Ethan's Secret (James Madison Series Book 2)

by Patrick Hodges

“I … actually … do like someone,” she said coyly.

  I knew it! “Really? Who?”

  “I'd … rather not say right now.”

  “Why not? I won't tell anyone, I promise!”

  “Because who I like … is kind of … into another girl.”

  I blinked, then nodded. “Bummer.”

  “But I don't think the other girl feels the same way, so I'm waiting for a time when I can … you know, make my move.”

  “And I don't even get a clue who it is?”

  She shook her head. “Don't want to jinx it. Hope that's okay.”

  I exhaled. “You're killing me here, Pen.”

  She stifled a laugh. “Well, people are still allowed to have some secrets, Detective. Even from you. Just promise me you won't be thinking about me when you and Ethan start rounding the bases.”

  I balled up my napkin and threw it at her. “You are evil,” I said, laughing.

  * * *

  “Hey, Kelsey,” said Sophie as I sat down behind her on the bus.

  “Hey, you two,” I replied, acknowledging Kirsten as well.

  “So how's it going with Ethan?” Kirsten asked as the bus juddered into motion.

  I'd kept them both apprised of my conversations with Ethan thus far, without getting too specific. It seemed only fair, as Sophie was still giving me regular reports on her relationship with Logan. But this time, I had some really good news. “He asked me out on a date today.”

  Sophie's eyes lit up. “Really?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, there's this big kids' event tomorrow at Westridge Mall …”

  “Yeah, we know,” Kirsten interjected. “Our mom is bringing us.”

  “Maybe we'll see you there,” Sophie said, beaming.

  “Maybe,” I said. “Sean's brother Baz is playing there with his band, and Ethan and I are going to watch them.”

  “Awesome!” Sophie said. “Will Logan be there too?”

  “Sophie!” Kirsten said, frowning.

  “What?” She glared at her big sister. “It's not like we're dating or anything! I'm just saying, maybe we'll … run into each other. Nothing wrong with that, right?”

  Kirsten sighed. “Not as long as I'm right next to you, there isn't.”

  “Actually, I don't know if Logan's going to be there,” I said.

  “Can't you call Ethan and ask him?” Sophie asked.

  “I … don't think he has a cell phone,” I replied sheepishly. “I've never seen him with one, anyway.”

  “Really?” Kirsten said. “That's strange for an eighth-grader, isn't it?”

  “A little, I suppose,” I said. “We'll just have to find out tomorrow.”

  Sophie smiled at me again. “So you and Ethan are doing all right, then?”

  I nodded. “You wouldn't think it to look at him, but he's really nice. When he lets his guard down, that is.”

  “That's so weird,” Sophie said with a faraway look in her eyes. “I was just about to say the same thing about Logan.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Well, when the school year started, he was acting all tough, like he didn't want to be here. He almost got into a fight when one of the meaner boys in my class started teasing him about his hair, but Mrs. H broke it up before anything happened.”

  “Good,” I said, nodding. “What else?”

  “That's it. I guess he got tired of acting tough, and now he just goes off by himself. I'm sure some of the boys would let him play with them if he asked, but he just sits on the bleachers and draws.”

  “He … draws?” I asked in disbelief. “What does he draw?”

  She shrugged. “I dunno, he doesn't show anyone. Anyway, like you asked, I started saying 'hi' to him and stuff. You know, just to be nice. At first, he wouldn't talk to me, but every day, he talks a little bit more.” She sighed. “He's … not what I expected.”

  Wow, that sounds familiar. “In what way?”

  “He looks, I dunno … sad, I guess. I thought he'd ask me to go away, or to leave him alone, or say something mean like most other boys do when you try and talk to them. But he's really sweet. He's fun to talk to … when he talks, that is.”

  “Did he tell you anything about his parents? Or where he came from?”

  Sophie shook her head. “Not really. Whenever I ask him about his mom and dad, he just changes the subject.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, Ethan told me that their mom died. Not too long ago.”

  A gloomy look came over her face. Kirsten's too. “Awwww,” said Kirsten. “That's so sad.”

  “Yeah, I know. In a way, I'm lucky, I guess. I never really knew my mom. But I know how I'd feel if I lost my dad. It would totally destroy me.”

  “Me too,” said Sophie.

  I smiled. “Well, keep doing what you're doing, Soph. You're doing great.”

  “You got it, Detective,” she replied, grinning. “What would these boys do without us?”

  Kirsten rolled her eyes.

  * * *

  By the time I got home, I could already feel the nervous anticipation for tomorrow building. I went on the Internet and checked the charity function's website for the schedule of events. There was a list of bands performing, and it looked like Baz's band, Reckless Abandon, was supposed to take the stage between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. Good. That gave me just over twenty-one hours to pick out clothes for my “date.”

  While I rifled through my dresser and closet for something appropriate, I also thought about how I was going to get to the mall. I couldn't ride my bike, unfortunately: it was a three-mile journey, and I didn't want to arrive all sweaty, so I would have to ask Dad for a ride. He generally worked a few hours on Saturday, and since his precinct was only a half-mile away from Westridge, I had no doubt he'd let me hang out at the station before walking the short distance to the mall. Everyone there knew me anyway.

  It's a kids' event. No reason to be suspicious of that. I just won't tell him that I'm meeting Ethan there. I hated the idea of keeping secrets from Dad, but I figured, what he doesn't know won't hurt me. Besides, there'll be hundreds of people there. We won't have the chance to do something “naughty.”

  I finally settled on some dressy but stylish pants and a white-and-aquamarine top with a cool-looking swirly design on it. Perfect. This will show him that I made an effort to dress nicely for him without overdoing it. I hope he does the same thing for me. Anything but that damn hoodie.

  I folded my chosen outfit up and put it on top of my dresser. I was about to head into the bathroom to check myself in the mirror when I heard the front door open. Almost immediately after that, I heard Dad's trademark raise-the-roof sneezes, three of them right in a row. Uh-oh.

  With dread already building in my stomach, I ran to the kitchen to greet him. When I saw him, I could tell that all was not well. This morning he had been fine, but now, his eyes were as red as his nose, his breathing was labored, and he looked ready to collapse. “Dad!” I yelled.

  He leaned heavily on the counter, catching his breath. “It's okay, K-Bear, it's not as bad as it looks.”

  I reached up and felt his forehead. He was burning up. “You're a terrible liar, Dad. What happened?”

  He put his arm around my shoulder while I escorted him to his bedroom. “Don't know, sweetheart. Started sneezing and coughing around lunchtime, and it's just gotten worse since.”

  “Did you take anything?” I asked, opening his bedroom door and sitting him down on the bed.

  “A couple of aspirin at the station. And lots of water.” He kicked off his shoes with some effort.

  I grasped him by his shoulders and laid him down on his bed. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he exhaled. Then he sneezed again.

  “That's it, Dad,” I said, snapping into 'mother' mode. “I'll get you some ibuprofen and some cough syrup. You're out of the game until further notice, champ.”

  “Thanks, Kel,” he said, his eyes closing. He was already starting to drift off to sleep.

  As I went
through the medicine cabinet, I inwardly cursed. Dad was as strong as an ox, and he didn't get sick very often. But when he did … well, let's just say that I knew I was in for a long haul. There was no chance he'd be up and around for at least two days, and there was no way I could leave him.

  Dammit. Dad's illness may have just set the world record for worst timing ever. And the worst part of it is, I can't even call Ethan and tell him I won't be able to make it.

  Sigh. I would have looked so awesome in that outfit, too.

  Chapter 16

  ~ DAY 20 (Sat.) ~

  ETHAN

  Logan and I stepped out of the car right in front of Westridge Mall. I'd heard good things about this place. It had a lot of stores, a great video arcade, a food court with every kind of treat you could want, and a movie theater. There was also a large open area near the main entrance that was ideal for events like today's charity function, with a raised stage and a few hundred folding chairs set up.

  As we stared up at the massive mall entrance, I heard the sound of the passenger-side power window being lowered. I turned around to see Gillian looking at us from behind the steering wheel. “You guys gonna be okay?”

