ECOMASTERS, Chapter 10

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Chapter ten When I wake up in the morning after a quiet night spent with a long warm bath, sweet and sour chicken, and doggy snuggles, I still can't believe my luck. Cautiously, I check my phone, half expecting an angry text from my dad. Instead, in about a second and a half, I go from feeling lucky to feeling like the worst friend in the world. I have three voicemails from Jasper. Three. He's probably either really annoyed or very worried by now. I sit up in bed, trying not to disturb Peev, and start listening to the messages. Hey, where are you? The first one says. Did your dad come down? Is everything cool over there? I look at the time of that one and figure out it came just at about the time that I landed in Malawi. Apparently the signal's not as strong there. I listen to the next one, feeling guiltier by the moment. Coral, call me back, okay? Unless he took your phone away or something. My mom just said we can go back to the garden tomorrow if you want to come. Just call me and tell me what's up. His voice does that squeaky thing again, making the last few words sound like a broken clarinet. My eyes flood a little because I miss seeing him, and because I'm sad to hear how worried he sounds. I try to piece together when his call might have come in, and I realize I might actually have been on a magical water bridge at exactly that time. How in the world did I not call him back as soon as I got home? Or even the next day? The most amazing thing that's ever happened to me, and I completely forgot to call my best friend. Feeling about as bad as a girl can feel, I throw back the covers and swing my feet onto the soft carpet. Peev sits up and looks at me, clearly annoyed that I've disrupted his sleep. Sorry, boy, I tell him. I think it's time to get up. He snorts his disagreement and buries his face into the comforter. I pat his side as I listen to the next message, wincing even before Jasper starts talking, because I know he had to have been really annoyed and probably worried by the time he left this one. I don't know if you got my other messages, he says, his voice quiet and tired, like someone else is talking for him. I hope you're okay, and I know I said you could come over today, but I don't think that's gonna work. I'm feeling kind of sick and gross, so you should probably just stay away. My heart feels like it flops against my ribs. None of it matters anymore, since that was yesterday, but I'm still disappointed. And now, if Jasper's sick, it might be a while before I get a chance to see him. I stare at my feet, bumped to feel so bummed, and at least I can call and make him feel better. I dial his number, then pace the room as I wait for him to answer. His phone rings way too many times, and then I leave him a voicemail. Oh my gosh, Jasper, I'm so sorry I didn't call you sooner, but man, you know, do I have the best excuse ever? I can't tell you over the phone, but as soon as you're better, I'm gonna come over to your house and blow your mind like seriously. You will not believe what's happened. Just as I finish, there's a sharp knock on my door. Without even waiting for me to say anything, my dad pokes his head in and studies me. Who were you talking to? Jasper. Well, Jasper's voicemail. He narrows one eye and looks at me harder than I can ever remember. And what's so important? A weird sensation creeps over me, halfway between mad and suspicious. Who said it was? I heard you, Coral. You said he wouldn't believe what happened. My frown feels too big for my face. I'll probably just get in trouble if he sees it. So I turn away from him and tug open one of my dresser drawers like I need to find something. Why ask if you already heard me? He steps inside the room because I couldn't tell what you were talking about. And why does that matter? Look at me, Coral. The bite in his voice makes me jump a little. I peek over my shoulder, hoping he'll look like my dad, who I'm used to. Turn around and look at me. I close the drawer and face him, surprised to see him in a dark suit and a bright red tie. He's been working at home so much I forgot how he used to dress for the office. You're my daughter, and I care about you. That means I care what you're up to. And what if I'm not up to anything? Though I know I'm only tiptoeing around the lie. It still makes my face feel still and awkward. I narrow my eyes and fight to keep looking at him. Then I guess you won't mind telling me what you're so excited to tell Jasper about. My dad walks past me and sits on my bed like he means for this conversation to last for a long time. Something about that, about the way he leans back and crosses his leg over his knee makes me both nervous and brave. I bite my lip and then