The Reckless Club Read online

  Tilting her head, she says in a higher voice, “How can we aid the elderly today?”

  Wiping the smile from her face, Lilith continues with the stage narration. “The students are paired with elderly patients. Lilith listens attentively while Agnes, the knitting old lady she is partnered with, babbles on and on about oatmeal.” Again, Lilith adopts a wide-eyed, smiling face as she shifts into character.

  “Oh, I just know you love oatmeal!” Lilith’s face fills in with red. Her smile wobbles at the edges. Her wide eyes almost bulge. Finally, she lets out a guttural yell. “Even Meryl wouldn’t be able to do anything with this material!”

  “Lily?” someone—Ally by the sounds of it—shouts through the door. “Are you in there?”

  For a moment, Lilith considers not answering. Then she shrugs. Maybe something interesting is happening out there.

  She marches over to the door, flings it open, and stops it from swinging shut with her heel. Ally stands in front of her with the hair around her forehead a little sweat splattered, as if she just finished working out. Lilith would never allow someone to see her sweat. Lilith crosses her arms. “Have you decided to actually do your part and help write the skit?”

  “The what?” Ally pushes past Lilith and into one of the stalls. Lilith lets the door shut as Ally squats on one of the toilets.

  “Do you mind?” Lilith gasps. Ally is peeing without even closing the door to the stall.

  “Oh, sorry. Whatever.” Ally tips the stall door closed with her fingertips. “I had to go.”

  “Yes, but I’m right here!”

  “Spend some time in a locker room. You’d get over privacy issues real quick,” Ally says as she flushes. She brushes by Lilith to scrub at her hands. Instead of drying them with a paper towel, she pushes them back through her hair.

  Again Lilith shudders. “No, thank you.” A little coconut oil would go a long way in Ally’s sun-bleached, underconditioned hair.

  “Listen,” Ally says, “Wes needs our help.”

  “And I care because…?”

  Ally shakes out the remaining stray flecks of water from her fingers. “Fine, stay here, talking to yourself in the mirror.”

  “You heard that?” Lilith screeches.

  “Duh.” Ally turns to the mirror. She flexes her biceps. “Just checking out my muscles…”

  “It was stage direction,” Lilith stammers. “I didn’t—”

  “Whatever.” Ally laughs. “I honestly do not care what you think of me. Like, even a little.”

  Lilith straightens. Her mouth sets into a hard line. “Great.”

  “Great,” Ally echoes. “Let’s go.”

  Ally stands at the door, holding it open for Lilith. For a second, Lilith hesitates. Then she sighs.

  “Fine. But only because we’re desperate for material.”

  10:01 a.m.

  WES “The Flirt”

  Finally Ally, with Lilith sulking behind her, comes down the hall to the lobby where the day had begun.

  “Awesome,” Wes says. “We’re all here.”

  Rex leans against the wall, arms crossed and scowl fixed. “This is such a bad idea.”

  Wes ignores her. “Here’s the deal. Teddy Bear Nurse is bad news.”

  “Teddy Bear Nurse?” Lilith asks.

  “The nurse wearing teddy bear scrubs,” Jason translates.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Ally pulls a hacky sack from her pocket and drops it down onto the top of her foot, dribbling it up and down, then kicking it in a perfect arch to her other foot.

  “She’s an evil, thieving—” Rex grumbles.

  “She steals stuff,” Wes interrupts. “Important stuff. From patients.”

  “So let’s tell Hardy,” Jason says. “Or that manager, Mrs. Mitchell.”

  “Won’t work,” Rex says. “Hardy doesn’t care about anything going on here; he’s only here to make our lives miserable and prove to his sister that he’s better at taking care of us than she is at taking care of residents. And Mrs. Mitchell? I’ve told her, at least a dozen times. She says we don’t have any proof—that Teddy Bear Nurse is the most reliable worker they have. And none of the residents have reported anything as missing.”

  “Wait.” Ally puts up her hand. “What do you mean you told her a dozen times? I mean, I thought this was the only day we had to volunteer.”

  Wes clears his throat. “Rex has been here before today, okay? That’s not important right now. What’s important is that we have a chance to make a difference. We can be the ones who prove TBN is no good.”

