Her supercurly blond hair accentuated her sparkling blue eyes and she was pursing her lips the same way she did when she pondered the ins and outs of a romantic comedy.
“There is one mother who has been the most vocal this year. She stirred up some trouble last year when we acquired a children’s book about how boys and girls could have the same jobs. She came into the library yesterday again, all fired up. Her youngest is in second grade, and she has a daughter who’s a high school senior. I had her when she was little, too.
“The family was normal then, and Megan used to volunteer in the library, stacking books. She was fun to be around, always joking. I couldn’t believe she was the same woman who stomped in yesterday, wearing a drudge dress down to her ankles. It was as if she’s completely let herself go. Her hair is long and straggly, and she acted like she was on drugs or something. It was scary.”
“What was her chief complaint?”
“That we had taken the real meaning out of the story of Christmas. That we were unaccepting of people who lived a true belief.”
True belief. True Believers!
“What did you say her last name was, Ivy?”
“I didn’t. It’s Donovan, Megan Donovan. Why?”
Donovan. Could this be Amy Donovan’s mother?
“Just wondering.”
“Sure you are.”
Ivy grinned but knew not to ask for more. She respected Nika’s work and knew Nika would share what she could when she could.
Nika sipped her water. “Ivy, for once I wish I could tell you about my job while it’s happening. Please know you may have just helped me work out something that otherwise would have gone unnoticed until it’s too late.”
“Are you sure you’re not in any danger with your current case? I mean, I know you’re in danger all the time. But are you doing something more scary than usual? Whatever Megan Donovan is involved with, it’s pretty frightening to make her go from a gal you and I would hang with, to some kind of religious wing nut.”
Nika grinned. “I love the scary, and no, this isn’t that interesting in terms of dangerous. Although, nowadays we have to be prepared for everything to turn dangerous, right?”
“Yes.” Ivy sighed. “It used to be a lot simpler when I started teaching.” She ate some more. “These plates are so cute. I love snowmen.”
“I can’t help myself at Christmastime.” She’d set the table with snowman placemats and a snowman lamp glowed from the far kitchen counter.
“It’s always so festive at your place. I love it. But, more importantly, what’s with the big grin, Nika? Is there a handsome man involved in this secret case of yours who you haven’t mentioned? Another guy you’re going to love and leave?”
“Maybe. But he’s way too high maintenance—he’s brilliant, hot and probably has his share of women kissing his feet. And why would he go out with someone he had to see at work the next day? Besides, you know what happened the last time I got involved with someone I was also working with.”
“You can’t judge them all by one state trooper, Nika.” Ivy’s expression bordered on pity and Nika cringed.
“It’s not the job. It’s the kind of guy. I don’t need another alpha type in my life. I’m alpha enough!”
They both laughed and clinked their glasses.
* * *
The next day Nika made it a point to sit with several of the chemistry gang at lunchtime.
“Why are you coming to school if you don’t have to?” Neel ate his sandwich as he asked her, his mouth full of wheat bread and lettuce. Nika hadn’t missed the lack of manners with teenagers in her adult life.
“Yeah, if I were you, I’d stay home and goof off for the year. Or at least get a fun job until college starts next fall.” Jeffrey spoke over a pile of nachos he’d topped with jalapeños.
The girls from the class stared at her, waiting for her to dish.
“First off, where I went to school before wasn’t as competitive as here. We didn’t have IB classes, and Mr. Everlock’s letting me get caught up to where you are from last year. Besides.” She did the shrug she’d practiced countless times for a moment just like this. “I, um, get lonely. I’m not a gamer and I’m not much into TV. Plus, my parents would kill me if I didn’t come to school. They think there’s always more to learn.” Nika rolled her eyes and the girls laughed. Phew!
“They’re right. There always is more.” Ted, a tall, gangly boy with oily skin, pushed his glasses up his impossibly long nose. “They say that once we’re in college we’re going to realize how stupid we are.” Nika watched the young man as he sat straighter and a slight blush ran up his neck and cheeks. “I think you’re smart to keep coming to school.”
“Dude, can you be any more obvious?” Donald Mather, the only student in the class who knew where he was going to college already thanks to early decision, slapped Ted on the back. He leaned in toward Nika. “What Ted’s trying to say is that he wants to take you to the Silver Bells Ball. You know, he wants to ring your bell.” The boys hooted and hollered while the girls at the table groaned. Ted turned several shades of coral.
Shit. She hadn’t thought about the ramifications of looking the part of a student so well.
“This is kind of embarrassing, but where I was before, in Iowa, I went to all of our dances with a group of friends. My parents won’t let me single date yet. They’re old-fashioned.” Geez, she wanted to roll her eyes again, but at herself. As if being a teenager once in a lifetime wasn’t enough, she felt confused and unsure of her next step, just like she had ten years ago when she’d really been a senior. “Why don’t we all go as a group? I mean, unless you all already have dates. Or is that how they do it here? Everyone has to have a date?”
Their response was immediate and positive. The girls blushed with excitement and the guys looked like they wanted to cheer at the suggestion.
“We’d rather go as a group. It’s too intense when everyone pairs up. And this way we don’t have to go matchy-matchy.” Gabi spoke up. “It’s such a pain in the ass to find the right color cummerbund to match a dress. Besides, we all wear black, right?”
“Yeah, who wants to get matching flowers?” Nika hoped she sounded logical.
“But we can still have wrist corsages and boutonnieres, right?” Rachel spoke quietly. “I like flowers.”
Nika cleared her throat. “There’s a great florist over on Main Street.” The conversation stopped and the table grew very, very quiet as all eyes went to Nika.
Oh, boy.
She shrugged again, hoping she wasn’t overplaying her signature teenager move. “My mother had to order flowers for a friend and we went into this shop. It’s cool, kind of retro.” Nika made a mental note to tell Rio to let his girlfriend and town florist, Kayla, know that Nika was the one responsible for an influx of last-minute dance orders.
At
