The next day Cecil let Hailey play hooky so they could hang out. They went shopping and Cecil bought her a few new outfits and new shoes since hers were wearing out. Then they went to the zoo which Hailey hadn't been to in years so she enjoyed herself.
The last place they went to was a carnival even though Cecil refused to go on any of the rides Hailey still went on them and had fun. They played some of the games and Hailey won a stuffed bear and Cecil won her a stuffed dog.
After that they went to a restaurant to get something to eat.
"That was so much fun. Thanks for today Grandpa."
"Your welcome. I'm glad you had fun. I'm sure you needed some time out."
"That's true I did." Hailey started stirring her straw in her drink. "Hey grandpa, how did…do you know why my parents don't like me?"
"I'm sure they like you."
"No they don't. They don't pay any attention to me. They don't even know when I'm gone. I could end up dead in a ditch somewhere and they wouldn't even know."
"Well, one day they will realize what they're missing."
Hailey didn't think her parents would ever pay attention to her. She couldn't stop wondering what happened that made them be that way. If they didn't want her why didn't they just give her up for adoption? Or even let her grandpa have her?
Hailey decided to change the topic. She didn't want to think about her parents at the moment.
"Hey grandpa, when you were working at the museum you took me once didn't you?"
"Yes, I took you many times when I was working the day shift. I couldn't get you to leave when it was time to go home." Cecil laughed at the memory.
"But then you switched to the night shift. You took then didn't you?"
"Yes I did once."
"Was the tablet there at the time?"
"Yes, it's been there for fifty some odd years. Why?"
"Then the museum came to life then right?" Hailey whispered.
"Yes it did." Cecil said slowly. He was wondering what Hailey was getting at. He was always nervous when Hailey spoke about the museum. Obviously they hadn't told her what he had tried to do or she would have brought it up by now.
"Well, if that's true then why can't I remember? That's not something you would forget."
"You were only ten."
"But still how can I forget something like that?"
"Hailey…" Cecil sighed. "I don't know why you don't remember."
And that ended the conversation. Hailey thought he was going to tell her something, but then changed his mind. She wasn't going to press the subject.
After they finished eating they headed back home. When they got home Hailey's dad asked why she didn't go to school. Hailey said that she didn't think he would care. If she's not at school then she's not causing any problems. He seemed to like that answer because he didn't question it any further.
Hailey went up to her room and worked on some of her homework that she didn't finish. When she was halfway done her phone rang; it was Alexis wondering why she wasn't at school. Hailey explained that she spent time with her grandpa.
"That's not fair." Alexis said. "I want to play hooky."
Hailey laughed. "Well, we'll plan something in the next few weeks."
"Yah! You owe me now."
"Why do I owe you?"
"Since you weren't here you left me alone in our science class and I had to be partners with Cody."
"I'm sorry. How was that?"
"Not good. He kept correcting me on my work and told me that I was doing it all wrong."
Cody was one of those people that always thought he was right and everyone else was wrong. No one liked working with him. One time when Hailey had to work with him, he got on her nerves so much that she yelled at him in class and because of that she had to sit out in the hall for the rest of the period.
"He put in the wrong chemical though and made it explode."
"Was it bad?"
"No, it was just a small one. All you heard was this boom and some smoke."
"I wish I could have been there to see that."
"Well, if you were here then that wouldn't have happened. Oh, Evan and I are going to the museum on Saturday, did you want to come?"
"Didn't we just go to the museum on a field trip?"
"Yes, but I like the museum. Besides I was sick last time so I spent most of my time in the bathroom."
"You didn't tell me that."
"I thought I did. All well. So did you want to go?"
"Sure."
"Good. Are you coming to school tomorrow?"
"Yes. One hooky a week is my limit."
Alexis laughed. "Ok I'll see tomorrow then." Hailey hung up.
Hailey finished the rest of her homework then she decided to head over to the museum. When she got downstairs her grandpa asked where she was going and Hailey said the museum. Her dad didn't even ask why she was going so late.
She got to the museum a little early so the inhabitants hadn't woken up yet.
"Hey Larry."
"Hi Hailey. How's it going?"
Hailey shrugged her shoulders. "All right. I spent time with my grandpa today so that was fun."
Hailey didn't notice that Larry tensed up.
"He used to work her you know."
"I know. He was the one that…interviewed me and gave me the job."
"Really? He's so nice isn't he?"
"Uh yeah…nice."
"Well, I'm going to go to Ahkmenrah's tomb." Then Hailey headed over there.
Larry watched as she left. "Ahk, you better tell her tonight."
As Hailey was walking to see Ahkmenrah the museum woke up. When she got to the pharaoh's tomb he was just climbing out of his sarcophagus.