  “Spare us the campaign-rally speech, Mr. Class President.” Ally catches the hacky sack and shoves it into her back pocket.

  “Look,” Rex says, “if you don’t want to help, don’t. We’ll do it without you.”

  “We?” Wes winks at Rex, who rolls her eyes.

  “Well, what makes you think she’s stealing stuff?” Lilith asks.

  Jason arches an eyebrow at her then squints.

  “What?” Lilith asks, catching his glance.

  Jason brushes his knuckles across his cheek. “You have something, just… there.”

  Lilith’s hand flies to her cheek and into a glob of red lip gloss. Lilith quickly swipes at the glob, turning it into a much more noticeable ruby-red smear across her cheek, and turns away from Jason.

  “We know she’s stealing stuff because Rex says she is,” Wes announces, again in his class-president leaving-no-room-for-questions voice. “So we need to catch TBN in the act.”

  “How are we supposed to do that?” Lilith’s voice is a long whine.

  Wes pauses for a second, eyes snagging on the red streak across Lilith’s face. Lilith’s lips bend in a knowing smile, and he quickly looks away.

  Rex rakes her hand through her hair, then digs out a tissue from her pocket. She thrusts it at Lilith and, with the other hand, motions across her cheek. “You’ve got junk on your face.”

  Lilith’s mouth pops open and her face flares bright red as she grabs the tissue. She scrubs at her cheek.

  “What?” Rex snorts. “Thought he was distracted by your beauty, Drama Queen?”

  Lilith’s blush deepens as Rex laughs.

  “Leave her alone,” Ally says.

  Rex smirks, but gestures to Wes. “Keep going, Ding.”

  Lilith whispers thanks to Ally, whose mouth screws up in response before turning back to Wes.

  “Ding?” Wes says. She sticks her pointer in her cheek and twists. Wes grins, flashing the dimple. To the rest of them, he says, “Listen, we’ve got to team up. If TBN thinks we’re on to her, we’re not going to catch her.”

  “Catch her doing what?” Ally asks.

  “Stealing stuff from patients.” Rex, who had resumed leaning against the wall, stands upright. Wes notices a shift in how Rex is carrying herself suddenly, like she is shaken out of her usual armor. Only instead of holding her upright and tense, that armor is what keeps her constantly looking bored and, well, scary. This Rex, standing now with eyes darting to each of them, is new. She rakes a hand through her short, choppy hair, as if deciding what to say next. In a softer voice, she adds, “She goes for the ones who are too out there or too weak to stop her. She takes little stuff that they might not even miss for a long time.”

  “Like what?” Jason looks up from his shoes.

  “Jewelry.” Rex rubs at a spot just under her neck. “I know she takes jewelry. I’m not sure what else. Stuff that she can slip into her pocket.”

  “What are we supposed to do if we catch her?” Lilith twirls her bracelet around her wrist.

  “Use your phone to take a photo of her in the act, if you can,” Wes says.

  “And follow her.” Rex leans toward them a little. “She puts the stuff somewhere, a locker maybe? I’ve seen her tuck things in her pocket—even called her out on it to Mrs. Mitchell—but when Mitchell told her to turn out her pockets, they were empty. So I think she hides it somewhere as soon as possible so she’s not caught with it.”r />
  “So we catch her and then go to Mrs. Mitchell with the evidence?” Ally bounces like she can’t wait to get going.

  “No!” Rex cuts in as Wes says yes. Wes steps away from the intensity of Rex’s glare. “No, we have to figure out where she’s putting the stuff. She’ll just get rid of the evidence and I’ll never—”

  “You’ll never what?” Jason asks.

  Again Rex rubs at the spot under her neck. She shudders. “Nothing.”

  “I still don’t understand,” Lilith says, crossing her arms. “How do you know this nurse?”

  Rex crosses her arms and leans back against the wall. “Think this is my first time serving detention for Hardy?”

  Armor back on, Wes notes.

  “But isn’t this the first time he’s sent people here for detention?” Ally asks. “I mean, I thought this was a summer break thing. Like, an experiment. That’s what he told my dad, anyway.”

