Detours and Designs

by Matt Fazio

  “But she couldn’t just disappear,” said Drew. “People don’t just disappear!”

  “She kind of did, though. Some people say she went to a college prep school. Some say she left because she got made fun of.”

  “So what do you think happened?”

  “I never really thought about it,” Alexus answered. “I mean, I knew who she was, but I didn’t know her or anything.”

  “And no one has seen her since?”

  “Not that I know of – Lucky, hold on. Listen, it was nice talking to you, but I really have to get going. Nice meeting you, Drew Daley.”

  “Nice meeting you, Alexus Ballentine.”

  “Enjoy your adventure!” Alexus said as Lucky pulled her out of the parking lot and down the sidewalk.

  ****

  As Drew walked back toward the other side of the parking lot, Tommy, Jeff, and RJ stepped out from behind the Jeep and hurled questions at him – much harder to endure than snowballs.

  “You know that girl?”

  “How old is she?”

  “What were you talking about? We couldn’t hear.”

  “Her name’s Alexus,” said Drew. “She’s in eighth grade. We were just talking about some stuff.”

  “Wow,” said Jeff. “It’s like when you talked to Skylar Jansen at lunch. You shoulda seen it, RJ. Drew was talking to the most popular girl in sixth grade like it was no big deal. And now she always waves to him when we walk by her house.”

  “Really? That’s impressive,” said RJ.

  “Wait,” said Tommy, “were you talking to her about that dumb little picture or whatever?”

  Tommy’s question kicked Drew’s pedestal out from underneath him.

  “Why?” Drew asked, unsure how else to respond.

  “I thought I heard you say something about Stacey Janofsky. Isn’t she that ginger girl I looked up for you that one time?”

  “Well –”

  “I knew it,” Tommy continued. “That’s weird, man. Why would anybody care about –”

  “Lay off,” said RJ. “I don’t know what picture you’re talking about, but if Drew’s talking to all these older girls, whatever he’s doing is working.”

  “Yeah, that’s awesome,” said Jeff.

  Drew was grateful for RJ’s interjection. He didn’t want to explain why he was on this mission. That was why he had decided to do it on his own in the first place.

  He pulled off his left glove to check his watch. It was 3:45. “Whoa, guys, it’s almost four o’clock. I’m not getting grounded again.”

  Without another word, the boys bolted home. When Jeff and RJ turned down Jeff’s street, they quickly said their goodbyes.

  “Drew, that was awesome. I’ll talk to you later,” said Jeff.

  “Yeah, Drew. That was sweet. And maybe I can check out that picture sometime,” said RJ.

  Drew and Tommy continued on to Ernest Way without any conversation, and Tommy darted off to his house. Neither boy said goodbye, but they were in a hurry and didn’t have a second to waste.

  Drew stormed through his front door and looked at his watch. It was exactly 4:00. His mom was in the living room on her laptop.

  “Just in time,” she said.

  “I know, but I made it,” Drew answered, smiling and catching his breath.

  That evening, Drew was no longer concerned about being “all over the place.” Instead of Jeff’s words, it was Alexus’s words echoing in his mind. “You’re on a mission to find someone … You’re really focused,” she had said.

  “That’s what I need to do,” Drew said aloud to himself. “Stay focused on my mission. In the end, it’ll all be worth it.”

  He pulled out his list and crossed off Alexus Ballentine’s name. Though he had made progress, today’s developments also raised more questions. What happened to Stacey Janofsky? Where could she be? Drew looked at the three names that remained, two with dread, one with hope. The only problem was that he would have to place all that hope in someone who was practically a ghost in Emerson.

  Zombie Days

  The final bell of the school week rang, and the students scattered out of Emerson Elementary. Drew, Jeff, and Tommy scampered down the hall toward the staircase by the exit. That three o’clock bell on a Friday was always like music to their ears, but this particular Friday in February was extra special – Zombie Days had finally hit theaters. Drew and Jeff jumped down the bottom few steps while Tommy slid down the railing.

  “Zom-bie Days! Zom-bie Days!” Tommy chanted.

  “I can’t wait,” said Jeff. “It feels like a holiday.”