"Hey Ahkmenrah."
Ahkmenrah looked at her and smiled. "Hello Hailey. How was your day?"
"It was great. I hung out with my grandpa and we went shopping and to the zoo then we went to a carnival. I came up with some ides for the surprise party."
Ahkmenrah's smile faded. He knew he had to tell her now. If he didn't then there would be bigger problems later on.
"Listen Hailey, there is something important I need to tell you."
"Ok what is it?"
Ahkmenrah didn't speak right away. Hailey was always so happy when she talked about her grandfather and now he had to tell her he is a thief. This was going to break her heart. He didn't want to tell her, but he had to.
"Hailey, your grandfather…well he…he's not what he seems."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he isn't as nice as you think."
"I don't understand."
Ahkmenrah took a deep breath. "Hailey, he's a thief. He tried to frame Larry and he tried to steal my tablet."
"No, that's not true. My grandpa would never do that."
"It's true. I'm sorry."
"You're…you're lying!"
Hailey then took off running as tears streamed down her face.
"Hailey wait." Ahkmenrah ran after her.
Hailey could hear Ahkmenrah, but she didn't want to stop. It couldn't be true. Her grandpa would never steal. He had to be lying, but why would he lie to her?
Hailey only got the diorama room when she stopped running and started wheezing. She shouldn't have run. She fell to the floor as she looked through her purse for her inhaling. Every second it was getting harder to breath.
"Hailey, what's wrong?" Ahkmenrah knelt beside her.
Hailey didn't answer him. She was too busy looking for her inhaler. She dumped out her purse and found it. She quickly grabbed and took her inhaler.
Ahkmenrah was worried about her. He didn't know what was happening or how to help. All he could was watch until Hailey explained what was wrong.
After a few minutes Hailey got her breath back.
"Hailey, are you all right?"
"I am now."
"What happened?"
"I have asthma."
"What's that?"
"Some times it gets hard for me to breath. I need this to help me." She held up her inhaler.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I don't mean that. I'm sorry about your grandfather. It is the truth. You can ask anyone in the museum."
Hailey looked at him. She didn't want to believe him, but there was no lie in his eyes. Then Hailey did something that shocked Ahkmenrah. She hugged him as she cried.
"Why would he do that? That doesn't sound like him."
Ahkmenrah wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Hailey. I know it's not what you want to hear."
"When did he do it?"
"It was almost a year ago."
Hailey thought about it. Almost a year ago? That was about the time he left. Hailey now knew why he left without any warning. She couldn't believe it. What made him decided to steal?
"What's with all the crying?"
Hailey and Ahkmenrah looked down and saw Jededaiah and Octavius. It was Jed who had spoken.
"I just found out my grandfather stole from the museum." Hailey wiped her tears.
"Who's your grandpa?"
"Cecil Fredricks."
When Hailey said his name both Jed's and Octavius' eyes went wide and Jededaiah took a step back. At their reaction she knew it was true now.
"So you're his granddaughter?"
"Yes." Hailey saw the look in his eye. "I'm not like him though. And he wasn't like that before so I don't know why he stole. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Octavius said. "You can't control what other people do."
"Still some of him can rub off on her." Jed said.
Octavius hit him. "How can you say that? Hailey is a sweet girl."
"It might be just an act."
Hailey didn't want to hear any more. She pushed away from Ahkmenrah and gathered all her things back in her purse. Then she left the room.
"That was a mean thing to say Jededaiah." Ahkmenrah said. Then he went after Hailey again.
Octavius looked at Jed.
"How can you be so cold hearted?"
"I am not."
"Just because Hailey's grandfather is a thief doesn't mean she is one too." Then he walked away leaving Jededaiah to think about what he did.
"Hailey, where are you going?" Ahkmenrah asked when he caught up with her.
"I'm going home."
"Don't let what Jededaiah say get to you. I know you would never steal."
"It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
Hailey stopped and looked at him. "The one man that actually cares about me and has taken care of me since I was a kid turned out to be a thief. I always looked up to him. He was my hero."
Ahkmenrah felt bad and he didn't know what to do.
"Hailey-"
"I'm leaving."
Ahkmenrah walked Hailey to the lobby an neither on of them spoke. Hailey said bye to him and Larry then left.
"She didn't look too happy." Larry said.
"I told her about Cecil. She's heart broken."
"Well she had to know."
Ahkmenrah just nodded. He didn't like seeing Hailey sad. He liked seeing her smile and laugh. Her eyes always shine when she's happy.
Hailey soon got home and went to bed. She couldn't stop thinking that he grandpa was a thief. Maybe that is the reason why he didn't want to come to the museum with her. It was all making sense now. How could he lie to her?