  Rex snorts. “Is it so hard to believe that Mr. Hardy would lie?” She sighs, her chest rising and falling. Rex twists her neck, making popping sounds that make Wes wince and prompt Ally to twist her own neck. Rex glances down the hall, not making eye contact with any of them. “Look, if you don’t want to help, don’t. I don’t need you.”

  Wes moves closer, tilting his head so Rex is forced to look at him. “We want to help.” To the rest of them, he says, “Right?”

  “Right,” Jason says.

  Ally shrugs. “It’s not like we have anything better to do.”

  “Except write an entire play!” Lilith whines.

  “Fine, so Lily’s out,” Wes says. He shakes his head at Lilith. “Go back and sit in the cafeteria like a good little girl.”

  Her nostrils flaring and teeth clenched, Lilith grumbles, “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.” She tosses her hair behind her shoulder. “But if I’m doing this, you all have to help me with the skit. And if you think I’m going to be the one to write the letter about all the things we’ve learned, you’re so wrong.”

  Wes smiles and nods. “Sounds fair. Right?” He glances around at the rest of the group.

  Ally and Jason nod.

  “Whatever,” Rex grumbles.

  “Great,” Wes says. “So here’s the plan.”

  10:04 a.m.

  LILITH “The Drama Queen”

  “This plan sucks.” Lilith slumps on the vinyl couch and crosses her arms and legs.

  “It’s not that bad,” Jason says.

  “You’re not the one being used as bait.” Lilith huffs.

  “Stop pouting,” Rex says. “You’re not bait; your bracelet is.”

  “This bracelet is vintage.” Lilith holds up her wrist, twisting it so everyone can see the thick gold bangle. Well, she is telling them it is gold, anyway. Who knows what it really is? She picked it up at the same flea market where she got her handbag. Her mom called it a waste of money and pointed out that Lilith had a half dozen real gold bracelets she never wore, even as she put yet another dusty copy of To Kill a Mockingbird on the counter. Her dida had given Lilith her first gold bracelet the day she was born, but she keeps that and the rest of her real jewelry tucked away in a box on her dresser and only ever wears the fake stuff. That way, it doesn’t hurt at all if it breaks or no one compliments her on wearing it.

  Squeaky footsteps from the hall clue them in that they’re about to be interrupted. Wes straightens in the chair, plastering a wide, open smile on his face. Ally sits next to Lilith. Jason glances at the cushion next to Ally, but sits in the chair opposite Wes. Rex doesn’t move.

  “There you are!” Mrs. Mitchell bursts into the room and throws up her hands. “I’ve been looking all over this blasted place for the five of you!”

  Lilith blinks. “Where else would we be?”

  Mrs. Mitchell bounces on her heels. “I just told y’all to go to the restrooms! Why wouldn’t you come back to the cafeteria?”

  Again Lilith answers for the group. “You seemed to have your hands full in there. We thought it’d be best to stay out of the way, here, and wait for Mr. Hardy to come back.”

  Mrs. Mitchell puts up her hands like stop signs and waves them back and forth. “No, no, no. No need to involve Jeff in this. I’m perfectly capable of managing you while he deals with that bigger issue over at the school.” She lets out her breath in a big swoop. “Well, it’s good to know you’re all sticking together. We’re really building a community already!”

  Lilith smiles and nods. “It is so inspirational, seeing the way the senior citizens band together. I suppose it inspired us, too.”

  Mrs. Mitchell claps and bounces. Bounces and claps. “That’s so, so nice to hear. Been here just a couple hours and already you’re learning so much. You be sure to tell Jeff about it when he returns. Tell him just like that, okay, sweetie?”

  “Okay,” Lilith agrees, folding her hands primly on her lap. “We were just talking about our lives and regretting our past decisions. We could keep doing that while you handle other issues.”

  “Oh, now,” Mrs. Mitchell says, “that won’t be necessary. Y’all didn’t come here to talk all day. Y’all came here to help! In just a moment, we’ll get ready for the lunch crew.”

  Rex mutters, but Mrs. Mitchell doesn’t seem to hear it.

  “Should we wait here until you’re ready for us?” Lilith asks.

