“For him, I’ll try.”
With my heart as heavy as lead I trudged up the stairs. I have to put on a pair of jeans and a top. Next, I’ll make my left foot slide into a tennis shoe then my right in the other.
Mom called up to me. “Hurry, honey. I’ll take you.”
No bus. A tingle of relief relaxed my tight shoulders as I tied the laces on my tennis shoes and hurried downstairs. Sometimes a simple turn of events such as this ride to school sent hope trickling through me, and I saw it as a sign of good things to come. Today as I left and scooted in the car Mom’s offer settled inside me as simply a lift to school.
Mom wound down the mountain road without talking and let me out. “See you, sweetheart.”
Any time spent with Mom, even in silence seemed precious now. “Bye, Mom.”
There was no turning back. I dug deep inside my soul, where I’d felt the love of God in the chapel and asked Him to give me courage to go inside. A lonely walk across the gray tile took me to the auditorium where I sat in the back. Sunlight tinted with a burgundy glow from the curtains streamed onto my jeans from the window.
Meriwether’s director, Mr. McShayne, stood at the podium while the last of the students filed in and sat down. Then he blew into the microphone and tapped his finger on it. “Quiet, everyone. We’d like to take a few minutes to mention Sean McWhorter, an honor student, an athlete, and our friend. Sean’s an asset to Meriwether. We miss him terribly and hope for his speedy return. Let’s pray.” He turned his hands palms up. “Our Father, we lift up Sean McWhorter and ask that you heal him. Please comfort and strengthen his family during this difficult time. In these as in all things we ask that Thy will be done. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Mr. McShayne’s words made it seem even stranger that someone so active, so well liked, and so respected would take an illegal drug. I was convinced now more than ever it had something to do with Harold Gravitts replacing Sean as the starting quarterback. Even so, it was hard to imagine how Sean could have felt that disgraced.
Emotionally disconnected from the other students, I wanted to find a remote spot unknown to anyone else and hide. Such a place didn’t exist in the midst of all the classes and extra-curricular activities at Meriwether.
I walked into English with butterflies in my stomach. Behind in my studies, I hadn’t finished reading the book we would discuss today. The pink blossoms had fallen off the flower in the windowsill. Had Jimmy’s interest in me wilted too? Was that the real reason anxiety rumbled in me? I took my seat and let my gaze wander toward him. He grinned real big and wiggled his fingers in a small wave. My heart danced as Mrs. Hornsby stood.
“Write a couple paragraphs about a secondary character in a book of your choice. Tell me what you thought about him when he was first introduced and what you thought of him by the end of the novel. Also, write the name of the character you’d like to discuss from our assigned reading on the bottom of your paper. We’ll go with the one with the most votes.”
Relief coursed through my bones like heat on a cold day. I knew enough about one of the books on the syllabus to compose the paper. “Whew.” I wrote fast, swiped my hand across my forehead, put my pencil down, and looked up.
Jimmy smiled at me, and the comfort reminded me of the day I re-discovered my stuffed bear when I was six. When I found him behind the sofa in the den, I hugged him over and over. Warmth had radiated from him as though he was alive. I stood, laid my paper on Mrs. Hornsby’s desk, and left.
To my surprise, as the day wore on being at school brought order to my shattered life. As more and more students greeted me saying, “Hi, Margaret,” “Hey, girl,” and “Hello,” I started to feel at home.
The three o’clock bell rang.
I left chemistry class and started down the steps to the basement to grab my swim bag before heading over to the pool. I pulled it out of my locker, and my arm sagged. I couldn’t do it. The day had weighed me down. Holding onto the satchel, I gathered the books I needed and then left. I plodded along the tree-lined sidewalk and barely made it to the bus. The driver had his hand on the lever to close the door when I boarded. If I sat in the back, I wouldn’t have to talk to another person. My friends had been kind, but my mouth was tired. I gazed out the window at the mountains with Sean’s name swirling in my head until the driver let me off.
The door to the house was unlocked.
Had Mom and Dad brought Sean home? My pulse quickened as I walked inside.
