As the train rattled away from the station, Julian looked over at Danny, sweating and still breathing hard, and his spirits started to rise like a helium balloon. They had invented the perfect plan to save Big Tree Grove, and it had gone off without a hitch.
ulian woke up early the next morning to beat Popo to the Chronicle. He checked the main news section and the Bay Area section, but there was nothing about IPX or Big Tree Grove. Sunday’s paper had nothing either.
He called Danny at home.
“Do you think the story will run tomorrow?” he asked.
“Stop worrying about it,” said Danny. “I, personally, am trying to block the entire incident from my mind. That way, I won’t fail the lie–detector test.”
“Maybe somehow the e–mail was never sent.”
“Could be. Maybe there was some other level of security we didn’t get by. Or maybe it just didn’t make the news.”
“I’ll check again tomorrow.” Julian couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“Hey, look on the bright side! At least we’re not in jail.”
But Monday, there was nothing either, and by Tuesday, Julian had given up. When he got to the breakfast table, Popo was already in her regular spot, sipping her coffee and flipping through the paper. She’d set a place for him with a glass of orange juice and his favorite kind of bagel, sesame with cream cheese. Julian sat down sleepily.
“All’s quiet in the world,” she said, turning a page. “Oh, this is interesting. A story about IPX.”
Julian dropped his bagel so fast it skidded off the plate and onto the floor. Popo gave him a look, and he bent down and tossed it back onto his plate, while she lay the newspaper flat for him to read.
On page A8, near the bottom of the page, the headline read IPX TO HACKERS: NO CHANGE IN LOGGING POLICIES. Julian felt his heart start to sink.
Last Friday evening, unidentified hackers issued a fake press release purporting to signal a change in logging policies for the San Francisco—based IPX Investment Corp. Controversy over IPX’s plan to clear-cut a rare stand of old-growth redwood in Mendocino County seemed to be over when formal appeals by neighbors and environmental groups failed. Apparently, however, the environmental community has not lost interest. The fake press release, purportedly issuing from IPX headquarters, declared that IPX would preserve the stand of redwood permanently.
Skeptical reporters immediately contacted IPX spokeswoman Myrna Gonzalez, who stated that the document was a hoax. “Our proposed timber plan has been reviewed by all relevant state and local agencies,” she said in an interview yesterday morning. “It has their stamp of approval. It helps meet the enormous demand for valuable timber and complies with all applicable environmental laws.”
No suspects in the hoax have yet been identified, although Gonzalez suggested that radical ecoterrorism groups could be responsible.
Julian felt his insides turn hollow. He had failed. He had thought up the most brilliant scheme possible to convince IPX not to log Big Tree, and they hadn’t even come close. Nobody had been fooled for a minute.
Big Tree Grove was doomed. His dream of returning in triumph was shattered.
When Julian told Danny the terrible news, he wasn’t even that upset, just relieved that IPX had placed the blame on ecoterrorists.
Julian, on the other hand, felt like he was under a dark cloud. Why couldn’t something turn out right for a change? Some invisible mechanism seemed to keep him rooted in his own life, while Huckleberry Ranch receded farther and farther into the distance.
At journalism camp, Danny had moved on from press releases to restaurant reviews. Julian lay sprawled on Danny’s bed while Danny considered the most diplomatic way to critique a new Vietnamese café Popo had taken them to.
“How’s this?” Danny finished typing and read with a flourish, “‘Fried tofu on French bread, while not for everyone, has an East–meets–West appeal perfect for San Francisco.’”
“How about ‘Fried tofu on French bread, while not as horrible as it sounds, is pretty horrible,’” Julian suggested.
The computer beeped and Danny clicked on his e–mail. “Robin Hood’s back!”
Julian sat up to see the screen:
“Even Robin doesn’t suspect us,” Danny said with a sigh of relief.
“We should tell her it was us,” Julian said. “At least somebody would appreciate all our hard work.”
“Of course! What we need’s a written confession!” Danny turned away from the screen and glared at Julian. “You know, the police can confiscate your computer and find out everything you ever wrote. Even if you erase it.” He leaned back in his chair. “At least Robin hasn’t given up hope.”