  “That’d be lovely, dear,” Mrs. Mitchell says. “Give you more time to bond, too.” She winks. “I’ll be back in a jiffy. Just going to pop into the kitchen and grab some hairnets for y’all.” Her squeaky steps echo down the hall.

  “That was amazing, Lily,” Wes says, leaning toward her. “It proves how much we need you.”

  Lilith crosses her arms and taps her foot on the floor.

  “I’m serious,” Wes says. “What you did just there? How did you know what to say to get her to do exactly what we needed her to do?”

  Even though her parents rarely observe their parents’ traditions, they do embrace the constant flow of elderly relatives, even if it is only for the free babysitting. Grandparents, great uncles, and cousins always are around, and Lilith is at expert level at figuring out what they want to hear before grandparently interest turns into prying.

  Lilith boosts her chin up, away from Wes.

  “The rest of us wouldn’t have been able to pull that off. Am I right, guys?” He glances at the others.

  “I guess so,” Ally mutters.

  “Um, sure,” Jason says.

  Wes tilts his head toward Rex. She grimaces but says, “Yeah, it was great.”

  Lilith shrugs, a tiny jerk of her shoulders. She struggles to hide a smile.

  “What we need for our plan to work is an actress,” Wes says. “The rest of us would never be able to do it. And think about it. This is a great role!”

  Slowly Lilith’s eyes glide back to Wes’s, aware that he’s playing her just as expertly as she did Mrs. Mitchell. Still, he has a point. “Well, it’s true that the rest of you wouldn’t be able to improvise the way I can.”

  “Absolutely,” Wes agrees. “We need someone who will convince TBN she wants your bracelet and who’s skilled enough to make it accessible to her.”

  Lilith taps her foot a couple more times. “Do you promise that we’ll get the bracelet back? It’s a family heirloom.”

  “I promise.”

  Lilith uncrosses her arms. “Fine, I’ll go along with the plan. But I’m in charge.”

  “No,” Wes says, “it’s my plan.”

  “No,” Rex counters, her voice hard. “I’m in charge. This is my deal, not any of yours.”

  “Either I’m in charge or I’m not doing it.” Lilith puts her hands on her hips, making sure the bracelet is facing outward.

  Wes turns toward Rex, an eyebrow raised, waiting for her response.

  “Whatever,” Rex growls. “If it makes Drama Queen feel better about herself to think she’s in charge, fine. She’s in charge.”

  Lilith smiles. “Everyone, follow my lead.”
>
  10:24 a.m.

  JASON “The Nobody”

  Mrs. Mitchell comes back with five hairnets and white aprons. It’s official, Jason thinks as Ally tucks her hair back into the hairnet. No one looks good in a hairnet.

  “All righty now,” Mrs. Mitchell says as they tie their aprons around their waists. “Let’s all pair up.”

  Wes sidesteps toward Rex. Jason falls in line next to Ally. Mrs. Mitchell goes down the line. “Wes, you’re one. Rex is two. Ally one. Jason two. Lilith one. Ones clear trays. Twos serve residents in the food line.”

  Everyone groans.

  “It’s only ten thirty,” Rex points out.

  “Oh, we better hurry then! The residents will be lining up. We start serving at ten forty-five.” Mrs. Mitchell beckons them to follow her down the hall. “The regular staff is going to love having a little break!”

  “So we get back to the plan after lunch?” Jason whispers to the group.

  Rex grits her teeth. “I guess.”

  Wes nods. “Will TBN be around the cafeteria?”

  Rex shrugs. “I don’t know. I’d guess she’ll be bringing residents there to eat.”

  “Sounds like a good time to nab a thing or two,” Ally muses.

  Lilith nods. “Okay, so Wes and Ally, keep an eye on the entrance and exits. When TBN enters, laugh—loudly—so we”—she points to Jason, Rex, and back to herself—“know when it’s time to act. I’ll get into place. When it starts getting real, Jason, you’ll need to skip out on the food line and trail her with your phone, recording what happens.”

  “What about me?” Rex asks.

  “You take over clearing trays.” Lilith’s eyebrows scrunch in an isn’t-it-obvious way.

  “And serving?” Rex growls. “For the whole cafeteria?”