“And Dustin?” Grand asks. “How’s he doing?”
“Good.” Kyra smiles. “Despite all the unwanted attention he still gets, he’s pretty down to earth.”
“Thanks to you and Maddie.”
“Troy’s great with him, too, and so is my dad. Daniel does his best to see him when he can and runs interference when Tonja Kay aims her broomstick in our direction. Dustin has a lot of people who love him.”
We chat for a while, which feels wonderfully normal. I can see that her visit has perked up Grand, too.
Kyra’s tying her pillow baby back in place and plopping her hat back on her head when the guard out front calls up to let us know that Myra is here.
The first time she showed up, one of the guards frisked her, which Myra thoroughly enjoyed.
“Please send her up.”
“Will do.”
Myra huffs up the stairs and I get up to take the pot of soup she’s carrying.
“Want to stay for soup?” I ask Kyra once I’ve set the pot on the stove as directed.
“I’d love to, but I’ve got to get back.” There are hugs all around then Kyra hands Myra a sunflower on her way out. “See you all later.”
Myra checks on the soup then takes a seat next to Grand. “You’ve both been missed at the bookstore. Everyone’s been asking when story time will resume, several children are signed up for acting classes, and the list of people eager for art classes is growing. So whenever you feel up to it, just let me know and I’ll get things scheduled.”
“I’d love to get back to the store, but I’d just like to wait a bit longer until we don’t have to worry about the press anymore,” I reply.
“I totally understand. No pressure at all.” Myra hesitates. “I haven’t seen Brian around for a while. Have you?”
Grand and I exchange glances.
“No,” Grand says. “I haven’t. I think he might be out of town on business.”
“Oh, I see,” Myra replies though it’s clear she doesn’t. “Well, I’ll let you be for now. I look forward to having you both back at the store whenever you’re ready.”
Slowly, other stories make the news. Tragedies more tragic, if less titillating, take place and the crowd in front of Grand’s becomes a handful, then one or two. A weekafter we brought Grand home, there’s no one outside who doesn’t belong there. Life slowly returns to “normal.”
I’ve always thrived on attention but apparently too much of even a great thing is not so great.
If you don’t count the number of people who suddenly start showing up at the bookstore and Harley’s just to get a look at us.
Thirty-Three
“Just look at this crowd!”Myra is smiling when we arrive at the bookstore. Grand and I are not.
The room divider has been pulled back to accommodate the crowd that showed up for story time, book club, and art class. We blink in surprise as the adults applaud, and the kids jump up and down in excitement though I doubt they know why.
“I’m thrilled to have such a great turnout, but I’m not sure we can all fit in here at the same time.” Myra’s smile slips slightly.
“No problem,” Grand replies. “We can have art class out on the beach.”
“Oh.” Myra turns to Grand. “I just assumed you’d rather not be out on the beach and so visible right now. You know, after all that’s happened.”
I’m the one who shudders at the memory of Grand’sabduction and their attempt to kidnap me, but Grand brushes off Myra’s concern. “I’m not prepared to hide inside. The press has had enough of us, the bad guys are in jail, and I see two men in plain clothes out on the sidewalk that I know are Luke’s friends. Plus, that’ll give you plenty of room for story time and book club.”
“But—” I begin.
“What do you say, class?” Grand shouts over my protests as she gathers up drawing pads, clips to hold paper in place, and charcoals.
