Finding Fortune Read Free Page B

ovation at the high school last year when she played the part of the mother in The Glass Menagerie .
    â€œHello, this is Hildy Baxter,” Hildy barked into the phone. “Yes, your daughter’s fine. She seems like a real sweet girl. Sounds like you two just need a little time to cool off. She’ll be perfectly safe here … if that’s what you decide to do.”
    There was a long pause and then an uncomfortable, puzzled expression flickered over Hildy’s face. I could hear the faint tinkle of Nora’s voice chattering on and on at the other end. Stop, Nora . I pressed my knuckles against my mouth. You’re overdoing it.
    Hildy was shifting her feet restlessly. “No need for explanations, Ms. Winningham,” she said. “I believe in giving people their breathing room. And if it makes you feel any better, I’m a mother too. I understand.”
    Hildy nodded. “You better write down my phone number though. Oh, you’ve already got it … Yes, that’s all right with me. But you’ll have to come and get her tomorrow, I suppose, because her bike tire’s flat. When should we expect you? No … no, you don’t need to give me an exact time. The afternoon works. We’ll be here. See you then.” My body tingled with relief as Hildy passed me back the phone.
    I turned away. “See, Mom? She’s really nice. And this is just what we need. A little time apart to … to take care of our problem ,” I added, exaggerating the last two syllables.
    â€œWait, Ren —” Nora almost screeched. “What’s that lady going to think when Mom doesn’t show tomorrow? And how long do you expect me to keep this up? Once Mom finds out you’re not at Allison’s, she’s probably going to call the police.”
    I drifted away from Hildy again, holding my fingers over the tiny speaker on her phone. “Oh, that won’t happen,” I said. “You won’t let it, right? Okay, Mom. Sounds good,” I jabbered before she could squeeze in a reply. “Love you. Bye!” Then I punched my finger down on the red End button. I didn’t have a plan for tomorrow afternoon, but suddenly I was too tired to care. I’d have to figure the rest out later.
    I handed the phone back to Hildy and she grunted as she flipped it closed. “So I guess that’s settled,” she said, shaking her head. “That mother of yours sounds like a piece of work. I wasn’t expecting her to let you stay … but at least she knows you’re alive and kicking now. Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”
    Once I had hefted up my backpack, Hildy switched off the overhead fixture and snapped on her flashlight again. “Watch your step,” she told me. “I keep the lights off when I can. Otherwise I’d go broke paying the electric bills on this place.”

 
    THREE
    A WAVE OF SHIVERS PRICKLED along the back of my neck as I followed Hildy through the entrance hall, watching the beam of her flashlight slide across the walls and past the dark corridors. Everywhere the light landed there seemed to be some creepy reminder of the past—rows of coat hooks and lockers, a rusted water fountain, and a glass display case that still had dusty trophies left inside. As Hildy led me up a wide staircase, I hung back on the landing, gripping the banister. The school felt haunted. I could have sworn I heard shuffling noises behind me and then a strain of faint piano music coming from somewhere above, but when I stole a look over my shoulder and cocked my head to listen, the sounds went quiet. I raced to catch up with Hildy. She was already rounding the corner at the top of the stairs.
    â€œHow many other people live here?” I asked as I tagged along on the second floor, eyeing the doors on either side of the hallway. Most of them stood open, revealing empty, shadowy rooms, but I could see a crack