Free Trail of Secrets by Brenda Chapman Page B

Her eyes were red-rimmed, as though she’d been crying.
    â€œHe’s been better. They’ll be taking him by ambulance to Toronto General today for bypass surgery. Mrs. Stoyko is sleeping now, but she’ll be going too. We were at the Springhills Hospital until three this morning.”
    â€œAre you okay, Roxie?”
    Roxie nodded. A look of resignation settled across her face. “I guess this is the end of my gig in Springhills, though. The Stoykos won’t want me here now that they’re having a family crisis. Believe me, I’ve been through this enough times to know.”
    I reached up and put my arms around her stiff shoulders to give her a hug. “I’m sorry, Roxie,” I said. Already I was thinking about asking her to stay with us while the Stoykos were in Toronto. I’d have to call Dad and clear it with him first before asking Mrs. Stoyko and Roxie. I couldn’t imagine him saying no.
    Dad came as soon as he heard. Mrs. Stoyko talked to him for a few minutes in the kitchen but was in a hurry because her daughter and son-in-law had just arrived from Hamilton to take her to Toronto. Mrs. Stoyko was relieved that we were taking Roxie so that she wouldn’t have to make any big decisions yet.
    Roxie had retreated into silence and didn’t return Mrs. Stoyko’s farewell hug. She sat quietly in the back seat all the way to our house. When we pulled into the driveway, Dad said gently, “You can stay in Leslie’s room. The bed is made up, and it would do you good to get some more sleep. I’ll wake you if we hear any news. Mrs. Stoykopromised she’d let us know if there are any changes.”
    Roxie had the car door open even before the car had completely stopped moving. “Whatever,” she said. Once inside the house, she disappeared into Leslie’s bedroom and shut the door with a bang.
    Dad and I sat at the kitchen table talking for a bit.
    â€œGive her some space,” Dad said. “Mrs. Stoyko told me that Roxie and Mr. Stoyko have developed a real bond, even in this short time. Mrs. Stoyko is worried about how his heart attack is going to affect Roxie.”
    â€œOkay, Dad,” I said. “I sure hope Mr. Stoyko gets better and they keep Roxie.”
    â€œMe too, Jennifer,” Dad said. “But there are no guarantees.”

CHAPTER TWELVE
    Roxie refused to go with me to the Raven that night, even after I said I would stay home if she wouldn’t come. Dad and Uncle Phil were supposed to go to a hospital dance, but Dad said he’d stay home too if Roxie wasn’t going with me. That bit of blackmail worked its magic, and she finally caved.
    She came out of her room just before eight dressed in blue jeans and an emerald green T-shirt with gold letters that spelled “Superstar” across the front. She’d pulled her pink and red hair back into a ponytail and hadn’t bothered to put on the layers of mascara and eye shadow she usually wore.
    â€œYou look pretty, Roxie,” I said, and I meant it.
    She gave me a lopsided grin. “You mean pretty bad, don’t you?”
    Dad said, “No, I’m sure she means pretty as in good. You girls both look great. Have some fun, and I’ll see you back here around eleven thirty.”
    I reached up and straightened Dad’s collar. He was wearing a blue denim shirt and tan pants. He smelled of spicy aftershave. “You have fun too, Dad.” We were telling each other to have a good time as though we’d all forgotten how.

    Ambie waved us over. She’d saved us two seats at her table, which was directly in front of the stage. As we slid into our chairs, I looked up. A girl from my French class was belting out a song that sounded vaguely familiar. After a few seconds, I looked around. Rosemary and Cindy raised their hands in greeting and mouthed hello. I looked across at Roxie. She was watching the girl on stage intently. When she saw me