Lilly vowed to talk to Isadora the next day at the pet store. Isadora acted nicer at the pet store than at school. Lilly would find out if Isadora had really spoken to her mother. If not, Lilly would quit.
Unfortunately Isadora left school early the next day and didn’t go to the pet store. She claimed she was sick. When Lilly told Mr. Snodgrass, he went to the back to make a phone call. White Rabbit followed at his heels.
Lilly sat by the counter. She closed her eyes and tried to recall the faces of the sheriff’s MOST WANTED, the ones most likely to be near her town. “Pssst,” came a whisper. Lilly opened her eyes. A woman stood in front of her.
Lilly looked at the short woman with the tall hairdo. Dark hair was teased into a towering beehive bun. She patted it with both hands as if keeping it steady. “This wasn’t easy,” she confided to Lilly. “I can’t believe I made it through. You are the owner, aren’t you? How old are you? I wish I’d gone into business young.”
“I’m only eleven years old,” said Lilly. “I just help out here.”
“I need,” said the woman. Before she said what she needed, the woman yelped. She hopped up and down nervously cooing, “Ooo,ooo,ooo.” Obviously this woman needed a restroom. Lilly started to say she could go to the restaurant across the street, when the beehive bun on the top of the woman’s head began to hop up and down, too.
As Lilly stared, the hair danced. “No, no, no,” sang the woman patting her hair. The beehive bun twisted wildly.
Back and forth, the woman rocked her head while singing a frantic lullaby. “Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Go to sleep, little Buffy.” The bun gyrated and moaned. Out popped a monkey-faced baby. It was the same color as the woman’s hair and covered in a downy fur. With the tiniest fingers Lilly had ever seen, the baby clung to the bun as though it were its mother.
“Oh, geez,” said the woman. “Almost made it to the finish line. I need to see the owner.”
“I’m the owner,” said Mr. Snodgrass as he walked from the back of the store. The woman turned to face him. “How lovely,” said Mr. Snodgrass face to face with the furry baby.
“Any problems?” he asked, whisking the woman quickly away. If she answered, Lilly didn’t hear. As Lilly watched them disappear into the secret room, the tiny baby clung to the nest of hair and stared at Lilly with enormous black eyes. It was then Lilly noticed his tail.
Later Lilly told Tobias about the baby. Tobias reacted skeptically. “A baby flew out of a customer’s hair?” He cocked his head and peered sideways at Lilly. “First magic eggs, then flying babies?”
“He didn’t fly, Tobias. He walked, wobbled really. And the lady wasn’t a customer because she didn’t buy anything. When Mr. Snodgrass took her to the secret room, the one with the locked door, she didn’t come back. She must have left through the alley. I think that’s how the egg magician left, too.”
“And you think this woman was a magician, too?” Tobias flew closer.
“I don’t know, Tobias. She acted silly; hopping up and down and singing, ‘Go to sleep little Buffy.’ She kept touching her hair like she was afraid it would fall down. First, I thought she had to go to the bathroom then I thought she was crazy. That’s when the baby popped out.”
Tobias shook his head. “This isn’t hocus pocus but tomfoolery. Tell me more. How did you know it was a baby?”
“Because it was so small. It was only this big,” said Lilly holding up her hand. “Smaller than you, Tobias.”
“Regarding stature, I am not small for a Roufus-tailed Tuft. And there are many parrot species smaller than mine.”
Lilly sat cross-legged on her bed in her short, pale pink nightgown. In the past, Lilly slept in whatever clothes she’d worn that day. Lilly began wearing a nightgown to bed after she began taking baths. And she began taking baths only since working in the pet store.
Since that first bath, Lilly bathed almost every night. She had her reasons. First, she enjoyed it. Second, everyone in her room was happier when she washed away the smells of the animals in the pet store. When Lilly told Tobias her classmates were friendlier lately, he said it was because she smelled more like them, which every animal prefers. This was a surprise to Lilly. She thought they were friendlier because some of them saw her at the pet store and chatted with her about their pets.
Lilly also wondered if they were nicer because Dorian was her friend, and the kids liked Dorian. Instead of acting ashamed of his tail, Dorian used it like a third hand, which made him hard to beat in basketball. But it seemed to Lilly that what fascinated the kids even more than Dorian’s tail was the fact that Dorian, if he was afraid of Mr. Stinchfield, didn’t show it. And Mr. Stinchfield wasn’t mean to Dorian the way he was to almost everyone else.
“Miles! Miles! You’re miles away, Lilly, dear,” said Tobias.
Lilly pulled herself from her thoughts and back to Tobias, who said, “The baby? Tell me more about the baby, my dear.”
“Oh, the baby was very cute, human-looking in a way; large, dark eyes, hands with small fingers, feet and toes. But he was furry. Oh, yes, and he had a very long tail!”
Tobias bolted upright. “A tail?” he snorted. “How interesting. Tell me about his face. Did he have a long, pointed face like an anteater?”
“No, Tobias, he had a flat round face like a monkey.”
Tobias hopped. “Marrrmoset!” he exclaimed. “You saw no ordinary monkey, Lilly. Of course no monkey thinks he’s ordinary. Marrrmoset! The animal you saw may very well be a Marrrmoset.”
