CHAPTER 9
Arwyn
A h, the smell of new books! Nothing like it!
In an effort to engage, I decided to volunteer at Palmer City Academy’s book fair. Most of it had been set up over the weekend, so by the time I arrived in the school library after dropping the girls off, all that was left to do was open the rolling bookshelves and tidy up the displays.
There were seven of us volunteering this morning: four moms, a grandmother, and Clarice, our town’s retired librarian. One of the moms looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her before—long brown waves, light blue turtleneck under a white puffer vest, and jeans.
They were all wearing jeans.
I hadn’t worn jeans since high school. Hopefully it wasn’t a problem. I’d dressed for the part, or so I thought. Long skirt, button-down, argyle vest.
Librarian-ish.
I sidled over to Clarice, whose many years of similar outfits had inspired the look. Back in those days, if I wasn't in the ice cream shop, I was in the library.
I bent down to give her a hug. She used a wheelchair these days and lived at Mountainview Manor in their assisted living wing, but that didn’t keep her from getting out and sharing her opinions of everyone and everything.
“Look what the cat dragged in!” she hooted. “Arwyn Baughn, do you realize you’re out in public, where there will be…” She paused, and her expression grew mischievous. “People?”
I sighed internally but smiled for her. “Yes, Miss Clarice. I like kids, remember? And I’m trying to engage more. Get involved a little. Get out of the house more. That’s my word this year.”
She huffed. “Engage, huh? Good one. Maybe you’ll meet someone and get engaged. Maybe that hot hockey player you’re nannying for. You’ve been alone too long, young lady.”
I could only stare at her, horrified, as she cackled at my expense. “How did you?—”
“There’s no rock here to crawl under, and pink cheeks suit you, dear. You were always so serious, even as a tiny girl. Everyone in town knows. Just because you don’t get out doesn’t mean the news stays in. Kami! Come meet Arwyn. We’ve been friends her whole life.”
“Until today,” I murmured to more of Clarice’s cackles.
The mom I thought looked familiar hurried over. “Miss Clarice, you’re awfully bossy for the first day of the book fair,” she chastised in a Southern accent. “I’m Kami Emerson. I think we have some friends in common. My husband, Trask, plays for the Edge.”
I shook her hand. “That’s where I know you from. Your daughter is Ryleigh?”
She laughed. “The one and only. She made quite a splash at Tasha and Monty’s wedding. That child sure keeps me on my toes! I loved Tasha’s gown, by the way. You did an amazing job, and in such a short time.”
“Thank you.” I began to relax. “That was one of my favorites to date.”
“I hear you also made Zaki’s Kristoff ensemble?” I nodded. “Incredible! Trask texted me a picture last night. Apparently, Zaki fell asleep on the plane and his seatmate raided his phone. They had a field day when he woke up. All the memes!”
“Yikes,” I squeaked. If anyone ever got ahold of my phone, I’d probably die.
“He had it coming. All those pranks over the years? This was nothin’.”
“I guess.” It sounded like a nightmare scenario. I didn’t know what else to say.
“Let me introduce you to the other volunteers.” Kami linked her arm in my elbow and dragged me away from my poorly intentioned crutch that was Clarice. The old woman had the audacity to wink at me as I was led off.
I was put in charge of restocking items as the stacks and piles were picked at by each class. Occasionally, a student asked for help or advice, and I was happy to give it.
As the last class before lunch filed out at eleven thirty, Mrs. Reed, the librarian, called us all together. “Wonderful job this morning! Minimal mess and no tears. I’ll call that a win! As a thank you, the PTA is providing lunch for all the volunteers, in my office, each day this week. It’s already set up. Morning crew, you’re welcome to stay or grab and go. If you’re here all day and/or want to eat lunch with your student or students, I ask that you return before the next class arrives at twelve fifteen. Afternoon volunteers were invited to lunch, but I don’t expect them to arrive until noon. And if you signed up for the morning and want to stay all day, I’ll be glad to have you. Any questions?”
I leaned toward Kami. “We can eat with the kids? Where? How?”
She grinned. “Follow me.”
We filled our plates from the selection of salads and breads in Mrs. Reed’s office and grabbed bottles of water.
“Cafeteria is this way. The lower school students have lunch and recess from eleven thirty until noon, and upper school’s is from twelve fifteen until twelve forty-five. And here we are.” She tucked her bottle of water under her chin and pulled open the door.
I froze.
Waves of memories from the cafeterias of my past rose from their graves and haunted me mute.
“Arwyn? Are you okay?” Kami held the door with her whole body, waiting for me to enter.
“Oh! Yes. Sorry. How do I?—”
“Find the twins? You don’t. They just found you.” She pointed her water bottle toward the twins and grinned.
“Wynnie!”
“You’re here!”
“Come to our table!”
“Can Ryleigh’s mommy sit with us, too? And Ryleigh?”
I turned my head to Kami for answers. I was sure I looked like a deer in headlights.
“Of course!” Kami said easily. “Why don’t you take Arwyn to your table, and I’ll see if Ry is available.” She lowered her voice. “She sits with kids from her hockey team at lunch, and they usually strategize for the next game. It’s very important business.”
