Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Iris
I set my alarm a full forty-five minutes early. There’s no chance of getting woken up with?—
* THWAP*
It’s basically torture at this point.
“Yeah, yeah, golden shimmer, ooh , it’s so magical, wowee wow wow.” I begrudgingly whip the covers off to find the newspaper, fully opened, hovering about three feet over my bed. The riddle about Joy is in large font now, taking up both the left and right sides of the pages.
“I have a plan,” I say to the newspaper, talking to it like it’s a person. “And I’m actually excited about it, so how about you quit hitting me in the face?!”
The paper then ripples, the sound a mixture of paper rustling and chimes, and starts to break apart in its typical magical fashion.
The last word to disappear is JOY , lingering on that until the whole newspaper is finely dissipated in a cloud of golden sparkles.
Joy , I think. Let’s find some for her.
It’s Monday morning, and I’m heading to work with a singular focus—to connect Joy with Mr. Kincaid and get her the job at the school.
No idea if she’s even qualified. No clue if this is the right thing to do.
But I have a feeling.
I shouldn’t be surprised when I walk into the hallway just as Joy is rushing in with Alice. I smile at them, noting that Joy looks even more exhausted than the last time I saw her. I think back to the early days after my dad left, and I feel instant sympathy for her.
It’s hard to keep things going when you’re falling apart.
“Good morning, Alice,” I say brightly. “How was your weekend?”
Alice gives me a little shrug.
“You know what I found out?” I ask. “We’re neighbors! We live in the same building.”
Joy meets my eyes, an almost scared expression on her face. “Oh, we’re just helping my great aunt move into a long-term care facility.” She rests a hand on Alice’s shoulder. “She’s . . . well, she’s collected a lot of things over her life, and . . . it’s too much work for her, and—” She stops talking, and I imagine what she might’ve said if she hadn’t.
And we had nowhere else to go , maybe?
I nod, but my attention wanders when Charles walks into the hallway.
“Oh, Mr. Kincaid!” I wave toward him. “I wanted to let you know plans for the end-of-year art show are underway, and I think the kids are excited for it.”
“Wonderful,” he says, then sighs. “At least one of the fine arts departments is doing well.”
My eyes dart to Joy, then back to Charles. “Right, yeah, I heard Miss Acker had to move back to Arizona.” I look at Joy. “She was the music teacher. Her mother fell and broke her hip. ”
“Ouch,” Joy says.
“Ouch is right,” Charles says. “We have a spring concert in just a few months.”
“And also . . . a broken hip ,” I say intently and quietly.
Charles winces. “Right! Of course. That too.”
I look at Joy. “You don’t know anyone qualified to teach music, do you?” I feel a little like an attorney leading the witness, but I have to play this hunch.
But then Joy says, “I don’t. I’m sorry.”
I frown. “You don’t? Are you sure?” Because really—is she sure?
Her slight smile reads as polite. “I’m sure.”
“Hmm. I thought . . .” But I don’t finish the sentence because what am I going to say? I thought the magic clues were pointing me in your direction because one of the R-sisters told me you play guitar? Maybe I got it wrong.
On the upside, I’ll be needing that Magic Mentor a little while longer. On the downside, I got it wrong.
But then Alice tugs on Joy’s hand. “Mom, you could do it.”
Joy’s face reddens. “Oh, no, honey, I don’t think I’m qualified.”
“But you’re teaching me piano,” Alice says. “And you sing all the time.”
Joy’s laugh is nervous. “But I’m not a teacher.” She looks at me. “I’m not a teacher.”
Right. I mean, being able to sing doesn’t make you qualified to teach. I glance at Charles. “Maybe you could hire her as a long-term sub?”
“Now, there’s an idea,” Charles says. “Are you looking for a job?”
“I have been, yes,” Joy says. “But?—”
“You’d have the same hours as Alice,” I cut in. “And you’d get to see her during the day. ”
Alice looks up and slips her hand into her mom’s. “Do it, Mommy,” she whispers.
“If you have the time, we could talk about the job right now,” Charles says. “No pressure, I’ll just give you the basics so you can make an informed decision.”
“Uh, yeah,” Joy says. “Sure.”
“Great.” He gives her a nod, then sticks out his hand. “I’m Charles.”
She laughs, but I don’t miss the tears in her eyes, and I wonder if the prospect of finding a job that won’t require late hours away from Alice is overwhelming. “Joy Standish.” She shakes his hand, and a wave of happiness washes over me.
What if this actually works?
“I can take Alice to class,” I say with a glance at the little girl.
“Thank you, Iris.” Charles motions for Joy to follow him into the main office, and before she goes, she gives Alice a quick hug and kisses the top of her head.
I can practically see the burden on both of their shoulders lifting.
Because I took the time to pay attention.
Alice watches for a second as her mom follows Charles, then looks at me.
“Well, that’s exciting,” I say. “It would be fun to have your mom in school, wouldn’t it?”
And for the first time since I met her, Alice smiles.
It warms my entire soul.
It’s enough to set the tone for my entire day. I walk on sunshine through the rest of my classes, anxious to share all of this with Matteo as soon as possible. I think about texting him—this is why I demanded he put his number in my phone before I left yesterday—but decide I want to tell him in person. I want him to hear the joy in my voice when I relay this news because—What in the world?! The magic is legit !
That afternoon, I get caught up working on details for the art show and leave work a little later than usual, so I rush straight to Aria and park in the back because I know they’re not open yet.