Dad and Mom sat on the sofa in the den facing Detective Garrett in the occasional chair across from them.
Detective Garrett glanced up and his eyes met mine. “Hi, Miss McWhorter, I hope you had a nice day.”
I dropped my bag on the floor. “It was better than I thought it would be.”
Had he caught someone?
5
I sank down on the sofa next to Mom and met Detective Garrett’s gaze. I wanted to find out what he knew about the drug dealers so much all of my muscles tensed. As far as I was concerned, he might as well have been the only person in the room.
“Did you catch the criminals?”
He yanked at the collar of his shirt. “No, that’s why I’m here. The hospitals continue to have young people from Mistville and surrounding areas with liver problems and high cholesterol levels. Most of the patients won’t admit they took anabolic steroids.”
Mom threw up her hands. “I don’t understand. I’m sure these kids are having blood tests. If a steroid shows up, how can anyone deny he or she took it?”
Detective Garrett raised his eyebrows. “A couple of kids said someone put something in their food or drink. Others claimed energy drinks or health bars they consumed contained steroids not listed on the labels.”
“Isn’t that illegal?” Mom wrinkled her brow.
“Yes, we’ve randomly checked different brands and found no problems.” He pressed his lips together. “Someone could have tampered with their products. We’re looking at all possibilities, but I’m here to ask for your help. What I’m about to say must remain in this room. Can I trust all of you?” His voice sounded as though it had iron in it.
Dad gazed at him. “Yes, of course.”
“I’m posing as a buyer. I’ve hung out at Roy’s Drugstore, the most popular community meeting place for young people. So far I’ve hit a brick wall.”
“I don’t see how we can help since Sean still isn’t talking.” Mom spoke in a heavy voice.
Detective Garrett directed his gaze at me. Dying to know what he knew, I sat with wide open ears.
“I’m going undercover at The Midway Grill on the Meriwether Campus. I need assurance you and your friend, Miss Daven, will act as though you have no idea who I am.”
Oh. “OK.”
Mom bristled. “Surely you don’t suspect someone at Meriwether. No one there would sell drugs of any kind.” She emphasized the word Meriwether as though the name carried a protective shield.
Detective Garrett’s lips turned down. “Ma’am, you might be right. Maybe no one there is selling drugs, but I could overhear something that points me toward the dealers.”
It was nice of him not to remind Mom that Sean was a student at Meriwether. As far as I was concerned there was something rotten at the school, but there shouldn’t have been. These evil people had come to Meriwether and taken advantage of Sean, because he was friendly, kind, and trusting. Fury chugged through my veins like a train. It was all I could do to sit still. It took every ounce of restraint I possessed not to run out of the room and find those drug dealers.
“Before I go to The Midway Grill I need to know I can depend on you and Mr. McWhorter to keep my secret. The fewer people who know the easier my job will be.” Detective Garrett rubbed his hand across his forehead.
“You can count on us.” Dad’s radio announcer’s style voice boomed into the room.
If Detective Garrett wanted to be undercover, he needed to act like a co-ed or at least a young teacher. “Don’t say The Midw
ay Grill. All the students call it The Grill.”
“Thank you, Miss McWhorter. These are the kinds of things I need to know.”
A tingle of satisfaction ran up my spine. “You’re welcome, you can call me Margaret.”
Detective Garrett flashed a wide smile. “Thank you, Margaret. Call me Joe. But when you see me in The Grill, don’t let on you know me. Please tell Miss Daven too.”
I’d never seen him smile before. It made him appear more like a person I could relate to, even talk to. “I will.”
This was perfect. Blowing his cover— not what I wanted to do. I couldn’t wait to watch him watch the kids. If I followed his focus, would I have the same clues he did?
Detective Garrett rose. “Thank you. In return for your cooperation, I’ll put in a good word for Sean if he’s charged.”
Sean charged. The words screamed in my head as anger bubbled inside. Once I discovered the truth there wouldn’t be any charges. I didn’t know why the authorities found the drug in Sean’s clothes and room because he couldn’t tell us, but I would find out.