  She was a nice lady, and had been with us almost every day since we'd had to move into our new house. She wasn't tall, but she looked like she could kick some serious butt, with her blonde hair tied back into a severe bun and her government-issue sunglasses. The earpiece she usually had stuck in her ear was now dangling over her shoulder.

  “Yeah, Gillian,” I said, “we'll be fine.”

  “You know what to do if you see anyone suspicious, right?”

  “Yeah,” I said again. “We know the drill.”

  “I'll be nearby at all times. Just let me know when you're ready to go home,” she said, smiling.

  “Okay,” I said, taking Logan's arm and moving him toward the entrance before Gillian could say any more.

  I'd done as Kelsey asked and left my hoodie at home, but the problem was, I didn't own any shirts that weren't rock-and-roll tees, and I didn't want Kelsey to see me in the same clothes she saw me in every day, so I begged Pop to give me some money so I could buy something else. He'd thankfully obliged, so I headed with Logan right to the discount outlet store next to the entrance.

  I found a nice pair of blue – not black – jeans, a denim jacket and a white collared shirt for not too much money. I stepped out of the dressing room feeling like a whole new person. Better. Cooler. The clothes still matched the spiky hair, but at least now I could be seen in public with Kelsey and not feel like a total slob.

  Logan had found a nice faux-leather jacket that fit him perfectly, and a pair of sneaks that looked a lot more expensive than they actually were. His smile was huge as he admired himself in the mirror.

  “Lookin' good, bro,” I said.

  “Yes, I am,” he replied, running a hand through his hair. “Let's go impress some girls.”

  I just had to laugh. “Told ya you'd change your mind.”

  His face reddened briefly, and then he broke into a smile. “I'll pay you next month, okay?”

  I nudged him with my hip. “Ah, forget it. I just wanted to hear you admit I was right, that's all.”

  We walked past the raised stage, where a band was about to start their set. I couldn't see Baz anywhere. I looked at my watch, noting that I had only a few minutes to get to the food court, which was a couple hundred yards further down. I didn't want to have to bring Logan with me to meet Kelsey, but I couldn't leave him by himself either.

  A lot of the chairs were already filled, and as I watched, one girl popped out of her seat and ran toward us. The girl was slightly shorter than Logan, with a blonde ponytail and cute little wire-framed glasses. I recognized her immediately: the girl from Logan's drawings.

  “Logan!” she said, rushing up to us. “You made it!”

  “Hi, Sophie,” he said, grinning.

  “You look so cool!” she said, smiling from ear to ear.

  I smiled too. I could see immediately why Logan liked this girl. She was adorable. And heck, if she can get my 'girls have cooties' brother to like her, she's gotta be something special. She probably farts rainbows.

  “Uh, thanks,” Logan said, blushing. “This is my brother Ethan.”

  “Hi!” Sophie said, holding out her fist, which I bumped. Another girl had risen from her seat and walked over to where we were standing. “This is my big sister Kirsten.” Kirsten looked slightly older and had longer, darker hair, but there was no mistaking the sisterly resemblance.

  Kirsten gave a slight wave. “Hello.”

  “The show's been great so far!” said Sophie boisterously. “You wanna join us?”

  I looked at my watch again. “Um … do you mind if Logan sits with you? I'm kinda meeting someone at the food court.”

  “Oh, you mean Kelsey?” Sophie said, grinning coyly.

  My jaw dropped. “You know her?”

  Kirsten nodded. “Yeah, she's one of our best friends, kinda. She's told us all about you.”

  Great. She's telling fifth-graders about me? I'm flattered … I think. “Yeah,” I said awkwardly. “I'm meeting her in only a few minutes …”

  Sophie reached forward and grabbed Logan's hand. “Go,” she said. “We'll look after your brother for you.”

  Logan just turned to me and smiled, raising his eyebrows wickedly. It was all I could do not to bust out laughing. Practically dragging him along, the three of them took their seats in the audience.

  I ran to the food court, bought two soft pretzels with a side of tangy mustard sauce, chose a table right in front and sat down to wait.

  * * *

  I checked my watch for the gazillionth time. It read 2:55 p.m. Kelsey still hadn't shown up, I'd already eaten my pretzel, and Baz was scheduled to take the stage any minute. Sighing, I bagged up Kelsey's pretzel and walked back to the stage area.

