Promise (13 page)
Authors: Judy Young
“Kaden,” she said through the intercom, “sign up for band.”
When Kaden came in to eat breakfast, Gram was wearing her dress. It was her only dress and she hardly ever wore it.
“Why are you so dressed up? Did someone die?”
“No, I've got some business to do,” was all Gram said, ignoring more questions from Kaden.
When Kaden got on the bus, Gram followed. Doris also asked Gram about the dress and got the same reply. So did Emmett. He served the ladies some apple turnovers, then made up some excuse about needing Kaden's help outside.
“What's up?” Emmett asked.
“I don't know. She was all riled up yesterday about study hall. But she solved the band problem.”
“How's that?” Emmett asked.
“When she found out band meets the same time as study hall two days a week, she told me to sign up for band.”
“Does she know you already have a trumpet?”
“No. I'll just give her the rental forms to sign tonight and she won't suspect a thing when I come home with a trumpet tomorrow.”
When Kaden and Emmett went back inside, Gram was fidgety.
“When are you leaving?” she asked Doris.
“I've got another fifteen minutes,” Doris said, pouring another cup of coffee. “If I left now, I'd be early and the kids wouldn't be outside yet. Everyone knows I get to each of my stops at the same time every day.”
“What's the matter with parents these days? If you get there fifteen minutes early, it shouldn't matter. They should have their children ready and waiting.”
“Then we'd be at the school early and the teachers wouldn't be there. They're always running late.”
“Well, it's clear to me someone needs to get things straightened out at that school,” Gram said. “I guess it has to be me. I'll be waiting in the bus.”
“The bus?” Doris, Emmett, and Kaden all asked at the same time.
“Of course,” Gram answered. “I'm going to the school. How else would I get there?”
“The school?” they all three said in unison again.
“Isn't anyone listening this morning? I have business to do at that school and I'm taking the bus.”
“You can't, Gram. Doris brings you to Emmett's but you can't go to school on it.” Kaden shot Emmett a look of panic. Not only was he horrified about what kids would say if Gram was on the bus, but he was also worried about whatever business she had in mind.
“He's right,” Emmett agreed. “I'll drive you and we can talk about whatever's upsetting you.”
But Gram was not to be swayed. “Emmett, there's no need to waste your gas when my tax dollars fill that bus tank.” Having stated her opinion, Gram walked out the door and onto the bus.
Doris drove down to town without saying a word. Gram was also silent and Kaden knew better than to say anything. As students piled into the bus, they took one look at Gram sitting in the first seat and they became silent, too. The only one who spoke was Luke and he only whispered.
“What's your old woman on here for?” Luke said, leaning over the seat from behind Kaden. “Afraid to ride the bus by yourself?”
Kaden looked at Gram to see if she heard. She didn't appear to but that usually didn't mean anything. He also realized Yo-Yo had been right. With Luke sitting behind him, Luke could quietly lean forward and whisper in his ear and nobody would hear a word.
I think another move is needed
, Kaden thought.
When they got to school, Gram told Doris to pull into the cars-only drive so she could go in through the front doors like a civilized person. Watching from his seat, Kaden saw Gram hurrying into the school, intent upon her mission.
Kaden could hardly concentrate on history, knowing Gram was somewhere in the building. Just before the bell rang ending first period, the door opened. There stood Mr. Price. Gram stood erect slightly behind the principal. Mr. Price informed Ms. Ales there would be a school-wide faculty meeting after lunch, during study hall. Kaden looked at Gram. Her mouth tightened at the words “study hall,” but otherwise he could not read her face.
After lunch, the cooks wiped the tables as all fifty-seven sixth, seventh, and eighth graders reported to study hall. Teachers usually took turns being on duty for study hall but
today no teachers were around. Instead, the secretary, the janitor, and the school nurse stood clustered by the door.
Under the unusual circumstances, the students were quiet at first, but gradually the cafeteria filled with the usual din of voices that grew increasingly louder. Kaden looked around. There were only three students who actually had books open. Worrying Gram might show up at any minute, Kaden quickly opened a book and advised Yo-Yo he should as well. But Gram never appeared. The bell rang and the sixth graders went to Mr. Clary's class. Mr. Clary said nothing about the meeting. Nor did any other teacher the rest of the day.
Gram was not on the bus when Kaden got on that afternoon.
“Do you want me to go find Gram?” Kaden asked Doris. “Or are you picking her up at the front doors?”
“I already took her home,” Doris answered. “About two o'clock, I'd guess. Isn't that when the mail comes?”
“The mail?” Kaden asked.
“Yeah, I saw Mr. Schmerz leave your driveway just as I came around the bend,” Doris said.
“Our driveway?”
“Yeah, I thought it was kind of odd but kept my mouth
shut. Didn't figure it was a good time to say anything, the way your grandmother was today.”
“You sure it was Mr. Schmerz?”
“Who else has a white pickup?” Doris said. “I was just glad it turned the other way so your grandmother didn't see him. She's on enough of a warpath already.”
Before Kaden could say more, the bus was swarmed with students. Kaden rushed to a seat, this time in the very back of the bus so he could keep an eye on Luke.
All afternoon, the students speculated about what had occurred between Mr. Price, the teachers, and Kaden's grandmother. Kaden was continually asked what it was about, and although he knew no more than the rest of them, rumors had been building. Now Luke added to them by loudly reporting he saw the sheriff's car in the parking lot and Sheriff O'Connor was looking closely at the broken sign.
“It's obvious Kaden had something to do with the vandalism,” Luke said above the din. “So they called in his grandma and the sheriff. Wonder if they'll send you to juvie? Or maybe they'll let you share a prison cell with your father.”
Although the back of the bus grew even louder with more speculation, Doris said nothing until Kaden was stepping off the bus.
“Don't worry about them. Everyone knows you had
nothing to do with the sign. Luke's just up to his usual troublemaking.”
Between Gram's visit to the school and now Luke's accusation, Kaden was about to explode. He charged into his room ready to slam his backpack on his bed but stopped cold. Lying on his bed was a new baseball and glove.
Kaden stared at them. He knew Doris hadn't seen Mr. Schmerz's truck. Doris had seen Dad's. There was no doubt the ball and glove were for Kaden, and their presence put to rest the nagging thought that had been pestering him. The backpack had definitely been left for him, too.