“Don’t look so serious, Clara Sue. It makes people suspicious,” Aaron said, reaching for my hand to lead me out of my bedroom.
I rose and followed Aaron down to Grandpa, who, despite his success and his power, was unaware of the deception Aaron was creating right before his eyes.
“Well,” Grandpa said, perhaps surprised at the sight of us so soon. “Get the tour, did you?”
“A little. I think the layout of your house is much smarter than ours,” Aaron said. “Our guest bedrooms are very close to my sister’s, mine, and my parents’ bedrooms. Not that we have that many guests,” he quickly added. “Dad has this big sign up in the entryway. ‘Guests and fish smell in three days. Benjamin Franklin.’ ”
Grandpa laughed. “Very wise. My office is just down here,” he said, rising and pointing to the right. Aaron took my hand again, something that Grandpa didn’t miss, and we followed him out.
Was Aaron right? Was my grandfather showing him all this just because of his constant competition with Aaron’s father? There was talk occasionally of my grandfather running for mayor of Prescott, and almost every time I had heard that, Aaron’s father was mentioned as another possible candidate.
Aaron was so good at his reactions that I couldn’t tell if he really was impressed with my grandfather’s pictures of famous Virginia politicians, U.S. senators, and Navy officers. Grandpa had chamber of commerce awards, letters and plaques, and a national Better Business Bureau award. And then there were his pictures with famous baseball players and one with his favorite movie actor, Humphrey Bogart. And of course, there were the trophies for the landscape award. Grandpa had to mention that Aaron’s father hadn’t won one yet.
“He thinks he will this year,” Aaron said. “He’s been planning on some dramatic changes on the property.”
“Is that so?” Grandpa said. “We’ll see.”
Aaron looked at his watch. “I’d better get going. My sister’s coming home for Thanksgiving a little early, and we’re kind of close. I’d never admit it, but I miss her.”
“That so?” Grandpa said. His admiration for Aaron seemed to have no limit.
“Yes, sir. Thanks for showing me all this, Mr. Arnold, and thanks for inviting me to dinner.”
“You’re welcome,” Grandpa said.
I walked Aaron out.
“Your grandfather isn’t as tough as you think,” he said when we were at his car. “Anyone who wants to help a little boy like that has soft spots, Clara Sue.”
“Don’t underestimate him, Aaron. Those who do regret it.”
Aaron looked a little taken aback. Despite everything Grandpa had done that upset me, I had to come to his defense, and quickly, too. Actually, I didn’t like deceiving him.
“I’ll be careful,” Aaron said. “I’ll call you in the morning to see if the chains have been taken off you since my political performance. Maybe we’ll go to a movie or something.”
He kissed me quickly and got into his car. He looked so confident and, for a moment, unattractive. I watched him drive off and then lowered my head and started to walk back into the house.
I looked up quickly when Grandpa said, “Very polite young man.”
“Yes,” I said.
“Hard to believe he’s Lester Podwell’s son, but sometimes the apple does fall far from the tree, especially if the tree’s at the top of a hill.” I knew he was really thinking more about Uncle Bobby.
“Everyone should be his or her own person, Grandpa.”
“Hmm,” he said. “I like how he was with William. Seeing other young people could help him recuperate faster. When he’s more able, you and Aaron might do some things with him, even if it’s just around here.”
I stared at him. He was walking right into Aaron’s plan. Why didn’t I feel happier about it?
“Anyway, your punishment’s over, but don’t let something like that happen again,” he warned, and returned to his office.
I started up the stairs. The door to Willie’s bedroom was slightly ajar, but the room was dark. I didn’t pause to look in at Count Piro. When I got to my bedroom, I flopped onto my bed and looked up at the ceiling.
As I lay there thinking, I felt as if the burden of all my rage had slipped away. Ever since Willie’s death, I clung to anger. It was a shield, helping me block any other emotion from taking hold of me. I still wanted to keep sadness at arm’s length, leave it outside my door if I could, but what I hadn’t expected to feel so strongly right now was guilt.
Aaron’s sudden interest and determination were putting me off when I should have been encouraged by them. I had my ally, someone in whom I could confide all my troubled feelings, someone who would sympathize and understand my feelings and resentments, didn’t I? He was better than Lila, who, deep down, wasn’t really that concerned. Yet the way I had come to my grandfather’s defense just before seemed to open another door, one I had been ignoring.
Despite everything that was happening, I really didn’t like conspiring against my family, against those who loved me in this house. It even bothered me now to take advantage of Dorian Camden. Yet Aaron was planning that we would go behind Grandpa’s back and work on Count Piro until we had the information that would send him away.