choose to go with brave. Are you going to tell me why all these worried looking strangers keep showing up to talk to you? His lips purse. That's just business, Coral. What kind of business? The words sail out of my mouth, and as soon as they do, I wish that I could snatch them back. Curiosity has always kind of been my thing, but the thick cloud settling in my chest makes me feel like that should change. My dad's crossed leg drops to the floor and he leans forward. His eyes remind me of storm clouds. Let's not forget which one of us is the parent. Every word hits my ears separately, like he's throwing stones. I look around my room, suddenly cold, and find a sweatshirt over the back of my desk chair. I put my phone on the desk and tug it on, happy not to be looking at him. When I tug my head through and push my hair out of my eyes, he's standing again. I bite my lip and wait. This is a time to be very careful, Coral. He steps closer. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you. If something happened to me, my mouth falls open. Why are we even talking about this? What's going on? He shakes his head, almost like he's trying to wake up. That's what I came in here to find out. I don't like all this sneaking around you've been doing. I'm not sneaking around. Well, not today, I think, and try not to let the guilt sneak in. Peave lifts his head, ears high and alarmed, and I figure out I must have shouted. It's okay, boy, I tell him, but he doesn't seem to buy it. With a grunt he jumps off the bed and stands by my side. You and that dog, my dad sighs. I almost shout again since it seems he doesn't want me to have any friends at all. But I take a deep breath instead. He'll keep me safe, I say. That's what you want, right? I guess so he glances around my room, then looks back at me. At least his eyes look calmer now. I have to go to the office today. I'll be back by dinner time. I nod, super relieved. I want you to stay here all day. Maybe you could even clean this room. I glance around and then shrug. They say a messy space is a sign of a brilliant mind. My dad almost smiles and shakes his head. No one I know says that. I shrug again, wondering exactly when I got so bold enough to talk back to him. And even crazier, why doesn't he even seem to notice? He heads for the door. I'm serious about you staying here, Coral. This is your final warning. If I find out you disobeyed, I'm going to hire a guard to go everywhere with you. Everywhere. Panic washes over me. No way I can deal with a bodyguard. I have to walk Peev. He can't stay inside all day That stops him. That's true. I'm going to speak with mister Dobbins when I leave. You're to check in with him when you start the walk and again when you come back, and you're to be gone no more than twenty minutes. I start to protest, but then my phone chimes in with a text. And Jasper's face fills my mind. Okay, Dad, I say, I'll let him know when I go. He glances down at my phone, then smiles. Not a real smile, but at least enough to let me know that he's moving on. Thank you, Coral. Maybe we can get pizza or something when I get home. Sounds good, I tell him, itching to get to my text. Have a good day. He kisses the top of my head in the way out the door, and for a second I feel small and happy like he's daddy again. Next to me, Peev sniffs, and his eyes stay on my dad until he disappears down the hall. I don't know what he sees, but I know it matters. As soon as he's gone, I snatch my phone off the desk. Jasper's name on the face makes me smile. Finally it says can't talk, still feel awful. We'll call when I can. My whole body deflates. I really wanted to talk to him. I text Jasper back, telling him I hope he feels better soon, and then stare down at Peev, not sure what to do next. He blinks a few times, and his warm green eyes seem to twinkle. You think we should go out, don't you boy? He blinks again. Mr Dobbin's shiny bald head pops into my mind, and my shoulders slump again. I can't do anything in twenty minutes. And then I've got it. A plan for getting in and out. Let's get you some breakfast, buddy, I tell Peave. We've got things to do today. He licks my hand, probably because he's excited for breakfast, but also I tell myself, because he knows we have one more friend to find somewhere in this world and a very, very small window to find her. Hi, this is Donna. Now that Coral's fully on her adventure as Pathfinder of the EcoMasters, I thought I would come by and ask how you're enjoying the book. You can send us your feedback at Ecomasters Books at Instagram and also at the EcoMasters Book page on Facebook. We'd love to hear your thoughts about how the adventure is going for you and your thoughts of what is to come in future books and the rest of this one. Thanks for listening.