Chapter Four

|Confirming No One's Fears|

After having dinner, Jane called Arthur into her office to talk to him about Naomi and the past few days. Arthur sat down, listening to his mother chatter on about being at Grandma Thora's house going through documents. She was selling her home to pay fees for a retirement community she planned on moving to, and because it was an extensive process, they planned on being there multiple nights throughout the next few weeks or months, depending on how long everything took.

"I'm telling you this, son, because we're going to need Naomi to be here much more often. She was gone today because she was getting things in order. She'll stop her nursing classes and move into a rental suite next door. You won't have to worry about a thing, and when you're better, you'll be able to get a job," Jane smiled. She eyed her son carefully; he didn't seem that enthusiastic about this new plan. "Arthur, are you okay with this?"

"So she really is in nursing school?" he asked. Jane nodded slowly, not knowing why he would ask such a question. "But she's just going to quit to take care of us?" he added. Jane nodded again, and Arthur sighed heavily, "I want more information, real transcripts or something. I don't think she's telling us the truth about some things."

"Well, her references checked out, and I know the school well. She's attending classes there, Arthur. I'm sure of it," Jane assured him. Arthur didn't react much, and Jane could tell he still had his doubts. "Arthur, sometimes you have to trust people. I know you're upset about letting someone else do your job, but you have no choice right now. Naomi is staying next door, she'll be taking care of all of you, end of story," Jane said quickly, looking up as David entered the room.

"Hey, do you think I should include the manual for the stove? She'll be needing it if we can't get home for dinner," David smiled. Arthur sighed, shrinking out of the room feeling more defeated than ever. He couldn't believe his parents weren't being more cautious, and he knew deep down that he had to talk to Fern.

|Answers and More Questions|

Fern looked up from her table in the library. Books were spread all over the place, most of them nonfiction books relating to science. Fern must have the same class, Arthur thought, tapping her shoulder with his good hand. She looked up fully this time, looking Arthur over carefully.

"You won't get much sympathy from me, Arthur Read. If you need something, figure out how to reach it yourself," Fern said fiercely. Arthur shook his head, "I don't need help reaching anything. I wouldn't ask someone a question like that," he sighed. Fern nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat across from her. "I need your help with a mystery of sorts, if you don't mind."

"Sue Ellen warned me about this," Fern whispered, leaning forward. "Muffy stole her cell phone number, by the way. She's been texting her nonstop since last night. Watch yourself around her. Who knows what that girl told her?"

"What do you mean by that? Do you already know something I don't?" Arthur asked with an undertone of fear. Fern smiled lightly, turning the page of her current book and looking back down to her work, "I just know what she's been asking about. I've been sworn to secrecy about that, but…I'm willing to do some research on this Naomi character. Sue Ellen is helping me. She wouldn't at first, but I told her a few innocent searches online wouldn't do much anyway. She believed me and researched her school, St. Mary's."

Arthur nodded, shifting in his seat, "What did she find when she did the search?"

Fern leaned forward and slid him a piece of notebook paper. Arthur recognized Sue Ellen's handwriting, but he wasn't expecting the message: 'Naomi telling the truth. Graduated early, was allowed to have senior photo from Metropolis U. I'll keep looking for more info.'

"So she was at St. Mary's and left early to attend Metropolis University," Arthur nodded. "Do you think we'll actually find anything?"

"Honestly, Arthur, I don't know, but you need to keep an open mind," Fern whispered, getting back to her work. "I'll keep in touch with you, but don't expect much. And don't tip her off in case she gets angry. This girl is taking care of your younger siblings."

Arthur nodded, looking up as the bell rang. He had to get to his first class, but his mind was racing. Naomi was telling the truth about her school history, but the girls were hiding something else. He'd have to wait all day to find out what that was, but he almost wished he could find out sooner.

|Running Away|

Arthur entered his home to find Naomi flipping through a magazine in the living room. This was the twins' third class day for the week, and Arthur thought he could hear their bus moving up the neighboring streets. As he moved downstairs after putting down his things, he found Naomi piecing together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the kitchen.

"Did your parents tell you I'm moving in next door?" Naomi asked happily. Arthur nodded gently before taking a seat at the breakfast table. "You aren't as excited as me, but hey, it's my life," she laughed, finishing the sandwiches and beginning to cut them into small squares. "I've put my classes on hold, but we were about to go into the work place. I was nervous anyway, so I'll just try again next time, whenever that is."

"I thought you really wanted to be a nurse," Arthur said, turning to look at her. Naomi shrugged, "I don't really know anymore. I want to take care of people, children namely, and hey, look, I'm doing that right now. I'm happy, Arthur. I think it's really sweet that you're concerned about my happiness," she smiled, looking up as the twins entered the room.

Arthur slinked into the den during the chaos of everyone arriving home at once. He was not concerned for her happiness, but the tone of her voice…it reminded him of someone, namely all the girls he'd overheard at school talking to their boyfriend of the week. Muffy's voice came to mind, especially lately when she was around Arthur.

Arthur shuddered. Naomi was his babysitter, his caretaker, if you really wanted to look at the facts. She shouldn't be falling for his charges. It was their job to fall in love with her, just like when Arthur was younger and developed a crush on Sally McGill. He got over that crush quicker than any other, namely because he quickly learned about the line between caretaker and their charges. If Naomi was crossing that….

Arthur's sick feeling returned. The more he discovered about Naomi, the more he wanted her out of his home. How could he make such a stupid mistake to start this madness in the first place? His bright, blue cast was merely a reminder of his dumb mistake, and he eyed it with contempt as he stared at the television, still off from a quiet day in the empty Read household. He wanted to disappear, get away from it all. The urge was unmistakable, and a moment later, he found himself at the telephone, the line ringing even though he couldn't remember dialing anything.

"Hey, Arthur, what's up?" Buster called. Arthur nodded; of course he'd called Buster. "Arthur, hello?"

"Hey, I need to come over. Do you mind?" Arthur asked. Buster shrugged, "Sure, but it's leftover night. I'd bring a snack," he whispered. "Mom mixed up her spices and ruined some chicken. You might like it but I…I'll see you when you get here," he chuckled nervously before slamming down the phone.

Arthur moved upstairs and gathered his homework supplies. He told Naomi and the girls where he was going, then he rushed out the door, catching the city bus just as it reached a nearby stop. Within five minutes, he was at Buster's door, watching him scarf down a large slice of pizza.

"Mom changed her mind. Come in, Arthur, please, before the delicious pizza smell blows all over the place!" Buster exclaimed, rushing back to the table to continue eating. Arthur left his backpack by the door before joining Buster and his mother at the table. His sick feeling was gone, and thanks to the Baxter's, he felt like a young kid again, still in third grade without all the problems of his sixteen-year-old self.