“A what?”
“A Marmoset. Marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the world. One species weighs only four ounces full-grown. That’s the size of a small banana.”
Lilly murmured, “So, he wasn’t a baby after all?”
“Rrrright! Exactly and directly right. The animal you saw may have been a full-grown Marmoset. Buy why would a Marmoset show up asleep in a woman’s hairdo in our town? Marmosets belong in the rrrainforests of South America.
“How did she get him then?” asked Lilly. “Do people have Marmosets as pets?”
“Unforrr-tunately,” answered Tobias. “Lilly, did you say the woman called the animal, ‘Buffy’?”
“Yes, Tobias, but that doesn’t matter, does it?”
“It may an important clue, Lilly. But I can’t say more. In fact, it would be dangerous for you to go to the pet store knowing any more than you do. But I promise to tell you everything when the time is right.”
That time was to arrive sooner than anyone expected.
Chapter 25
Lilly stood in front of the real estate office biting her fingernails. “I know you’re nervous, but that looks a little, uhm, unprofessional,” said Dorian. Lilly pulled her fingers out of her mouth.
“I have to go to the Garden Center,” said Dorian. “You’ll be fine, Lilly. Just go in and tell Mrs. Snodgrass her daughter sent you.”
“Because Isadora and I are such good friends?” laughed Lilly. “She’ll never believe that.”
“Give it a try,” said Dorian. “At least you’ll find out if Mrs. Snodgrass is willing to help you with the taxes somehow. If she says ‘no,’ you can tell Isadora the deal is off, and you’re not working in the pet store anymore.”
“I like taking care of the animals in the pet store, Dorian and talking to people about their pets and reading the magazines about animals.”
“Do you like working with Mr. Snodgrass and Isadora?” whispered Dorian.
“No.”
“Do you like not having enough time to look for criminals?”
“No.”
“What about not getting paid?”
“I don’t like that either. Okay, okay, I’ll go in and talk to Mrs. Snodgrass.”
“Look, she just got off the phone,” said Dorian. “Do it now.” The pair had been watching Mrs. Snodgrass through the plate glass window. Her back faced them while she talked on the phone. Several times she’d thrown her head back in a dramatic laugh.
“You can
do it,” Dorian said again as he walked away. Over his shoulder, he watched Lilly take reluctant steps toward the door and yank it open.
Dark furniture filled the office. Mrs. Snodgrass sat at a brown metal desk painted with black streaks in a poor attempt to imitate wood. Mug shots lined the bulletin board. Lilly did a double take, and on second glance realized they were mug shots of houses not criminals.
Mrs. Snodgrass regarded Lilly with neither a smile nor a frown. She had the expression of someone trying to be patient. “Yes?” she said. Lilly stood in front of the desk holding onto the back of a chair. Her tongue was as dry as sandpaper. Lilly stared at Mrs. Snodgrass and was unable to form one word.
“You’re Lilly Wilder, aren’t you?” Lilly nodded. “Am I getting a picture of how you behave with the customers at my husband’s pet store?” asked Mrs. Snodgrass. “Because if I am, you are not an asset.” Lilly shook her head.
“A friend who was in the pet store the other day, told me you gave her good advice about her dog’s skin condition.” Lilly nodded remembering. Lilly ran her tongue along the roof of her mouth. Instead of sandpaper, her tongue felt like cactus now. “Would you like some water, Lilly?”
“Peese,” begged Lilly nodding.
“It’s over there,” said Mrs. Snodgrass pointing at the water cooler. Lilly pushed the tap and filled a paper cup. She gulped down cool water and promptly choked. “Look up,” said Mrs. Snodgrass. Lilly tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. Her coughing spasm quieted.
“Works like magic,” said Mrs. Snodgrass “except when it makes things worse and the person chokes to death. Have a seat, Lilly and tell me why you’re here. I assume you’re not buying a house?”
“Oh, no, I only have $263.74,” said Lilly. “I’m here because the town sent a bill for the taxes, and we can’t pay it. I thought maybe you could get the town off our backs.”
“Get the town off your backs?” repeated Mrs. Snodgrass. Any patience was gone. “How long have you been in Mr. Stinchfield’s class? He’s my husband’s brother, you know.”
“Since kindergarten,” said Lilly, “but it feels longer.”
“My point is,” said Mrs. Snodgrass standing up. “You’ve been in Mr. Stinchfield’s class long enough to learn about taxes. Taxes pay for your education,” Mrs. Snodgrass squeezed the word ‘your’ like it was an accordion. “And taxes pay for your streets, your sheriff, your hospitals, your public library, your fire department.” Again, Mrs. Snodgrass played ‘your’ for all it was worth.
Lilly stood up. “I’m sorry I bothered you, Mrs. Snodgrass. I didn’t think you could help.” She turned to leave.
“Why did you come here then?” asked Mrs. Snodgrass.
“Isadora told me you would help after I told her the town planned to sell our house if we didn’t pay the taxes.”
Mrs. Snodgrass threw up her hands. “Stop! Let me get my bearings. Your house is the ramshackle, haunted affair with the overgrown hedges, yes?”
