The Librarian of Boone's Hollow - Kim Vogel Sawyer Page 0,6
or, even worse, to their neighbors. The indignity of such an event…Why had God allowed them to suffer so? Tears filled her eyes again. She bit down until she tasted blood, but no amount of biting on her lip could stem the tide. A sob broke from her throat, a second burst out behind it, and she dissolved into a wailing mess.
Feet pattered on the floor, and warm arms surrounded her. “Addie, Addie…” Felicity rocked her the way Mother had when Addie was small and frightened by a storm. “What is it, dear one? Did Dean Crane say something to frighten you? Oh, I should have paid more attention to you than to my silly biology book. I’m so sorry.”
Her parents were burdened with a guilt they shouldn’t have to bear. She wouldn’t leave Felicity to suffer self-recrimination. She pulled loose and wiped her face with the corner of her sheet. “It isn’t your fault. Of course you need to study. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re more important to me than any old test ever could be.” Felicity pushed a strand of hair from Addie’s cheek, then caught hold of her hands. Her full lips formed a sympathetic pout. “I’ve never seen you cry. Something must be horribly wrong. Please tell me. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Addie sniffed hard, her lower lip wobbling. “I doubt there’s anything you can do, but I’ll tell you anyway.” She relayed her conversations with the dean and Mr. Bowles and details from Mother’s letter. As Addie spoke, Felicity’s mouth fell open and her eyebrows shot so high they nearly disappeared beneath her carefully coiffed bangs. Her explanation complete, Addie hung her head and shrugged. “So, there you have it. I’m…expelled, and I have nowhere to go.”
“Barred from class and even from the cafeteria? How uncivilized! What do they expect you to do, starve to death?” Felicity bolted to her feet and paced back and forth in the narrow space between the beds, waving her arms. “The dean of students is supposed to defend students, not defeat them. If Ol’ Ichabod won’t do his job, then I’ll start a petition. I’ll organize a protest. I’ll paint banners and assign students to march in front of the administration building while calling for—”
Addie grabbed Felicity’s arm and pulled her onto the mattress. “You’ll do no such things.”
“But when people know what’s happened to you, they’ll—”
“No, Felicity.”
Felicity twisted loose and glared. “Yes, Addie. It must be done. You must be vindicated.”
Addie took hold of Felicity’s shoulders. “Listen to me. The school can’t allow me to attend classes or eat meals for free. How would that be fair to the students who are paying?” What about the balance she still owed? How would she pay the outstanding bill? She dropped her hands to her lap and heaved a huge sigh. “It’s not Dean Crane’s fault. He’s only doing his job.”
Felicity blinked rapidly. “But, Addie, you’re my best friend in the whole wide world. How can I sit here and do nothing to help?”
Addie sent her a sidelong look. “Do you really want to help?”
“You know I do!”
“Then”—Addie offered a weak grin—“could you maybe sneak me a sandwich from the cafeteria? I didn’t have breakfast, and I’m famished.”
Felicity rose so quickly the mattress bounced. “A sandwich? Oh, no, my dear, I’ll bring you something hot and hearty, even if I have to carry it out in my pockets.” She marched to the door, hands clenched into fists and arms pumping. “Wait here. I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” She paused in the doorway and cast a sorrowful look over her shoulder. “I wish I had lots of money. I’d pay your bill.”
Addie’s heart rolled over in her chest. “You’re a good friend, Felicity. Thank you.”
With a nod, she scurried out of the room.
Addie picked up Mother’s letter. She sniffed, cleared the moisture from her eyes with a sweep of the back of her hand, and focused on Mother’s precise penmanship.
Your daddy and I are praying for you, asking God to comfort your aching heart and to provide for you. We remind ourselves that He is better equipped to meet your needs than we are, and we trust Him to guide and protect you. I do hope you’ll find the time to write. Even if you only want to rail at us and complain, we still want to hear from you.