As you all know, Cedar Montgomery is really sick. She is in the hospital, and she is not improving. In fact right now they are probably poking needles in her and doing all sorts of uncomfortable tests.” Some kids winced and nodded, others just stared. Many of them had never heard Phillip speak, much less speak to a large group.
“And I know all of you have heard in some way where Cedar was found, out in the Worcester woods. No one ever came forward as Cedar’s parents. She was found at the base of a big and beautiful tree. And what I’m about to say sounds crazy, I know. Many of you probably won’t believe me. Even if you doubt what I say is true, even if you think I’m nuts, if you care about your fellow classmate Cedar, you’ll ignore that logical part of your mind and join me.”
Dan Brown tapped Phillip. “Mr. Phelps is coming over across the field.”
“Okay. The woods where Cedar was found are about to be cut down. Including the ancient tree she was found under. Several houses are to be built there. Cedar started getting sick when all this started. She’s gotten sicker as the date nears. Construction will happen within the next week.”
“Yeah,” Dan said, “I live right next door, and they brought in the bulldozers yesterday.”
“Just what are you saying?” A girl from another class blurted out.
Phillip gulped. “I think that Cedar may die if we don’t stop this. She needs your help.” Phillip glanced up and saw Mr. Phelps rapidly approaching. “Be there, tomorrow, at 7:00 A.M., with your parents and everyone you can think of. Bring signs, bells, whistles. Tell everyone you know about it.”
Some kids giggled, and Miranda rolled her eyes.
“And do what?” the same girl called out.
“Protest. Stop the development. Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever what takes, Phillip?” Mr. Phelps asked as he approached. The group scuttled away quickly, leaving Phillip alone. Only Dan stayed behind.
“Oh, it’s about a club he wants to start,” Dan chimed in. “Right Phillip? An environmental club? He just had his first meeting. Lots of interest, huh?”
Mr. Phelps smiled at the boys. “That’s great! You know, small groups of people can change the world!”
They nodded and Mr. Phelps walked toward the soccer field.
“Thanks,” Phillip said, “that was close.” Dan nodded. They were silent for a moment or two. Phillip’s hands were pushed deep in his pockets.
“Dan?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think they’ll come?”
“I have no idea, man. But I’ll be there.” He brushed the straggly hair from his eyes as the bell rang for class. They ran down to the doors and lined up to go in. Cool wind blew the clouds across the sky, shifting. Before Phillip knew it he could feel Miranda’s eyes on his face.
“So noble of you, Phillip. To stage a protest to save your dying girlfriend.” She sighed dramatically. “What next, are you going to ride there on your white horse? Pick Tree Girl up by the waist and ride off into the sunset?”
Phillip ignored her, stared straight ahead.
As he tried to pass through the door, Miranda put her hand up to stop him.
“What if I tell on you Phillip? What will you do then?”
He turned to her slowly, as the line of kids built up behind them and said, “I’ll do it anyway.” He pushed her arm back and passed through the door.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Miranda called, “Phillip the hero!” she said sarcastically. “I don’t think he can save his way out of a paper bag!”
Phillip stared at the clock in anguish. This was the longest school day of his life. His stomach rolled over again and again, threatening to charge out of his mouth right then and there. Sweat beaded on his forehead, although it was quite cool in the classroom. Mrs. Doneaway droned on about Ancient Greece, writing all over the board and expecting everyone to take detailed notes and follow her disjointed thinking. Instead, Phillip worked on his intricate plan for Cedar’s escape from the hospital. From memory he drew the hospital floor she was on, labeling the rooms in between, the exits, and everything else he could remember.
He pictured Cedar on the hospital bed, propped up on her side. Her face would be twisted up in pain as they stuck a long needle deep into her spine. He could see her beautiful hair all stringy and matted, her bright deer eyes dulled in pain. Phillip remembered the day she read the summary to the class and then fell to the floor. He winced and a shiver shot up and down his spine. His notebook jumped off his desk and landed with a resounding thwack! on the floor. Mrs. Doneaway jumped in the air while writing on the board when she heard the unexpected sound. She did not like surprises. Kids in the class giggled, thinking he did it on purpose.
Phillip bent down quickly to grab his notebook, as Mrs. Doneaway’s narrow eyes settled squarely on him.
“Phillip! It’s so nice that you volunteered your notes as a model for the class!”
She walked over slowly, gathering all the tension in the room.
“Let’s have a look, shall we?” Her eyes gleamed behind pointy glasses. She put out her hand for the notebook. Phillip looked pained as he handed it to her and shrugged his shoulders.
Mrs. Doneway stared at the notebook page while the class held their breath. Her eyes grew into slits, and she slammed the notebook down on his desk.
“Out of the classroom!” she bellowed, “Down to Mr. Bausch’s office! And show him what you have been doing in my Social Studies class!”