Without warning, my whole brain shut down. Really. I forgot everything I was going to say. All I could do was just stare at her. She has dimples. I never knew she had dimples.
A full fifteen seconds later Lupita raised her eyebrows.“You okay, Barry?” she asked.
I shook myself. “Um . . . uh, yeah. Fine. I’m just fine.” Barry, you dork head! She’s gonna think you’re two fries short of a Happy Meal.
I cleared my throat. “Um, listen. I have a buddy who’s staying up close to where you and your brother live. I was wondering, do you think your bus driver would let me take your bus up there soI could go visit him?”
Lupita checked me over from top to bottom. Then she grinned again. “Hank Peters, bus driver—he’s pretty easy going. He might need your parents’ phone number to call and check, but yeah. No problem.”
I let out a long sigh. “Thanks, Lupita! I’ll have to call my mom to get permission. Guess if you see me, you see me, and if you don’t, you won’t. Bye.”
“Bye, Barry! Hope Isee you later.” Lupita smiled again showing those great dimples.
I waved and speed walked to my next class. Hoo-boy. Rendered brainless by a couple of dimples. How did that happen?
First of all, I had to convince Mom that I knew where Chad was. Second, I had to make my case that I was the only one that Chad would listen to right now. And third, I had to persuade Mom to let me go it alone. Hoo-boy. It was going to be a hard sell after my latest screw-up.
Wait. What if I could get the colonel to call my mom instead? Maybe he could convince her to let me go find Chad. That might work. Between classes I went to the school office and asked permission to use the phone. I dialed the Sorenson number.
“Hello, Lucy Sorenson speaking.” It was Chad’s mother.
“Uh . . . hi, Mrs. Sorenson. This is Barry,” I said.
“Barry! Have you seen Chad?”
“Well, no ma’am,” I said. “He didn’t come to school. But, I think I know where he might be.”
You could have heard her shout down in Arkansas. It was so loud that I had to pull the phone away from my ear. Poor Mrs. Sorenson. What a blonde-haired smurf-brain.
After she calmed down, I said, “Mrs. Sorenson, I need you to do me a favor and call my mom.”
“Sure, Barry. I take it that you want me to make sure it’s okay with her that you help us find Chad? I’d be glad to. I’m sure she won’t object.”
“Well, ma’am, not so fast. You see, I’m grounded.”
“So . . . you want me soften her up, is that it?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“I’ll do anything you want, Barry,” she said, and I heard her voice catch. “Just . . . just . . . . Oh, Barry, bring our boy back!” She went silent and I could hear her sniff. “Tell you what, I’ll give your mom a buzz right now,” she said. “But I’m sure it will be okay. I can’t believe you ever mess up.”
I cleared my throat. “Oh yeah, well. It happens.”
“So you know where Chadis? Do you want Chad’s father to comepick you up and go with you?” asked Mrs. Sorenson in a fake cheery voice. Poor lady. She’s ready to slide over the edge.
“Uh . . . no, ma’am. Chad and I promised that we would never tell anyone about this location. I need to do this alone. Right now, I may be the only one he trusts. But I think I can have him home before dark.”
“Oh, Barry!” she said. She started crying again. “I’ll call your mom right away.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Sorenson. Er . . . I gotta go to class now. Bye.”
“Barry.” Martin was walking beside me now. “Please tell me you are not going up on the mountain this afternoon.”
“Why?” I asked. “What’s wrong? You know I have to talk Chad into coming home.”
“Yes, Master Barry. But you’d best hurry and get him off that mountain before nightfall. That’s a very dangerous place after dark. Mmmuh!” said Martin, shaking his head. I stopped and stared at him.
“Wait. Back up. You said ‘the mountain gets dangerous after dark’? Just what’s that supposed to mean?”
“It not just talk, Barry,” Martin said. “There is a great evil growing up in those hills. Amelia and I have been watching wicked spirits moving in and out of it for days now. It’s even worse at night. We don’t know what’s going on yet but we are convinced that it’s not a safe place for you or Master Chad. Since you are my charge, I would prefer you stayed home where it’s safe.”