“Hockey hockey hockey, always hockey,” Amelie huffed. “Rescue her from that boring stuff. We’re talking about princesses at our table.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Kami promised.
“C’mon, Wynnie, this way. Can I carry your water?” Isla asked.
I handed it to her, and Amelie’s little fingers took hold of mine and held them tightly, as if she knew I’d considered bolting. We reached the table, a long rectangle with connected stools on each side.
Isla took charge of the seating arrangement. “Everyone on this side, move down two seats. Amelie, you slide over one spot and Wynnie can sit in the middle of us. Ryleigh and her mommy can sit across.”
The little girls all did as instructed. For Isla’s sixth day at a new school, she sure seemed well-adjusted.
I sat between them, not sure what I was supposed to do or say. I’d never dined with a table of kindergarteners before.
Kami and Ryleigh arrived, and I realized I didn’t have to do anything. Ryleigh, the fifth grader, had full command of the table. The little girls asked her questions and hung onto her every word.
“Who’s your favorite princess, Ryleigh?”
“Sleeping Beauty. She’s the best dancer.”
“She’s mine, too!”
“And mine!”
Ah, impressionable little girls.
Fifteen minutes later, Ryleigh was explaining to her captivated audience why Tinker Bell and her friends were superior to princesses because they fixed things and controlled nature. Kami and I ate our lunches, smiled a lot, and answered questions when we were asked, but for the most part, it was the Ryleigh Show.
“Thanks for a lovely lunch, girls. It’s time for us to get back to the books,” Kami said. “We had a wonderful time!”
“Will you come back tomorrow?” Amelie asked.
Kami shook her head. “I’m taking Ryleigh’s brother to the doctor tomorrow.”
“Wynnie?” Isla asked. “Can you come again tomorrow?”
“Well, I—” I began. “I’m not sure. I volunteered for today. I can ask Mrs. Reed if she needs more help tomorrow.”
“Yay! We shop tomorrow!” Amelie pulled at my arm. “Will you help me pick my books? Daddy said we can each spend twenty dollars!”
“I definitely don’t want to miss that!” I hugged them goodbye, then followed Kami back to the library. “Can I do that? Come again tomorrow?”
“I don’t see why not. Especially with the kindergarteners. It’s all hands on deck for that group. But don’t you have to work?”
“I do.” Penny’s Valentine gown wasn’t just a ploy. She and Tasha were coming by tomorrow to choose a design. “I could move some things around. Come in the mornings and stay for lunch.”
“I say do it, then. You had fun this morning, right?”
“I did.”
“Then it’s a no-brainer.”
The afternoon passed even more quickly than the morning had, and by dismissal I was filled with joy and drained of energy. I waited for the girls in the school lobby, and my heart warmed again as they ran to me the instant they saw me. Isla and Amelie looked like they stepped out of a catalog, with their tiny pink peacoats, matching ballet-themed backpacks, and shiny black boots.
When we got home, we had a quick snack and went outside to play. Though the air was chilly, the sun blazed its warmth, something I loved about living in Colorado. I rocked in the creaky porch swing as they released their excess energy on my old playset. If I could bottle up even a little of their endless fuel, I’d be better for it.
I returned to the book fair the next day and had a glorious time helping the girls spend their money. On my recommendation, they’d each purchased their own copy of Anne of Green Gables. I was surprised they weren’t familiar with the classic Canadian story and promised to read it with them at bedtime.
They climbed into bed, propped up on pillows with Laffy and Vennie cuddled up at their sides. I’d also purchased a copy of the book. I had several copies of my own, but I thought it might be easier for us all to find our place if we all had the same edition.
“Wynnie?”
“Yes, Amelie?”
“Can we call Mommy? She might like this story. She’s from Canada.”
I smiled. “Of course.” I retrieved her tablet from the top of the dresser. I kept their electronics downstairs with me at night. “Here you go.”
I’d been in the background a few times last week when the girls had video-called their mom, but I hadn’t spoken to her. I felt the anxiety creep in. Had she even had a say in who Zaki hired to take care of their girls? I suddenly felt put on the spot.
“Hi, Mommy!” The girls bent over the tablet and held up their books.
“It’s story time!” Amelie said. “Wynnie is going to read to us. Want to listen?”
“It’s a Canada story!” Isla said. “And you’re in Canada!”
“I am. That’s very nice of her.” Viki sounded tired, defeated. My heart cracked for her. I couldn’t imagine how much she must miss her daughters. “Turn the screen so I can say bonjour to your sweet nanny.”
Amelie held up the screen and switched the view.
“Bonjour,” I said. “Nous lisons Anne … la maison aux pignons verts .”
“Mon préféré. Les filles vont adorer. Merci de le leur lire, et merci de m’inclure.”
“De rien.” I smiled. “It’s my favorite, too.”
“Wynnie speaks French, Mommy.” Isla took the tablet from Amelie and switched the view back.
“Very well too, I must say. So, are we ready to start? My healthcare providers have me on a strict schedule here.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “It’s almost my bedtime.”
The girls giggled, but I wondered how Viki’s recovery was coming along.
“I’ll get started right away. Page five, girls.” I waited until they were ready. “Chapter one: Mrs. Rachel Lynde is surprised. Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies’ eardrops and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of the old Cuthbert place…”