Chapter 2 C2

The next thing I remember, the flashlight was still in my grasp and my face was pressed against the tarp's bottom. The dried blood that had flowed down the side of my head from my temple was still there. The schoolyard was alive with the sound of laughter.

Avery's shock at my mumbled "shit" was palpable.

Saying, "That's a bad word Alex!" He became irate and shouted at me. When I realized that no one would yell at me for saying such a thing, all I could do was laugh.

Forget it! Moms not here anymore" I said with a sly grin as Avery almost passed out from amazement.

Avery mumbled something like "shit" and then put his hands over his mouth. As I saw his panic unfold, I couldn't contain my mirth.

Not saying those things to Alex because they don't make me feel good is not an option. Avery's look of unease remained fixed on his face when he spoke. Laughing, I climbed out from under the sheet.

As he looked around the tarp, I pushed, "Come on Avery."

As in, "May I bring one?" With a malicious grin on his face, he brought up the comics and inquired.

I responded, "Yes, now come on" as I yanked him up from the base.

There wasn't much I could do about the fact that my brother and I both looked a bit rough, but we were. I didn't have anything to clean ourselves up with, and we didn't have a change of clothing. It was like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack as we walked onto the playground packed with children. You could tell we weren't from around here, yet we showed up anyhow.

I pushed through the school's entrance and led Avery along the corridor. I was worried since I had no idea what was going to happen to us. I gulped as I opened the classroom door and saw Avery and the rest of my students gazing at us. Everyone around us glanced at us in disbelief.

In other words, "Alex, you're back" Ms. Jane, along with the rest of the audience, was taken aback by the news. She came out into the corridor and stood there with the classroom door closed, facing us.

"Alex, what the hell is wrong with your brain?" She let out a gasp that bordered on loathing.

I couldn't go to go to school because I had to take care of Avery, and my mom hasn't been home in days, so we've been starved. I sobbed uncontrollably and rambled, "I'm tired and I just want to sleep." My stress levels finally reached an all-time high.

Inquiring minds want to know, "What about your dad?" She questioned out of natural interest.

I shouted at her, "I don't have a fucking dad," and then I distanced myself from her. Before he started laughing, Avery's mouth was gaping open.

He smiled and remarked, "Alex, you said a bad word to an adult," which made me laugh in spite of my tears.

Ms. Jane spoke quietly, "Come on boys, come with me" as she led us down the corridor.

He added with a guffaw, "I can't believe you said that Alex."

I chuckled, relieved to have let out some of the pent-up rage I'd been feeling against my mother.

Ms. Jane spent some time chatting with the headmistress.

To better hear what was going on outside, I pressed my ear up to the door.

Mr. Reid, the principal at the time, said, "If the boys' mother is no longer around, then they will be put into foster care, it's the only way."

I just need one night alone with the boys before we have to involve social services. We have no idea whether they will be separated. She begged him to reconsider. My heart was pounding, and I had to move away from the entrance. I didn't want to be without Avery since we were both dependent on one other.

The question, "Alex, are you okay?" Avery saw my astonished appearance and enquired curiously.

Nodding my head, "Yeah, it'll be okay," I told myself that it would be.

Yes, of course it will, your mother will return. He grinned naively and kicked his tiny legs beneath the seat of the chair. I wish I could say that I believed you, but deep down I always knew what was in store for us.

The door swung wide and there was Ms. Jane.

I'm taking Alex and Avery back to my house today while we look for their mom. But first, let's stop by your place and pick up some fresh threads. She beamed as if it were fantastic news. Nothing more than a "okay" came out of my mouth. I wanted the best for Avery regardless of whether she ended up living with me or not. I hoped he'd grow up in a family where his parents prioritized their care for him. instead of a helpless older sibling.

Alex, come with me, and Avery, you wait there," Ms. Jane said with furrowed eyebrows. While I turned the bend of the corridor with Ms. Jane, Avery nodded dutifully.

After she cleaned the blood from my temple, she set me down on a counter. She attempted to bandage my head in the hopes that it would heal on its own.