  “I know,” said Tommy. “It’s gonna be so epic.”

  “Yeah, the whole night’s gonna be awesome,” Drew added.

  He was referring to more than just the movie. First, the boys were heading to Jeff’s house for pizza and video games. Then, Jeff’s mom was taking them to the movie. Finally, they would return to Jeff’s for a sleepover.

  The bridge was still closed, and no one, not even Mrs. Goyle, seemed to have any idea when it would reopen. The boys walked around it and headed down Emerson Boulevard. By now, the detour didn’t feel like a detour at all. It felt natural, like it had always been there.

  The boys were so excited for the evening that they practically ran to Jeff’s house. Jeff opened the front door, and Drew and Tommy followed, staggering along limply and groaning in their best post-apocalyptic drones.

  “Mom, we’re here!” Jeff shouted.

  Mrs. Gray stepped out from the family room. “Okay, Mr. Zombie Man. Are you boys excited for tonight?”

  “Of course!”

  The boys took their book bags and coats up to Jeff’s room. When Drew unzipped his book bag to switch his beanie for his Pirates hat, his books were exposed.

  “Why do you got your science book?” Tommy asked. “We had a quiz today. We don’t got any homework.”

  “Uh, I guess I forgot to take it out,” said Drew.

  Truthfully, he had grown so attached to the drawing on page 139 that he had been bringing the book home every weekend, even though Mrs. Steinbeck never gave homework on weekends. Regardless if it were the best of times or the worst of times, Drew always felt better when he looked at that picture.

  Tommy shrugged and shifted his attention to his phone, but Jeff seemed to be turning something over in his mind. Drew waited for him to say something, but he didn’t. If Jeff did realize that it was no accident Drew brought his science book home, he let it go.

  The boys went back downstairs and claimed the living room to play video games. Mrs. Gray said she would order the pizza soon and they would leave early for the 7:10 showing of Zombie Days.

  “We gotta play Zombie Days on story mode this time,” said Tommy.

  The Zombie Days video game was the boys’ favorite game to play together, even though most of the time two would watch while one played. The three of them took turns. As was the rule in all their single-player games, you kept playing until you lost. While one would play, the other two would give their expert opinions. It was the childhood equivalent to a backseat driver.

  “Go in that building,” Tommy implored Jeff. “No, not that one. Come on. The white one on the left …”

  “I know, I got it, man.”

  “Watch out, there’s a group of them over in the corner,” warned Drew. “They’re coming for you.”

  “They’re all over you!” said Tommy. “Die. Die. DIE!”

  “I think I can … still … get … out.” Jeff was feverishly smashing the buttons on the controller. “Ugh, I’m dead.”

  “My turn,” said Tommy, yanking the controller from Jeff’s hands.

  Another hour passed with the controller switching hands every now and again. Right as it was about to be Jeff’s turn, Mrs. Gray summoned Jeff to the kitchen.

  “Just a minute, Mom, it’s my turn.”

  “No, Jeffrey. Now.” Her voice was stern yet weak and scratchy.

  Jeff groaned and set down the controller. Dr
ew couldn’t see Mrs. Gray, but he knew by the tone of her voice something had to be wrong.

  Tommy grabbed the controller. “We’re not waiting ‘til you get back. I’m up now.”

  Jeff slowly backpedaled into the kitchen, his eyes remaining on the TV until he disappeared behind the kitchen wall.

  “What do you think that was about?” Drew whispered to Tommy.

  “What was what about?” Tommy responded, without taking his eyes off the screen.

  “Mrs. Gray,” said Drew. “She sounded … sad, I think. Or maybe scared.” Why would Mrs. Gray be sad or scared? She was her regular self when the boys got to the house.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, dude. Everything’s fine.”

  Drew nodded and said, “All right,” but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

  “Man, I already died. But that was still Jeff’s turn, so now it’s my turn. I’m just gonna restart, dude,” said Tommy.

  “Okay,” said Drew, now paying more attention to the kitchen than the video game.

  A few minutes later, a red-eyed Jeff returned to the living room. Mrs. Gray stood to his right with her arm around him. Drew could see that she was clutching his shoulder firmly.

