Now it was Jordan’s turn to get angry. “You’ve got problems? What have you got to worry about? Your parents’ divorce? Lots of people get divorced. It’s a better way to end a marriage than your mom dying. My mom’s never coming back, and I can’t just push through that!”

  Jordan grabbed his books and ran out of the classroom.

  He didn’t stop until he got home.

  Chapter 19:

  An Apology and an Explanation

  When Jordan opened the door to the apartment his father called out, “Did you pick up today’s paper? Apparently, there’s a great article on rabies in coyotes that live in the valley.”

  Jordan hadn’t picked up his dad’s paper. This was important. It was part of their ritual and he had forgotten. “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he scolded himself.

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I forgot.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll pop out and get it. The walk’ll do me good.”

  “No. It’s my job,” Jordan yelled back. “I’ll go!”

  “Okay,” his dad said.

  All the way to the corner store Jordan beat himself up over forgetting about his dad. If Nathan hadn’t pushed him so hard, he wouldn’t have let his dad down like that. The Shop ’n’ Bag was out of papers, as was Gwen’s Variety and Tom’s Milk. He had to go all the way down to the big grocery store south of Danforth Avenue to find one.

  This is what happens when you get involved with someone like Nathan.

  When he got back, the evening doorman was on duty. “You’re late today,” he said.

  “I’ve already been home,” Jordan said, waiting for the elevator. “But I’m stupid and forgot something.”

  “Happens to the best of us, my friend.”

  Jordan barged through the apartment door and gave his dad the paper.

  “Thanks, kiddo,” his dad said. “Best son ever.”

  Not a hard thing to say when I’m the only one you’ve got.

  “I’ll call you when dinner’s ready,” his dad said as Jordan headed off to his bedroom.

  “I’m not hungry!” he shouted back, closing the door a little harder than he meant to.

  Jordan wasn’t sure who he was madder at: himself for forgetting the paper, or Nathan for being such a jerk and making him so upset. Before Nathan, everything was in order. Newspapers were always picked up. Books were always put in the right place on the shelf. When things got out of order, when routines were broken, important stuff got missed. Like doctor’s appointments, and . . .

  Jordan’s phone chirped with an incoming text. He ignored it. “If he thinks I’m going to talk to him . . .” he muttered to himself before tossing his phone aside and throwing himself onto the bed.

  He kept replaying the fight with Nathan over and over in his head. “. . . You can’t spend your whole life running from things.”

  If I’m going to be running from things, it’ll be you!

  Jordan heard the sound of another incoming text.

  “No!” he yelled at the phone.

  He thinks he’s so much worse off than me. At least his parents are both still alive, even if his dad does live in Montreal. His dad sounds like a jerk anyway and Nathan’s probably better off without him.

  A third incoming text chirped. “Go away!” he yelled into his pillow.

  Then he realized the texts might be from Emma. He got up and checked his phone. Three texts. All from Nathan. The text previews said:

  Please forgive me. I need to explain . . .

  And,

  I’m so sorry.

  The third text was simply an emoji:

  Jordan refused to open any of them. “You had your chance, and you blew it.”

  His phone rang. It was Emma.

  “Hey. I waited for you at your locker after school and you never showed up. Are you okay?”

  “Can I call you back? I’m just working on something.”

  “Yeah. Sure,” she said, sounding like she didn’t believe him.

  Jordan disconnected and plopped himself back on the bed. The phone rang again and he answered, “I said I’m kinda busy right now.”

  For a moment there was silence on the other end.

  “I’m so sorry, I just . . . I owe you a huge apology and an explanation.”

  It was Nathan.

  Jordan held the phone to his chest. He took a deep breath, then held the phone back up to his ear and said, “Go on.”

  “There’s no excuse for the way I acted in class.”

  “No, there isn’t.”

  “But please let me explain before you hang up on me.”

  The sound of his voice sent the tiniest of shudders through Jordan’s body. He waited a few seconds before he said, “Okay.”

  “My mom called at lunch. I had to go home. We found out that my dad’s getting remarried. It’s kinda weird, but I know he and Mom weren’t going to get back together again. I don’t even think I wanted that to happen, but to actually hear that he’s moving on without my mom, or me . . . it really hurts.”

  Jordan could hear Nathan crying.

  “My mom didn’t handle the news very well. She lost it. She started to throw things at the wall. I was really scared. I didn’t know what to do to help her, so I just hid in my room until I could get out of the house and come back to school. I didn’t want to say anything. I wasn’t sure I could control myself if I started to tell you. And then I said all those horrible things to you . . . I am so sorry. Do you think there’s any way you can forgive me?”

  “You really hurt me,” Jordan said.

  “I know.”

  Jordan took another deep breath to calm himself and steady his voice, and then said, “You had a horrible thing happen to you, and I understand.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yeah. I do. But I need some time to cool down.”

  “Whatever you want. Just please don’t throw me out of your life.”

  “How about you meet me at my place Monday morning at 7:30 and we can walk to school together.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Okay. Bye.” Jordan disconnected.

  There was a knock at the door and his dad poked his head in. “Can I come in?”

  Jordan nodded.

  “I’m guessing you had a pretty bad day today.”

  “I’ve had better,” Jordan said, trying to keep his voice calm.

  “You know you can tell me anything.”

  Jordan shrugged. “Yeah, I know.”

  “Tell you what,” his father said, sitting down on the edge of Jordan’s bed. “Why don’t we make something fun for dinner tonight. How about we make Mom’s favourite pizza?”

  “The one with the pineapple, green peppers, and anchovies on it?” Jordan caught himself smiling in spite of everything.

  “That’s the one. And we’ll make it together, just like we used to,” his dad said, grabbing one of Jordan’s feet and tickling it.

  Jordan screeched with laughter.

  “Do you remember, your mom always used to make it when we’d had a bad day? She always knew best when it came to what was good for us.”

  “She sure did,” Jordan said. Then added, “I really miss her, Dad.”

  “Me too, Jordie. Me too. But we’re gonna be okay because we have each other.” He ruffled Jordan’s hair. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen. We have a pizza to make.”

  “Sure. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  As his dad left, Jordan picked up his phone and sent a text.

  I’m sorry about what happened with your dad. And I’m sorry about the way I reacted.

  He hit send, then sent another message:

  Moments later his phone chirped with a text from Nathan:

  Chapter 20:

  The Bird and the Castle

  On Monday morning Jordan stood by Mr. Swan’s counter in the Belvedere lobby. He checked his watch. It was exactly 7:30. Although classes didn’t begin until eight, Jordan liked to get there early. Better early than late. It took fifteen minutes to get to school, assuming there were no delays.

  Jordan checked to see if there was a text from Nathan. Nothing. Should he text him? No — that would look needy. He nervously tapped his fingers on the counter. Mr. Swan eventually put his hand on Jordan’s, signalling that the tapping must stop. “If you go outside, maybe you can see your friend coming,” he offered.

  “Yeah.” Jordan went outside and stood at the foot of the stairs. He stood for five minutes, then sat for five more. He caught his knee vibrating. Where the hell is he? Jordan stood and was about to text when he saw Nathan coming along the street, looking into his hands.

  “Where have you been? We’re going to be . . .”

  Nathan looked up at him. In his hands he held a small yellow and black bird. “He hit a window. I couldn’t just leave him there.”

  Jordan stared down at the injured, helpless bird and saw the look in Nathan’s eyes.

  “Come on. Bring him upstairs.”

  Jordan and Nathan skipped the elevator and took the stairs two at a time. They burst into the apartment. Jordan yelled, “Dad, we need your help.”

  Jordan’s dad came out of the bedroom. He was dressed for work. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nathan found a bird that hit a window. We’re not sure what to do.”

  Nathan held out his hands. The little bird lay there. They could see it was breathing in short, fast breaths.

  “Is it dying?” Nathan asked.

  “Here. Give it to me.”

  Nathan gently passed the bird to Jordan’s dad who carefully examined the animal.

  “I have a few things I’ll need to try if I’m going to save this little fella, but it’ll take some time. Perhaps it’s best if you both go wash your hands and get to school.”

  As they ran to school, Jordan was distracted by the possibility that he would be late to class for the first time in his life.

  Nathan said, “Do you think your dad can save it?”

  “He knows what he’s doing. He’s a veterinarian. If anyone can save it, he can.”

  They reached the school just in time. Jordan was two steps ahead of Nathan all the way.

  * * *

  At lunchtime, Jordan met up with Emma and Nathan and they told her about what had happened with the bird. As they made their way down the hallway Mr. Jenkins walked by and said, “You three might want to go and check out the modifications to the book club room.”

  Without saying a word, they ran toward Mr. Jenkins’s office. As they dodged around the other students who filled the hallway, Jordan spotted Yan and Jinx.

  “Follow us,” Jordan whispered, and the other two joined the race.

  “Why are we running? Did you do something you shouldn’t have?” Jinx asked Emma. “Cuz, if you did, I’m here for you.”

  Jordan looked over at Nathan, who smiled. “Told you he likes her,” Nathan whispered.

  When they reached the basement, they headed through Mr. Jenkins’s office and saw the entrance to the old staff room. A beautiful, framed painting was fastened to the door. The painting was of a book, opened to the front page which said X-Libris.

  Jordan turned the knob and the door opened.

  What was, just the week before, a plain room with walls covered in paintings, was now a room that looked like it was right out of a castle.

  The floor was covered in richly coloured patterned carpets and was furnished with fancy old upholstered chairs. Beside each chair was a small, ornately carved, wooden table. Along one wall was a huge bookcase.

  “I’m sorry it’s empty,” a voice said from behind them, “but I thought you’d want to be the ones to decide what books went in it.”

  They spun around. The caretaker stood there with a mop and bucket in hand.

  “Mr. Jenkins,” Jordan gasped. “Where did this all come from?”

  “You’d be surprised what you can find in the storage rooms of an old school.”

  “And the sign on the door . . . Did you paint it?” Emma asked.

  “Yeah. It was a little rushed but —”

  “It’s amazing!” Jordan interrupted.

  “It’s . . .” was the only word that came out of Yan’s mouth. He just stood there, mouth open, staring around the room.

  “This is perfect,” Jordan said. “As president of X-Libris, I would like to make you, Mr. Jenkins, an honorary member of the club. All in favour, say aye!”

  All five members yelled out, “Aye!”

  “But how do you get to be an honorary member when anyone can join?” Jinx asked.

  “Don’t spoil the moment, Jinx,” Emma said.

  “I am deeply touched,” Mr. Jenkins said, “and I graciously accept. Sadly, I won’t be able to stay. I have a leaky toilet in the boys’ washroom on the second floor to deal with. By the way, the club needs to have a new staff supervisor since you aren’t in the library activity rooms anymore. The principal suggested that I might want to take on the job.”

  The five students cheered.

  Mr. Jenkins left the room and closed the door.

  Chapter 21:

  A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies

  The afternoon seemed to crawl along and Jordan was relieved to reunite with Emma and Nathan after the last class of the day.

  Jordan’s phone chirped with a text.

  If Nathan is with you, will you bring him home? It’s about the bird.

  “It’s Dad. He was wondering if you could come home with me.”

  Nathan looked worried. “Is it bad news?”

  “He didn’t say.”

  “I gotta go. I hope everything is alright,” Emma said, giving Jordan a hug. “See you guys tomorrow.” She looked at Nathan, smiled and gave him a hug too.

  They walked home, only stopping to pick up a paper. Just before they got to the apartment, Jordan looked at Nathan’s worried face and said, “It might be good news.” He looked around quickly then, seeing no one, put his hand on Nathan’s back and gave it a rub.

  “I know it’s just a bird,” Nathan said, “but lately little things have been really upsetting me, especially with all the stuff going on with my dad. It’s kinda shaken everything up inside of me. So, thanks.”

  Nathan turned to Jordan and hugged him. Jordan didn’t want that hug to end. Then, as Nathan was pulling away, Jordan couldn’t be sure, but he thought he felt a light brush of something on his ear.

  Did he just kiss my ear?

  As they walked up the stairs Jordan took a deep breath. They entered the apartment and he set the paper down. “Dad?”

  He was used to his father sitting in the living room, watching TV, or reading when he got home from school, but this afternoon his dad came out of his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Jordan tried to read the look on his father’s face.

  “I didn’t realize it earlier, but you must be the friend who loaned Jordan that nice shirt,” his dad said to Nathan.

  “Yeah,” Nathan replied, blushing slightly. The Nathan that Jordan knew up to this point would have talked up a storm.

  “It’s nice to see he’s made a friend with such good taste. Maybe it’ll rub off on him.” Jordan’s dad smiled and said, “Now, come on. Follow me.” He headed back toward his room.

  When they reached the closed door, Jordan’s dad turned to Nathan and said, “He was in bad shape when you brought him in. Most of the time when a bird hits a window it breaks its neck because their bodies are so fragile.”

  Jordan felt Nathan move closer to him until they were touching shoulders. He sensed Nathan was preparing for the worst.

  “Luckily for you, he just had the wind knocked out of him,” his dad said as he opened the door.

  It was then that Jordan heard the bird singing. In the corner of the room, an ornate cage sat in the sun by the open window. The little bird that Nathan had handed over to Jordan’s dad that morning, clinging to life, now clung to the perch and sang out to the world.

  “So, it’s going to be all right?” Nathan asked as he walked up to the cage and stared at the little bird.

  “He might have come around on his own if you’d left him where you found him,” Jordan’s dad said, “but odds are, with all the hungry cats in this neighbourhood he probably would have been eaten. You saved him.”

  Nathan looked at Jordan and gave him a huge smile.

  Jordan smiled back, then looked at the cage. He recognized it.

  “Isn’t that Mom’s? The one from our old living room?”

  “Yeah. I kept it. You kept her books and I kept her birdcage. It’s the first time I’ve brought it out of the closet since we moved here.”

  Jordan gave his dad a hug. “She’d love that it was being used again.”

  “What do we do now?” Nathan asked.

  “Well,” Jordan’s dad said, “I think we should let him go. Do you remember where you found him?”

  “Yes,” Nathan said. “There’s a park nearby.”

  “Then lead the way. Let’s set this little guy free,” Jordan’s dad replied.

  They made their way down the street to the far end of the park, away from the roads and taller buildings. Nathan placed the cage on the ground and knelt beside it. The little bird hopped about inside, calling out perchicoree, perchicoree. He looked up at Jordan’s dad who smiled and nodded his head. “Go ahead. I think he’s ready.”

  Nathan opened the cage and the little goldfinch hopped up onto the door, cocked his head and looked up at Nathan, then flew up into the branches of a tree.

  They stood and watched the bird for a moment before Jordan’s dad said, “Well, boys, I guess our job here is done.”

  Nathan was watching the bird as it bounced from branch to branch. “I think I’d better stick around for a while and see how it’s doing,” he said.

 

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