Finding Home Read online

  “Hmm.” Mr. Garrett gave Landon a stern look. But it didn’t last long. “I guess I’m just glad you’re both safe.” He thanked the security guard and sent him on his way.

  Relief washed over Ashley as she watched the man go. No handcuffs. Not today. Her next breath felt more relaxed. “Where’s everyone else?” She tried to smile, but it didn’t seem like a very good idea. Not when she and Landon Blake were basically fugitives.

  Mr. Garrett raised his brow. “They’re waiting on the bus. It’s time to go.” Their teacher stopped for a minute and shook his head. “Ashley… why is it that you’re always on the other end of these things?”

  “I don’t know.” She held her hands out to the sides. “Talent?” A recent memory hit her. “Also, Mr. Garrett, I did get a very nice sketch of a giraffe out of the whole ordeal. I thought I should mention that.” She shrugged. “So that actually is talent.”

  A laugh came from Mr. Garrett even as he tried to stop it. “Yes, Ashley. You’re very talented.”

  As they followed their teacher back to the bus, Landon stayed by Ashley’s side. Halfway there she glanced at him and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  He nodded, and a smile moved up to his eyes.

  Ashley got onto the bus right after Landon. He took the only completely open seat, close to the front. For a second, Ashley thought about sitting beside him. After all, they were co-explorers. Co-fugitives. She looked at him and he looked at her. Then they grinned at each other one last time.

  He was a kind boy, that Landon Blake. But instead of sitting next to him, she walked to the back. Natalie was there, all alone.

  “Hi.” Ashley took the seat next to that girl. “So… wow! What a zoo day, huh?”

  “I can’t believe you got lost.” Natalie’s eyes grew wide.

  “I can.” Ashley made a nervous face. “I was sketching. It was bound to happen.”

  The girls ate their lunches and talked the whole bus ride back. Between Elliot and then Landon, and now Natalie, this had turned into quite a friendship day. Which could only mean Mr. Garrett was right. An unlikely friend was the best kind of all. She smiled to herself.

  Especially when he kept you out of zoo jail.

  18 Purple and Gold Memories

  KARI

  When their dad told them they were going to Bloomington High School that Friday night for the big football game, Kari had no idea what to expect. The family had never been to a real live high school football game.

  But as they walked through the stadium gates and found their seats in the bleachers with the Howards, the excitement and music and stadium lights were more than Kari could’ve imagined. No wonder Mom and Dad couldn’t wait to bring them here!

  Even better was the happy light way Kari felt. Both her parents knew about her cheating now. So the only thing left to do was tell her teacher. So far there hadn’t been a good time.

  Across the field in the bleachers was the school’s marching band. The music was loud and bouncy and amazing. “Don’t you love it?” Kari raised her voice in Ashley’s direction.

  “Love it?” Ashley stood and marched in place for a few beats. “I’m joining the band as soon as I set foot in high school.” She pointed at the drummers. “I’ll have that tall hat and those gold buttons. I’ll be the best drummer out there.”

  “Yes.” Kari could picture it. She laughed. “I’m sure you will!”

  They settled into their seats, and Kari looked around. Everyone was decked out in Bloomington High purple and gold. They wore T-shirts and sweatshirts and baseball caps, and everything said “BHS” or “Home of the Eagles.” The high school girls wore purple and gold ribbons in their hair and pom-poms on their shoes.

  The game hadn’t started yet but on the field someone was running around in an eagle costume. He threw candy into the high school student section.

  “This is amazing.” Kari leaned close to her mother. “Let’s come every Friday night!”

  Mom grinned. “That would make your father happy.”

  The Howards were extra-festive for the game. Marsha and Carly and their mother had purple and gold glitter on their cheeks and Mr. Howard wore a jersey with Steven’s number.

  Steven was a running back. Whatever that meant.

  “Here.” Mrs. Howard handed two tubes of glitter paint to Kari. “You and your sisters can use this. Just put a swipe under your eyes.”

  All four Baxter girls and their mom decorated their faces with purple and gold paint, and Dad brought a BHS baseball cap for Luke. Next came the National Anthem. Kari loved this part. They played it before every swim meet, too.

