A Perfect Storm

by Phoebe Rivers

  My dad knew who I was talking about. I had told him a little bit about her, and how her baby had died and she used to cry all the time.

  “That’s a lovely way to look at the world, Sara,” said Lady Azura approvingly.

  My dad smiled at me. Then he curled his large hands around his mug of tea and stared off into space.

  I knew that look. He was remembering my mother.

  The next morning, Saturday, I awoke to feel a heavy weight on my legs. I couldn’t move them. It was as though they’d turned to concrete.

  I opened my eyes.

  Lily was sitting on me.

  “Wake up, lazybones!” she said, and bounced up and down a few times for emphasis.

  “Ow!” I said.

  She stood up a little, releasing my pinned legs and allowing me to sit up in bed, rubbing my eyes against the sunlight. She must have opened the shades upon entering my room.

  “What time is it?” I mumbled blearily, looking at the clock.

  “It’s practically nine a.m.!” she said.

  “It’s eight thirty-nine,” I countered. With a groan, I fell back down against my warm pillows.

  “I came to tell you about the meeting last night,” said Lily. “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t going to be there? I would never have gone if I’d known you weren’t going!”

  For a moment I thought about not telling Lily what had happened between me and Jody. But who was I kidding? Of course I was going to tell my best friend.

  “I thought I was going,” I said. “But then I got uninvited. By Jody. And I knew if I told you that, you wouldn’t go, and I wanted you to go so you would be able to hang out with Calvin.”

  Lily’s eyes narrowed.

  I told her what had happened, about the conversation I’d had with Jody in the cafeteria on Thursday, after Lily had left us.

  “Well, no wonder,” she said, crossing her arms and glowering. “Mason was asking me why you weren’t there, and I had no idea. But Jody definitely heard him asking me. And she chose not to say anything. I tell you, Sar, I don’t trust that girl.”

  I sat back up and hugged my knees to my chest underneath my warm covers. “I think she means well,” I said uncertainly. “She said she didn’t want me to feel left out, because I wasn’t going to be at the fund-raiser next week.”

  Lily looked at me skeptically. I decided to try and change the subject. “Well, so, how was it? Does she have a nice house and stuff?”

  Lily’s face lit up. “It was awesome, Sar. I’ve never seen such a nice house. A movie theater in the basement! And maids—two, no, actually, three of them—serving us food on platters! I didn’t get to meet her mom and dad, though. They were in New York City at some movie opening or something. But you wouldn’t believe the food! There was this gooey-cheesy thing baked in a piecrust, and little hot dogs—the good ones, not the gross kind they serve in the cafeteria, and delicious homemade kettle corn! It was all so amazing. But it was also kind of weird to be sitting around talking about ways to help people who had lost all their stuff while eating all that delicious food.”

  I really wanted to ask about Mason. Whether he seemed legitimately upset that I wasn’t there, or if he was hanging out with Jody all night. But hearing about the food was okay too, I guess.

  “And actually, the auction is going to be awesome. Jody’s dad knows the actor Jon Coddington, and he agreed to be the master of ceremonies!”

  My eyes widened. Jon Coddington was a big movie star. Lily and I had seen a bunch of his movies.

  “I didn’t know he lived around here,” I said.

  “He doesn’t. He lives in L.A. But I guess he’s coming East for some reason next week, some event or something, so Jody’s dad talked him into doing the auction.”

  I sighed. Another reason to wish I could go to the auction.

  “So how was Mason?” I finally blurted out. “Was he hanging out with Jody all night?”

  “Well, they are friends,” said Lily, seeming to choose her words carefully. “But I really think he was bummed that you weren’t there.”

  Was she right? All I could think about was how pretty Jody was, and how cool her house was. What if Mason liked her? I mean, who could blame him?

  “Calvin was so adorable,” said Lily, sighing. “He’s going to organize a bunch of guys to do yard cleanup for the storm victims.”

  “That’s great,” I said, and meant it.

