Riley Reynolds Glitterfies the Gala by Jay Albee

Author:Jay Albee [Albee, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure fiction; allies; gender; nonbinary; nontraditional gender norms; overcoming challenges; own voices; social and emotional learning; LGBTQ+; genderqueer
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

Downstairs was a storage area. There were windows high up that showed people’s feet as they walked past the library, and, best of all, the dogs they were walking.

Riley flipped the light switch but only one light came on. That happened all the time. The next library fundraiser should be to fix the downstairs wiring.

Riley didn’t like coming down here alone. There was something spooky about the way the concrete stayed so cold. And it was so quiet. They were glad to have Cricket and Lea there with them.

“Come on,” said Riley. “Everything is in the cupboard over here.”

Cricket followed Riley into the gloomy cellar. Lea stayed at the base of the stairs, in the light spilling down from the floor above. She said, “Actually, I’m going to stay here. I’m a bit scared of the dark. Not, like, afraid of it. But not not afraid, either.”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” said Cricket.

“I know that,” replied Lea, “but knowing doesn’t change how I feel.”

“It’s okay, Lea,” said Riley. “Stay there. We’ll toss the packet of napkins to you!”

Lea laughed. “Okay!”

At the cupboard, Riley passed sleeves of cups to Cricket. Riley picked up a packet of napkins and was about to throw it across the cellar to Lea, when they heard Lea yelp in fright followed by a second, squeakier yelp.

“Lea!” called Riley, rushing back to the stairs. “Are you okay?”

There, Riley and Cricket found Lea— and Nelle. Nelle was a very shy second grader, and Riley’s neighbor. The second yelp had come from Nelle!

Nelle gulped and said, “Your parents said you were down here, and I came to help.” Being shy, she had moved quietly. Lea didn’t know she was there until Nelle touched Lea’s arm. Now, Nelle and Lea shook with laughter.

“You okay?” asked Riley, who couldn’t really tell if the shock was wearing off or sinking in.

“Yeah,” gasped Lea, “I think so.” She took Nelle’s hand, and they laughed even harder.

“Here, take these.” Riley handed Nelle a package of napkins and Lea two sleeves of cups from their overloaded arms.

Then Mama’s voice came down the stairs. “Riley, do you have those cups?”

“Coming, Mama!” Riley shouted. They all dashed up the stairs.

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