I turn off the car and stare at the back entrance. There’s a sign on it that says “Staff Only,” which, I am very aware, does not include me.
I tap the steering wheel. You don’t belong here, Iris.
But…I have to tell him Joy got the job at the school. That the magic just made her life ten times better. That Alice smiled.
But . . . he won’t like me walking through that door.
I pull out my phone and shoot him a text.
Iris
Hey, I’m in the parking lot with a magic update. Is it okay if I come in quick?
I stare at my phone, waiting for a reply. It doesn’t come.
He’s right. I’m not patient. I get out of the car, lock it, and walk toward the door.
My phone buzzes, and I freeze, expecting Matteo’s answer, but it’s a text from Joy.
I might’ve hovered outside Charles’s office during my free period trying to hear the outcome of her interview.
When his door opened and I heard the words, “We’re glad to have you on board, Mrs. Standish,” I might’ve let out a tiny little squeal.
As if I could be expected to contain my excitement over this. I gave Joy my number and told her we’d get together and go over everything she needs to know about working at Spring Brook.
Now, I stare down at the words on my screen, and once again, my eyes cloud over.
Joy
Iris, I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to Charles and encouraging me to take the interview. I haven’t thought about teaching for years, and I never would’ve applied without your prompting, but it’s the perfect place for me right now. I’ve been searching for a job for weeks, but everything I’ve found would require long stretches of time away from Alice, and I just can’t do that to her when things are so uncertain. Iris. You’re a lifesaver. I can’t thank you enough.
I smile. I sit, and I smile, and I feel warm and important and part of something bigger than me.
I tear up at the words as I read them for a second time, then text back:
Iris
I was so happy to help. And remember, if you have any questions, my door—and my phone—are always open. Let’s get together this week, and you’ve got a standing invitation to eat lunch with me. :)
Joy
I’m so nervous!
Iris
You’re going to be amazing!!
I click my phone off. I know Matteo won’t be as excited about this as I am, but this is a big deal! We actually helped make someone’s life better. How can he not see what a cool gift this is?
I hold my breath and knock on the door. When no one answers, I give it a tug, surprised to find it open. I’m expecting chaos in the kitchen, but instead, I’m met with near-silence and an empty space.
It hits me then that it’s about a half an hour before they open.
Family dinner.
My body tenses, fight or flight, feeling like I’m somewhere I shouldn’t be. Like I’m searching through someone’s desk and they’re about to walk in and catch me.
I hear clinking dishes and the low hum of chatter coming from somewhere beyond the kitchen.
I don’t leave. I listen.
The muted laughter, the sharing of stories, the ease and familiarity—I wonder what it’s like to have people to eat dinner with every night. I let myself imagine it, and a wave of nostalgic loneliness washes over me.
Then, suddenly, the kitchen door swings open and Val walks in, freezing when she sees me.
“Oh! Shoot! Hi!” I try to make my voice sound as pleasant—and non-stalkery—as possible. “I’m so sorry, I was, uh . . . looking for Matteo, and I knew you were closed so I came in through the back. I tried texting, but?—”
She waves me off. “No response, right?”
I shrug.
“That man never has his phone.” Val shakes her head, then grabs a pan from the stove. “Have you eaten?”
I don’t bother reminding her that this is not dinner time for normal people. It’s impossible to walk into this kitchen and not want to eat. Still, I didn’t come looking for free food. I won’t tell Matteo, but I’ve got a frozen pizza and a Caesar salad waiting in my apartment.
“I’m fine, I promise,” I say. “If you could just grab him for me real quick, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” she says, beaming. “Come eat! We’re all dying to find out more about the girl who put a smile back on Chef’s face.”
Wait. What?
I laugh that off and shove my hands into my pockets. “Oh, I don’t have that kind of power.”
“I beg to differ.” Val raises one eyebrow and stares me down. “I know Teo better than anyone, and trust me—there’s been a change recently. You’re the only new thing in his life, so . . . you do the math.”
“I think you’re giving me too much credit.” I lean in. “I think I really annoy him.”
She laughs. “We’ll see.” She starts toward the door, and when I don’t budge, she glances at me. “You coming?”
This is probably a bad idea.
But, for some inexplicable reason, I follow her through the door and into the private room off to the side of the restaurant.
The laughter fades as I step into their space.Matteo’s back is to me, and as they all go quiet, he turns.
Our eyes meet, and I expect annoyance. Frustration. Anything to tell me that I’ve crossed a line.
To my utter shock, he almost smiles. “Iris?” He stands. “What are you doing here?”
All eyes are on me. And Matteo. All eyes are on me and Matteo.
“I’m so sorry. Hi, everyone, hi.” I give a little wave.
There’s a slight pause, and then the room explodes in Heyo’s! and Benvenuti! and Iris! and several stand to come over and hug me.
Over the din, I try to tell Matteo, “I just wanted to give you an update about that mom in our building.” I say this with a hint of you know the one I mean , almost like we have a secret. Because we sort of do. Which I pause to acknowledge because I like having a secret with him .
There’s a wave of overlapping comments about sitting me down and getting me fed. Val wraps an arm around me. “That’s great, but first, we’re going to feed you.” She looks at Bear. “Grab her a chair, would you?” Then, to everyone: “Make room! Come on, come on, for Iris.”
The chatter resumes. I catch Nicola’s eye, and she smiles, giving me a wink and a wave. They scoot around the table, easily, like they always do this—happily shifting positions to make room for one more person.
Me.
It’s a small thing that feels very, very big.
Because for the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong.