Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French

Author:S. Terrell French
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published: 2011-03-08T16:00:00+00:00

“‘Next fall,’ Julian!” Danny said. “It’ll all be over by this summer!”

Julian lifted his eyes from the article and looked around the yard. There was the counselor, blowing his whistle, the girls swinging from the monkey bars, a couple of kids playing dodgeball. And in Julian’s hand were these dry statements about investments and profits. Nothing in his world or in the article seemed connected with Big Tree Grove. Nothing was sending an alarm that a rare and beautiful place was about to be destroyed.

“Operation Redwood!” Danny said.

Julian shook his head.

“We’ve got to do it soon,” Danny said. “As soon as your mom gets back. She might even help, you know? Take pictures of the redwoods or something.”

“My mom’s not coming back,” Julian said.

“What do you mean?”

“She can’t come home. She’s too busy.” He put the paper in his pocket, picked up the basketball, and threw a perfect three–pointer.

“She’s making you stay with the Evil Ones?” Danny said incredulously. “That’s brutal.”

“She’s trying to find somebody else.”

“Who?”

Julian shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“You could stay with me! I’ll ask my parents.”

“Come on! They’re not going to let me stay there for a month.” Julian threw another three–pointer and watched unsmilingly as it whooshed through the rim. “Plus, you’ve got that journalism camp.”

“I’ll beg them!” Danny said. The ball bounced toward him and he stilled it with one foot.

“Even if I could stay with you, we’re never going to get to Robin’s,” Julian said. “Her dad hates me now. He’s never going to let me come back.”

“He doesn’t hate me,” Danny said. “Maybe I’ll go to Robin’s this time and you can stay home and be the logistical support.”

Julian opened his mouth in protest, but Danny punched him in the shoulder. “Just kidding! You’re so gullible!” He looked at his watch. “Aaa!” he cried. “I’m late! I gotta go. Once my cousins set our house on fire. They’re total pyromaniacs!” He threw the basketball to Julian and climbed onto his bike. “See you tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Julian said gloomily.

“Oh, sorry.” Danny said. “I guess you’re stuck with the Dastardly Duo.” He gave Julian a look of sympathy. “I’ll see you next week. Have a nice Fourth of July.”

Julian nodded halfheartedly.

“Adios!” Danny cried, wheeling away. “Good luck!”

Back at Sibley’s that evening, Julian just lay on his bed, staring despondently at the empty walls. His mom wasn’t coming home. She was halfway around the world, having all sorts of fun without him. She didn’t care that he was stuck at his uncle’s. Or imprisoned at Quantum. She probably didn’t even know what a jerk his uncle really was.

Julian pulled his pillow over his head and breathed his own warm breath. All these silent evenings were getting to him, he thought from inside his black cave. His favorite teacher, Ms. Felicity, had told them that when they were upset, they should try to remember a place where they were happy. Julian tried to imagine himself sitting in the circle of trees at Big Tree Grove. But that just made him feel worse.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.