Living Rough (6 page)
Trays of food were going by as we walked down the hall. Ben saw me eyeing the breakfast items.
“I'll go to the cafeteria and get you something. What do you want?” he asked.
“It's okay.”
“No, I'm serious. You need food. Besides, it'll give you and your dad a few minutes on your own. Really, dude.” He shook his head. “You need to eat. You're as gray as the hospital gowns.”
Dad was sitting up in bed when I entered his room. His cheeks had some color, and he looked rested. His arm was in a blue cast.
“Nice color, Dad.”
“Who knew? I've never seen casts like this before. Pretty classy-looking, hey?”
I smiled and sat down on the edge of his bed.
“How come they're keeping you here if it's just a broken arm?”
“Oh, I guess they're worried I'm a little anemic. They're pumping me full of vitamins. To be truthful, the bed feels great.” He patted the empty space beside him, and I climbed up.
It felt like heaven. I knew if I closed my eyes, I'd be gone for sure.
“Edgar, I'm so sorry about all of this. We lost everything. A city crew was cleaning up our belongings when I arrived. I lost my temper and started yelling at them. Guess that's how I ended up here.”
“It's okay, Dad.”
“What upsets me most is how this is going to impact you,” he added. “I don't know what to say.”
“Dad, I think I already said it all. On the news. I was interviewed downstairs. I told the truth. Whatever happens now, well⦔
My dad tousled my hair. “My son, the tv star!”
I wish it were that easy. I wish I'd been interviewed for any other reason than this. Dad must have sensed my worry.
“Listen, Edgar. I guess the doctors feel that I am suffering from depression. Some days I could see how bad it was, but most days I was just going through the motions. I kept hoping things would get better. But the more we lost, I guess the harder it was to stay positive. I really let you down.”
I was about to answer when Ben came into the room with a tray of food. I was glad for the distraction. I also hoped this meant my dad would now be able to get back on his feet. While I ate, Ben and my dad talked.
“If it weren't for the weather, it could be kind of cool camping out every night,” said Ben. “Except it would be more fun with a campfire for roasting marshmallows.”
“Well, I think if you were to ask Edgar, he'd say the novelty of camping wore off pretty fast. Especially with the first rain.” A nurse came in and checked my dad's pulse.
“He's okay, right?” I asked.
“Yes, he's just fine. A couple of meals and a good rest, and he'll be raring to go.”
“When can he return home?” I asked, wincing as I said the word
home
.
“The doctor has only given orders for him to stay one night. He can check out in the morning.” Then the nurse moved to help the patient in the bed opposite my dad. The old woman was in a cast that went from her chest to her toes.
“Mr. Reed,” started Ben, “Poe can stay with me if he wants. I mean, if that's okay with you. I know my parents will be cool with that. Hey, they'll probably be okay with you staying too. We have an extra room downstairs. It's not completely finished, but it's got to be better than living out⦔
“Thank you, Ben. I'm sure
Poe
and I will work something out.” He yawned, and I realized he needed to rest.
I gave him a hug, and Ben and I headed down the hall to the elevator. Once we were outside, the weight of everything that had happened sat like an elephant on my shoulders.
At least I'd have a place to sleep for the night. Maybe with a good rest, my dad and I would figure something out.
Back at school they were already on the last block before lunch. Ben and I hung around outside, waiting for the bell to ring.
My tv debut hadn't aired yet, and even if it had, everyone was in class, so they wouldn't have seen it. Tomorrow, I'd have to worry.
I didn't see Inna over the lunch hour, nor did I spot her during afternoon classes. When the bell finally rang, I could hardly wait to get to Ben's house. All I could think about was sleeping. For a year!
His mom made meatloaf and mashed potatoes for supper. My dad would have loved this. Ben's parents were really cool about what happened. They didn't ask questions or anything. The conversation stuck to our classes and exams and what we'd be taking next year.
Once under the covers, I should have fallen asleep right away. But I still had a lot on my mind. I reached over the side of the bed into my backpack and pulled out the photo album I'd salvaged from our site.
Pictures of my dad, my mom and me filled the pagesâpictures of our life before.
I missed that time. I missed my mom. My fingers ran across photos of her the last Christmas we all shared together. Her smile lit up the page. It reminded me of Inna.
Funny how something great, like meeting a cool girl, can happen at the same time as the absolute worst thing in your life.
Before I closed my eyes, I decided I'd ask Ben to borrow his computer in the morning. I had an important message to share with Inna. I only had to find a site that translated my words into her language. Hopefully, she'd still give me a chance.
Ben let me use his computer, and I translated the message for Inna at the Babel Fish site. Ben's mom made us a breakfast of sausages, eggs, hashbrowns and toast. She made us a great lunch too.
I could get used to this!
At school, I searched for Inna as soon as we arrived. She was waiting outside the front door.
“I'm sorry about yesterday,” I started.
She put her fingers to her mouth to indicate I should be quiet. Then she kissed me on the cheek. I hadn't even given her the note yet.
Did this mean I was forgiven?
“My mom, sheâ¦tvâ¦saw you⦔ She seemed to be searching for the words.