  “So the other reason I came over,” said Lily, “aside from getting you up and out of bed, was that we all agreed to find cool stuff that people would want to bid on. And I thought that a session with Lady Azura would be awesome. Don’t you think so?”

  “I guess,” I said. But I wasn’t sure. I wondered if that was the sort of thing Lady Azura would agree to.

  “I want to ask her to donate a spirit session. It’ll be for the silent auction, not the live one, so she won’t be embarrassed listening to people bidding on it—”

  “Or not bidding on it,” I added. “What if people don’t bid?”

  “Are you kidding? It will be a super-popular item! She’s a mini celebrity now, after that piece appeared in the newspaper about her! Do you think you can help me talk her into it?”

  I grinned. “I think she loves you so much you won’t even need my help,” I said. “But I’m in if you need me. I’ll get dressed, and we can have breakfast and wait for her to come out.”

  Lily and I made pancakes, and then spent the morning quizzing each other on vocab for our Julius Caesar test on Monday.

  At last Lady Azura emerged, and Lily pitched her idea to her. My great-grandmother pretended to be indifferent to the idea of donating her services to the auction, but I knew her well enough to know that she was excited about the idea. It was hard not to get excited about this auction. It sounded like it was going to be awesome. And if went off as well as everyone hoped, it was going to raise a lot of money.

  I was still sorry I had to miss it, but I was glad my family was contributing in our own way.

  Chapter 12

  On Monday the weather turned cold and rainy, and I kept thinking about the people in Harbor Isle and some of the other nearby towns. Some of those people still didn’t have electricity. I knew their homes must be getting cold. I hoped they had fireplaces and gas stoves.

  At home I continued to search for Duggan every day, and he continued not to be anywhere.

  At school the kids from Harbor Isle settled into the Stellamar routine. Mason and I were in the same math class, so it was fun to sit next to each other. But he didn’t sit with me at lunch. The Harbor Isle kids had begun sitting together at their own tables—boys at one, girls at another. Jody and I weren’t in any classes together, but Lily had her for Spanish and homeroom. Lily was now convinced that Jody wasn’t as nice as she pretended to be. She claimed Jody barely said hello to her when other kids weren’t around. I was still trying to give Jody the benefit of the doubt.

  Friday after school, I hurried home to get ready for the wedding. At breakfast my dad had casually announced that it started at five, which surprised me, as I’d thought it would be much later. I hadn’t even thought about what I was going to wear.

  Up in my room, I took a quick shower, and then, still in my terry robe, with my hair coiled up in a towel turban, flung open my closet door to survey my options.

  The best option was a dress I’d worn last year to the Harvest Dance. It had belonged to my mother. Would it still fit, though? I’d grown two inches taller since this time last year.

  I slipped it over my head, feeling the silky-satin lining glide down my body like water. I realized with relief as I tugged up the zipper at the back that it still fit. Now it was shorter—a bona fide minidress, and maybe a little more snug-fitting than last year. But I had to admit, it still looked pretty nice on me.

  Downstairs I heard my dad burst in through the side door, no doubt frazzled from having had to leave the office early. I heard him thump up the stairs and into his room, and so
on after that, his shower started.

  I was slipping into my black flats when I heard a knock on the front door, and then Lily’s voice calling to me from the front hallway.

  “Lil!” I called, clattering down the front stairs. “What are you doing here? I thought you were at the auction!”

  My dad came clumping down the stairs before Lily could respond. His curly hair was wet and coiled into ringlets like a poodle’s, and he was trying to tie his tie while holding his nice shoes clamped against his side.

  “Hey, Mr. Collins! And hello, gorgeous!” said Lily, looking admiringly at my outfit. “I just came by to tell Lady Azura that I’m headed to the auction early to set up, but my mom is coming to pick her up later on to take her there.”

  “Honey, we have to go,” said my dad, hopping along the floor and trying to put on his shoes standing up. “This is a pretty low-key wedding, but we’re going to be late.”

