Lucy walked into Middleton Prep with high hopes. Yesterday had been a horrible day and she was hoping today would prove to be better. After receiving Mateo’s email, her heart felt like it was breaking. She hadn’t answered him back, because she didn’t know what to say. Lillith had made it clear she would take Lucy’s job if she told Mateo the truth.
But if I can prove Lillith is lying about having talked to Principal Grimm, then I can get it all sorted out with Mateo. And maybe he can forgive me for lying. Her heart pinched and she shook her head. This is the most messed up thing ever.
With a deep breath, she entered the front office. “Hello Mrs. Merryweather.”
“Well, hello dearie! So glad to see you’re feeling better. We’ve missed you this summer.” The kind secretary smiled at Lucy.
“Thanks. I’ve missed teaching the kids. But man ... that pneumonia was no joke. It’s only been in the last couple of weeks that I’ve been back on my feet.”
Mrs. Merryweather nodded sagely. “Well, hopefully next summer we’ll have you back. Now, what can I do for you?”
“I was hoping to speak to Principal Grimm,” Lucy explained, leaning on the countertop.
“Oh, I’m sorry hon. He’s not here. Left just yesterday for a family vacation. He and his brother go every year.”
Lucy felt like the rug had been pulled from under her. No! “Is there ... is there any way to get ahold of him? You know, like for an emergency?”
Mrs. Merryweather frowned. “Do you have an emergency?”
Lucy pinched her lips. “Well ... no. It’s not an emergency per se. But I really need to talk to him.”
“Vice Principal Wilhelm is here. Would you like to talk to him?”
Lucy’s shoulders fell and she shook her head. “No thanks. I need to speak to Principal Grimm. Do you know when he’ll be back in town?”
“Not for another month, I’m afraid. Can your problem wait that long?”
“I suppose it will have to. Thank you.” Lucy turned and started toward the door.
“Lucy?” Mrs. Merryweather called from behind her.
Lucy turned around, her eyebrows raised in question.
“I once had a garden gnome we all thought was blind.” Mrs. Merryweather chuckled. “Turns out, he was simply good at holding in his emotions.” She smiled at Lucy.
“Uh ... “ Lucy tilted her head, confusion clouding her features.
“He ended up being much more aware than any of us gave him credit for. He’s now one of the best protectors in my garden.” Mrs. Merryweather’s face softened and sympathy radiated from her. “It’ll all turn out alright in the end.”
Lucy’s jaw grew slack and she had to grit her teeth to keep her mouth closed. Forcing a smile and a nod, she headed out the door. Does she know ... There’s no way. Is there? “A blind garden gnome? Really?” Lucy shook her head as she walked. “I love her, but dang ... she’s crazy.”
*****
MATEO GRUMBLED AS HE walked through the aisles of the grocery store. Stupid, stupid. Shouldn’t have sent that email. He had finally been so fed up with the whole situation that he had shot off an email to L.G. and had shown his hand more than he should have. “I should have tried to get more information out of her, instead of bluntly telling her the game was over,” he muttered to himself. It had been two days and he hadn’t heard back from her again. “Scared her off, you idiot.” He threw a bag of salad into his basket.
“Whoa. What did that salad ever do to you?” A familiar voice teased.
Mateo spun around and spotted one of the women he had met at the barbecue last week. “Oh hey. Uh ... ” He snapped his fingers, trying to recall her name.
“Ruby,” she supplied. “And you’re Mateo. Lillith’s date.”
“Ooh. Sorry. Now I feel really bad that you remembered my name and I didn’t remember yours.” He scrunched up his face.
Ruby waved a hand through the air. “No worries. Truth be told, I only remembered your name because I was so shocked you came with Lillith.”
Mateo cocked his head, a thought running through his head. “I take it you don’t like Lillith?”
Ruby pursed her lips, “Can’t say she’s my favorite person, no.” She brushed a tendril of her dark hair out of her face. She had a messy bun on top of her head and some of the strands were refusing to stay put.
“I wonder if you would be willing to help me with something?” Mateo asked cautiously.
Ruby’s eyebrows shot up, then slammed down as her eyes narrowed. “What exactly do you mean?”
Mateo glanced around the store, making sure no one was paying attention to them. “I’m in a bit of a pickle with Lucy and Lillith and I need some information.”
Ruby crossed her arms. “A bit of a pickle, huh? Are you a two-timer? I won’t help a cheater.”
Mateo waved his arms back and forth. “No! Absolutely not. This is, well ... you probably are going to have a hard time believing what’s going on.” He stroked his goatee, trying to find the right words. “A few months ago, I joined an online dating site.” Mateo continued on, telling the story to the best of his knowledge. Or at least what he believed was going on.
It didn’t take long for Ruby’s jaw to drop and her eyes to widen while Mateo was talking. A couple of times she nearly growled as Mateo described the situation. When he was done, he took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. “Do you think you can help me?”
Ruby huffed. “Let me just get this straight. You wrote emails to someone you believe to be Lucy, whom you have developed feelings for. However, when you tried to surprise her in person, Lillith took her spot and you didn’t know the difference because they work at the same place, both have blonde hair and the same initials? What is this? The twilight zone? Even my middle school students couldn’t write this.” She shook her head. “Unbelievable. I have to admit though. I believe you.”
Mateo was surprised to feel a weight lift off his shoulders, he hadn’t realized how nice it would be to have someone in his corner.
“I mean, seriously, it sounds just like Lillith. Although,” Ruby tapped her lips. “I can’t figure out why Lucy wouldn’t just tell you the truth. Especially since you gave her a very direct opportunity.”
Mateo nodded. “That’s what I’ve been wondering. Although after what Lillith said last night, I think she must have threatened her with something. But what? Not knowing is the whole reason I haven’t just flat out called Lillith a liar.” He shrugged his shoulders.
“No idea. But anyway ... ” Ruby straightened her shoulders and mocked a salute. “What do you want me to do?”
Mateo grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Alright, here’s my idea ... ”
Later that night when Mateo arrived home, he felt good; better than he had since this whole debacle had started. “Hopefully soon we can get this all cleared up and then I can see if that kiss Lucy and I shared was as fantastic as I remember,” he murmured.
*****
RUBY FLIPPED THROUGH her contacts until she found Lucy’s number, then pressed send.
“Hello?” Lucy said.
“Hey Luce. It’s Ruby.”
“Oh hi Ruby. What’s up?” Lucy’s voice perked up.
“Oh, not much. I was just wondering if you had time for lunch in the next couple of days?” Ruby asked.
“Sure. Since I’m not teaching this summer, I’ve got nothing but time. In fact, you need to save me from myself. I’ve baked so many pans of brownies I’m gonna need a new wardrobe before school starts.”
Ruby laughed as intended. “Well, it will be my pleasure to help you out. What about Saturday? Say one o’clock ... um .... Mother’s Goose’s cafe?”
“Perfect.”
“Great. See ya then! And bring me some of those brownies!” Ruby teased.
“Done!” Lucy laughed. “See ya then.”
Ruby hung up and took a breath. “Step one, call Lucy ... check. Now onto step two.”