with each other since you and Jay hooked up.”
I grimace and her eyes get big. “Or have you?”
“Technically, no. Lines have not been crossed but they have come pretty close a couple of times with Ryder.”
“Close is not crossed, therefore, Maria should have no issue with you.”
“I don’t know, Hales.”
“Exactly. You don’t know. So let’s go find out.” We pull into the senior lot at school and I immediately see Maria’s car.
“Good. She’s here. Want to be Riggs to my Murtaugh?”
“I think we’re more Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. I got you sista.”
I laugh at her use of the main characters from her favorite comedy movie. “You’re saying I’m dumb and you’re dumber? I can handle that.”
Just as I thought, Maria is in the main office working the copier machine. She started volunteering her time to help out at school since volunteer service is a requirement for graduation. We have to do at least one hundred hours. My time working at the library doesn’t count since I get paid, but twice a month the boys and I go out and help pick up litter and plant trees at local parks. Periodically, I also sing and play music for the younger kids at the library on the weekend. I take Dr. Seuss books and put them to music. The kids are so freaking adorable because, of course, they know the words to every Dr. Seuss book and will jump around and sing the words with me.
Hailey waits outside the main office doors on a bench as I go inside. Mrs. Teasdale, the school receptionist, greets me with a smile.
“Good morning, Elizabeth. Did you need anything this morning?”
