chapter 49

ZAVION

Everyone was there. Papa, Isaac, Enzo, Tavius, Skeet, and Osprey. Ms. Cyn, her knitting needles flying. Papa rushed to grab Zavion as soon as his feet hit the ground. He gave him a tight hug and then a good shake.

“You don’t do that. You don’t do that to me, do you understand?” he said sharply.

“But—” started Zavion.

“Never. Never again.”

“But I wasn’t lost—I knew where I was—”

“You knew where you were? What good did that do me?”

“I’m sure you were so worried.” Jake had made his way around to the other side of the truck.

Papa turned to Jake and shot him a look that made Zavion wince. “Thank you for bringing Zavion home. But you don’t have a clue what I was feeling—”

“Don’t have a clue!” said Tiger.

“Shhhhh,” said Henry. He stuck the bird’s cage behind his legs.

“Don’t have a clue, ya bonehead!”

“Tiger,” Henry hissed.

Osprey laughed. She squirmed out of Enzo’s arms and ran to Henry, dragging Green behind her.

“Nice dog,” Henry said. “Looks like he runs fast.”

“Thank you,” she said, grinning. “His name is Green.” She pointed behind Henry. “Nice bird.”

“Thanks,” said Henry. “His name is Tiger. And I’m Henry.”

“I’m Osprey.”

“Falcon?”

“No, Osprey.”

“Eagle?”

“No, Osprey!”

“Owl?” Henry was laughing now.

“No! No!” Osprey poked Henry in the knee and giggled.

Zavion was amazed. In a matter of seconds, Henry and Osprey had become fast friends.

“If you think you’re going on any other damn adventure, Zavion, dump that idea out of your head right now,” said Papa. “You’re coming with me to Gabe’s and I’m attaching you to my wrist with Osprey’s leash all the way there. Do you understand me?”

“Papa—” Zavion forced himself to look into his eyes. “Papa—” His voice came out a whisper. He opened his palms. The two roof shingles, chipped and gray, sat in his hands. “This is what’s left of our house,” he managed to say.

“Sweet Jesus—” Papa’s eyes filled with tears.

“Two more canvases for you to paint,” said Zavion.

Papa pulled him close one more time.