Detective Garrett shook hands with Mom and Dad and left. Could he lead me to the drug dealers? I jumped up from my seat. Hope pulsed through me as I went to my room, sat at my desk, and opened my American lit book. The words on the page meant nothing. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate, in my mind’s eye I saw Detective Garrett sitting in The Grill.
The doorbell rang.
I slammed the book shut, pushed it to the corner of my desk, and bounded down the steps to the door.
Emily stood there shivering. “Hi Margaret, I’m freezing.”
“Brrr. I can tell. Come inside.”
She stepped onto the hardwood floor in the foyer and stood in front of the coat closet. “Do you want to go to The Grill and have dinner?” She hugged herself and rubbed her arms. “I wish I’d worn a jacket.”
“I’ll tell Mom I’m going and bring back something warm.” I left and returned with a gray sweater for Emily.
She put it on as we walked to her car, and I told her about Joe Garrett’s plan.
Her dark eyes widened as she placed her hand on the driver’s door handle. “I can’t believe there’ll be a sting operation on campus.”
“It’s true.” I strolled to the other side of the car and hopped in. “Remember, if we see Joe, we don’t know him.”
“Got it.” Emily slid in, backed out, and headed to the restaurant.
“I wasn’t going out, but Mom says Sean would want me to resume my normal routine.” I choked up.
Driving the speed limit, thirty-five mph, Emily looked straight ahead. “Right now, there’s nothing you can do for Sean. Your mom and dad are probably worried about you. They don’t want you to put your entire life on hold. I think it would help them to see you have fun, even if it’s just a little.” She glanced over at me then right back to the road. “You should try for their sakes.”
I’d heard bad times brought out true friends. The way Emily cared about my family and me warmed my heart. “OK, but Sean needs me. After all he’s done for me surely there’s something I can do.”
“For sure. As he recovers you can support him.”
If only he would get well.
Emily pulled into the parking lot in front of The Grill and cut the engine. Outside, the brick building appeared as sedate as a house with no one home. We opened the door into a crowded, busy room, alive with chatter and soft rock playing. Some kids gathered at tables in the middle of the floor. Others stood around the counter or in front of red booths packed with students.
Detective Garrett sat amid the high school crowd. My mouth gaped. Here already? He fit right in wearing his light blue polo shirt, his hair hanging below his ears. I re-directed my gaze away from him as Emily and I strolled by. A group of kids sitting behind him left. Emily and I plopped down in that booth.
Ray appeared in no time and took our orders, a chicken salad sandwich for Emily and a hamburger for me.
He returned with the food at the same time Jimmy Wilmore squeezed past the masses gathered in front of the cashier’s counter. My pulse pounded in my ears as Jimmy walked toward Emily and me. My mind went blank for fear he could see right through me with those piercing blue eyes of his, even to my innermost thoughts, including how cute I thought he was. I nearly dropped my hamburger but managed to hold it in mid-air while I looked down at the butcher-block table.
“Hi, Margaret, I’m really sorry about Sean. I’m keeping him in my prayers.”
I flinched as excitement surged through my body and words failed me. I didn’t dare look into his eyes. I focused on his lips. “Thanks.”
“Hi, Jimmy. Have a seat.” Emily sounded casual and friendly.
He sat beside me.
My heart thumped so hard I worried he heard it as he put his arm around the back of the seat and touched my shoulders. “How’d your classes go today? I wanted to talk to you after English, but you left before I had a chance.”
Thank goodness. Seeing him here was less stressful. I fidgeted with my paper cup then set it down and tore tiny pieces off the napkin in my lap. “It wasn’t bad. Everyone was so good to me.”
“Well, they’d better be.” Jimmy’s voice sounded protective.
My heart melted. I let my gaze meet his. His eyes looked caring and sincere like those of a friend. I stopped tearing up the leftover napkin. “So—what happened while I was gone?” I tried to sound laid back.
“In class, the usual, homework, tests, same old stuff.” Jimmy shifted in his seat and moved his arm.
Had something unusual happened outside of class? Did he know anything about the drugs? That would be strange because Mike said he didn’t, and he played football. “What about sports?”
