When Phillip finished explaining, he looked down at his watch and said, “I have to go, Cedar. Visiting hours are over and your parents will be back any second.”
Cedar nodded, her big eyes begging him not to leave her there.
“You only have one day left here if all goes as planned. You can make it. Just think about our trees, the forest. Think about Stella. And ways to make our plan work.”
“I think you’ve already done most of that.”
Sara and Kevin looked in the tiny window on the closed door and smiled.
“Ten o’clock Monday night,” Phillip said, standing up.
“Ten o’clock.” Tears sprouted in her eyes again.
Back at home, Phillip stared at his desk. His cat Rufus rubbed his legs, and jumped on his lap. “How will I convince these sixth graders to help us? They don’t even like us,” he asked Rufus as he purred and nuzzled his hand. He stared at the blank piece of paper in front of him.
He wrote, “Important Meeting at Recess. Cedar Montgomery needs our help.” then crossed it out. I need to get their attention, Phillip thought. “Your classmate, Cedar Montgomery is in danger. She needs your help. Meet by the swing set at 12:30 Monday.”
Phillip’s hand ached as he copied the message over and over on to small slips of paper. Before he knew it, his little brother had popped up behind him.
“Whatcha doin’?” He said. His pudgy hand reached for the notes.
“Nothing Colin, get outta here.”
He ushered his little brother out of the room and closed the door. “Mom,” Phillip heard, “Phillip is writing notes!”
“Argh!” Phillip moaned as he slammed his fist on the table.
Before school the next day Phillip couldn’t eat breakfast. His stomach squirmed as he thought of the meeting, what he’d say, and whether they’d all laugh at him. Just think about Cedar, he thought. She’s suffering and will only get worse unless you do this. He readied himself for battle.
When Phillip got to school, he slid into his chair and tried to concentrate on breathing. He looked around. Mrs. Doneaway wasn’t in the room yet. This was one of his chances.
He looked over to Dan Bloom, seated in the row next to him. Dan was doodling on his folder.
“Psst, Dan!” Phillip said in a forced whisper. He handed him the note across the row, his hand shaking. Dan read it and his eyes grew large. He nodded and shoved the paper deep in his pocket.
Phillip handed out five more papers before Mrs. Doneaway came charging in the room. Miranda glared at Phillip from the back corner. She whispered something to Sam who snickered.
“Is there something wrong, girls? Or are you ready to start class?”
“Oh, we’re ready to start class, Mrs. Doneaway, we just wanted you to know that someone is passing notes in this class.” Miranda looked at Phillip sideways, her pink glossy lips upturned slightly.
Phillip stared straight ahead, but several heads turned towards him. He face felt like it had burst into flames. Mrs. Doneaway walked slowly, her heels clicking on the way, to Phillip’s desk. She paused, looked down from beneath her pointy glasses and said, “Really.” She stopped for dramatic effect, and the air seemed to evaporate right out of the room. “Is that true, Phillip? Passing notes?” Each word was said as if it took up her whole mouth, and tasted good.
Phillip squirmed. “I, ah, well… “ Heat rose from his forehead, beaming red.
“That’s no answer, Phillip. I’m waiting.” She stood right beside him and tapped her pencil on her hand.
Phillip looked around frantically. The whole class stared back, and Miranda and Sam smiled with satisfaction at the torture Phillip endured.
“No.” It came out like a squeak, the smallest little sound.
“What?” She said, eyebrows raised.
“No, Mrs. Doneaway, I wasn’t passing notes.” Phillip said a little louder, sitting up.
“OK then. But I’ll be watching just to be sure.” She smiled back at Miranda, who beamed.
And she walked back towards the front of the classroom, click, click, click.
“Now class, where were we with adding fractions?”
Later in the lunchroom almost everyone in the sixth grade seemed to know about the meeting. Phillip had passed out more notes at snack time, in the hallway and the bathroom. Since Cedar was out of school, Phillip had sat at his usual table for lunch, alone. But today, many kids came and sat next to him, asking questions about the meeting and commenting on the close call with Mrs. Doneaway in class. Many of them looked at him like it was the first time they were actually seeing him. He quietly repeated several times that Cedar was sick, in grave danger, and that she needed everyone’s help to get better. Kids looked at him like he was a little crazy, and brave to do something like this.
Miranda plunked down next to Phillip at the cafeteria table. “How sweet. Phillip is trying to save poor little Tree Girl. Isn’t that just special? What will we do, dance around a tree singing chants to save her?” Sam snorted next to her.
Phillip turned back to his grilled cheese. I’m not going to punch Miranda in the face, he told himself, I’m not.
“Aww, too afraid to speak up? Just like today with the notes? I thought you’d melt right out of your chair the way Mrs. Doneaway was looking at you. ‘No,’ you squeaked in that high, little voice of yours.”
“Shut up,” Phillip said with forced calm, staring at his tater tots.
“What you’ll do for love.”
“I said shut up, Miranda. Go sit somewhere else.”
A few of the kids who came to sit with Phillip stared at her.
“Fine. But you won’t catch me at your stupid meeting. And maybe I’ll just let Mrs. Doneaway know what you’re up to. Maybe she could help poor little Cedar too, huh?”
She got up, her carefully placed blond curls bouncing, and walked back to a full table. Phillip didn’t watch her go.
“Don’t worry about her, man,” Dan Bloom said, “She’s evil.”
Phillip splashed water on his face in the bathroom. He couldn’t seem to cool himself down. Today had already been tortuously long, and Phillip hadn’t even had the meeting yet. Just breathe, he thought, it’ll be over soon. Cedar needs your help. Even if you end up in Mr. Busch’s office. Phillip had never been in trouble at school before. He followed directions and did his homework. All this attention had caused his stomach to turn in knots. He stood over the sink, still sweating.
He looked at his watch. It was time. Kids would be filing out of classes to recess at any minute. He pulled out his note cards and looked at them one last time. Phillip took a deep breath, shoved them in his back pocket and headed outside.
Some kids were already gathered behind the play structure, standing nervously. Phillip knew he didn’t have much time before the teacher would notice, become curious and make his way over to find out what was happening. He strode quickly out and several kids started following him. Phillip didn’t look to see if any teachers saw him.
Now most of the sixth grade class stood behind the structure, slightly hidden from view. The fourth and fifth graders ran wildly around, barely noticing the big group. Phillip gestured for them to sit down, and crouched himself.
Phillip felt his heart hammer in his chest. He looked up at the group, and noticed Miranda and Sam leaning against a tree behind the swings. He took a deep breath, and began.