  “Uh, guys,” Jeff began, clearly trying to hold back more tears.

  Tommy continued tapping on the controller until Drew nudged him.

  “What’s the matter, Jeff?” Drew asked.

  “Um …” Jeff looked to his mother for support. She gave him a slight nod, and he continued.

  “My Pap died,” he said, looking at the floor.

  Drew and Tommy froze. Unsure where to look (or what to say or do), they joined Jeff in his staring contest with the living room carpet.

  Picking up where her son left off, Mrs. Gray continued, “He’d been having trouble with his lungs for years now, and this winter has been terrible for him. And he had never been the same since Mom passed.”

  As heartbroken as she must have been, her tone was unwavering. It was as though by stating facts, she wouldn’t have to think about the emotional side of her father dying.

  “They’re together now, where they belong,” she said, nodding to herself.

  “So …” started Tommy.

  “I have to go,” said Jeff with a quivering chin. Without giving his friends a chance to respond, he ran up to his room.

  “I’m sorry, boys,” said Mrs. Gray, “but your big night will have to wait.”

  Drew figured he should say he was sorry for her loss, but he found himself answering Mrs. Gray’s question instead.

  “Do you need me to drive you home?” she asked.

  “No, it’s okay, we’ll walk,” said Drew.

  “Jeff was very close with Pap, and now he’s …” Mrs. Gray trailed off, as if the words were caught in her throat. The once strong and deliberate voice had cracked and now revealed her sadness. She stared out the living room window, as though she were looking for something she couldn’t find. Then she suddenly regained her composure. She inhaled sharply and said, “Well, I have calls to make and arrangements to get in motion. Goodness, so many people to call, things to do. Would you boys mind letting yourselves out?”

  “Okay, but our stuff’s still in Jeff’s room,” said Tommy.

  “Sure, sure, go up and grab it.”

  When they reached the top of the stairs, Jeff’s door was closed and their book bags and coats were on the hallway floor.

  “Should we say goodbye to Jeff?” Drew asked.

  “Nah, his door’s closed,” said Tommy. “Let’s get outta here.”

  ****

  Drew and Tommy silently walked down the street. Drew had never thought about it before, but he now realized that he had never known anyone who died. And even though he didn’t really know Jeff’s Pap, as much as Jeff talked about him, he felt like he did.

  When they reached Ernest Way, Tommy looked up from his phone and broke the silence. “Hey, wanna come to my house? I think my mom can take us to the movie.”

  “Um …”

  “Come on, why not?” said Tommy.

  Drew felt like there was a reason, but he couldn’t explain it.

  “All right,” he said. “I’ll just need to call my mom and let her know.”

  “Yes!” Tommy exclaimed. “Zom-bie Days! Zom-bie Days! Zom-bie Days!”

  ****

  Mrs. Porter, dressed in workout clothes and holding a water bottle, opened the front door and let the boys in.

  “Hey, guys,” she said. She took a swig from her water bottle. “I got your text, Tommy. Everything okay?”

  “Jeff can’t go now,” said Tommy. “His grandpa died.”

  “Oh, my goodness,” Mrs. Porter gasped. “What happened? Was he sick? And how’s Jeff taking it?” While she asked questions, she was checking her heart rate on her fitness watch.

  “I dunno,” said Tommy. “I think he’s okay. He’s sad, I guess. Hey, can you take us to see Zombie Days since Mrs. Gray can’t? We’ve been waiting forever to see it.”

  “I guess I can. Your dad and I were planning on having a date night, but we can just go out to dinner somewhere near the theater during your movie. Then we’ll pick you up right after.”

  “Then Drew’s gonna sleep over,” said Tommy. “He has all his stuff with him and we really wanted to have a sleepover tonight.”

  “It’s fine with me,” said Mrs. Porter. “But call your mom, Drew, and tell her where you are, okay? She made me promise to keep her in the loop, especially after your little excursion in the woods.”

  “Okay,” said Drew as Mrs. Porter handed him her cell phone. He stepped into the den and dialed home.

