“Take the key,” she said. “You might need it one day.”

So, I took it.

Raindrop was right.

I did use it.

TWENTY-SEVEN2023

Aimee

“Okay, third grade, today we are going to talk about good nutrition!” Robin said in a sing-song voice. She clapped her hands and the students clapped with her. “Can anyone name some healthy foods?”

A blond boy in the front of the room raised his hands. “Apples! I like to eat apples with peanut butter, but not in school because you are allergic.”

“Yes! Thank you, Conner,” Robin said. “You like apples with peanut butter. I like apples, but no peanut butter because Miss Kent is allergic to peanut butter. Anyone else? Yes, Ally.” She pointed to a dark-haired girl in the back of the class.

“Tomatoes! Bananas! Carrots!” shouted Ally.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! All healthy foods,” Robin agreed. “And today a friend of mine is visiting our class. Everyone say hello to Mrs. Greencastle. She is married to Mr. Greencastle, who teaches the other third grade, and she’s here today to talk to us about healthy foods.”

“Hello, Mrs. Greencastle,” the students greeted in unison.

I waved.

“Mrs. Greencastle owns a store right here in Poplin.” Robin widened her eyes.

“Poplin Fresh!” Ally shouted.

Robin pointed at her. “Yes, but don’t call out. Guess what Mrs. Greencastle sells in her store? No call outs. I want to see hands raised.”

Small hands flew up around the classroom. Robin chose a girl with pigtails from the center of the class. “Zoey.”

“Food,” Zoey said hesitantly.

“Yes, food,” said Robin. “What kind of food? Let’s say it together.”

“Healthy food!” The classroom vibrated with voices.

Robin motioned me over to the center front of the room. I smiled at the children.

“That’s right, I sell healthy food at my store, Poplin Fresh. We sell some of the foods you mentioned today. Tomatoes, apples, carrots, and so many more delicious and healthy foods,” I began. “Eating healthy foods is so important to keeping your body healthy.”

I went through my presentation and concluded by giving each student a snack of an apple, fresh-baked blueberry muffin, and apple cider. The students were delighted with my surprise snack. Robin was happy the snack kept them busy for a short time.

“Thank you so much for doing this,” Robin said, taking a bite of muffin, leaning against her desk.

“Sure, no problem. It was fun,” I replied. “I’m presenting in Archie’s class tomorrow afternoon.”

“Yeah, he’s a day or two behind me in the lesson,” remarked Robin.

She looked at me. “So how are things with you? I feel like I haven’t talked to you much since the start of school. It’s always so crazy in the beginning.”

“Um… not much,” I said. I certainly wasn’t going to tell her about everything going on at home, although Archie shared the attic scare with her. No way would I tell her about the photo. I liked Robin, but not that much. I hadn’t even shared it with Archie. How could I if I didn’t want him to know about my past? He thought I was a local Philly girl that worked in a coffee shop and lived with her elderly aunt. He knew the basics about me, but I didn’t want him to know the rest.

“Oh, John was asking about you the other day in the store. He wanted to know if you were mad at him.”

Robin frowned. “Ugh, what are we, fourteen? Checking with my friend to see if I’m mad at him. I would think he’d get the hint by now. I don’t want to go out with him!”

“Maybe you should tell him that directly. He doesn’t seem like a guy who picks up on obvious clues. Just tell him exactly what you just said to me,” I replied.

“Maybe, but I don’t think that will work either.”

“Why?”

Robin lowered her voice. “He used to be interested in Margie who works at Poplin Chicken. She didn’t go out with him at all and flat out said she wasn’t interested. He got a little stalkerish. Hanging around her work, surprise visits to her house. Nothing sinister, but uncomfortable. She told me this after she heard we went on a date.”

“Really?” I asked. Not particularly surprised though.

“Yeah, he only stopped when Margie started dating a cop. They just got engaged.”

I snorted. “Then we just need to find you a sexy cop.”

“Yes, please.” Robin laughed.

Archie tossed the newspaper on the kitchen table. The Poplin Times was still publishing a Sunday paper edition. The daily paper was available only online, but Sundays you had a choice of either. I rather looked forward to a paper to read on Sundays.

“Read the cover story,” he said. “It’s about Angela.”

“Oh.” I grabbed the paper and read the article.

The search for Angela’s killer continued. Several leads were being investigated, but nothing substantial had been discovered. A forty-thousand-dollar reward, increased yesterday, was now being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.

“So, I guess the theory about the married man she was seeing fell through,” I remarked.

“I guess so,” said Archie. “I hope they find this person soon.”

“Yeah, me too.” Worry filtered through me, snaking its grip throughout my body.

“I know the lights in the attic scared you, but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about,” he commented. “I want you to feel safe in our own home. I’m sure it had to be the moonlight filtering through the other window.”

“Sure,” I agreed, even though I did not agree with his statement.

Did all my unexpected surprises lead to Angela’s killer? I didn’t know what the connection would be if this was true. Instead, all these occurrences held a distinctive personal tone directed squarely at me. Listening Lark was haunting me.

I know where you are.

I know what you did.