Without warning, I felt my blood turn cold. I knew Martin was not someone who invented horror stories. I knew he would never intentionally scare me. So why would he choose a time like this to tell me this mountain was evil? I swallowed hard.
“Look, Martin. I know all mountains can be dangerous. But I have to get Chad to come home. If there is evil up there, then he’s in dangertoo. Besides, he’s expecting me. Are you saying that I can’t count on you to protect me? Are these bad spirits that powerful?”
Martin didn’t answer for a moment. Then he said, “No Master Barry. I can always call for backup. And just so you know, I admire the loyalty you have for your friend. If you are determined to hike up there this late in the day, I will be there with you. I would just prefer you didn’t, is all.”
I continued walking back to class. “Well, thanks for the heads up but I have to go. I’ll get there and back as soon as I can. If Chad knew what I know now—the stuff you’ve just told me—he wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for me.”
“It’s your choice, Master Barry,” Martin said. “It’s my job to warn you, that’s all.”
Back in class, I drummed my fingers on my desk and scanned the clock for the nineteenth time. I should have stayed on Shomara for another week. I was so happy there.
For the rest of the afternoon I wrote and rewrote what I would say to Mom when I called her. I sure hope Mrs. Sorenson can convince Mom to let me go. I also had to call Grams. I made a face. I decided to call Grams first and give Mrs. Sorenson time to work her magic on Mom. Talking to Grams would be like eating chocolate pudding. Talking to Mom could be like swallowing straight jalapeno sauce.
At last the bell rang and I made a beeline for the office to get to the phone before two dozen other kids beat me to it. As luck would have it, I was second in line. I stood there shifting my weight back and forth from one leg to the other.
“So, are you coming on our bus today, Barry?” It was Lupita. I felt a jolt of heat shoot through my whole body.
I stared down at her and took a deep breath. “Don’t know yet. Still have to call my mom. That is . . . ,” I said raising my voice. “That is . . . if this little cretin in front of me here ever gets off the phone . . . !”
The boy turned around and tossed his head. “Buzz off!” he growled. When I rolled my eyes, the guy slammed the phone down and snarled, “Okay-y! I’m gone. Y’happy?” With that he stomped off.
Lupita thought the whole thing was funny and laughed. She has a cute laugh.
“You’ve got plenty of time,” Lupita said. “Our bus is always the last to leave. My brother and I are going to get a pop. I’ll bring you one if you like.” She flashed me another of her brilliant smiles.
“Uh . . . sure. That’d be great,” I said. “Make sure it’s something loaded with sugar, okay?”
“Got it,” she said and disappeared into the crowded hallway.
“What a sweet child,” said Martin, now standing beside me in the line. “Her keeper says she’s very proud of her.”
“What is your point, Martin?”I asked.
His eyebrows flew up and he put on an innocent “Who, moi?” expression.
I smothered a snort.“Martin,” I said. “Don’t even go there.”
I grabbed the phone and dialed my grandmother’s house first. I had no trouble explaining that I would not be coming after school today, that I was going to help find Chad. Grandma was very sympathetic. “We’ll keep you and your friend in our prayers, Barry. You take care, now,” she said.
That was like stroking a kitten. Mom will be a dragon at the dentist. I dialed home and when Mom answered the phone, I felt like a bowling pin slammed by a ball of lead. Would Mom and I ever be friends again?
“Uh . . . M-Mom!Has Mrs. Sorenson called you yet?” I stuttered. I felt my skin trying to slide off my bones.
“Yes, Barry, she did,” Mom answered, her voice crisp. Then there was silence. I waited, but Mom still did not respond.
I cleared my throat. “So . . . so . . . do I have permission to go find Chad?”
I heard Mom heave a long sigh. “I don’t know, Barry,” she said. “This is the very first day you’re supposed to be home right after school, and already you’re asking for a new privilege.”
I saw my heart splatter on the floor.
“Mom, please. Chad could be in danger. I’m about the only person he’ll let come near him right now. I’m pretty sure I know where he is. I’ve gotta try to talk him into coming home.”