“Watched tv?” I asked.
“Yah. She washed the tv. Youâ¦on tvâ¦important. Say good things.” Inna smiled.
I guess her mom and dad knew some English. I handed Inna the note anyway and watched her face as she scanned the page. A couple of times she wrinkled her nose, so I must have messed up the words. But she seemed to get the general idea, because she kissed me on the cheek again.
There was no way I was moving to Langley now!
Ben, Inna and I hung out until the bell for first class. Even though I was glad the truth was finally out, I was nervous about seeing my classmates. How would they react? I thought of skipping class and hanging in the library. But there were still four months left of school, so that would be a lot of hiding. I decided to face them.
Strangely, no one said anything in the first blocks. They still looked at me the same way they did before I was interviewed. Social studies was after lunch. I figured
that
class would probably be another story.
At lunch, I was on my way to see Inna when Mr. Johnson approached me.
“Mr. Reed. Could you step into my office, please?”
I had been so focused on what the kids at school would think that I hadn't considered the adult reactions to my situation. My shoulders slumped as I followed Mr. Johnson.
My dad, Mrs. Bailey, Mr. Brock and some lady I didn't recognize were all in the room waiting. The elephant from last night tightened its trunk around my waist as I sat down in the empty seat.
“Mr. Reed,” began Mr. Johnson. My dad and I said yes at the same time. Mr. Brock smiled, and I relaxed a little.
My principal continued, “I understand you and your father have fallen on rather tough times recently. Mr. Brock says you are a fine student. With all that has happened to you, it is surprising that you've maintained good grades.”
Mr. Brock interrupted, “I hope you don't mind me sitting in, Edgar. After I heard the news, well, I wanted to do whatever I could to help out.”
I nodded. My dad smiled in Mr. Brock's direction.
Mr. Johnson continued, “Mrs. Munro is with the Ministry of Social Services. She would like to say a few words.”
My dad took a deep breath. This lady could hand down a sentence that neither of us wanted.
“In light of the fact that you will be sixteen in three months,” she said to me, “and as a family has come forward to sponsor you, I can't see any reason to change your status.”
“Who came forward?” My dad and I asked at the same time.
“It seems you have two options. A family named Oleksienko offered to have you stay with them. They suggested you could help their daughter learn to speak English. Also, the Corbin family would be willing to take you in. Apparently they have a son you know. Ben?”
Wow. Two options. They both would be great. Especially after breakfast this morning. I realized now how hungry I've been for the last six months. I looked at my dad. He nodded his head.
“Son, I think this can work. Mrs. Munro has suggested some programs to help me find work. I can stay at the Salvation Army shelter until I get on my feet again. Then you and I can find a low-cost place to stay. Heck, there are some nice campgrounds on Eighth Avenue. Mrs. Munro was telling me the bus goes there every morning to pick up students for school. Your school! I qualify for financial assistance. That will help us get organized sooner.”
“I have an old tent trailer,” added Mr. Brock. “You are more than welcome to borrow it.”
Dry clothes. No more musty smell. Food in my belly. A real bed to sleep on.
Well, at least for a while. Then my dad and I could work our way back. It wouldn't be like it was when my mom was alive, but we would be a family.
The two of us.
And I secretly hoped Inna would take a
loooong
time to learn English.
Special thanks to my mom, who instilled in me a love of reading, and to my dad, who encouraged me to dream I could be a writer; both of you helped this story along its journey. Thanks, Lise, for being my sis, and Sean, for continuing to be an inspiration. Thanks also to my editor, Melanie.
Cristy Watson is a teacher who loves reading and writing poetry and YA novels.
Living Rough
is her second entry in the Orca Currents series. Cristy lives in White Rock, British Columbia.
o
rca
currents
The following is an excerpt from another exciting Orca Currents novel,
Benched
by Cristy Watson.
9781554694082 $9.95 pb
When Cody and his friends accept a challenge from a local gang to steal a park bench, their main concern is keeping themselves on the gang's good side. Cody learns that the stolen bench had been dedicated to the father of the English teacher who sponsors the school newspaperâthe paper that Cody has just started writing forâand he's worried about the consequences. As the gang applies pressure for more from Cody and his friends, he realizes they've crossed a line, and now he has to figure out how to make it right.
Chapter One
“About time, Cody.” Taz had the volume cranked on his iPod. I could hear Snow Patrol screaming out their latest tune. “Where were you?”
“You're not going to believe who I was just talking to,” I said as I struggled to catch my breath.
Bowman scanned the parking lot outside our high school. “Cathy? That grade eleven you're into?”
“You mean
Cassie
?” I asked. I don't know why Bowman had trouble with her name. “I can handle Cassie. This was⦠well, strange.”
By then Taz was already halfway to the park, our shortcut home. He was almost six feet tall and all legs. Bowman and I had to jog to keep up with him.
“I'm listening,” Bowman said.
I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one was following us, and then I lowered my voice. “So I'm leaving the school, and there's this dude leaning against the bike rack,
waiting
for me. He looked familiar, like maybe he used to hang with Dylan.”