Read Online Deja Blue by Robert W Walker - Free Book Online Page B

school where Nia, in Kelly green and white uniform, broke out in a deluge of words, a laundry list of her continuing problems here, fitting in, or rather failing to fit in.
     
    “Jealous is what they are, this one clique. Talking behind my back. Sending notes to one another—how juvenile is that? But they’ve also started MySpace rumors about me and the geekiest boy in the place! On top of all that, someone spray-painted my locker, and some of the paint went through that little vent thingy, and it got all over my favorite sweater. Red flecks all over it, Ma!” And while the sun bore down on them, the wind lifting silver leaves all about them, birds chirping and flitting to and fro amid the lovely foliage and well-groomed hedges of the Xavier Millbrook Stone Academy, they held hands as Rae gave an ear to Nia’s rant.
     
    “I’m afraid I have news that’s going to only make your day worse,” Rae finally said, finding a second’s chance to break into Nia’s nonstop monologue.
     
“What? They won’t take me back at Jefferson High?”
     
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
     
“What then?”
     
    Nia took the news of her mother’s leaving for someplace West Virginia in calm understanding, nodding slightly, trying to smile. “I realize it’s your job and your passion, Mom, so go get the bad guys, and don’t worry about things at home. I’m fifteen now. I can take care of myself.”
     
    “Enriqui has agreed to stay on round the clock until I get back, so you’ll never be alone at the bed and breakfast. And my boss says he can provide you with your very own body guard.”
     
“Body guard?”
     
“You know, Secret Service lady.”
     
“Then all’s well.”
     
    She’s taking this awfully well , Rae thought. She imagined Dr. Polkabla would say too well. Something nagged at Rae. “You’re sure?”
     
    “Sure I’m sure, but as for a body guard, that’s just bogus and unnecessary. SS agent, huh? That’s funny, but it’s way over the top, Mom.”
     
Lately bogus had been Nia’s most oft used word. “All right…and I’m so proud of you for making this so easy.”
     
Nia shrugged. “You forget, I saw you in action in Phoenix.”
     
“Yes, yes, you did, and I apologize for—”
     
    “ Awww, stop it, Mom. You did damn good work in Phoenix, and if those idiots you work for don’t know that, they need their heads examined.”
     
“You proved a few things to me in Phoenix, too.”
     
“Like?”
     
“Like how brave you are—and how gifted you are—psychically.”
     
“Like mother, like daughter.”
     
They sat in silence for a moment, each quietly reliving the days they’d spent out West, both in Arizona and at the Grand Canyon.
     
“I just want you to promise me one thing, Mom.”
     
“All right, if I can.” “That you’ll be careful.”
     
“Of course I’ll be—”
     
“Real careful! Take no stupid chances. Don’t take everything on yourself.”
     
“Nia, I promise.”
     
“Don’t endanger yourself in this place you’re going to. Where is it again?”
     
“West Virginia, Charleston.”
     
“I thought Charleston was in like in South Carolina.”
     
    “Well yes, but this is another Charleston.” Guess she’s not as fragile as I’d thought, Rae told herself, giving Nia a huge, long-lasting hug. Over Nia’s shoulder as she gave her daughter a hug, Rae saw a pair of stern-faced girls Nia’s age staring out a second story window. The bell then rang, and the faces at the window vanished.
     
    Rae didn’t give out negative vibes or do curses or anything smacking of voodoo against anyone, but to those who were making Nia’s life here at Xavier difficult, she wondered if she’d make an exception. Then Nia realized what Rae was staring at, and what she was thinking.
     
    “Don’t even go there, Ma. I’ve thought about it myself, and really, you don’t want to go down that road.”
     
    Wisdom indeed from Nia. “I’m so proud of you, Nia, and I love