The Wanderers

Chapter 5 ||Perfect Timing, Like Always

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2008 Easton

"Easton, your sister is on the phone she says she's sorry, but she can't make it to your promotion today because she's in the middle of finals." Right. I'm sure that's the reason. As soon as Elsa got her diploma from Mills, she left. There wasn't so much as a bye. So yeah, I'm sure my little promotion from middle school is high on her list of must-attends.

"Alright. No problem," I told her fixing up my tie in the mirror. No matter how hard I try I can't get it perfect.

At school, my seventh-grade history teacher, Mrs. Brass, lines us up based on our first-period class, meaning behind me is Lucy, then Jackie, then Austin, and behind Sabrina stood Lacey. She's wearing a white dress with blue flowers and her bright gold honor roll cords. She's talking with Sabrina and just so happens to look up catching me before I can look away. She smiles taking in my appearance, she excuses herself from Sabrina and walks over to me.

"Hey, Easton. I couldn't help, but notice your tie," she said, pointing at my sad excuse for a knot.

"Yeah, they should really have a class for this. Would you believe me if I said this actually took me fifteen minutes to do?" I told her, earning a small giggle. I've begun to really like when she does that small laugh. She and I became almost friends this year. She sat in class a few seats away from me, but her former best friend Andrew seemed to downright ignore her, so like her brother said I looked out for her, but it was more than that.

"Easton?" she asked when I was getting ready to leave for the bus. 

The day before I had gotten defensive about reading the questions on the packet, and she ended up doing it on her own. She tried sliding me the answers, but it didn't help. I still couldn't read it in the timely manner I needed too. I didn't say anything, just stood before her, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"Steven Spielberg, Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein, Mohammed Ali, Robin Williams, Steve Jobs, John Lennon, Leonardo Di Vinci, Walt Disney--" I cut her off. 

"Are you practicing for a play or something?" I asked.

"Do you know what each of them had in common?" She replied back.

"Money?"

"Each one of them had Dyslexia," she stated. My blood drew cold has she talked. "It's a common disorder that causes the person to have trouble reading. Words can appear jumbled, and the person can become overwhelmed. I'm sorry," she finished. 

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked my voice coming out harsh, but Lacey didn't flinch.

"Because I want you to know that you can still do anything you want and that you are not alone in this."

I had been angry at Lacey after that, for trying to diagnose me, but when I went home, I researched Dyslexia and realized she's right. Labeling it felt both good and bad. I realized it's not my fault I have to spend twice as long with an assignment, but now I know there really is something wrong with me.

In our class together she would whisper the readings out loud, so I could hear them, and we worked on assignments together. During lunch, we would go to the track where no one could see, and she would read my homework to me. Eventually, she got me to tell a counselor, who took me to a speech therapist at school. It's really helped me with methods, but I still have it. I was told there is no way to get rid of it. 

"Well, do you want me to fix it? Having two brothers has made me somewhat of a pro," she explained. I nodded and just like that Lacey's eyes became focused on my neck. I suppressed an embarrassed gulp. She undid the tie and put it around her own neck, looping the tie this way and that way before it was perfect. She loosened the knot a bit before fitting it around my neck and fastening it. I couldn't help, but notice the tie that once smelled of old spice, now held a faint sweet smell to it. She looked at me once admiring her work, then smiled. "You look good," she commented with a quick nod.

"Did Lacey just give me a compliment?" I mocked.

"Yes, now don't make me regret it," she retorted.

"You look good too." I saw a bit of color touch her cheeks.

"I'm going to miss you," she said with sincerity, before giving me a quick hug, so quick, in fact, my arms were pinned to my side, but I moved my chin a little.

"Gee, I think, really bringing on the waterworks there, Lace. Wait. Where are you going?" I asked confused, aren't I going to see her just next year? Are they moving out?

"I'm going to Roosevelt Charter a few miles away from Mills High School, but if you ever need anything I'm still here." Another high school, but we only just became kind of friends. Before I could say anything Mrs. Brass came back shooing her into place. Perfect timing, like always. Seriously, I fell like teachers can just tell when their students are having a serious conversation and that's the second they decide to intrude.

When we all walk onto the field I find my parents. Mom has her arms crossed and is starring at her flip phone like it's the most interesting thing in the world. Dad is playing with the new camera still trying to figure out how to probably use it and neither one of them are looking at me.

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2010 Lacey

"Stand up for the Panthers! Everybody stand up! Stand up for the Panthers!" Cheerleaders' chant. It's almost my cue. "Where's that crazy Panther?" Jenny screams into her megaphone. A little boy points to me, "There he is." Dressed head to two in a thirty-pound mascot costume. Yep, here I am.

My freshmen year, I decided why not try out? And it turns out I love it and I'm good at it. All my friends are part of the team, but we are the only ones who knows, who is really on the team. It's mysterious, secretive and rewarding. The look on that little boys face when he spots me sneaking up behind one of the band kids puts the biggest smile on my face. Tonight's the last football game against our rival team the Mills.

I feel a pat on my back followed by Lee, one of the other members, in my face, "Hey, buddy, Scotty the dog wants to shake hands before the game." Great. Scotty is the mascot from the other team, and he is a grade A jerk.

I just nod at him because Pat the Panther doesn't talk, while in the suit I take on a different persona. I become more confident, goofy, and even a little cocky because that's who Pat is. We walk over to the other side, and there he is.

We shake hands like he wanted, I pat him on the back, and then turn away, but being the pain he is; he can't just leave well enough alone. I feel a yank around my waist. It's the band that is connected to the tail. Lee steps in quickly, "Woo now Scotty, please don't pull Pat's tail," instead of walking away Scotty mocks a baby crying. "Alright, come on Pat, you know Mrs. Walker does not want to see you in a fight." I agree and we start walking back the way we came.

At half time the cheerleaders call me over. I loop arm and arm with Jenny and Victoria for the joint cheer on the visitor side. I'm the only mascot member that knows every cheer, so I like performing them with the girls. I could never be a cheerleader the skirts are too short, there is way too much drama, and I can't do a split to save my life, but that does not mean I can't cheer.

As everyone begins to get in position. I look over to my right and that's when I see Easton running back from the field in his pads and uniform. His hair is shorter, his jaw is more pronounced, and he's taller, much taller.

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