The Order of the Trees (5 page)

“Shut up,” Phillip said with forced calm, staring at his tater tots.

“What you'll do for love.”

“I said shut up, Miranda. Go sit somewhere else.”

A few of the kids who came to sit with Phillip stared at her.

“Fine. But you won't catch me at your stupid meeting. And maybe I'll just let Mrs. Doneaway know what you're up to. Maybe she could help poor little Cedar too, huh?”

She got up, her carefully placed blond curls bouncing, and walked back to a full table. Phillip didn't watch her go.

“Don't worry about her, man,” Dan Bloom said, “She's evil.”

Phillip splashed water on his face in the bathroom. He couldn't seem to cool himself down. Today had already been tortuously long, and Phillip hadn't even had the meeting yet. Just breathe, he thought, it'll be over soon. Cedar needs your help. Even if you end up in Mr. Busch's office. Phillip had never been in trouble at school before. He followed directions and did his homework. All this attention had caused his stomach to turn in knots. He stood over the sink, still sweating.

He looked at his watch. It was time. Kids would be filing out of classes to recess at any minute. He pulled out his note cards and looked at them one last time. Phillip took a deep breath, shoved them in his back pocket and headed outside.

Some kids were already gathered behind the play structure, standing nervously. Phillip knew he
didn't have much time before the teacher would notice, become curious and make his way over to find out what was happening. He strode quickly out and several kids started following him. Phillip didn't look to see if any teachers saw him.

Now most of the sixth grade class stood behind the structure, slightly hidden from view. The fourth and fifth graders ran wildly around, barely noticing the big group. Phillip gestured for them to sit down, and crouched himself.

Phillip felt his heart hammer in his chest. He looked up at the group, and noticed Miranda and Sam leaning against a tree behind the swings. He took a deep breath, and began.

As you all know, Cedar Montgomery is really sick. She is in the hospital, and she is not improving. In fact right now they are probably poking needles in her and doing all sorts of uncomfortable tests.” Some kids winced and nodded, others just stared. Many of them had never heard Phillip speak, much less speak to a large group.

“And I know all of you have heard in some way where Cedar was found, out in the Worcester woods. No one ever came forward as Cedar's parents. She was found at the base of a big and beautiful tree. And what I'm about to say sounds crazy, I know. Many of you probably won't believe me. Even if you doubt what I say is true, even if you think I'm nuts, if you care about your fellow classmate Cedar, you'll ignore that logical part of your mind and join me.”

Dan Brown tapped Phillip. “Mr. Phelps is coming over across the field.”

“Okay. The woods where Cedar was found are about to be cut down. Including the ancient tree she was found under. Several houses are to be built there. Cedar started getting sick when all this started. She's gotten sicker as the date nears. Construction will happen within the next week.”

“Yeah,” Dan said, “I live right next door, and they brought in the bulldozers yesterday.”

“Just what are you saying?” A girl from another class blurted out.

Phillip gulped. “I think that Cedar may die if we don't stop this. She needs your help.” Phillip glanced up and saw Mr. Phelps rapidly approaching. “Be there, tomorrow, at 7:00
A.M
., with your parents and everyone you can think of. Bring signs, bells, whistles. Tell everyone you know about it.”

Some kids giggled, and Miranda rolled her eyes.

“And do what?” the same girl called out.

“Protest. Stop the development. Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever what takes, Phillip?” Mr. Phelps asked as he approached. The group scuttled away quickly, leaving Phillip alone. Only Dan stayed behind.

“Oh, it's about a club he wants to start,” Dan chimed in. “Right Phillip? An environmental club? He just had his first meeting. Lots of interest, huh?”

Mr. Phelps smiled at the boys. “That's great! You know, small groups of people can change the world!”

They nodded and Mr. Phelps walked toward the soccer field.

“Thanks,” Phillip said, “that was close.” Dan nodded. They were silent for a moment or two. Phillip's hands were pushed deep in his pockets.

“Dan?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think they'll come?”

“I have no idea, man. But I'll be there.” He brushed the straggly hair from his eyes as the bell rang for class. They ran down to the doors and lined up to go in. Cool wind blew the clouds across the sky, shifting. Before Phillip knew it he could feel Miranda's eyes on his face.

