Page 38 of Knowing Amelia

“Hank came by this morning. Sierra forgot her algebra book—again.” Rachel rolls her eyes just like a spunky sixteen-year-old girl might.

Hank—the dirty, pretentious man to whom Logan made no explanation. What had he told Rachel?

My mouth opens, but only a squeak escapes.

Logan groans. “Rach, it’s Hank. He’s a good old guy, but how often can you count on what comes out of his mouth?”

“True enough.” She shrugs. “He’s ten times worse than any gossiping goose.”

“Exactly.”

Heat rises in my cheeks as Rachel grins at me. Maybe I can skip lunch. Eating is overrated. Who needs to eat with gossiping Rendezvousians when Amelia’s journal is waiting for me?

“So, how’s work going?” Logan asks Rachel and unintentionally gives me a second to collect myself.

“Oh my.” Rachel’s hands plant on her hips, her head hanging. “It’s rough. I depended on Amelia, as she did me. Now she’s gone and my work is taller than a never-ending stack of hotcakes.” Rachel sniffs, plucking a tissue from her desk, then dabbing at each of her eyes.

“Can anyone help? Callie?” Logan wraps an arm around her, and Rachel turns, sniffing into his stomach.

“I know Callie’d do it in a heartbeat,” Rachel says. “But she’s got three classes this semester, as well as a pregnant belly bigger than a hot air balloon. I just can’t do that to her.”

“What does she teach?” I’m not even sure why I speak. I am an outsider looking in on the situation. There’s no reason for it. And yet my big mouth opens and words come out.

And with those words, Rachel’s head darts around to me. “Olivia Benson!”

I press my lips together. Rachel stares at me like she’s a tigress and I’m the prey. “Um, yes?”

“Olivia Benson.” She takes two steps toward me. “You’re staying here. Aren’t you? Your father has gone home, and you own Amelia’s house.” She glances to Logan and raises one penciled brow. Rachel should not be frightening. The woman is in tapered jeans and a baggy sweatshirt with dogs on it. She isn’t scary… and yet. I’m not sure anyone has ever looked at me with such a hungry expression as Rachel looks at me now.

“No…” My mouth goes dry. “No, I’m leaving. I-I have a boyfriend, and he’s picking me up. Soon.”

Rachel grins, which is also a little frightening. “The job is yours. All you have to do is say the word.”

“Rachel, did you hear me? I’m leaving town. I can’t stay.”

One more step and she’s practically pinning me against her desk. “You call me when you change your mind. Okay?” Then her arms fling out, and half a second later she is smothering me in another squeeze. “All righty, I best get back to it.”

“Rachel…” But what else can I say? How do I make it any clearer?

Logan winks at me, convincing me I don’t need to say anything else. He leans down, kissing Rachel’s cheek. “We’re going to lunch. Can we bring you anything?”

“Nah. I’ll be down in a bit.” She grins, her eyes glistening. Had I walked in on the pair without knowing either of them, I’d think they were related, Logan with his adoring auntie.

Halfway down the empty hallway, I glance back at the office door. “I wish I could help.”

“She misses her friend more than anything,” he says. “It’s a very empty office without Amelia.”

I’m not sure that makes me feel any better. Side by side we walk the halls of Rendezvous High School until I hear the chatter.

The lunchroom may be small, but it’s also packed. For the first time, Rendezvous High feels like a normal school. The room bubbles with noise, with a few dozen teenagers doing what they do best: eating and chatting. Some kids wave to Logan and, of course, stare at me… the only person in the room whom they don’t know.

I walk next to Logan to the back of the lunch line.

“So, what’s on the menu?” I glance his way, picking up my empty tray.

“Looks like saucy meatball sandwiches today. You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”

I laugh. “No, but if I were⁠—”