  The players from both teams lined up on the field, their hands over their hearts. Kari and her family and the Howards did the same thing.

  Not till the song was over did Kari notice the Bloomington High cheerleaders. “There!” She pointed. “That’s what I want to do! Cheer for my school!”

  Ashley gave her a strange look. “Band would be way more fun.” She looked at the field and back at Kari. “All cheerleaders do is bounce around.” She shrugged. “I guess. If that’s what you want to do.”

  Kari wanted nothing more. The cute skirts and sweaters. All the girls doing the same cheer. It was like dance and sports all at once.

  The game started with a giant kick of the ball. Kari didn’t understand how it worked, but midway through the second quarter, Carly and Marsha took Kari and Ashley down near the concession stand. “This is where us younger kids hang out,” Carly explained.

  Right away Kari spotted someone selling popcorn. Someone she wasn’t expecting to see.

  Her teacher, Ms. Nan.

  Kari gulped. This was her chance.

  She looked at her sister. Ashley was talking to boys from her class. Something about a race. Ashley could handle herself for a few minutes at least… Kari grabbed a deep breath and stood in Ms. Nan’s line. There were two other teachers working behind the counter.

  “Next please?” Ms. Nan’s voice was loud over the sound of the band.

  Kari stepped up to the counter and stood on her tiptoes. “Hello, Ms. Nan.”

  “Kari!” Ms. Nan smiled big and made her way around the counter. She gave Kari a hug. “Happy Friday!”

  “Yes. Well, sort of.” Kari paused. “I have to get something off my chest.”

  Ms. Nan checked the line. “Okay. I can take a quick break.” She moved with Kari to a quieter spot a few feet away. “What is it?”

  Kari crossed her arms. There was no going back. Once she said what she needed to say, anything could happen. She could be kicked out of school or put on display and shamed before the class. But at this point, she didn’t care. She needed to tell the truth. If only the words would come.

  “Kari?” Ms. Nan prodded.

  “Okay.” The words were breaking free, lining up on the other side of Kari’s teeth. “Remember the history quiz you gave? On chapters one and two?” Here we go. Kari stood strong. “Well… I cheated on that quiz, Ms. Nan. I hadn’t read the book so I took the answers from the boy next to me.”

  “Connor.” Ms. Nan nodded.

  “Yes, it was Connor. And I looked…” Kari stopped. “Wait. How did you know?”

  Ms. Nan chuckled. “Kari. I’ve been teaching for a while. You’ve gotten A’s on every assignment. Except that one.” She raised her eyebrows and put her hands on her hips. “I was waiting for you to tell me.”

  Kari’s mind was spinning. “So… I didn’t get an A?” She wondered if she might fall over.

  “No, you didn’t. That’s how I knew you copied Connor. He’s been struggling in history. So when your answers matched his almost exactly, and I saw the eraser marks, I knew you had copied him.”

  “And you were waiting… for me to tell you?” Kari couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes.” Ms. Nan’s voice was full of understanding. “I wanted it to be your lesson. One even more important than anything you’ll learn in history. The lesson of being honest.”

  Kari steadied herself
. She remembered so many days with rocks on her back. “All this time? I’m in shock here.”

  Her teacher stooped down. “I’m proud of you, Kari. Telling the truth is a life skill. It’s part of having good character. And on that one—tonight you get an A plus.” Ms. Nan gave Kari another quick hug. “And it’s okay to not have all the answers. In history… and in life.”

  Yes. Kari liked that. God had given her two wonderful parents and a kind teacher. Adults who could help when she didn’t know the answers. She smiled and peace surrounded her. “Thank you, Ms. Nan.” She smiled. “See you Monday.”

  Ms. Nan waved back. “See you then!” She clapped her hands. “Go, Eagles!”

  Kari walked back to Ashley and their friends and a thought occurred to her. Ms. Nan hadn’t yelled. She hadn’t talked about a punishment or a public confession in front of the class. None of that. Because Ms. Nan had grace.

  And that was something Kari would remember forever.