“So noble of you, Phillip. To stage a protest to save your dying girlfriend.” She sighed dramatically. “What next, are you going to ride there on your
white horse? Pick Tree Girl up by the waist and ride off into the sunset?”

Phillip ignored her, stared straight ahead.

As he tried to pass through the door, Miranda put her hand up to stop him.

“What if I tell on you Phillip? What will you do then?”

He turned to her slowly, as the line of kids built up behind them and said, “I'll do it anyway.” He pushed her arm back and passed through the door.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Miranda called, “Phillip the hero!” she said sarcastically. “I don't think he can save his way out of a paper bag!”

Phillip stared at the clock in anguish. This was the longest school day of his life. His stomach rolled over again and again, threatening to charge out of his mouth right then and there. Sweat beaded on his forehead, although it was quite cool in the classroom. Mrs. Doneaway droned on about Ancient Greece, writing all over the board and expecting everyone to take detailed notes and follow her disjointed thinking. Instead, Phillip worked on his
intricate plan for Cedar's escape from the hospital. From memory he drew the hospital floor she was on, labeling the rooms in between, the exits, and everything else he could remember.

He pictured Cedar on the hospital bed, propped up on her side. Her face would be twisted up in pain as they stuck a long needle deep into her spine. He could see her beautiful hair all stringy and matted, her bright deer eyes dulled in pain. Phillip remembered the day she read the summary to the class and then fell to the floor. He winced and a shiver shot up and down his spine. His notebook jumped off his desk and landed with a resounding
thwack!
on the floor. Mrs. Doneaway jumped in the air while writing on the board when she heard the unexpected sound. She did not like surprises. Kids in the class giggled, thinking he did it on purpose.

Phillip bent down quickly to grab his notebook, as Mrs. Doneaway's narrow eyes settled squarely on him.

“Phillip! It's so nice that you volunteered your notes as a model for the class!”

She walked over slowly, gathering all the tension in the room.

“Let's have a look, shall we?” Her eyes gleamed behind pointy glasses. She put out her hand for the notebook. Phillip looked pained as he handed it to her and shrugged his shoulders.

Mrs. Doneway stared at the notebook page while the class held their breath. Her eyes grew into slits, and she slammed the notebook down on his desk.

“Out of the classroom!” she bellowed, “Down to Mr. Bausch's office! And show him what you have been doing in my Social Studies class!”

The color drained from Phillip's face. He gathered his notebook and stood up as if in slow motion. Dan looked at him sympathetically, but Miranda and Sam beamed. Once in the hallway, Phillip tried to slow his breathing. Just get through today, he thought. All that matters is tonight, helping Cedar. Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out. Phillip had never been to see the principal. He didn't even think Mr. Busch knew who he was. What would his mom say?

His footsteps echoed on the tile floor. He slipped in to the office and sat down by the principal's door so quietly that the administrative assistant didn't even know he was there. After a few phone calls she finally noticed him.

“Oh! Hello there. What can I do for you?”

“I was sent here by Mrs. Doneway.”

She looked at him for a moment. “Are you sure?”

Phillip nodded. She tilted her head and said,
“All right.” Picking up the phone she dialed Mr. Busch. “Yes, sir, Phillip Rogers here to see you. Yes, yes. Grade 6. Yep. Mrs. Doneaway. OK?”

The door opened suddenly and there stood Mr. Busch. His shiny bald head sat squarely on his long narrow frame. He towered over Phillip in his dark suit, his mustache twitching, and said, “Phillip, why don't you come in and have a seat?” He gestured for Phillip to come inside.

Phillip's legs would not obey him. He stared up at Mr. Busch and thought he'd faint. All his life he'd never even had a timeout during class. Phillip was sure that Mr. Busch didn't even know who he was until this very second. He tried to stand, his legs wiggling like Jell-O on a plate.

Slowly he made his way into the dark, expansive office. Mr. Busch heaved his large self down on to the wooden chair opposite from Phillip.

“So,” Mr. Busch said, “tell me about what happened in class.”

Phillip had absolutely no idea what to say. He felt as if his mouth was full of sand and grit. The silence continued.

