Chapter 7 (pt. 2)
Jack looked at the clock on the classroom wall. 12:47. The last time he looked, it showed 12:46, surely it’s been more than a minute. He pulled out his phone and pressed the home button. It confirmed the accuracy of the clock on the wall. The bell signaling the end of this class, the class that would be Jack’s last for the day, was scheduled to ring at 12:50. Jacked looked up at the clock at again. 12:47.
Akua didn’t have a clock on her classroom wall and she didn’t have a phone, either. She marked the passage of time by the routine occurrences she’d grown to expect. It wasn’t an altogether inaccurate science. The sweet bread lady passed by just before class started each day. The steady rhythm of the cobbler boy who matched the pace of his steps with the thump of his hammer against his toolbox always prefaced the end of science class. The Search & Find tro-tro would pass twice each day, heading in different directions each time. It had already passed that morning and her dad was not in it. Akua knew it would pass by again, but first the plantain seller would come to set up her grill. The Search & Find tro-tro always arrived just as her first round of plantains were starting to smoke. But where is she? Surely she should have been here by now…and where is Jack?
The bell finally rang and Jack headed straight for his next class, knowing that he wouldn’t be there long. Miraculously, there had been no consequences for his early and unexcused departure from school the day before, but Jack was terrified that wouldn’t be able to get away with it twice. Luckily, he had a plan this time, and it wasn't going to require much acting. He was already sick to his stomach at the thought of getting caught, so it came as a huge relief when Mr. Stibbins said, “Jack? Is everything okay? You don’t look too good.”
“Actually, I feel like I might throw up.” Jack replied honestly.
“Why don’t you go see the nurse? I’ll email you the link to whatever you miss.”
Jack turned and head back out the classroom door, but he didn’t stop at the nurse’s office. When he reached the gate Eddie was there waiting for him. "Let's go," was all he said as he swiped his card and walked off campus toward the parked car. They climbed in the SUV and drove off. As long as Mr. Stibbins didn’t talk to the nurse, as long as Eddie didn’t say too much to his mom, as long as Akua was able to pull through with her part…this plan just might work.
* * *
Akua didn’t have a clock on her classroom wall and she didn’t have a phone, either. She marked the passage of time by the routine occurrences she’d grown to expect. It wasn’t an altogether inaccurate science. The sweet bread lady passed by just before class started each day. The steady rhythm of the cobbler boy who matched the pace of his steps with the thump of his hammer against his toolbox always prefaced the end of science class. The Search & Find tro-tro would pass twice each day, heading in different directions each time. It had already passed that morning and her dad was not in it. Akua knew it would pass by again, but first the plantain seller would come to set up her grill. The Search & Find tro-tro always arrived just as her first round of plantains were starting to smoke. But where is she? Surely she should have been here by now…and where is Jack?
* * *
“Actually, I feel like I might throw up.” Jack replied honestly.
“Why don’t you go see the nurse? I’ll email you the link to whatever you miss.”
Jack turned and head back out the classroom door, but he didn’t stop at the nurse’s office. When he reached the gate Eddie was there waiting for him. "Let's go," was all he said as he swiped his card and walked off campus toward the parked car. They climbed in the SUV and drove off. As long as Mr. Stibbins didn’t talk to the nurse, as long as Eddie didn’t say too much to his mom, as long as Akua was able to pull through with her part…this plan just might work.
I'm intrigued. This is my first stop by during the challenge (oh, so many great stops) and it seems you might be weaving together your story across days. Jumping in here I want to know more. I'm intrigued by the way the two characters stories may intersect. Your description of time standing still was spot on, and I loved hearing the way Akua marked time. Keep writing! I think I'll have to stop back by to read more.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the contrast between how Jack and Akua marked time passing and that repetition at the end, as long as... as long as....oh, I do wish these two well!
ReplyDeleteLike Jack, I'm feeling a little queasy here as the tension mounts.
ReplyDelete