The Haunted - Jessica Verday [67]
“You need someone to help out now, though, right?” I guessed.
“Only until the first week of August. Then my other regular, Steph, will be back. She’s taking the month off to go backpacking through Europe.” Oh, man. “Uncle Bob, I don’t know. I have school stuff on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I’m working on my business plan for Dad.…”
His face fell. “I understand. I know it’s last minute and all. I never should have mentioned it. No big deal.”
Now I felt terrible. I’d already ditched him once when I’d left Sleepy Hollow to go stay with Aunt Marjorie, and now it was like I was ditching him all over again.
“When would you need me?”
Uncle Bob looked hopeful. “Mondays?” he said. “And maybe Wednesdays and Fridays?” Working three days a week for Uncle Bob and having science sessions with Ben on the other two days was going to seriously cut into my time with Caspian.
“I’ll pay you the same amount as before,” he said quickly, “when you were helping me in the back office. Ten dollars an hour. But don’t tell the other employees. Counter staff are supposed to start at eight.”
Ugh. This wasn’t going to be easy work like filing papers; now I’d be stuck scooping all day? But this was Uncle Bob, and he looked desperate. “I’ll start Monday,” I said. “But only until August. After that you’re on your own.”
He grinned and came over to give me a bear hug. “Thanks, Abbey. It really means a lot to your old uncle.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled. “You just remember this when I come around asking for a loan to buy a car.”
He winked, and I followed him out of the house, back toward the tent.
“Don’t let Lurlene get her claws into you,” I whispered. “She’s got a wicked grip. And a cane.”
“I know,” he said. “I’ve already felt it.”
We approached the tables, and I hid behind Uncle Bob, trying to use his girth as a shield.
But it didn’t work.
“Abigail Amelia!” Lurlene crowed as soon as she spotted me. “Come sit over here by me and your father, girl. I want you to be the one to get my food.” I thought about refusing. Or using the momo excuse. But Mom was giving me the look, and I knew I was doomed.
Dragging feet that felt like they were encased in cement shoes, I made my way over to Lurlene and sat down next to her. Her vulture claw descended rapidly, and she squeezed with delight, sending me a toothy grin.
I just sat there, counting down the seconds until this stupid picnic would be over, and wishing to God that I had a pair of steel-toed boots and arm guards on.
Later that night we finally pulled into our own driveway, and I breathed a happy sigh of relief. “Did I tell you that she pinched my arm?” I asked Mom on the way inside the house.
“Yes, Abbey. Three times.”
“I’ll probably have bruises tomorrow. And my toe will be black and blue.” Mom unlocked the door, and Dad was right behind us. “That’s child abuse, you know. I could tell social services.”
They both headed to the stairs and started up.
“Good night, Abbey. See you in the morning,” Dad said. They were clearly not hearing me.
“If I’m still here,” I called after them. “I might be with the agency. That’s all I’m saying.” A slamming door was the only response I got, and I wandered over to the couch. I turned the TV on and flipped through it, finally landing on a Friends rerun. I wasn’t the least bit tired yet.…
When I woke up, it was almost three a.m., and I had to drag myself upstairs to my bedroom. I kept yawning the whole way, and I pitched headfirst onto my bed, not even bothering to take off my shoes or crawl under the covers. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep.
Of course, then my shoulder started cramping, twisted at an odd angle, and my pillow was lumpy. I rearranged myself and punched my pillow into a new shape.
Then I started to get too