Gracie Greene Mystery Box Set by Jack Parker

Author:Jack Parker [Parker, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2020-03-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 42

Tuesday's third hour class was nearly over, and Gracie was antsy waiting for it to end. She was hungry and ready to meet Kelly and Shawna, and maybe Cheryl, depending on the menu in Home Ec., for lunch. She heard the crackle of static from the P.A. system that presaged the usual mid-morning announcements. She mentally prepared herself for the usual fare; the cafeteria's specialty of the day, tonight's meeting of some boring club, reminders of upcoming or ongoing charity events. If we cared about those things we'd already know, she thought grumpily.

"Good morning, students," it was Mrs. Baker's voice rather than one of the assistants or aides.

Gracie sat up straighter, reflexively looking at the speaker mounted in the front corner of the room as if a face might appear there. A rustle of movement around the room told her most of the others were doing the same. This was not going to be the usual announcements, not if the principal was speaking.

"It is with great sadness that I must tell you that Meaghan Pruitt passed away this morning."

She paused for a moment, knowing that the students would need time to react before she continued. Indeed, there was a communal rush of air as everyone sucked in their breath, then let it out again. Various comments could be heard, such as "Oh no!" and "I thought she was okay" and just the simple "Meaghan!" Gracie knew she'd said something, but in her shock she had no idea which of these words had come from her mouth. It didn't matter.

"Mrs. Pruitt asked me to tell you that Meaghan succumbed to internal injuries and died peacefully in her sleep. She asks that you pray for Meaghan's soul, and for her family and many friends. She will let me know when the funeral will be held." Mrs. Baker's voice cracked with emotion at the end such that everyone assumed she was crying. "I know we'll all miss Meaghan greatly." She sniffled. "Under the circumstances, third hour is dismissed immediately. Thank you."

Everyone sat rooted in place, looking at one another helplessly. Some of the girls were crying, most people were still muttering inane things. The teacher closed her book and erased the blackboard without any mention of the day's homework. After a couple of minutes those students who weren't particularly good friends with Meaghan packed up their backpacks and left, albeit quietly. Those left stood up uncertainly; one sobbing girl threw her arms around Gracie who found herself returning the hug just as fiercely.

Gradually the kids left the room, meeting up with friends in the hallways or heading for pre-arranged meeting spots though lunch wasn't uppermost on their minds. Even the people who hadn't known Meaghan well were stunned by her death. Gracie grabbed her backpack and began walking slowly down the hall. She'd dealt with the death of her father last Spring, but found that the experience didn't help, didn't make it any easier a second time. Her father had been murdered – deliberately shot; Meaghan had had a car wreck.

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