“Danny, Operation Redwood is not going to happen.”
“Aww, don’t be such a pessimist. Operation Break–In was a long shot! It would have been a miracle if it worked!” Danny started typing:
Julian glanced at the e–mail and said, “Robin’s not going to change her father’s mind. You should have seen his face. He basically called me a liar. He called me that boy. He didn’t even say good–bye.”
“That doesn’t sound too good,” Danny agreed. “What if you did apologize? I mean, not that you did anything wrong, but maybe it would soften him up.”
“What am I going to say? ‘Sorry I lied to you. Please let me and my friend come back because we have this plan to do more things behind your back. That you definitely wouldn’t approve of. If you knew about them. Which you don’t.’”
“Jeez! You don’t have to say it like that! Don’t you remember when we had to write ‘the persuasive essay’? Mr. Orlovsky? ‘Poot your best foot forward’?”
“Forget it, Danny. Finish your review.”
“Julian! Two weeks ago you were a prisoner. You were at Quantum. You didn’t even have a phone. Now you’re with Popo, free as a bird.” Danny gave Julian a searching look. “Operation Redwood is going to happen. Have a little faith!”
The fog never seemed to lift now. The whole city was socked in, but out near the ocean, it was especially damp and windy. It was like living inside a giant cloud. In the mornings, Popo would tighten her bathrobe and turn up the heat. “I told your mom not to move out here,” she grumbled over breakfast. “I grew up in this neighborhood. It’s cold all summer long.”
“I like it by the ocean,” Julian said. “Especially with global warming. I think we’re better off here.”
“Maybe you’re right.” She looked at him fondly. “You know, I only have another week of vacation left,” she said, pouring them both another cup of tea. “Whatever happened to that plan you were telling me about? To go back to Huckleberry Ranch?”
“Nothing,” Julian said. “Robin’s dad was pretty angry. With the sheriff coming and everything. It’s not going to happen.”
She gave him a searching look, then said, “I’m afraid you’ll get bored just hanging around with me all day. Though I’m enjoying it so much, I’m starting to think I should retire early!”
“Mom said you’ll never retire,” Julian said. “She said you’ll work ’til you drop.”
Popo set her cup carefully in the saucer. “All my life, I’ve worked hard. There weren’t so many women journalists when I was starting out. Or Chinese reporters. You had to work hard.” Her eyes looked sad. “I made mistakes, maybe. When Cari was little . . .” She paused. “I can see things now I couldn’t see back then.”
Julian pulled out the comics section from the newspaper.
“You know, your mom just sent me an e–mail. She’ll be back before school starts. She can’t wait to see you.”
He looked over at her doubtfully.
“When you were a baby,” Popo said, “your mother carried you everywhere in a beautiful flowered sling. She sang to you all the time.” She stared into her cup. “It hasn’t been easy for her. Losing her father, and then Will. And she had you before she was really grown up herself.” Popo seemed absorbed in her tea leaves, then looked up and scrutinized Juli
an through her little round glasses. “She needed some time on her own. But you know she loves you more than anything. And she’s not the only one.”
Then she laughed and started to clear the dishes. “What a sentimental old lady I’m becoming!” she said. “Soon I’ll be crying at the commercials on TV!”
fter the long, rattling ride on the dirt road, Robin’s house came into view, just as Julian remembered it. The chickens were pecking at the dirt in front of the lattice where he and Robin had hidden. The window boxes were blooming with new flowers and Molly was pushing Jo–Jo on the tire swing.
By the time the engine stopped, Jo–Jo was running to the car shouting, “Julian! Julian!” and Robin had appeared on the front steps with another girl who Julian figured must be Ariel. Her thin legs stuck out from a pair of cut–off overalls. She had a dreamy, crooked smile. White–blond bangs nearly covered her brown eyes, and a long braid hung down her back.
The girl squinted at the two boys as they climbed out of the backseat. “You must be Julian,” she said as Jo–Jo climbed into his arms.
