Line of Time

Sharing a secret

Christmas break had arrived and packages were arriving from the boy's families back home. Snow had fallen in large amounts and the boys worked outside and cleared the walk way. After they were done, the mail carrier drove down the street and gave them their packages. They all thanked the mail carrier and then went inside, stomping the snow off their boots as they entered and put their coats away. Tino took off a few sweaters and jackets that he had been using as a winter coat and went to put them in his room. When he came back he picked up his package and looked at the label. It was from Finland which made him smile and his smile grew once he saw the fine and lite hand writing that he knew as his Nana's. He then looked at the size of the box and saw how heavy it was and couldn't help but think that his Nana didn't have to send him a gift.

"Tino, come and put that under the tree." Miss Green said as he nodded and walked over and put I down.

"Wow, what did your parents send you, that's a big box." Mathias said with a chuckles as he didn't notice Tino's eyes go cloudy with tears.

"It's from my Nana, not my parents..." Tino said as his voice broke with sadness.

Lukas elbowed Mathias in the ribs and gave him a mean look.

"Sorry man, but there's no need to cry over it." Mathias said as he rubbed the back of his head and neck.

Tino nodded and Miss Green left the room and took her coat.

"Since you boys shoveled the walkway, it means we can all go Christmas shopping, everyone in the car." She said with a smile, tying to lighten the mood. The boys cheered and Tino mentally screamed inside. He hadn't ridden in a car since he came here and he nearly had a panic attack because of it. Ever since his parents had died he didn't like being anywhere near an automobile. But now that the roads were covered in snow it reminded him of when the police officers had explained in great detail how the car had crashed and what had happened for his parents to die that night. Tino walked outside, not noticing he had put his boots on but forgot about his layer of sweaters and jackets. He didn't notice the cold air and winds, they were mild compared to what he remembered back home where his Nana lived. Gunnar walked up behind him and then something covered Tino's vision. His muffled scream of panic was heard as it was pulled and he could see again. He fought to find a way out for his arms and then looked up to see what had happened and who had done it. A hood lining blocked his eyes from seeing Gunnar.

"You can borrow one of my old coats." Gunnar said as he gave Tino a lite push towards the already packed car.

Miss Green sat in the passenger seat, Mathias had convinced her to let him drive since he was trying to get his licence and already had his G1. Bernard sat in the middle of them and Lukas sat in the backseat behind Mathias. Tino was wedged between Lukas and Gunnar. Once everyone had buckled up, Mathias drove, getting directions form Miss Green and taking sharp turns that made the three in the back seat fall on each other. Tino hid in the oversized coat and when the car took a sharp turn he froze in his spot between the two bigger boys. Then Mathias hit a sheet of ice and the car swerved but he didn't lose control but he did sent fear into his passengers and terror into one of them. Gunnar looked over to see Tino who held onto his arm for what looked like dear life. Under the big coat he could see Tino's chest rising and falling quite quickly. His legs were closed tightly and he was stiff. Gunnar ignored this for the time being.

When they had parked and had arrived at the mall, when Gunnar exited the vehicle he was very surprised to find Tino right behind him, if Tino had been any faster with his getting out of the car he would have caused Gunnar to trip over a small snow bank.

"Tino, are you alright?" Miss Green asked as she got out of the car, having seen the level of desire he wanted out of the car in the first place. Tino gave her a quick nervous nod, he felt like he was going to be sick if he had to spent another minute in that cursed car. Tino nodded and then looked to see Mathias being chased towards the mall by Bernard and Lukas.