Page 43 of The Game Is Afoot

Marigold starts to cry. I woke her up. But Florence continues, “Did they have him go in, too? To rule out his fingerprints—”

Pearl tilts her head to the side in curiosity.

“I really think it’s just a formality—”

“Pearl’s having a birthday party on Sunday!” I shout over her. “Does Axel want to come?”

“I am?”

“Um…you are. Surprise!”

It sounds flimsy, even to me, but Pearl’s whole face lights up,and she starts clapping. “I always wanted a surprise party! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m sorry I was calling you that bad word in my mind for being late!”

“Excuse me?

“ThisSunday?” Florence asks, her voice dripping with judgment, as Marigold continues to cry and slap her face.

“It’s kind of a last-minute thing. It’ll just be a few friends and some pizza and cake. Mr. Forest is going to sing with them.” I’m only figuring out the plans myself as they leave my lips. “It’s totally okay if you can’t make it.” Please don’t make it.

“Thatislate notice, but I’m sure we can make it work.”

Axel stomps and growls, “I want a birthday party with Mr. Forest!”

Florence drops down next to him again as Marigold cries, “No, no, no!”

“It’s okay to feel jealous, my sweet boy. That’s a natural, normal feeling.”

“Sorry, we need to run. Lots of planning to do!” I grab Pearl’s arm and get out of there before Florence tries to talk me into respecting Axel’s valid feelings and making this a joint thing.

“A party! Mommy, I’m so excited! I didn’t even know that Iwanteda party until you said I washavinga party, and now we have so, so much to do!”

I thought Mr. Forest would be long gone by now, but he’s across the street, exactly one hundred feet from the school.

“Did you hire a clown? And what about a shaved ice machine? And we need, need, need a tattoo artist!”

Anabella is tucked away in the back seat of their minivan, but Trisha is still here, too, towering over Mr. Forest. Her jaw is clenched and a cascade of wrinkles has erupted on her tight forehead as she speaks to him. Her voice is quiet, but I feel the heat from her blue-flame eyes from here.

“Emory had a tattoo artist at her birthday party!”

Trisha jabs a finger into his chest, snarling something that makes Mr. Forest flinch even more.

“The tattoos weren’t permanent, because she used air? Or I don’t know, something? Have you looked into that?”

Mr. Forest clutches his bag and sprints to his Kia like he’s being chased by a predator. Only the predator is getting into her minivan, smiling smugly. Maybe this wasn’t just a quick mystery I could wrap up in an afternoon to make my kid think I was cool. Maybe there’s actually something here.

“Mom! Mom!” Pearl tugs my arm. “Did you hear me? Are we gonna get tattoos?”

My eyes snap back down to her.

“What?”

Twelve

“And then Ruth said anyelection we had wouldn’t even be fair because everyone is going to vote for me, as if that makes any sense. And then Felicia, as asolution, suggested making everyone bring their IDs to vote, so we can be sure they’re registered PTA members and not just my friends. As if I have some seedy underbelly of non–PTA members conspiring for me. Not to mention the implications of…Mavis? Is something wrong?”

I jerk my head up and see that Dyvia’s face is creased in concern.

“What—no. I’m fine.”