  * * *

  The next morning was Ashley’s big gymnastics meet. Kari couldn’t stop smiling, because the whole family was there—the way they were for the swim meet. And sure enough, Ashley got a silver medal for her cartwheel.

  Of all things.

  Back home, everyone helped Mom decorate for fall. Wreaths of orange and yellow and strings of silky autumn leaves were placed around the kitchen and living room and even on the front porch. Where their pumpkins would sit in a few weeks. The leaves were called garland, and they weren’t real. But they looked just like the ones on the ground outside.

  Mom was making shepherd’s pie and baked apples while homemade cider simmered on the stove. Kari breathed in deep. The house smelled sweet and warm and cozy. She smiled. It smelled like home.

  They had an hour before dinner, so after decorating, Luke had an idea. “Let’s go for a walk.” He raised his brow a few times and looked at Kari and his other sisters. Like he was giving them some kind of secret message. He pointed to the backyard.

  Kari knew immediately what he meant. “Great idea.” She looked at Brooke. “Should we go out back for… a walk?”

  Brooke caught on. “Definitely!” She stood and slid her shoes on. “Let’s go.”

  Mom was adjusting the string of leaves over the kitchen window. “Have fun!” She smiled at them. “Don’t forget dinner.”

  “Okay!” Kari called back as the group headed outside.

  Kari and the other Baxter children ran and jogged and marched through the tree line, to the family rock. The place they were all clearly thinking about. Kari remembered the last time they were here. It was that first full day they lived here. So much had changed since then.

  All for the better.

  They helped each other up onto the rock and there they took in the beauty around them.

  “The leaves are changing.” Ashley glanced up at the trees. “God makes them the most beautiful right before they die.”

  “Mmm.” Brooke angled her head. “I like that.” She seemed to think for a minute. Then she looked at each of them. “So… how are you all doing?” She hesitated. “I—for one—feel settled.”

  “Me, too.” Erin sat on the smooth surface. “I like Bloomington.”

  Luke nodded. “We have the best yard. So much to explore.” He held his arm up. “My cast comes off in a week. So I guess I learned to be careful on trees.” His arm was almost better. Just one more week, and the doctor would take the cast off.

  “Or stick to looking for lizards. On the ground.” Kari patted Luke’s good arm. “And I’m glad you’re okay.” She leaned back on her hands. “ As for me, I’m happy. I like my new friends and swimming.” She paused. “And I learned the importance of telling the truth. And not cheating.” She had already told the others about the scandal. All of them took the news well. Kari grinned at her siblings. “I think I really love it here.”

  “Same.” Brooke took her time. “Carly is an amazing friend. I love my classes. And playing in the orchestra. Bloomington is the best.” She looked at the faces around her. “And, tonight with us getting ready for fall and Mom’s cooking, this really feels like home!”

  “Yes!” Luke shouted. “Home sweet home.”

  “I like that! Home sweet home!” Erin’s face lit up. “Plus, Mom’s making my favorite cider!”

  Ashley was quiet. Kari understood. After all, Ashley had told her about the boy who called her Peter Pan names. And her terrible mud day and the gum hair disaster. And getting lost at the zoo. If anyone wasn’t perfectly happy, it would be Ashley.

  Kari took her sister’s hand. “What about you, Ash?”

  Ashley looked at her feet. “I guess… I like it better than before.” She smiled at Kari and then at the others. “The house is nice.” She thought for a second. “I’m starting to make some… unlikely friends.” She paused. “But for me, home will always be in Michigan. And that’s okay.”

  Kari was satisfied with Ashley’s answer. People have to adjust in their own time. Ashley just needed more days.

  “It is okay, Ashley.” Brooke sat on the other side of their sister. She put her arm around Ashley. “One day this will feel like home. No rush.”

  “Right.” Erin nodded. “I took my time, and it worked out for me.”

  On the way back, Kari linked arms with Ashley. “I’m happy about your answer.”

  They slowed their pace and Ashley leaned her head on Kari’s shoulder. “Thanks. A little while ago I was ready to run away. If you remember.” Ashley straightened again and smiled. “But I’m pushing through. Even after all the tough chapters.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t leave.” Kari nudged her sister. “And look… you’re choosing joy! It’s already getting better. You have Marsha and Natalie and Landon.”