Mom didn’t say anything for a full fifteen seconds and my hand grew clammy just holding the phone.
“Okay, son,” she said, “But how do you plan to get around without your bike?”
“I can ride a school bus up there,” I said. “The driver will call you to make sure it’s okay.”
“All right, Barry. Chad’s mother is counting on you,” said Mom and then she paused. “Son, you know I love you, don’t you? ”
My eyes stung and my throat tightened. “I know,” I said. Then I whispered, “Thanks, Mom.”
When I hung up the phone, I was so relieved I jumped a full foot into the air—and almost made Lupita drop the soda pop she was handing to me.
“Wahhoh!” she hollered holding my drink high in the air. “You nearly got a coke bath there! I take it that you will be riding our bus?”
“Yup!” I said. I took a long chug from my drink. “Man, does that hit the spot! Thanks, Lupita.”
The bus driver, Hank, was okay though his hand shake was like a vise grip. After he called my mom, he grinned real big and waved me on back.
“Whew!” I muttered. “That game almost went into overtime.”
“Right you are,” said Martin in my ear.
I went to sit next to Lupita. Again, for some unknown reason, I had trouble breathing.
CHAPTER 29: CRACK-UP!
“In a crisis, help often arrives when you least expect it.” ~Martin Moonglow I didn’t remember much of the bus trip. All I could do was stare, hypnotized by the cute little face next to me.
But I do remember seeingLupita’s keeper, Pink. She sat on the top of the seat in front of us dressed in—get this—a gown made of real pink rose petals. No kidding. The petals actually grew right out of her arms and her neck and she smelled like—well, roses. Right from the get-go Martin struck up a conversation with her. He decided to hang upside down from the overhead bins so he could talk to her face to face. I guess that was better than him hollering from the top of my ear.
I really wanted to get to know Lupita but with Martin and Pink chattering above and next to me—and me trying to pretend I didn’t hear anything—it was like trying to carry on a conversation in the school cafeteria. And remember, I was not allowed to let anyone in the spirit world, even Pink, know that I could see them.
To add to the noise, Lupita had dorky little brother, Salazar, who sat right in front of us. Every two minutes he would turn around and spout a knock-knock joke. We all laughed until our sides ached.
But then the Sanchez Orchards came into view and the bus ride was over. Did a bank of clouds just block out the sun?
“We’re here,” announced Lupita. “Do you need a ride to your friend’s house?”
“Naw. I know my way from here,” I said. I was determined not to let her to see which direction I was going.
“Thanks for getting me a ride on your bus, Lupita.” Then turning to her little brother, I said, “And Salazar, if I hear another knock-knock joke out of your mouth, you’d better be making a pile of money cuz I’m suing you for air pollution.” We all shared another round of laughs.
As I turned to walk up the street, I stopped and called back, “Hey, Lupita, wait.” She turned to look at me and I ran back to her.
“Do you suppose it would be okay if later, I brought my friend down to use your phone?” I asked. “There’s no service in the place where he’s staying.”
“Sure! Anytime,” Lupita said. “My folks won’t mind a bit.”
Woo-hoo! Got another smile.
“Thanks, then,” I said. “You guys have been great!” I waved and started up the road. Out of the corner of my eye I watched to make sure the Sanchez kids were inside. Then I veered off and began plowing up the side of the mountain. I knew the way by heart. Chad and I had hiked this trail many times.
But today, I felt strange, almost alone. I’d never trekked up here knowing about the spirit world before.
“Martin, are you in my ear right now? You’re awful quiet.”
“Yes, Master Barry. I’m here. I was just reliving my conversation with Pink, is all.”
“Oh, yeah. Lupita’s keeper. Did she really have rose petals growing right out of her body, or did I just imagine that?”
Martin chuckled. “Oh, she is a real rose all right. So sweet in every way, don’t you think?”
“Uh, yeah.” I didn’t want to tell Martin that I thought a rose “person” was kinda strange.
All of a sudden, I felt prickly, like something was watching me.
“Martin?”
“Yes, Master Barry.”
“While you’re tucked down in my ear thinking about Pink, I don’t suppose you could do a bit of keeper stuff for me, could you?”