  “Go ahead to her room and tell Lady Azura,” I said to Lily, giving her a quick hug. “I think she’s begun the elaborate process of getting herself ready for the evening. And have fun tonight.”

  Lily gave me a rueful smile and headed down the hallway toward Lady Azura’s rooms.

  As Dad and I drove off for the wedding, I tried not to think about how much I would rather be at the auction. But my dad looked so happy to be together. I put the thought out of my head and resolved to have fun.

  And I did. The wedding was awesome.

  It was all in one place—not a church first, like the other weddings I’d been to. It was more like a big party. The groom, Costi, was really handsome and friendly and gave me a big bear hug when my dad introduced me. I liked him immediately. And the bride was beautiful. Then there was really good food, and the live band played the kind of music that made you want to dance to it.

  I was dancing the third dance in a row with my dad when suddenly I stopped dead and gaped over his shoulder.

  He turned around to see what I was gaping at.

  A famous movie star was standing near the food table, chatting away with a group of people.

  My dad grinned. “I guess you’ve spotted Jon Coddington,” he said. “Didn’t I mention he was going to be here?”

  I shook my head. Finally found words. “He’s supposed to be the master of ceremonies at the auction tonight,” I said. “What is he doing here?”

  “He’s actually a friend of both the bride and the groom. Costi introduced me to him once before, a few years ago. You want to meet him? Maybe he still remembers me.”

  Before I could answer, my dad had pulled me over to the group, which parted to let us approach.

  It turned out Jon Coddington did remember my dad. Fondly, it seemed. He clapped him on the back and asked him how things were since the move to New Jersey. I couldn’t believe that Jon Coddington knew who my dad was. While I was standing there with my mouth hanging open, he grinned at me and shook my hand. Then he turned to my dad. “She’s beautiful, Mike!” he said. “Must take after her mom!”

  The group laughed, as did my dad.

  Jon Coddington had just called me beautiful. I’m surprised I didn’t faint on the spot.

  “So I hear you’ve double-booked yourself tonight, Jon,” said my dad. “Sara tells me you’re supposed to emcee the auction at her school later tonight.”

  “Oh! That’s your school?” Jon said, turning to me. “Awesome! Will you be at the auction later, Sara?”

  “Me? Well, um, no, I don’t think so,” I stammered out, looking at my dad for help.

  “You have to go!” he said with a big grin. “There’s plenty of time to get there. Besides, the auction can’t start without me, right?”

  Everyone laughed at this, too.

  And then someone pulled Jon into another group of people, and my dad and I headed back to our table.

  “You know what, kiddo? I’m really beat,” said my dad, stifling a yawn. “Mind if we head home?”

  “Sure, that’s fine,” I said, gathering up my jacket and bag.

  “Why don’t I drop you off at school on the way back?” he said. “Maybe you can check out the auction after all.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. I knew he was leaving early for my benefit. But I pretended to go along with it. “Sure,” I said casually, like I didn’t care one way or the other. “Sounds good.”

  As we pulled up at my school, I turned toward my dad. “Thanks, Daddy-o,” I said softly.

  “You’re welcome, kiddo,” he said, and then leaned over to try to maneuver around his seat belt to give me a hug.

  I hugged him back and then stepped out of the car.

  When I walked into the building, I could hear the murmur of the crowd coming from the gym. I hung up my coat on the rolling rack in the hallway outside the gym doors and stepped into the gym. It seemed as though the whole town had shown up for the event. Tables lined the outskirts in a U shape, with silent auction items placed on them where people could sign their names and their bids. There was a long table piled with stuff to eat and drink, and I could see Mrs. Randazzo and some other parents bustling around, selling people refreshments. Smaller, round tables had been set up in the interior. I spotted Lady Azura, dressed in a dazzling red sparkly dress, holding court at a table of older people. And then I spotted Lily and some of my other friends at a table close to the stage. I headed over.

  “Sara!” squealed Lily, jumping up from the table. She threw her arms around me as though seeing me was the most exciting thing ever. Then, while she still had me clenched, she whispered into my ear.