  Ashley raised one eyebrow. “Don’t forgot Elliot. The gum boy.” She giggled. “We’re an unlikely bunch.”

  “But they’re your friends.” Kari put her arm around Ashley’s shoulders. “See? God can do anything when we have the right attitude.”

  “An attitude of gratitude.” Ashley smiled. She looked at the house in the distance, and then to Kari. “Race you back!”

  Kari pulled away from her sister and headed fast toward home. But as always, Ashley was quicker. She took the lead and reached the back porch first. Inside, Mom was setting the shepherd’s pie on the counter. The top was golden brown and bubbly. Next she put the apples on a cooking tray and slid it into the oven.

  The perfect fall dinner.

  When they were all seated, just before their dad prayed, Kari looked around the table. It was the best autumn night. Mom asked questions about school and what they wanted to do at the Fall Festival. As they talked, Kari looked at Ashley. At one point, maybe even soon, Michigan would be a beautiful memory. Part of the past. Kari believed that. And then Ashley would see Bloomington not only as a place where they lived.

  But as the most wonderful home ever.

  19 A Fall Festival to Remember

  ASHLEY

  When the bell rang Friday before the Fall Festival, Natalie approached Ashley in the hallway. They walked out to the front of the school and Natalie turned to her. “Ashley.” She was quiet again. “I… want to apologize. For how I’ve acted since school started.” Natalie paused. “You’ve been so nice. And… I don’t know… I’ve been kind of mean.”

  Ashley was speechless. Which was becoming something of a habit. She wanted to say that Natalie had been more than “kind of” mean. But that didn’t feel like the right response. Finally she found the words. “Natalie… you don’t have to—”

  “I have more. Please.” Natalie took a slow breath. “My dad… he’s in the military.” Her voice cracked, like she was holding back an ocean of tears. “He hasn’t been home all year.”

  All year? “That’s terrible.” Ashley had heard of kids whose parents served the country. She decided to say what her parents always said. “Well, Natalie… thank you for serving.”

  Natalie hesitated. “I don’t serve.”<
br />
  “Yes, you do.” Ashley nodded. “Every day you miss your daddy, you’re serving. Just like him.”

  “Okay.” Natalie shrugged one shoulder. Probably because that did actually make sense.

  Quiet came over Natalie again when they stopped walking. Finally she looked into Ashley’s eyes. “I just miss him.” Natalie took a long breath and continued. “We change cities a lot, too. So I don’t do well meeting new people. I’m always afraid we’ll move again.” Her face looked sad. “And I’d have to start all over.” She circled the toe of her shoe in the grass. “So thanks… for not giving up on me.”

  Ashley felt terrible for Natalie. All this time she had thought the girl was mean. But that wasn’t true at all. Natalie was only sad. Sad and lonely. A long sigh came from Ashley. She thought for a minute. Then she stepped forward and hugged Natalie. That was all she could think to do.

  Because sometimes there really were no words.

  Then Ashley had an idea. Her friendship bracelet was on her own wrist—in case an unlikely class friend came along. And now finally, Ashley knew who to give it to. She slid the bracelet off. “Here.” She gave it to Natalie. “I want you to have this.”

  Surprise came over Natalie. “For me? Really?” She slipped it on, and then she did something that shocked Ashley. Natalie took off the one she had made, which she was wearing, and she handed it to Ashley. “I thought I was the only one who hadn’t given mine away.” She grinned. “This one is for you.”

  Ashley put it on her wrist. “You’re my unlikely friend, Natalie. And I have a feeling I’ll be more glad about that every day.”

  “Me, too.” Natalie bit her lip. She smiled. “Maybe one day we’ll be likely friends.”

  “Yes.” Ashley nodded. “That would be an improvement from what we’ve been.”

  Then something happened that Ashley hadn’t expected. An action she had wondered if she would ever see in all of fifth grade. Not only did Natalie smile at Ashley’s comment. She did something entirely new.