Chapter 8
The Bat Cave
Matt tried to keep a long face as he trudged along with Sarah to her house. Secretly, the invitation for lunch thrilled him. As they arrived, he looked up at the two-story, red and beige brick construction. The white trim was freshly painted, and the windows sparkled from a recent application of Windex. The driveway passed between twin mountains of shovelled snow, creating a wide valley to the door. It seemed so welcoming, almost as if a hand was beckoning him in.
Having lunch with other people—not beside them, like at school—was an entirely new experience for Matt. Sarah told him they’d be having hotdogs and milk, which was better than the peanut butter sandwiches he usually had to throw together. It was strange, but Matt felt he could actually let his guard down, until Sarah’s dad tried to fish for information.
“Nadine seems to work an awful lot,” he said.
“Um,” said Matt, stuffing his face with a hot dog.
“Are you home by yourself all the time?”
“Not always. Besides, I’m almost thirteen.”
“Self reliance,” said Mr. Sachs. “A very admirable quality. Well, in case you need a little advice sometimes, I’m here quite often.”
“Too often,” said Sarah, smirking.
He scowled at her. “Lucky for you, little lady, or you’d be starving.”
“I can cook,” said Sarah defensively.
“Well, macaroni and cheese is not on this year’s list of most nutritious foods.”
“Um,” said Sarah, holding up her hot dog.
“Hmm. I suppose you’ve got me there.”
Matt watched in silence as Sarah sparred lightheartedly with her father. He tried to laugh when they exchanged jokes, but it was hard not to be jealous. Sarah had a relationship that he envied. Even though her mother didn’t live with her anymore, at least she had a father who seemed to care for her deeply. He’d give anything to have that himself.
“Well, any plans for tomorrow?” asked Mr. Sachs.
“Not really,” said Sarah.
“Computer games,” suggested Matt quickly.
He wasn’t quick enough for the politician. “I was thinking,” said Sarah’s dad, looking at the swirling snow as if he could see past it to the dark silhouette of the Gatineau Hills across the river. “Would you be interested in a little spelunking?”
“Spelunking as in caves?” asked Matt. A thrill coursed through him.
“You bet,” said Mr. Sachs.
“Will we have to crawl through tunnels?”
The older man shrugged. “Maybe.”
“With spiders and bugs all over the place?”
“Quite possibly.”
Sarah shuddered. She didn’t seem quite as thrilled with the idea. Then she crinkled her eyes. “And will you be teaching us about caves?”
“Is there anything wrong with that?” asked her dad, trying his best to keep a straight face and look innocent.
“He’s setting us up,” said Sarah.
“I don’t care,” said Matt. “No one’s ever taken me to a cave before.”
Sarah’s eyes assumed a thoughtful look that he was beginning to recognize. “Are there caves open in the winter?”
“Yes,” said her father. “They’re actually quite spectacular. Icicles dangle from the stalactites, and they glitter in the light of the flashlights. It makes the caves seem magical.”
Sarah’s face flushed. “Okay. I’m in.”
“Great,” said her dad, rubbing his hands together. “When you get home tonight, Matt, make sure you ask Nadine for permission. If it’s okay with her, you can meet us here first thing in the morning.”
Matt nodded. He hid a flinch at the mention of Nadine. He had no intention of telling her anything of his impending adventure. The woman always made his life miserable. There was no way he’d allow her to spoil another day spent with a real family.
Time Meddlers Page 10