  “Mason saw you come in. He was totally staring. Don’t look! He’s still staring at you!”

  I felt myself flush and stepped away. “Where’s Calvin?” I asked, to change the subject.

  “He’s over there, tying balloons.” She pointed toward a corner booth I hadn’t yet noticed. There was Calvin and an older guy, and a long line of little kids. Calvin and the other guy were making balloon animals and silly balloon hats.

  “Can you believe how talented he is?” said Lily. “Who knew the guy could make balloon animals?”

  “He definitely has hidden depths,” I agreed.

  “He is just so awesome,” she said. “And Sar, I’m beginning to think he might like me. Like-like me, I mean.”

  I squeezed her hand. “He’d be a dope not to,” I said. “Has the auction started yet?”

  “No! Jon Coddington got here about two minutes ago. It’s not supposed to start until eight. Can you believe such a big star is actually here, in little old Stellamar, doing a fund-raiser?”

  I started to tell Lily about how I had actually just met him, but Jody appeared out of nowhere and interrupted me.

  “Sara! So glad you could make it,” she said, but her tone lacked enthusiasm.

  “Thanks,” I said, feeling Lily step on my toe and trying to ignore her.

  “So yeah, my dad arranged for Jon Coddington to be here. Pretty cool, huh? Maybe afterward I’ll introduce you guys. I kind of promised the table I would, so—”

  “Sara! You made it!” said a male voice behind me.

  I turned. It was Jon Coddington. I heard Lily gasp next to me.

  “Yeah, I decided to show up after all.” I smiled at him.

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “Guess what?” he asked, and then continued without waiting for me to guess. “I won Lady Azura’s silent auction! She’s going to do a session for me next time I come to New York. I am so psyched!”

  “That’s great,” I said, genuinely delighted. I was also aware that Jody and Lily and the whole table full of my friends were all staring at me, dumbfounded. I don’t usually like being the one people are staring at, but I was kind of enjoying this moment.

  “Oops, better head on up to the stage. See you soon,” he said, and hustled away.

  Lily grabbed my arm. I looked at her and realized she was speechless.

  Jody looked pretty stunned as well.

  “Come on, guys,” I said to them. “We’d better
go sit down.”

  I sat down next to Lily. Mason and Calvin sat across from us, with Jody on Mason’s other side. I could feel Mason’s gaze rest on me from time to time, but I didn’t meet his eye. I was too worried I’d blush.

  The auction was a giant success. Jon Coddington was funny and charming and managed to get people to bid on stuff they might not otherwise have bid on, just with his infectious good humor. He poked gentle fun at some of the bidders, goading them to bid higher and higher—which they then did. He finished the last item and banged his gavel to deafening applause. Then he apologized for rushing out, but said he had a really early call time in the morning. Jody explained to the table that he wasn’t talking about a phone call; it was acting lingo for the time he had to be on the set. The other kids seemed to be hanging on her every word.

  As Lily and I stood near the coatrack, searching for our coats, Mason caught up with me.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey,” I said, finally spotting my jacket and pulling it off the hanger.

  “You have a ride home?”

  “My dad said he’d come pick me up if I wanted him to,” I said.

  “Or maybe I could just walk you.”

  I felt a charge of electricity crackle through my body. “Um, okay,” I said.

  I shot Lily a look, and she nodded back at me and wiggled her eyebrows. I knew that was her way of saying I should definitely walk home with him. She headed over to where Calvin and Luke and Miranda were talking. We exchanged another look, which said we’d talk later.

  I texted my dad quickly to tell him I was walking home, and headed outside with Mason.

  We walked in silence for a few steps. Two shy people. Not the best combination for conversation. Finally I thought of something to say.

  “So I guess they raised a lot of money tonight.”

  “Yep.”

  The conversation languished again.

  I tried again.

  “How does Stellamar Middle compare to Harbor Isle in terms of the workload?”

  He shrugged. “About the same,” he said.