“And you’re Danny, right?” the girl said, pointing.
Danny bowed. “At your service. You must be R.E.L.” he said. “And you, madam, must be Robin Hood.”
Robin linked her arm through her friend’s. “It’s AIR–ee-ul, not R.E.L.” She looked Danny over thoughtfully. “You know what? You’re exactly what I thought you’d be like.”
“I’m famous!” Danny cried. “My reputation precedes me!”
Nancy came out of the house, smiling like it was the best day of her life. She hugged Julian, holding him tight until Jo–Jo climbed out of his arms and into hers.
Popo, who had been looking about with a reserved air, stepped forward. “I want to thank you so much for taking the boys. I know Julian’s been looking forward to this so much. You made quite an impression on him.”
“And he made quite an impression on us,” Nancy said warmly. “You must be very proud of your grandson.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Julian saw Bob ambling over from the work shed, his expression friendly and open; there was no trace of the angry mask he’d worn when Julian had last seen him. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting Julian’s loyal friend,” Bob said, shaking Danny’s hand. Then he put an arm around Julian’s shoulder and said, “Welcome back. We’re glad to have you.”
Julian looked down and watched the patterns of dappled light flutter across the dry grass. He was himself again, not that boy. Not a stranger.
When Popo’s blue Toyota had rattled down the road and out of sight, Danny turned to Julian with a huge grin. “We’re here! You happy now?”
In reply, Julian gave him a sunny smile.
“Mom,” Robin said, “can we show Julian and Danny the tent? We got it all set up and they can put their stuff there.”
“I don’t see why not. You two have earned the afternoon off.”
The boys grabbed their bags and Robin and Ariel led them around to the back, where a bright yellow tent with a gray rain tarp had been set up under the oak trees. Molly and Jo–Jo traipsed behind them.
Glancing back, Robin shouted, “Molly, you’re supposed to be watching Jo–Jo. Ariel and I watched him all morning.” She turned to Jo–Jo and said sweetly, “Don’t you want Molly to push you on the tire swing?”
Jo–Jo nodded.
Molly glared at her sister indignantly. She bent down next to Jo–Jo and said, with equal sweetness, “Don’t you want to go with Julian? Don’t you want to go in his tent?”
“I wanna go with Julian. I wanna see the tent!” Jo–Jo cried.
Molly looked disdainfully at Robin.
“You think you’re so smart!” Robin said. Turning to Julian, she whispered, “We’ll show Danny Big Tree instead. We can plan there.” She unzipped the tent flap and threw the boys’ bags inside. Then they all set off down the trail to Big Tree.
“You are so mean, Robin Elder!” Molly cried, standing by the tent with Jo–Jo’s hand in hers. “You’re the meanest person on earth!”
“Is she mean?” Julian could hear Jo–Jo saying. “Is she mean to you? Is she not your friend?”
Julian felt bad leaving them behind. But maybe Robin was right. They couldn’t take the chance that Molly would report everything back to her parents.
Mercifully, Robin showed no inclination to race that day, and Ariel dawdled along, stopping every few minutes to pick up a pinecone off the forest floor, examine a banana slug, or just watch the river where it ran along the trail.
“I love being back here,” she said, sniffing the forest air. “Oh, look at that cute little chipmunk!”
“Where?” said Danny.
“Over there. On that log.” Julian looked, but all he saw was a log. “They don’t have any chipmunks in Phoenix. It’s all roads and houses and cats and ugly little dogs.”
At the river, the girls crossed first. Julian watched Danny hesitate just a moment before walking nonchalantly across the tree trunk bridge.
“Look,” Ariel said. “There’s that big burned–out tree we used to play in. Remember, Robin? We’d pretend it was our house and your mom would make us a picnic and we’d bring the bunnies and feed them little carrots?”
“And then one of them ran away and we spent the whole day looking for it?”
“We had so much fun.” Ariel sighed. “I’d give anything to move back here.”
“Look! See those redwood saplings?” Robin pointed to a group of small trees, the tops bent down and broken. “That’s a bear marking its territory.”