  “Hello,” Penny answered on the other end.

  “Mom, I’m letting you know that I’m at Tommy’s now, not Jeff’s.”

  “Oh. Okay. What happened?”

  “Um, Jeff can’t go to the movie.”

  “Aw, that’s too bad. Why –”

  “So Mrs. Porter’s gonna take me and Tommy. She said she could and it’s no problem.”

  “All right, are you sure she doesn’t mind?”

  “Yeah, she doesn’t,” Drew answered quickly. “And then can I sleep over Tommy’s tonight?”

  “All right, Drew, but again, only if Mrs. Porter doesn’t mind.”

  “She doesn’t mind, Mom.”

  Drew and his mom said “I love you” to each other, and she made him promise to call her first thing in the morning.

  “Everything good?” asked Mrs. Porter, holding out her hand for her phone.

  “Yeah.”

  About an hour later, Drew and Tommy hopped into the car with Mr. and Mrs. Porter, and the two boys were on their way to see Zombie Days.

  ****

  “Man, that was so awesome,” said Tommy as he shoved open the exit door from the theater. “There better be a sequel.”

  “Yeah, that would be cool,” said Drew. “The part where that girl zombie popped out from behind the couch was ridiculous. I was so scared.”

  “I wasn’t,” said Tommy, “but it was awesome. I can’t believe the ending.”

  “I know. I couldn’t believe that one guy was bad all along.”

  “It was nuts. Plus that battle scene was so sweet. There were like a million zombies.”

  “Yeah, Jeff’s gonna love it,” said Drew. As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt awful. He wished Jeff were there with them.

  Soon they were back at Tommy’s house, setting up shop in the basement for phase three of the big night.

  “I’m telling you, man, I already drank so much pop. I’m gonna be up gaming ‘til like six in the morning. I might not fall asleep at all,” said Tommy.

  Drew hadn’t been participating in much of the nighttime conversation, though. And what was strange was that Tommy didn’t even seem to notice. It seemed like it was just a normal night for him.

  Drew took his book bag into the bathroom to brush his teeth. As he brushed, he grabbed his science book and
quickly opened to page 139. He felt better as soon as he looked at the picture. Studying the details of the drawing, he began to think about something new: Art never really dies. Even after the artist is gone, the art is left behind.

  He headed down to the basement, where the video games were set up. Tommy was slumped over on the couch.

  “I’m up, I’m up,” he said when he heard Drew coming down the stairs.

  Ten minutes later, Tommy was snoring and Drew was wide awake and alone. He opened his book bag and pulled out his science book. As he turned to page 139, a loud car pulled up outside. The car door slammed shut, and someone entered the house. Footsteps scraped through the living room and into the kitchen. Seconds later, the microwave was turned on.

  That’s gotta be Jason, Drew realized.

  Drew tiptoed over to the bottom of the steps. The TV in the living room shot flickers of light against the wall at the top of the dark staircase. It reminded Drew of watching the lightning strikes from his own basement during the storm. He knew now that the storm was the kind of thing he couldn’t control. The same thing went for Pap – there was nothing Drew, or anyone else, could do to bring him back. But there were some things he could control, and this was one of them. He grabbed his science book and marched upstairs.

  ****

  Jason was sitting on the living room couch with his feet on the coffee table, watching SportsCenter on TV. In one hand was a plate of steaming pizza rolls. In the other was his phone.

  Drew took a few hesitant steps toward him. “Hey, Jason.”

  Jason’s head jerked away from the TV. “Where’s Tommy?”

  “He’s asleep downstairs.”

  “Pssh, what a wuss,” Jason scoffed and swiped on his phone.

  “Anyway, do you draw?” Drew asked.

  “No,” Jason murmured. Between his phone, the sports highlights on TV, and the pizza rolls, Drew was struggling to hold Jason’s attention.

  “Oh. Well, um, your name’s in my science book.”

  “Huh?”

  “Your name’s in the front cover of my science book. I have the same book you had.”

  He held up the book for Jason to see.

  “Wow, that’s so awesome,” said Jason, rolling his eyes and checking his phone again. “What do you want?”