The Whereabouts of Arthur

Chapter 1

In the depths of confusion or eternal sadness, I longed to talk to someone, anyone or anything for that matter. The only person I had was my mother. I knew that I should've been grateful for all she did but it was the lack of things we had, our financial position - It was our luck that I was furious with, not her. My mother didn't have happiness but she tried her best to hide it.

I recall my mother waking me up for school.

"Carter, wake up sweetie. Its time for school", She shouted through the house.

Upon hearing my mother's voice, I woke up and turned on my lamp, the light from the bulb singed my eyeballs. I reached for the light to turn it off while closing my eyes, forbidding any more light to hurt my eyes. I put on my clothes in the dark. I laid out my outfit the night before, so I knew that getting dressed in the dark wouldn't leave me with an outrageous looking outfit. I always wore royal blue suspenders with my uniform. The mandatory suspenders expected that were expected to be worn were tan. I always felt drab and blended in tan suspenders with tan pants. I had a lot of confidence when I wore those blue suspenders, when I wasn't I felt like how I feel when I wore the tan ones.I walked down the stairs, looking down every couple of seconds to make sure my plaid jacket was properly buttoned to hide the blue suspenders.

I walked into the kitchen, where I saw my mother who looked very troubled.

" Oh uh good morning Carter, want some breakfast?" My mother asked with a quivering voice.

" Sure, maybe just some orange juice." I answered.

My mother got up quickly and went to the fridge and got me some orange juice. She then went over to the toaster and began to make me two pieces of toast, in which I never asked for. I realize now that she was trying to distract herself for a few moments.

"I need to tell you something Carter, and you have to promise to try to understand the situation." My mother said out of nearly nowhere.

" ...Alright." I responded with a slight pause.

" Im pulling you out of Riverbank Elementary. Its not because you've been doing poorly, you've been doing phenomenally. Its because I can't afford for you to attend such a school. I have to make some cutbacks and this unfortunately has to be one of them Carter." She said softly as anyone ever could.

I believe that very moment triggered all of my anger at the world. I didnt want to leave my friends, the few that I even had or go to a public school. I had nothing against public schools, I was not ever a snotty child.I was against change and the unknown. I remember wanting to yell, throw a hissy-fit or perhaps even ignore her for the rest of my life which many children threaten to their parents but thats a tough commitment, especially when lunch time comes around and you want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

" When's my last day?" I replied.

Looking dumbfounded and almost appalled by my initial calm reaction to her news " Oh uh the end of the week. What day is it today?" She said while getting up to look at the beat-up calendar above the stove.

"Oh okay, its Wednesday. Friday's your last day."

" Can I still wear my uniform to the new school." I asked with hope.

"Well, no sweetie, I was planning on taking you shopping and getting you some new slacks, maybe a few sweaters. You can pick out any colors you want, it'll be fun." She said, being too sure of herself.

" I want to wear my uniform. It costed you $86. I dont think we should throw away money." I said with not nearly as much confidence in my argument as my mother.

"Oh dont worry about that. You wore it for a couple of months now, you got some use out of it." My mother said through a smile.

"I want to wear it, it's all I'll have left of my school. I hardly have any friends or fun times to recall from that school, I just have my uniform." I said, erasing my mother's smile.

" What are you talking about Carter? Paul and Rich are great chums of yours." My mother said, unsuccessfully trying to keep the positivity in the conversation that has already dismissed itself.

" Paul and Rich? The last time I played baseball with them or played pirates with them was two or so years ago. They've seemed to drop me for Todd, thats not a chum." I said, this time with confidence in what I had said.

I recall this portion of the conversation and it seems quite humorous to me now, not at the time clearly but it was just a petty problem that I wouldn't let go. Even so, my mother knew it upset me so she didn't think it was petty or silly.

" Oh thats just fine, you can't stay friends with someone forever. It all depends on compatibility. But in some cases people just lose interest. Sometimes people already have enough of something but they don't see its worth. A child may have a delicious shiny apple but come along and find a candy bar. The child would naturally want the candy bar because it's better, leaving the apple to rot and decay. The child never would realize that what they had was good enough- maybe even better. The only thing that would come out of it is a harmed apple and a child with increased greed." My mother assured me.

I thought for a few moments. "Am I the apple?"

"Well yes, but it's better than being the greedy child, is it not?" My mother pointed out.

"I guess so." I said trying to understand.

"You'll be fine, Carter. You knew that Paul and Rich weren't real chums. If others treat you wrong, you'll be able to know it and detach yourself from them. You've got a good head on your shoulders." She said while reaching for my glass and plate.

My mother gestured me to go brush my teeth. I did so. I thought about what my mother had just told me and I knew deep down that she was correct in her explanations, but I didn't want to be the apple. I wanted to be the candy bar.