Spencer peeked through the window into the medical car. Aldo was beside him. They’d been told to give the Benally family their privacy, but Spencer and Aldo couldn’t resist a closer look.
“I’ve never seen John Shirley before,” Aldo whispered.
“Me neither,” Spencer replied. He didn’t want to mention seeing John Shirley’s photo in Pam’s auction. Spencer stared at the bear who had been waiting on the TUBE platform. The furless patch of skin at his jaw had led Spencer to guess his identity. It matched the same marking on B.D.’s and Dora’s jaws, the one that Dora had explained came from having to push their snouts through the bars to get food when they were the property of Gutler University.
“How do you think he knew Dora was supposed to be on this train?” Aldo asked. Inside the medical car, John Shirley was playing with Darwin and grunting Ragayo back and forth with B.D., who lay on a bear-sized hospital bed.
“B.D. told me once that when he needs to, he can get a message to John Shirley. B.D. must have told him he’d found Dora.” Spencer watched as Darwin climbed up John Shirley’s back and playfully nipped at his uncle’s ear. “At least he has Darwin to make him feel better about Dora not being here,” Spencer whispered. And at least Darwin has family to make being separated from his mother again a little less painful … he thought.
“I wonder how long he’s been waiting on the platform.”
“He got here yesterday,” Uncle Mark said. Both Aldo and Spencer jumped, startled, and spun around.
“Uhh … ” Spencer tried to think of an excuse for why he and Aldo were there.
“We were … just checking … ” Aldo stammered.
“You guys will have a chance to meet John Shirley,” Uncle Mark interrupted. “It just probably won’t be tonight. Aldo, will you run home and let your parents know we’ve arrived?” Uncle Mark went on. “I’m sure Bunny would appreciate some warning before the Plains, Evarita, and I all show up in her living room.”
“Sure!” Aldo exclaimed, obviously relieved Uncle Mark wasn’t mad to have found them looking in on John Shirley.
“Evarita and I are going to go get Pinky for B.D.,” Uncle Mark added. “And Spencer, your parents are waiting for you on the platform. I’ll see you back at the Weavers’.”
“Great!” Spencer and Aldo made their way off the train. Spencer spotted Mom and Dad immediately. They were at the far end of the platform, talking to the bears who had set to cleaning the TUBE.
“I’ll see you at home, Spencer,” Aldo called. The bear was already stepping onto the elevator up to the clearing inside Bearhaven. Spencer waved as the elevator door slid shut.
“Spencer!” Dad called. “There you are!” Mom and Dad started toward him. Even though Mom’s glasses were missing and she looked more exhausted than Spencer had ever seen her, and even with Dad’s hands freshly bandaged and his beard grown in, Mom and Dad looked happy.
“It’s so good to be back,” Mom said when they’d reached Spencer.
“We haven’t even made it out of the TUBE station yet,” Dad chuckled. He slung an arm around Spencer’s shoulders and steered him toward the elevator. Spencer stepped inside first, excited to see all the coolest parts of Bearhaven again with Mom and Dad by his side. The elevator door slid shut, then opened again not a minute later.
Spencer led the way into the clearing inside Bearhaven. It was dusk, and the honeycomb shaped lanterns bordering the clearing were already on. “This is where I snuck out of Bearhaven!” He exclaimed, realizing his parents didn’t even know about that. Mom raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t worry, I learned my lesson,” Spencer said quickly. “I got me and Kate in big, big trouble that time.”
“Sounds like we have a lot of catching up to do,” Dad said. He followed the honeycomb shaped lanterns down a dirt path.
“Oh, yeah,” Spencer agreed. Suddenly, his mind was overflowing with stories he had to tell Mom and Dad. “I have to tell you about the time Kate and I accidentally took one of Fred Crossburger’s water aerobics classes.”
Dad laughed. “I’ve been there.”
“And about the time B.D. and I saved Yude from the ocean by Moon Farm,” Spencer went on as they started to climb a hill.
“What!” Mom gave him a worried look.
“Don’t worry, Jane,” Dad said. “He obviously survived.”
Spencer was about to list another event he’d need to fill Mom and Dad in on when they reached the top of the hill. They all stopped walking. Bearhaven’s valley stretched out beneath them. Little lights were flickering on in the houses and buildings in the middle of the valley. Spencer could just make out the shadows of bears moving around the paths as night fell. He took a deep breath, happier than he’d ever been to be back in Bearhaven, his other home. He looked at Mom and Dad’s faces as they surveyed the safe haven they’d built for bears.
Mom sighed, her eyes still on the valley. Spencer could tell she was thinking of Pam, and his horrible plans to attack Bearhaven and capture all its bears. Dad put an arm around her waist and tugged her against his side.
“Hey,” he said. “Tonight’s for celebrating. You know Bunny Weaver can throw a welcome home party together at the drop of a hat. Tomorrow we’ll get back to work.”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” Spencer added. “We’re going to stop Pam.”
“You bet we are,” Mom said, shooting him a smile. “And Dad’s right about that welcome home party. Let’s get down to the Weavers’.”
“Spencer!” Kate was bounding as fast as she could toward them. Spencer smiled.
“Looks like the Weavers are coming to us,” Dad remarked.
“What took you so long?!” Kate shouted. “I smelled you an hour ago!”
Spencer laughed and broke away from Mom and Dad, jogging down the hill to greet Kate.
“You did it!” Kate cried when Spencer reached her.
“Aldo and I did!” Spencer cheered, the words suddenly pouring out of him.
“It was crazy! We had to save everyone, Kate!” He wanted to tell Kate everything right away, but she cut him off.
“I found your jade bear!” she exclaimed. “Right after you left!” She ducked her head and grabbed a little pouch hanging around her neck. She jutted her head out toward him, extending the pouch to him in her mouth. Spencer took it, turning it over in his hand. The jade bear slipped out into his palm. “I’ve been keeping it safe for you.” Kate dropped the pouch to hang around her neck again.
Spencer rolled the little stone figurine over in his palm. He was glad to have it back, but it looked smaller than he remembered.
He closed his fingers around the jade bear and slipped it into his pocket. Somehow, he didn’t think he’d need to reach for it as often anymore, especially if he had his teammates by his side.
“Thanks, Kate,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” Kate answered shyly, headbutting Spencer. “Now come on, my mom’s planning a party!”