“Well,” Lilly hesitated, “they’re not ‘overgrown hedges, Mrs. Snodgrass,’ they’re topiaries. Some of them are twenty feet tall and they’re really great!” It felt strange to defend her mother’s topiaries.
“That may be true but people don’t call saying, ‘Can you find me a house with giant bushes shaped like animals?’ Now a new kitchen and new bathrooms will increase the value of your house.”
“But we don’t want to sell our home.”
“So, I gather. Why did my daughter think I could help you?”
“Isadora said you would be able to ‘get the town off our backs’ because you know everyone in town.”
“That sounds like Isadora, just like her father.” Mrs. Snodgrass looked thoughtful. She chewed the end of a pen absentmindedly. “When is the auction?” she asked.
“In twenty-five days,” answered Lilly. “We owe thousands of dollars.”
“Isadora was wrong. I can’t get the town off your back. And if I could, I wouldn’t. But I will think about your dilemma. If I can help you, I will.” She tried to appear sympathetic but wasn’t successful.
“Thank you,” said Lilly with a feeble smile. She closed the door tight as she left. Lilly remembered The Church Lady telling her to shut doors or people would think she was raised in a barn. A barn, thought Lilly. Maybe I could find a barn for us to live in.
When Lilly told Tobias about the meeting, he screeched, “Luke-waaarm! I’m surprised you got as much as you did from Mrs. Snooty-grass!” When Dorian heard about it he punched the air. Still, Lilly felt a smidgen of hope. Mrs. Snodgrass did say she’d help if she could.
For the next two weeks, Lilly worked at the pet store every day. She hoped Isadora would say that her mother had figured out a way to help. Isadora said nothing about it. Lilly concentrated on her other hope, too – finding a criminal and collecting the reward money. Delivering orders for the pet store was a good cover for Lilly. She could walk through town looking for criminals while everyone who saw her thought she was only a delivery girl.
Tobias looked for criminals every day, too, flying greater distances. During one of his daily missions, Tobias flew past Lilly’s school. “How unusual,” Miss Brightman cried. She took the binoculars from the windowsill. “Lilly, look at this beautiful bird.”
It was recess. Lilly was in the Library studying the Wanted poster she’d picked up from Sally the day before.
“What kind of bird could this be?” said Miss Brightman as excited as Lilly had ever seen her. “He’s lime green.”
Lilly joined her at the window, saying, “That’s Tobias. He’s orange on his neck and chest and under his wings, too. His real name is Professor Tobias Roufus-tailed Tuft but he said I could call him, Tobias.”
Lilly realized her mistake and gasped. But Miss Brightman, who continued to look out the window, only laughed and said, “An imagination is a good thing, Lilly.” Miss Brightman stared through the binoculars. “Will you be looking for a home for Tobias, too?” She returned the binoculars to the windowsill. Tobias was out of sight.
“Because if you are,” continued Miss Brightman, “it would be easy to find a home for him. I don’t know what kind he is, but all parrots are popular. I may be able to sell him for you.”
Sell him! What a horrible idea, thought Lilly.
“I would never sell Tobias or even give him away,” said Lilly. “He was my father’s best friend and now he’s mine.” Lilly turned away. Miss Brightman was trying to be helpful, Lilly was sure. But Lilly didn’t want to be reminded how close she was to losing her home and everyone she loved.
Chapter 26
It was Friday and the last day of school before summer vacation. If Mr. Stinchfield handed out awards, Lilly would receive one for perfect attendance. She hadn’t missed a day in three years. It goes without saying the children didn’t expect any awards on the last day or any other, but they also didn’t expect the day to end on the bad note that it did.
“Can you believe it’s almost over?” said Dorian happily as he and Lilly walked to school.
“I can’t wait,” said Lilly trying to sound cheerful but missing the mark. Every day closer to the end of school and the start of summer was also a day closer to the auction and losing her home. It was hard not to think about it when it loomed only eleven days away.
Changing the subject, Dorian said, “Why did you promise to work in the pet store this summer? I thought you and Isadora had a deal; you’d work if her mother helped you keep your house.”
Lilly recounted the conversation she’d had with Mr. Snodgrass. He’d said with Isadora away at camp, he expected Lilly to work longer hours in the pet store. He called it an unpaid internship. Lilly didn’t understand ‘internship,’ but she understood ‘unpaid.’ Lilly agreed to work because she was afraid of him and afraid Mrs. Snodgrass wouldn’t help her if she quit working in the pet store.
Dorian was silent but Lilly knew he was annoyed. She wished he wasn’t. She didn’t like anyone being annoyed with her. She decide
d to think about something else instead. It was a trick she’d learned from Goodie who insisted there was no point dwelling on the negative.
What’s positive today? thought Lilly. Hmm, it’s Friday, the last day of school and the last Library Day. Suddenly. Lilly felt a twinge of happiness. She positively loved Library Day.
Before Mr. Stinchfield left his class in the library, he told them to each study a poem silently, any poem they wanted. Still primed to please Mr. Stinchfield, most of the students ran to the shelves with his poetry.
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