Lauren Takes Leave by Gerstenblatt, Julie (ebooks children's books free txt) 📕

brilliant Ruby-like smile at thecrowd. “For my life’s leading man? You know I’ll do anything!”

The float is making steady progress up Collins Avenue. Katand Lenny get my text, and, a few minutes later, they are running alongside usand hop on. The four of us stand atop the float and wave to the crowds andcameras as we scout for signs of Jodi, her grandmother, and the bodyguards.

“This is surreal,” Lenny voices for all of us.

“Sort of like that time we shroomed senior year,” I add.

“At Disneyland. I remember it fondly. I thought you wereGoofy.”

“I am!”

I’ve never been in the midst of so much action. Standingon the float gives us a great view of the whole stretch of road, the beach oneblock over, and swarms and swarms of festively-attired people. Voices call outto us as if we actually belong on the Crypt Ranger float.

We’ve reached the middle of the parade route, it seems,where bleachers and a bandstand have been set up. News vans with camera crewsfrom local television stations are parked down a side street. Our float slowsdown and then stops as the parade’s MC announces our arrival. Surprisingly,he’s dressed in a suit and tie.

“That man is rather formal for this occasion, no?” I askDixie.

“That’s KD Lang,” she points out. “Always dresses like anundertaker, what can I say?”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” KD begins, “may I present DixieNormous as Ruby Richmond as Jenni Bale: Crypt Ranger!” The crowd explodes intodeafening cheers. Dixie cocks a machine gun and sprays fake bullets overeveryone’s heads.

“And…who’s this?” KD continues, noticing our famouscompanion. Tim waves tentatively at her. “Why…I believe that Ruby brought herdelicious family man, Tim Cubix, along for the ride today!”

The crowd goes nuts. Dixie grabs Tim and smacks a wet kisson him, and I am reminded of Kat and Shay at Wednesday night’s fortiethbirthday party.

“Great costumes, Rubix Cube!” KD winks. I wonder if sheknows it’s really Tim with Dixie.

The float lurches forward an inch and is about to startmoving again, when we hear shouting behind us. “Hold that float!” someonecalls. The chant picks up voices along the way and pretty soon everyone aroundus is cheering it: “Hold that float! Hold that float!” It’s like we’re at abaseball game when everyone starts in on “Let’s go, Yankees!”

Kat and I rush to the back of the float to see what’s up.

Coming toward us are Tweedledee and Tweedledum, bearingSonia’s casket high over their heads. Behind them I can just about make outJodi’s auburn head as the sun glints off it, walking unsteadily on last night’sstrappy, high-heeled sandals. Her feet must be killing her.

People part to let them through as the bodyguards heavethe plain pine box onto the float. We take Jodi by the hands and get heraboard. Some of the actors around us help move the casket so it’s safelypositioned toward the middle.

Jodi looks like she might faint. We find a crate for herto sit down on. Someone passes her a canteen of water. After taking a deepgulp, she scans the street below. Finding Tim’s bodyguards in the crowd, sheblows kisses at them and then mouths “Thank you.”

One of them puts his hand over his heart. The other wavesher gratitude away, as if carrying a casket ten blocks in ninety-degree heat isno big deal. He’s dripping sweat like rain.

“Okay!” Tweedledee shouts, hitting the side of the floatlike it’s a tractor. “Start her up!”

Our float starts its gentle glide again.

Music begins as the next float in line takes center stage.It’s the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” and it makes me want to dance, only I’m notcoupled off. Kat and Tim twist into each other, leaving Lenny to dance withDixie. He gives a shrug my way and goes for it.

I take a seat next to Jodi and put my arm around her.“It’s going to be fine.” I say. “I’m like ninety-seven percent sure.”

I can’t help but notice that the big guys are going toremain close to Tim. They each move to one side of the float and act as ourpersonal escorts up the avenue.

It takes another ten minutes to get to the Loews. The endof the parade route is near and the crowd has thinned out substantially at thispoint. I can see our hotel’s mammoth white façade and do a mental cheer thatwe’ve made it this far.

Tim motions to Lenny. A whispered huddle follows, Lennybending down quite a bit in order to get eye-to-eye with Tim. I notice Lennynodding his head in agreement as Tim passes him a slip of paper. Theconversation ends with a handshake–arm bump, hug, slap-on-the-back combo, thelikes of which I’ve never seen.

Then Tim turns to us. “You guys jump off here and gopack,” he instructs. “I’ll have my driver meet you outside the hotel in fifteenminutes.”

“But what about…” Jodi begins.

“My guys will get Sonia safely off this thing and into theHummer. You’ll all drive together to the airport. I’m staying in Florida, forwork.” He looks at me and smiles. I give him the thumbs-up. He’s got to go backon set and deal head-on with whatever problems he’s got. It’s that kind ofday for all of us, Tim, I want to say. A day to face the snakes in ourlives.

Tim stops and looks at Jodi, taking her by the hands. Shelooks away, somewhat theatrically. I think I see a hint of a smile under allthat lovely red hair, but I can’t be certain.

“I know you don’t trust me anymore, Jo,” Tim says, as weall hang on his every word and her every response. “I know you probably can’teven stand me. So I’ll promise on Lauren’s good name instead of mine. I promiseto take care of your grandmother.”

Jodi tosses her hair over one shoulder and looks Tim inthe eyes. “Whatever, Lex.” She pretends nonchalance, but her eyes are brimmingwith tears.

“Thanks for trusting me,” he says. Then he leans over andkisses her on the forehead.

“Aw,” Kat coos.

I think I hear the sound of a camera’s click, but thatwould be impossible to make out over the rush and roar of the crowd. Wouldn’tit?

Chapter 26

If my life story were