The Secret Underground by Natalie Bahm

Author:Natalie Bahm [Bahm, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC
Published: 2012-08-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

The only thing worse than piano lessons with Madame were trips to the hardware store with Dad.

He could walk into a hardware store needing only a new knob for the bathroom door and spend three hours looking at everything from light fixtures to wood putty.

So boring.

I usually just hung out by the paint swatches and made a game out of matching one brand’s “Rustic Ivory” to another’s “Cloudy Taupe.”

When Dad finally finished, his cart loaded to the brim with stuff I knew he’d never use, we made our way over to the register and stood in line just behind a tall thin man.

“Jake?” I asked.

The tall man turned around, a little startled. But, seeing me, his expression softened.

“Danielle’s friend. It’s Ally, right?” he asked, smiling.

“Well, if it isn’t Jacob Arnold,” Dad said, holding out his hand. “How’s Grantsville’s favorite quarterback?”

Jake took Dad’s hand and shook it with enthusiasm.

“I’m doing alright. It’s always nice to be home.”

“So what are you up to now?” Dad asked.

Jake looked down at the cement floor and tapped the toe of his shoe to the ground.

“Well, you know. This and that.”

“Your mom told me you got yourself a real good job up in Henderson.”

He nodded.

“Well, we’re all proud of you, son.” Dad said.

I wondered how long it had been since Dad had said something similar to me, but I guess I was no football star. Jake looked embarrassed, and it might have been my imagination, but I thought he might look a little sad, too.

“I appreciate that,” he said.

I thought about what Danielle had said about her dad leaving and guessed Jake must be pretty upset about the whole thing.

I tried to lighten the mood a little by saying, “Danielle said you get to come down all the time. You must have a nice boss to give you so much vacation time.”

He chuckled. “Vacation time isn’t everything, kiddo.”

Then it was his turn to pay. When his stuff was bagged, he turned to us and said, “It’s so nice to see you all again. You take care of yourselves.”

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