“Is it true?” Nico blurted, red-faced and panting.
“Is what true?” his father replied, concern sharpening his features. “Why are you out of breath? Sit down. Are you hungry?”
Nico didn’t move. “Is ittrue, Dad? Are you being transferred?”
“Who told you that?” His father’s face became impassive. “No, Nico, I didn’t get a transfer order this week. But I work for the government, son, and sometimes they need people indifferent locations. Department reviews are common, and this one isn’t any different. It’s not my place to question my bosses. Nor is it yours,” he added pointedly.
“A review?” Nico felt something rip open inside of him. “But they’re only doing it because Logan’s dad asked them to!”
Warren Holland’s voice grew icicles. “Sylvain Nantes has zero say in my employment. I work for the park service, period.”
Nico wanted to scream. He wanted to break things and howl. “It’s not fair! I havefriendshere, Dad. I don’t want to move!”
His father stood, straightening to his full height of six feet six inches. His expression was stony. “Enough of this. You’re a kid. It’s not your job to worry about these things. I’ve done good work here, but I can do it elsewhere with my head held high if that’s what my superiors decide. Now get back to school before you miss any classes. I’ll expect you at dinnertime.”
“But—”
“No buts.” His dad pointed at the door. “Move it. Now.”
Swallowing a thousand things he wanted to say, Nico stormed from the house.
8
OPAL
“Here, Opal.”
Kathryn Walsh pushed a bowl of fruit across her desk. “Have a snack.”
Opal obediently took an apple. “Do you need me long, Mom? I have atonof homework.”
The text her mom had sent earlier said:
Come to the bank after school. We need to talk. NN.
“NN” meant “non-negotiable.” Her mother used it way more than necessary, but Opal got in trouble if she ignored those letters.
“I want to discuss Citizen Radish,” Kathryn said.
“Wha?” Opal asked, mid-chew. Her mother looked the same as always—blouse and skirt, gold earrings, lovely, clever face. But maybe the stress of managing Timbers Bank & Loan had finally gotten to her.
“There’s going to be a pageant at the radish festival,” her mother said. “Open to kids ages twelve to sixteen, looking for the best young leaders in Timbers. There will be a talent portion as well.” She sounded like she’d memorized a press release.
Opal slumped in her seat. “That soundssocheesy.”
“It doesnot,” her mother said sternly. “The pageant will be inclusive and intelligent, and there’s no appearance component.”
Opal didn’t roll her eyes, but barely. “Awesome.”
“Itisawesome.” The word sounded ridiculous when her mom used it. “Being crowned Citizen Radish will look outstanding on a college application.”
Opal put down her apple. “Oh no.”
“Oh yes.” Her mother slid a paper across the desk. “This is your application. We’ll go over it tonight when I get home.”
Opal started to object but saw “NN” in her mother’s eyes. She sighed. “Can I go now?”
Having gotten what she wanted, Kathryn Walsh smiled. “Of course. It looks like someone’s waiting for you, anyway.”
