Peace and Grace

10. The Real Warren Peace?

The fight took place on Tuesday.  Wednesday there's no Warren, Thursday there's no Warren.  I really hope he's okay.  I know he's tough but...

I also feel guilty. 

He pushed me out of the way.  It was supposed to be me that got hurt, not him.

I get called down to the office during lunch. 

"I am told that you have a couple of classes with Mr. Peace," Principal Powers says. 

I nod.  "Yes."

"If it's not too much trouble then, I would like you to take his homework to him, I'll give you his address and I'll call his mother to let her know that you'll be coming. Are you alright with that?"

"I'm happy to do it, it's just I don't know him very well."

She sighs.  "I'm afraid he doesn't have a lot of friends."

Again, I nod, understanding.

I want to do it.  One, he saved me from getting hurt, two, I feel guilty, and three, I want to see if he's okay.

Principal Powers thanks me and gives me his address. I tell her I'll go after school today.

I ride the bus with my friends until they get off at our usual stop while I stay on board until I reach the right neighbourhood.

The Peace house is just that: peaceful.  It's in the middle of the block between two cute houses.  The front is dark wood and dark brown paint, with a deep red front door, a front porch, and a flowerbed swirling around the base.  Warren's mother must be a gardener.

Basically it looks nothing like the house I would expect someone like Warren Peace to live in. Did Principal Powers really give me the right address? I check her directions again.  Yep, I'm in the right place.

I suddenly feel very nervous – I'm sure if I check my powers, the energy would be turning orange.  Best just get it over with.  I could be in and out of there in fifteen minutes, or less – just go inside, explain the situation, give him the homework, and leave.  Easy, simple, piece of cake.

I walk up the front walkway and steps and to the door.  I pause, taking a deep breath before knocking.

When the door opens, I almost expect Warren and his familiar scowl to greet me.  Instead, a round-faced woman with olive skin and dark hair opens the door and greets me with a friendly smile.  "Hi."

"Hi, Mrs. Peace?" I venture.

"Yes."

I almost sigh with relief.  "I'm Nadia, I'm one of Warren's classmates. I was asked to pass on the homework to him." Am I really speaking as fast as I think I am?

Mrs. Peace smiles.  "Hi Nadia, nice to meet you. Principal Powers called to tell me someone would be coming by.  Please, call me Maria." She holds out her hand and I shake it.  "And thank you for doing this, we really appreciate it.  Here, come on in, don't worry about your shoes." She steps aside and gestures for me to go ahead.  I step past her inside a lovely, wide entrance hall.

The interior of the house is dark wood as well, and it's overall very cozy.  They have a lovely home.

"He's up in his room, resting.  I was just about to take him this pain medication." Maria takes a glass from the cupboard and waves her hand over it, filling it with water.  Ah, elemental powers.  Explains where Warren gets his fire power from.

"Would you like a muffin?" she offers.  "I baked them fresh this morning."

I smile.  "I'm fine, but thank you."  What a sweetheart. Could this really be Warren's mom? She's so different from her son.