“Great! That means we’re in its territory!” Danny said.
“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” The girls linked arms and started skipping along the path.
The broken saplings were higher than their heads. Danny picked up a stout stick and they hurried to catch up to the girls. There was safety in numbers.
Julian was just glad to be back on the path to Big Tree again, bears or no bears. He walked confidently up the switchbacks that had seemed so steep when he’d first raced Robin. At the spring, the girls put their heads under the faucet and drank the sweet water.
Danny looked on dubiously. “Do you know where that water comes from? How do you know it’s not toxic?”
“It’s a mountain spring,” Julian said. “In a bottle, it’d cost you two bucks.”
“Doesn’t it have dirt in it? And who knows what else. Squirrel pee?”
“Suit yourself.” Robin wiped her wet chin with the back of her hand. “This is what you’re drinking all week.”
Danny took a long drink, then grabbed his throat and keeled over. Robin raised her eyebrows, and they all started off down the trail, leaving Danny sprawled along the path.
A moment later, they heard his footsteps racing after them.
“Hey! I could have been dead back there!”
“Hah!” Robin said.
“It’s possible! An allergic reaction to some rare mineral.” Danny shook his head. “This is one tough crowd!”
After about fifteen minutes, they crossed the river again and hiked down the trail to the heart of Big Tree Grove. They were all quiet for a moment. The giant redwoods stood silent. The afternoon sun barely filtered through to the forest floor.
“I can’t believe anybody would cut down these trees,” Ariel said at last. “This is the best forest in the world. It’s what every forest would be if it could.”
“Wow! This place is awesome!” Danny walked up to one of the largest trees. “All four of us together couldn’t reach around this tree! It’s like Muir Woods without the little fences.”
“That’s what I thought!” Julian said.
Danny grinned. “You’re glad we’re here, huh?”
Of course he was glad, Julian thought. “Aren’t you?”
“Come on! Let’s show Danny and Ariel the tree house!” Robin said impatiently.
They tramped through the forest, across the fallen tree, and then stopped, peering at the tree
house. “So, tell me how we’re going to get up there again?” Danny asked skeptically.
“I’ve got everything in the shed,” Robin said. “Ropes, carabiners, a halter. My brothers got it all organized. Then once I’m up, I set up the pulley seat and we’re ready to go. Tomorrow afternoon, if we can get away from Molly, we’ll carry everything out here.”
“So, what’s the plan? What else do we need for Operation Redwood?” Danny asked.
“Mainly food, I think. We’ve got to have supplies. Julian said he was bringing PowerBars. Did you guys bring anything?”
“I brought dried apricots,” Ariel said.
“Candy bars!” Danny shouted.
“That’s good. We’ve got boxes of cereal in the pantry. And apples in the basement. We could live for a long time on that.”
Ariel was wandering all around, examining every tree and plant. “Look at all these ferns. There’s not a single fern in Phoenix. I can bike from my mom’s house to my dad’s house and there’s not one single pretty thing to look at.”
“Well, that’s why we’re here. To try to save this place, right?” said Robin. “OK, Operatives! Here’s the plan of action. The next task is to get the equipment out here tomorrow. Once we’re up, we’ll start collecting food and other supplies. Operation Redwood has officially begun.”
But they had no time to go to Big Tree the next afternoon, or the next. True to their word, Bob and Nancy had a long to–do list for the children to work on. And even the regular chores—feeding the goats and chickens, weeding the gardens, and harvesting the fruits and vegetables for meals—took a big chunk of each day.
Julian found his box where he’d left it on the workshop shelf. He was pleased by his tomato plants, which were as tall as his waist and covered with small green tomatoes. Bunny the goat was twice as big as she had been before, a feisty kid who wouldn’t sit on Julian’s lap anymore. Julian was put in charge of training Danny to milk Aphrodite. Danny, however, refused to cooperate. “I am not touching those things,” he said, inspecting the goat’s underside. “Anything else, but no goats.” Julian eventually gave up and did the milking himself.
Operation Redwood Page 15
