Big Tree Village

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

            After another week of just work and class, I got tired of it. Well yeah Demona and I talked, and she sure did make stuff interesting. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Chance. Whenever I arrived to class Bert was there. Sitting in his chair usually using his inhaler and looking at Ms. Murray as she talked. He would wave and smile as I walked in; not today. Ms. Murray was on the phone pacing back and forth. I sat down and bit my lip.

            “I’m so so terribly sorry. I bet he is alright, I know he is. I will let you know, yes, yes I will.” She said waving at me. There was a pause and I heard another voice screaming. Ms. Murray held the phone away from her ear. “I know, I know Mrs. Burns. We’re thinking of you both. Okay? Alright. Bye.” She shut her phone and shoved it in her jacket pocket. She closed her eyes and muttered something. Then she opened her eyes and she was the happy Ms. Murray again.

            “Who was that?” I say; worried.

            “Just Bert’s mother.” She shook her head and started pacing again. I kept watching her. “I don’t want to scare you or anything, but he has gone missing.” My heart sunk. Bert is gone. Bert is gone. Before I could say anything Demona came rushing in.

            “Zoey!” She shrieked. Ms. Murray smiled.

            “So you two are buddies? Just wonderful! It’s a ladies day!” Ms. Murray said escorting Demona to her chair. Demona slumped in her chair.

“Where is the boy?” Demona said pointing to Bert’s empty chair. I bit my lip. Ms. Murray sighed deeply.

“He has gone missing, but they’re searching for him. It’s all alright.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself the same thing. After a moment of silence she spoke again. “So, for the past week we’ve been running and exercising. Getting in great shape, right? So, second step. Connecting with and loving a friend or family member that makes your teen years better. Now I’m sure you ladies just had a name pop in to your head!” She laughed. To be honest no one popped in to my head, just a sentence. Bert is gone. “So we will be making something special for these special people, jewelry is definitely a good choice!” She stood up and clapped. “So Demona,” she looked over at Demona, “who is your special person?”

            “Rocki, my boyfriend.” She says shrugging. Ms. Murray looked over at me and raised her eyebrows. It was silent as I ran through my friends names from Phoenix. I stayed in contact with Paige, but that’s it.

            “Paige, my like best friend from where I used to live.” I say not fully confident. Demona looks over at me and pouts. “Oh no like Demona you’re my best friend now. It’s just-” Demona didn’t let me finish.

            “I’m joking Zo, chill your dill. Damn.” She laughs. I smile.

            Demona made a necklace for Rocki. It was a brown leather rope which she wrote with black sharpie Rocki and Demona forever. She claimed she was going to make a matching one for herself tomorrow. I took different colored strings and started braided them together to create a friendship bracelet. All of us made a card for Bert’s mother. Demona kissed it, leaving a lipstick stain. She insisted I do the same. Under our kisses we wrote our names. Ms. Murray thought it was just-wonderful. I hate to admit it, but I missed hearing his awkward breathing. I missed his spazing arm. I missed him using that inhaler every 7 minutes. 

            “Shit,” Demona murmurs under her breath after class. I look out the window, it was pouring. Ms. Murray was still cheerful.