You and Avery will be OK; I know you're not stupid, Alex. How ready are you for that? She took a step back to gauge my reaction and then questioned suspiciously. My response was silent nods of agreement. I wasn't naive, but I also wasn't selfless. If Avery's new parents can make him happy, then I'm all for it.

She just nodded and helped me off the counter. I walked back and Ms. Jane drove us away. She recruited a substitute instructor to keep an eye on us.

*****

Looking around my room, I told Avery, "Grab everything you own; we're leaving.

"Why?" He inquired perplexedly, apparently unaware that we were soon to enter foster care. I locked the door to our room.

We don't have a parent and we can't survive on our own," I said as I straightened his unkempt hair.

The question, "Why can't you take care of me?" His eyes were welling up with tears as he asked.

I smiled reassuringly and caressed his head, telling him, "I'm still a kid too, they would never allow it."

The question, "But what about mom?" The sight of her picture on our wall brought him to tears.

Avery, she abandoned us; you knew your mother was ill all the time; you knew she would eventually leave us, I said, feeling dejected.

Saying, "How about we leave her a message?" Before I saw the sadness lift from Avery's face, I stated it cheerfully.

After saying, "Okay," he wiped his cheeks dry of tears.

Sorry, Mom, but we had to get out of here. We are now staying with Ms. Jane before entering foster care. You will be greatly missed. Involving Avery and Alex.

If you're asking, "Do you feel better now?" When I asked Avery, all I got was a nod. Avery let up a loud stomach grumble, and I heard it.

I spoke my inner thought: "We need food."

Before leaving the room, I retrieved my piggy bank and a picture of Avery and me.

"Ms. Jane, could we get Avery a happy meal at McDonald's?" With my piggy bank in hand, I requested.

As in, "What about you, Alex?" She held my piggy bank and asked me.

I comforted her, "Oh, I'm not hungry, it's okay," as I looked at my brother, who was beaming. In my heart, I had always suspected that I was fibbing. Even if I didn't fear I'd die of hunger first, I didn't think I had enough money in my piggy bank to feed us both.

Sure, why not, fellas? With a soft grin on her lips, she nodded. She cast a troubled look back into the kitchen, and I caught it.

Have no fear of the needles. I told my dad proudly, "They're my mom's medicine" as we walked out of the building. Her face suddenly took on a melancholy expression. Why she was so down about it, I can't say.

Always knew they were drugs, but pretended otherwise when around Avery or adults. I didn't understand why they were awful, but I saw what they did to my mom and I understood. They caused her to become weak and ill. Neither she nor I ever enjoyed seeing her perform. She did her best, but she wasn't a great mother.

I was nervous for the first time while we sat in the parking lot eating McDonald's. What would happen to Avery and me, I couldn't say. I was worried about losing him, but I wasn't going to allow things to go that far. Even though Ms. Jane persisted on buying me food, I quickly ate it all up since I hadn't eaten in days. Before taking us back to her place, she stopped to get ice cream.

"Here Alex, you hold your blanket, and Avery, you hold yours" She wrapped me in the thick blanket and gave me instructions. She brought down the sofas for Avery and me to sleep on and we down the stairs. I loved that my sofa faced Avery's.

The light was switched off by Ms. Jane.

She wished the lads goodnight and climbed the stairs.

My body was entirely covered by the blanket; just my head was visible. Before Avery realized it was dark, he was smiling as he relaxed on his sofa.

Avery called out to Alex in a low voice. I remained silent.

This time his whisper of "Alex" was stronger than the last, drawing my attention and bringing me out of my reverie.

From the comfort of my sofa, I said "Yes" and gave him a silent glance.

I'm terrified, he murmured, scanning the room. He was obviously scared of the dark, although I can't say for sure why.

I groaned and pulled back the covers to let him in. He raced over and hopped in behind me, grinning.

"I think we'll be fine, Alex." The covers were pulled up to his chin as he requested. I could not have lied to him.

I nodded reassuringly and said, "Yeah, you'll be alright."