"How do you get here so quickly?" I asked Nikki. "You're upstairs and I'm just down the halt"
"We ask to go to the bathroom sometimes and just come to the lunchroom.'
"Won't you get into trouble?"
"Naw," Raspberry said. "Our teachers are
happy to see us go." They laughed again.
Afterward. I looked for Mrs. Browne in the hallway to see if Alanis would do what she said she would. but I didn't see her. Stuart walked with me back to my classroom.
"MaybeI'll call you," he said. "I know your aunt's number."
"Great-aunt," I reminded him.
"Oh, yeah. right. See you," he said and hurried away.
Mrs. Morgan gave us as much homework, if not more, as she had the first day. so Great-aunt Frances's theory about first-day assignments didn't work. Just thinking about it all made my schoolbooks feel heavier in my bag.
"Stuart is smitten with love." Alanis told me when we boarded the bus.
"Smitten?"
"He's got a big crush on you. Don't worry. I'll tell you exactly what to do. It'll be fun," she said. "I can't wait to lay it into Granddad now that Stuart did that. Not that he'll apologize. It's just good to make him feel bad."
"Why? He's your grandfather."
"Trust me. Whenever you can make an adult feel sorry about what he or she said to you, you're better off."
There was so much to learn. I thought, so much that was new and different in this world.
When the school bus let us off at the end of the day, I saw Grandmother Emma's limousine parked in front of the house. My first thought was that she had gotten better and she'd had Felix drive her here-- or else. I thought, he really had told her everything and she had sent him back to get me. Alanis thought otherwise,
"That chauffeur came back here fast to check on my granddad. He's going to be in a bad mood now no matter what," she said. "I think I'll hang out with you a while longer."
We hurried up the driveway. When we entered, we heard Great-aunt Frances talking to Felix in the living room. They both turned when we appeared in the doorway.
"How we you doing, Jordan?" Felix asked. "Getting along at your new school?"
"It's harder," I said. "My teacher gives us too much homework."
"Alanis is being a big sister," Great-aunt Frances told him. "I'm sure she can help her."
Felix looked at Alanis, but suspiciously. I wondered if Great- aunt Frances had told him anything about Mrs. Browne calling.
"Her teacher ain't so nice," Alanis said. "but I'll do what I can."
"Thank you. dear." Great-aunt Frances said.
"How come you came back so soon. Felix?" I asked him, still hoping he had been sent to bring me home.
"Your grandmother sent me back to check on things for her. I see the house is in a little better order and the grounds are better. Anything on your list that needs attending?"
I'd forgotten to start one. but I didn't say so. I just shook my head.
"How is Grandmother Emma?"
"Well, she's made some progress. She's in active therapy now and her doctors are pleased.'