Never Trust Me by Michael Ryder

Author:Michael Ryder [Ryder, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Publishing
Published: 2023-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 30

Monday gets off to a fast start. Beth arrives at seven-thirty to drive Ava to school and I tag along because the headmaster and I need to go over last-minute details for the memorial. While Beth waits outside in the car, I head up to the headmaster’s office to review the program. The plan is for him to begin with a few words and then introduce each speaker. After the final speaker, the school choir will sing and the minister will close us out.

It’s all straightforward. The headmaster tells me the speakers know what they’re going to talk about and the choir has decided what it’s going to sing. I glance at his office bookshelf and notice that a yearbook is still missing.

I gesture toward it “Still haven’t tracked down your missing 2008 yearbook, I see.”

His eyes dart over. “No, we haven’t.”

“The town library is missing their copy as well.”

He frowns. “I didn’t know that.”

“How about the school library? Is that copy still missing, too?”

“How did you hear about that?”

“Sherry mentioned it last week. Seems like someone’s going to a lot of trouble to keep folks from looking at that yearbook.”

“Oh, I doubt that.”

“Well, it’s odd the thief is stealing only the 2008 yearbooks.”

He’s about to disagree when Sherry sticks her head in and reminds him about his next appointment.

“I won’t keep you any longer,” I tell him. “I’ll be back at two to help with the setup.”

“Thank you, Callie.”

“Call if you need anything. See you this afternoon.”

And then I’m out and a minute later back in Beth’s car. My weekly rehab session is coming up and it’s a short drive away.

Beth looks over anxiously as we head out. “It’s going to be a busy day.”

“Definitely.”

A blush comes to her cheeks. “I’m glad I can be here to help.”

“I’m glad, too.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize I actually mean them.

“Again, I’m so sorry about not telling you sooner.”

I take a deep breath. “I get why you two kept it quiet and I’m pretty sure that, once I’m done being upset with Josh over how it played out, you and I are going to be just fine.”

“Thank you,” she says, her voice filled with relief. “I’m so glad about that.”

We pull into the clinic and Beth agrees to pick me up at noon. Then I head inside and the staff put me through my paces. They’re good at their jobs — painfully so — and by the time they’re done with me, I’m an aching mess.

But there’s no time to rest and recover because after Beth drives me back to the house, I barely have time to shower and get ready for the memorial service.

Shortly before two, Beth drives up and I climb in. Ten minutes later, we’re at the school and I’m ready to help with any final prep.

At two-fifteen, students start flowing in, including Ava. I give her a hug and guide her toward a seat near the front. She’s quiet and attentive and I’m grateful for that.

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