“You are friends with Cedar, are you not?”

How did he know that? Phillip thought. Do principals know everything? Do they run surveillance videos in classrooms? It seems Mr. Busch did know who he was after all.

“Yes, sir, I am,” he squeaked.

“And I'm sure you're really worried, with her being in the hospital and everything that's happened.”

“Yes, sir, very worried.”

Mr. Busch tapped his fingers slowly on his desk. Thump, thump, thump. Phillip gulped, and unsuccessfully tried to restore moisture to his mouth. What was this towering man going to do?

“Did this have anything to do with why Mrs. Doneaway sent you down here?” His eyes, Phillip noticed, were warm and not scary as he gave Phillip his chance at an explanation.

“Ahh, yes, sir, it did. You see, I'm going to visit with Cedar tonight, and she had all these awful tests done on her today, so I'm worried that she'll be in a lot of pain. I know I wasn't paying attention today in class, and sir, it will never happen again.”

Mr. Busch nodded and said, “Give Cedar my best tonight, okay?”

Phillip wasn't sure he was done. That couldn't
be all the big and powerful principal would do, could it? Mr. Busch motioned Phillip to the door.

“Thank you, Mr. Busch.” And then Mr. Busch actually smiled as Phillip walked out the door. Phillip shook his head in disbelief.

The bell rang for the end of the day, and Phillip rushed into his classroom to grab his backpack and avoid Mrs. Doneaway.

“Hey!” Dan said, packing up his backpack, “I'll see you tomorrow morning.”

Phillip nodded, “Do you think many people are coming?”

“I have no idea, man, but I'll be there.” Dan said again, as he clapped Phillip on the back, and they ran outside for the bus.

Phillip sat in his room, thinking of how he would convince his parents to drive him to the hospital and leave him there for the night. The whole plan hinged on Phillip getting to the hospital, breaking Cedar out, and having her in the Worcester Woods by daybreak. Many things had to happen in a certain way or there would be no protest at all. And no saving Cedar.

Phillip also thought about how they would get to the trailhead so late. He couldn't call his parents, they certainly wouldn't approve of taking Cedar from the hospital. Could they find a cab? Or would the cab company turn them in as two minors traveling in the middle of the night? One looking very ill and fresh from the hospital?

No, that wouldn't work. Phillip pushed his hands through his hair, fiddled with his glasses. “Jimmy,” he said out loud after a few minutes. “That's it!” Jimmy was Phillip's cousin who lived in
Westerfield. He was barely seventeen years old, a bit of a rebel, had his license, and most importantly, had a car.

He grabbed the phone and retreated back to his room, quickly, before his parents noticed. Phillip dialed his cousin Jimmy's phone number and prayed that he was home, and not out cruising the streets of downtown Westerfield.

Phillip didn't want his aunt to recognize his voice, because then he'd have to explain himself, and she'd probably want to talk to his mom. Phillip concentrated on lowering his voice into a scruffy teenage boy's. “Yeah, hello. Is Jimmy around?”

“Yes, hold on.” Aunt Amy's voice was impatient and quick.

“What do you want?” Jimmy called into the phone line.

“Hi, ahh, Jimmy, it's me Phillip, your cousin? Just pretend I'm someone else and walk away from your mom, okay?”

“Sure, buddy. What's going on? You okay?”

“Yeah, well, sorta. My, ahhh, friend, Cedar, is really sick. And I think I know what will save her. Can I ask you a big favor?”

“Shoot.”

“I was wondering if you could pick us up at Central Vermont Hospital at midnight tonight, and drop us off at the Worcester trailhead. It would be a huge favor, and… “ Phillip pulled out his stashed allowance money from his sock drawer, “and I have 20 bucks I could give you for the ride.”

“Wow, Phillip, dude, you surprise me. Sure, man, I'll do that for you, no problem.”

“Really? Now this is top secret. And, we could be being chased, so, will you make sure to be there exactly at midnight?”

“With the getaway car, you got it.”

Phillip felt like the mastermind of a large crime. If his parents or the hospital busted him he would be in the deepest trouble of his life. A shiver of deep fear ran up through his spine.