“That’s why it would be something,” said Barb. “I’m just thinking of all the dead celebrities whose names end with aythat it would really be something if they weren’t dead, you know?”
“Like Louis Armstrong?” Gus said.
“His name doesn’t end with ay,” said Barb.
“But he is dead,” said Gus. “Same for Louis Prima.”
“Louis Jordan,” Barb said back.
“Louie Louie,” said McKenna, naming that song nobody really understands the words to other thanLouie Louie, which kind of seemed in line with whatever game Gus and Barb were currently playing.
“The celebrity’s name isn’t Louis,” said Georgie, stepping out of the dining hall with her folders and binders clutched in her arms. “I already told you his name ends with ay.”
“Wait,” Evie yelled from the bathroom over the sound of a flushing toilet. “Don’t give the next clue yet,” she yelled over the sound of the sink running. “Wait for me,” she said again, breathlessly waddlingpast the sign-in desk with her bag of knitting supplies on her shoulder and the bathroom hand towel clutched in her hands. “Okay, I’m ready. What’s the clue?”
Georgie pointed at the group forming a semicircle around her. “Just remember this is—”
“Top secret.”
“Mum’s the word.”
“Won’t tell a soul.”
They all talked over one another, pressing a finger to their lips.
“I don’t know,” Georgie said. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything yet.”
“Aw, c’mon, Georgie,” said McKenna. “We lost a very beloved chicken this morning. We need something happy to think about. Hit us with the clue.”
“Okay, just remember you can’t repeat this clue to anyone. I mean it. Nothing. Nada. Especially to Lottie.”
They all talked over each other again. “I know, I know, I know.”
“Nobody’s talking to Lottie.”
“You know I’ll forget the clue by tomorrow anyway.”
“Okay.” Georgie motioned everyone closer. “Next clue. I just hope it’s not too easy. I don’t want to completely give it away.”
“Oh, would you just give the clue already, so I can go home and take a nap,” said Barb.
“Don’t get your knitting in a knot. Here it is.” Georgie motioned everyone in even closer, her right eye squinting and her left eyebrow angling upward, which apparently was her secret clue-giving face. “He’ll know what it means.”
McKenna stared back at her pointy-eyebrowed squinty face. “Who, Gus?”
“No, that’s the clue,” said Georgie.
“What’s the clue?” said Evie.
“He’ll know what it means,” said Georgie.
Barb’s forehead wrinkled. “The celebrity will know what it means?”
“Think about it,” Georgie said to Barb.
“I am,” Barb said back, “and I don’t know what that means.”
“He’llknowwhat it means.”