Jimmy leaned back and tapped his forefinger over his lips. “Funny you would ask. I’ve heard some athletes are taking steroids.”
I stopped breathing.
Emily’s eyes grew wide as she leaned across the table. “Really?”
“Yeah, a couple guys mentioned it after we played soccer.” A questioning tone lined Jimmy’s voice as though he wondered what made Emily and me so curious.
I took in air. My insides raced as if someone turned my nerves on high, but I had to stay calm. I needed answers. I didn’t know Jimmy played soccer. “Are the soccer players taking them?”
“You’re awfully interested. Do you two want to buff up?”
I gagged and couldn’t speak.
Emily gasped. “No. Of course not. We’re just wondering, that’s all.”
Jimmy shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. I overheard the conversation, but I didn’t join it.”
I ripped the rest of the napkin into tiny bits. “Well think. Exactly what did you hear?”
Jimmy propped his elbow on the table and put his chin in his hand.
Trying to appear collected, I took a few bites of my burger. “Want a French fry?”
Jimmy moved his elbow. “Yeah, thanks.” He picked up two. “Several other guys and I work out with the soccer players when they compete for fun. We aren’t good enough to be on the team.”
“I bet you’re being modest.” I interrupted.
Jimmy flashed a wide smile. “No, but thanks.” He thumped his fingers on the table. “It was after a scrimmage. A soccer player was talking to one of his teammates. He said, ‘We can get steroids at the Buddhist Temple in the woods. If we beef up now next year we can play first string.’ I don’t know their names.” Jimmy tilted his head. “I didn’t know there was a Buddhist Temple around here.”
Emily sat straight up and snapped to attention like a soldier. “It’s a log cabin built in the early 1900’s. Monks migrated here to live a reclusive lifestyle. It’s deserted now. At least that’s what I’ve been told.”
“Where is it?” Jimmy asked.
“I don’t know. I’m Buddhist, but I’ve never gone to it.” Emily’s voice trailed off as though she regretted her words.
I didn’t expect her to
know where the temple was. I did fear more than ever someone had told Sean a bunch of lies to make him think he could out-perform Harold Gravitts, if he took steroids...but who? If only I’d known, I would’ve told Sean not to take that junk. Football was just a game, a contest usually forgotten the week after it was played. Sean cared about people, and he was smart enough to make a difference in the world. I couldn’t believe a drug may have robbed him of all the things he could do.
Why would Mike, a starter on the football team, know nothing about players taking steroids? Were the drug dealers targeting jocks who couldn’t make the varsity teams? That made sense. The first-string athletes would be less likely to take them, because they already were number one. Did Sean find out from a second-string soccer player?
“I’ll let you have the rest of your French fries.” Jimmy got up to leave, but he hesitated. “See you tomorrow in English, Margaret. Don’t rush off.”
I smiled. “I won’t.”
Jimmy strolled out, and I leaned across the table, my heart racing. “Emily, you must help me find that temple.”
She nodded. “I will, Margaret. I promise. We’ll find it.”
6
Friday! Friday! Yes!
It seemed the final bell never would ring. At last it did. I bounded off my stool at the big black table in chemistry lab and made tracks to the bus. Take me home!
I dropped down in the first seat and gazed out the window as the bus rumbled up the steep mountain road. The driver stopped where a big oak tree showing off its russet leaves marked the entrance of a large subdivision with stucco and rock homes. Everyone but three other kids and me filed off.
My stop came next. I clomped down the bus steps, trod to the house, and entered to the sound of the grandfather clock ticking. It resounded like a gong in the quiet, empty room. Mom and Dad were at the hospital, sitting, hoping Sean would talk to them. Just thinking about it tore out my guts. Maybe he’d say something to me today.
My stomach coiled, but I had to eat before I left. If I told Mom I hadn’t, she’d get that sad I’m-not-a-good-Mother look. She was the best Mom. She was the only Mom I knew who took her daughter bargain shopping on Saturdays once a month. We talked and giggled all day while we looked for a cool treasure mixed in with the clothes that had flaws. We were so proud of ourselves when we found it.
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