End of Ch. 6 + Chapter 7 (pt. 1)
When the two kids finally returned home, they did not need to wait at the gate for Charles. Both of their mothers were standing there waiting for them. They were hugged tightly, then scolded mercilessly before being hugged all over again. After a few rounds of the hug-scold-hug pattern, Abena disappeared into the house and came out with a cake, candles burning.
The three women sang “Happy Birthday” to Jack and then sat in the garden to enjoy the cake Abena had made. When the cake was finished, they all sat in an awkward silence before parting ways. Jack and his mom headed for the main house. Akua and Abena crossed the yard to their room.
On opposite ends of the property, both children lied in bed unable to sleep. There minds were racing with questions. Would they each be able to hold up their end of the plan?
Chapter 7
When Jack stepped out the door the next morning, he was both relieved and terrified to see that Akua had indeed followed through with the first step in the plan. The black plastic bag that had carried the peanut butter and bananas the night before was now tucked between two bushes near Jack’s front door. He casually grabbed it as he passed by heading for the car. The bag hung heavy in his hand, the rectangular edges of a box pressed again the thin plastic.
“Morning, boss,” Eddie said from the driver’s seat.
“Morning,” Jack said as he tucked the box under the passenger seat in front of him, hoping that Eddie wouldn’t notice.
It was now Jack’s turn to enact his part of the plan. He had never been good at lying; he always wore the truth on his face. He waited until they were on the road, hoping that Eddie would be too busy driving to see the way the blood had drained from his skin, leaving him a ghostly, pale shade of white.
“Umm...Eddie, did my mom remember to tell you about this afternoon?”
“No sir, your mother didn’t mention anything to me.”
“Hmmm…well…she must’ve forgotten. I’m leaving school a little early….and we have to pick up Akua. She’s helping me with a science project.”
“Lucky boy,” Eddie responded. He looked into the mirror and made eye-contact with Jack, “If Akua is helping, you’ll be sure to get an A.” Eddie gave a big smile and nodded his head. Jack managed to return a nervous, half-smile as he silently prayed that Eddie wouldn’t notice what a fraud he was.
The three women sang “Happy Birthday” to Jack and then sat in the garden to enjoy the cake Abena had made. When the cake was finished, they all sat in an awkward silence before parting ways. Jack and his mom headed for the main house. Akua and Abena crossed the yard to their room.
On opposite ends of the property, both children lied in bed unable to sleep. There minds were racing with questions. Would they each be able to hold up their end of the plan?
Chapter 7
When Jack stepped out the door the next morning, he was both relieved and terrified to see that Akua had indeed followed through with the first step in the plan. The black plastic bag that had carried the peanut butter and bananas the night before was now tucked between two bushes near Jack’s front door. He casually grabbed it as he passed by heading for the car. The bag hung heavy in his hand, the rectangular edges of a box pressed again the thin plastic.
“Morning, boss,” Eddie said from the driver’s seat.
“Morning,” Jack said as he tucked the box under the passenger seat in front of him, hoping that Eddie wouldn’t notice.
It was now Jack’s turn to enact his part of the plan. He had never been good at lying; he always wore the truth on his face. He waited until they were on the road, hoping that Eddie would be too busy driving to see the way the blood had drained from his skin, leaving him a ghostly, pale shade of white.
“Umm...Eddie, did my mom remember to tell you about this afternoon?”
“No sir, your mother didn’t mention anything to me.”
“Hmmm…well…she must’ve forgotten. I’m leaving school a little early….and we have to pick up Akua. She’s helping me with a science project.”
“Lucky boy,” Eddie responded. He looked into the mirror and made eye-contact with Jack, “If Akua is helping, you’ll be sure to get an A.” Eddie gave a big smile and nodded his head. Jack managed to return a nervous, half-smile as he silently prayed that Eddie wouldn’t notice what a fraud he was.
Nice transition between Chapter 6 and 7. I'm dying to know what their plan is!
ReplyDeleteThe plan proceeds, more or less, apace, and I can feel the tension tightening.
ReplyDeleteI know that relieved/terrified feeling. Your story is rich with authentic expressions and well paced.
ReplyDelete