Big Tree Village

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Bert was in his plastic chair smiling. Ms. Murray was on the phone way across the room. I sat down and waved at Bert. He was back! My heart raced. Suddenly his left arm rose up and shook around. He tried to grab it with his other arm but it continued. I looked over at Ms. Murray she was completely unaware. When I looked back Bert’s face was pink and his left arm was wrapped around his neck. He was completely and utterly strangling himself. “BERT!” I yelp. Ms. Murray ran towards us. But instead of coming closer she was going farther away. She was running and running but only getting smaller and smaller. When I looked back at Bert he was blue and purple. “BERT!” I scream again. But he was gone. Then I woke up.

My room was dark and the phone was in my hand. My pizza was on my nightstand and I watched a fly buzz around it; landing occasionally. My alarm clock glowed 5:50. I closed my eyes and saw Bert, dead and purple. I quickly opened my eyes and sighed. Instead of trying to fall back to sleep I got up and took a shower. I got ready, had breakfast and went outside in to the morning breeze. It was 6:30 and the sun was just rising over the trees. I kicked my feet and headed to the Big Tree. It was huge, up close. The trunk was about the width of a small car. It shaded about the area of a house. I suddenly understood why this place was called Big Tree Village. The Big Tree was protecting the village, a guardian tree.

I heard a rumbling sound as I did a running jump over the huge bump. I turned and recognized the white Jeep Wrangler. Chance. He was on the phone. I moved to the side of the road but he didn’t continue; he pulled over next to me. “Could you hold on one moment Mr. Thompson?” He murmurs happily. He puts the phone by his side. “Need a ride?”

The car smelled stronger today. There were three jumbles of flowers in the back, making the smell just that much stronger. It wasn’t awkwardly silent because he was on the phone. “Yes sir,” Chance mutters nodding, “I am on my way. Yes,” he turned around and looked at the flower jumbles, “ten pink Acacia’s, and ten Lilac Mauve’s, and four pink Lotuses’. I got them.” He quickly looks back at the road. “Alright, see you soon sir.” He hung up and dropped the phone in the cup holder. He smiled. “I have to make a quick delivery.”

The house was extremely small. Apparently it was the Thompsons anniversary and Mr. Thompson needed these three bouquets to put around the house. Chance carried the three bouquets to the door and I watched through the windows as he set them up. Once he got his pay he joined me in the car. “Sorry about that,” he murmurs starting the jeep, “I hope you’re not late.” The ride started off silent, but I had a burst of courage so I spoke.

“Those flowers were really beautiful.” I say smiling. He nodded.

“They’re my specialty for Anniversary’s; each flower has a special meaning. The Acacia means concealed love. The Lilac Mauve is most common of love flower; it means do you still love me?” He chuckled. “Lastly there is the Lotus. The Lotus smells wonderful and goes beautifully with the others. It means mystery and truth. It represents the unknown in the relationship and that truth will make it known.” He murmurs driving cautiously. This was the most I’ve ever heard him talk, and I didn’t want it to end.

“Wow, you’re amazing.” I spit out. My face flushed as I realized what I just said. He smiled.

“Why, thank you Zoey.”

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Bert was still gone. Ms. Murray refused to speak of him though. “So today we will be finishing up our bracelets and necklaces!”

It was silent other than the scratching of Demona’s pen against the table and Ms. Murrays constant compliments. It was weird for me to be so affected by Bert and his disappearance. First my heart basically breaking after hearing it, the dream, and now was missing him so much. Demona finished her own necklace but accidentally spelled forever like ‘fourever’ and threw it out. I skipped going to Larry’s because I knew no one would come. Plus I was really exhausted. So I went to sleep the minute I got home.