“Sure, Barry. What did you have in mind?”
I hesitated to tell Martin how creepy I was feeling but I finally said, “Well, you remember you told me that this mountain was floodingwith evil spirits?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well . . . um. You’re watching out for them, right? I mean, my head doesn’t block your view of anything does it?”
“No, Barry,” Martin said with a snicker. “Sitting in your ear is like sitting in the best box seat at a big baseball stadium. I can see everything. I’m always watching out for you.”
“Thanks—I think.” Did he just say my head was empty?
As I climbed I decided that the best way to keep my mind off spirit trouble was to tell Martin all about my Shomara experience. When I got to the part about the great bird taking the maggot out of my arm, Martin forgot where he was sitting and let out a whistle so loud he nearly sheared off the top of my head.
“Yiheee!” I yelled, and grabbed for my ears.
“Oh, I’m very sorry, Barry! I forgot I was still in your ear. Have I ruined your eardrum?” he asked.
“No,” I said, “But maybe you should pop out and walk beside me for a while.”
Martin was Mr. Apology himself. “I’m very sorry, Master Barry.” He sprang out and became the size of a normal man. Then, still intrigued by my story, he asked, “So, this bird of paradise dug that worm right out of your arm?”
I nodded. “Yeah. No anesthesia either. It hurt somethin’ awful. I lost a lot of blood, and felt sick to my stomach. The bird flew off and got me something sweet to drink that took the pain away and made me sleepy. By the next morning, the cut had closed up, although I still look like Popeye.”
“Who is Popeye?” Martin asked.
I snorted. How do you explain a cartoon to a spirit? “Oh, it’s a funny-looking sailor picture on TV,” I said.
“Oh yes, now I remember,” said Martin. “You used to watch him when you were a little boy.” I blinked and shook my head. “Of course. You watched all my cartoons right along with me, didn’t you? You are full of surprises.”
All of a sudden, Martin jumped right in front of me. “Master Barry,” he said in a low voice, “I need to warn you. There are several boys behind that rocky ledge to your rear. One of them has been watching and pointing at
you now for several minutes.”
I swallowed hard. “Are there demons in any of these boys?” I asked.
“Yes, several, and they appear to be controlling a gang of boys about your age. They ran out of an old hut up there on a hill, the one we passed ten minutes ago,” said Martin.
I felt my chest tighten.
“What does the boy look like?” I asked. “The one who’s been watching me, I mean?”
“Let me see. He’s a big boy—stocky—with a large, square jaw, and a squashy-looking nose,” said Martin.
I groaned. “Super. That’s Dave Dimmerwitz. Works out at the gym all the time. He’s got the whole six-pack look but he’s missing the little plastic thingie that holds it all together. About as sharp as a bowling ball.”
“What do you want me to do, Master Barry?” asked Martin.
“We’re lookin’ at big trouble here, Martin,” I said. “The guy hates me. WhyI don’t know. He heads up a gang of punks that hate me too. One of them is Calvin Lumpskin, the screwtail that attacked me at the arcade, the one that infected me with the worm.”
Martin tossed his head. “Ah. That devil,” he said. “As I see it, this whole gang has devilproblems.”
I looked around for cover. “Martin, I’ve got to disappear,” I said. “He can’t catch me out here in the open, he just can’t.” I started running up the mountain, dodging trees and rocks, stumbling and scraping my knees as I went. Okay, yeah. I live up to my name all the time—Barry Klutzy.That’s me.
Then I had an idea. Ahead of me was a high bluff that overlooked the trail below. I scrambled up the side. When I reached the top, I walked over to the edge. From there, I could see the gang riding toward me on mountain mopeds. They were using a series of switch backs to make their way down the escarpment on the other side of the valley. In no time they emerged from the valley shrubbery gunning their engines right below the bluff.
“Pick up some dirt and throw it.” Who said that? I looked around but saw no one. With a shrug I scooped up a handful of dirt and tossed it into the wind. Maybe some grit would blow into their eyes or mess up their intake valves.
The Blood Jewel (The Shomara Diaries Book 1) Page 15