Read Online Help Wanted by Richie Tankersley Cusick - Free Book Online

Claudia didn’t reply, she eased down carefully beside her and laid her books on the bench. “Just about four blocks. If you want, I could come by on my way to the bus. We could walk together.”
    Claudia’s eyes never moved, yet Robin felt herself being scrutinized.
    â€œNo, thank you,” Claudia said.
    Robin hesitated, then tried again.
    â€œLook … I know how weird it can be, starting a new school and all—and especially after what happened today, you probably wish you’d never even come. But really, the kids are nice once you get to know them. And I’m glad you’re here. I just wanted to say welcome.”
    There was no response. Robin took a deep breath and plunged on.
    â€œBy the way, I was talking to Miss Nelson this morning—she’s one of the gym teachers—and it looks like you’ll be in my gym class last period. So at least you’ll know someone there.”
    Claudia’s shoulders stiffened ever so slightly. After a long moment she turned again, lifting her huge eyes to Robin’s face.
    â€œYou’re the one,” she mumbled, and Robin drew back, startled. “Now I know where I’ve heard your name. You’re the one who’s going to go through my mother’s things.”
    â€œWell …” Robin didn’t know what to say, and from the blank expression on Claudia’s face, she couldn’t tell exactly how the other girl felt about it. “I answered an ad for the job. I love books—adore books, really—and I was so thrilled that your grandfather hired me. I’ll take very good care of everything. And—”
    â€œHe’s not my grandfather,” Claudia interrupted, her voice flat. “Not really. And he hates my mother. He’s always hated her.”
    Robin fell silent. She watched Claudia’s nervous fingers twining and untwining themselves in the girl’s lap.
    â€œShe was a medium, you know,” Claudia announced, and she met Robin’s surprised gaze head on. “You didn’t know, did you?”
    â€œNo—no, I didn’t. Only that she was an artist.”
    â€œShe had a talent—a gift, ” Claudia emphasized. “She could talk to the dead. They communicated with her.”
    A swirl of dead leaves scattered about their feet. Claudia dropped her eyes and watched as the leaves whirled on and on and finally disappeared around the fence.
    â€œWhat did Parker tell you about me?” she asked softly.
    With an effort Robin managed to rouse herself and shrug. “Nothing, really. I didn’t even know he had a sister until your grandfather told me.”
    â€œI believe that.” A sad smile touched Claudia’s face, and she hunched over, burrowing deeper into her coat. “We don’t get along, you know. Not Parker, not my grandfather, only Father and me—but he’s always out of the country, so I never see him. He married my mother after Parker’s mother had her accident, so Parker and I were thrown together against our wills.”
    Robin looked startled. “What accident?”
    â€œA car accident.” Claudia nodded vaguely. “She ran off the road, I think. I’ve heard she and Parker were very close. So, as you can imagine, there’s no great love lost between the two of us.”
    â€œHe seemed really concerned about you back there today,” Robin said generously.
    â€œHe’d want you to think that, of course.” Claudia’s tone was matter-of-fact. “Parker’s very big on appearances.”
    Robin stared at her. Claudia’s expression was frozen somewhere between deep unhappiness and a strange sort of resignation.
    â€œWhy don’t we go inside?” Robin suggested. “You’re going to catch pneumonia out here.”
    Claudia sighed. “Sometimes I think that would be best.”
    â€œWhat are you saying?” Robin chided gently, not knowing quite how to