  As I approached, I saw Baz right behind the stage, tuning his guitar. “Ethan!” he said. “I'd almost given up on ya! Great clothes, man! Are ya ready for yer …” He trailed off, noticing my long face and conspicuous alone-ness. “Where's Kelsey?”

  “Dunno,” I said sadly. “She didn't show up.”

  He made a face. “Aww, man … that sucks, pal.”

  “Big time,” I said, completely deflated.

  “Well, maybe she got sick or something,” Baz offered.

  “Maybe.” At this point, did the reason really matter?

  Baz put his guitar on its stand and walked over to me. “Look, bud, I'm sorry. I'm sure there's a good reason. I've known a lot of stuck-up snots in me life, but she ain't one of 'em.”

  “Whatever,” I said, pretty much beyond consolation.

  He put his hand on my shoulder. “Ya still wanna sing with us?”

  I looked at Baz's cool, artistic face, complete with earring as always, and I felt a little better. In only a couple of weeks, he'd become my best friend, maybe the best I'd ever had apart from Logan.

  I shook my head sadly. “Sorry, Baz, I'm not really feelin' it right now.”

  He nodded. “I understand. Well, take a seat, bud, and enjoy the show.”

  * * *

  The rest of the day went pretty normally. Baz, Joey and Elijah put on a great show, doing five songs, capped off by a great rendition of Def Leppard's “Armageddon It.” By the end, I felt slightly less mopey than I was an hour ago. Kirsten texted her big sister Eve, who in turn called Kelsey at home. A few minutes later, Kirsten heard back that Kelsey's dad had gotten horribly sick, which explained why she wasn't able to make it. I really appreciated the gesture on Kirsten's part.

  Once the last group to perform left the stage, Logan and I stood up. Sophie surprised both of us by giving Logan a huge hug, which Logan returned, first with some nervousness but then with tenderness. Wow. Just yesterday, he was screaming his lungs out, and now he's hugging a girl for the first time. Maybe she can do something for him that Pop and I can't do. Some things just require a female tou
ch, I guess.

  “Come on, Romeo,” I said, tugging at his sleeve. We said goodbye to the girls and walked back to the entrance, where Gillian was waiting for us.

  “Well, don't you two look handsome!” she said, smiling. “Ready to go?”

  In spite of my disappointment, I smiled back. “Yeah.”

  * * *

  That night, I sat in our backyard, which was surrounded on all sides by a chain-link fence and ten-foot-tall oleander bushes. I sat on an old, dirty lawn chair, looking up at the moon, trying not to drown in self-pity.

  Today should have been awesome, but I can't blame Kelsey for it not working out that way. If Pop had been sick, I probably wouldn't have gone either. That's life, I guess. At least one of us had a good time.

  Hey, Man Upstairs? If you're listening, can I get one more really good day for myself before we have to leave this all behind again? Please?

  Chapter 17

  ~ DAY 20 (Sat.) ~

  KELSEY

  Worst … day … ever.

  I was a wreck. Taking care of Dad was about as much fun as going to the dentist, but at least those wretched appointments were over in an hour, two tops. This lasted all night and all morning.

  I'd done everything I could to keep Dad comfortable, hydrated and properly medicated, and he finally drifted off into an uneasy sleep, but by morning, his condition hadn't improved at all. I foolishly hoped that he could recover enough of his strength to drive me to the mall, but that definitely wasn't going to happen. Rats.

  By nine o'clock, I wasn't sure who was in worse shape, me or Dad. I'd gotten almost no sleep myself, between worrying about Dad's health and my already-doomed-to-disaster not-gonna-happen date with Ethan.

  In desperation, I called Mrs. Lennander, who had been employed as a nurse's assistant for the last seven years. She was on our doorstep within minutes; her husband had graciously taken toddler duty so I could get some help. When I opened the door, she looked gorgeous, as usual, while I looked like death warmed over.

  I had never been so grateful to see anybody. “Melissa, thank God,” I said.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh my,” she said, seeing my face and hair. “It's one of those, isn't it?”