by Greg Fowler
It was only then that Eddy heard Reagan’s howls of laughter. She was really going at it too. When he got over to the side window he saw that she was physically doubled over as the cramps kicked in.
‘Wh..what did y…you do?’
Reagan tried to tell him but she couldn’t. Every time she tried to make a sane noise she’d just lose it again and fall back into another fit of hilarity. In the end she gave up altogether and decided to show him instead. Grabbing two hefty books, one in each hand, she slapped them together as hard as she could.
‘BANG!!!’
Now Eddy got it…and he got the laughing bug too.
Mr Crowe may not have had a gun…but his daughter was just as dangerous.
18. WHAT A DIFFERENCE
‘It’s shower time Eddy.’
Eddy heard the shower turn on down the hallway and dutifully took his pyjamas off. Grandma Daisy would be back in soon to chaperone him down to the bathroom.
Three more weekends had passed since she’d snapped his blossom off the tree but the tree was still there. Every day she’d look at it when she’d burst into the room, most days she’d shake her head too, but it was still there. That didn’t stop Eddy treating every day as though it was his last day with Mr Tree though. When Reagan was at school or off shopping with her mum, or when the learning books got way too boring, or when Grandma Daisy was almost certain not to blow on in, he’d be over by his branch. It had become his oasis in a dry, barren desert.
As the days had progressed he’d discovered that the sensations the tree gave him were changing. Not suddenly but bit by little bit. Early on it had been splashes and twirls of colours. At first they’d been wonderful but entirely random. After a while though, he began to make conscious connections between those swirls of shade and hue and the reality of life around him. Reagan had been the classic example. Reagan and a special type of green went hand in hand as though they were one and the same. Grandma Daisy, on the other hand, was a patchy grey which every now and then speckled with an orange or a red. What all that actually meant went way beyond Eddy. But he didn’t let it frustrate him. He was used to not understanding things and, even taking that into account, he felt a sense of surety that he would comprehend it when the time was right. In the meantime he would sit back and enjoy the ride.
Most recently there’d been the inner voice. It wasn’t his but at the same time it was. It seemed to come from within but it told him things he could have no way of knowing. Take knowing that Grandpa Nevil had planted the tree for instance. Eddy was absolutely certain Grandma Daisy had never once mentioned that. She never, ever spoke about family. But there were other things too. Other snippets of information that came out of nowhere but found relevance all around him. It was both exciting and scary at the same time and if he’d ever been on a rollercoaster he would’ve found himself a damned good analogy.
There was another thing he’d come to know too. Grandma Daisy had warned him not to get too attached to Mr Tree….but it was way too late for that. That bus had left town weeks ago.
‘Okay. Chop, chop.’ It was time to get wet.
When Eddy shivered back into his bedroom after a particularly cold shower he found his good clothes laid out on the bed for him. The same black shoes were parked at the foot of the bed and this time Eddy knew they were really going to hurt.
‘Wh…what’s happening Grandma D…Daisy?’
‘You better hope all that learning you’re doing has been getting into that thick skull of yours, that’s what’s happening.’
Eddy knew what that meant. Mrs Stanton was paying them another visit, just like she’d said she would. And this was a big one too. If he stuffed this up it was all over, rover. He’d be packed off to the boarding school and whipped into shape like all the other Stupid Boys.
Why didn’t you tell me before Grandma Daisy? I would’ve studied extra hard to be ready.
And of course there was Reagan. If he failed the test he may never see her again. Her and Mr Tree.
In the hour and half between getting all spruced up in his good clothes (he’d leave the shoes off until the very last minute) and Mrs Stanton arriving, Eddy crammed the learning books hard, real hard. And it wasn’t just skimming through the pictures either. He really concentrated.
When the evitable knock at the door finally came it sent a nervous chill right along his spine and he got up to peer out the front window. He couldn’t see Mrs Stanton because the front door was blocked by the eaves of the roof but her car was there. He could tell because it had some writing on it. Big words. Long words.
Down below, the squeaky front door swung open and Eddy moved to the more ‘peeping tom’ friendly location of his bedroom door.
‘Hello Mrs Stanton.’
‘Good morning.’
‘Come on in dear.’ Grandma Daisy was most definitely putting on her nice voice today. ‘Eddy’s waiting for you upstairs.’
‘How’s he been lately?’
‘Eddy? He’s been just fine. He’s found himself a friend with the new little girl next door.’
‘Good on him.’ Mrs Stanton sounded genuinely pleased. ‘He looked so awfully lonely last time I saw him so I’m glad to hear that. Studies show that having good friends boosts intelligence you know.’
‘Yes, well…I guess we’ll have to find out won’t we.’
‘How’s he going, school wise, do you think?’
‘I’m not so sure to be honest. We’ve been tackling the books together for a good two or three hours every day.’ The door down stairs squealed close again. ‘But some days are better than others. You know how it is.’
‘It can be a frustrating experience but it’s one of those cases where diligence pays off in the end. I would imagine though, with two or three hours under his belt a day, he must be showing some healthy improvement?’
‘Like I said, it’s a bit yes and no. It really depends on his mood for the day. He’s such a moody child unfortunately. Very stubborn when he wants to be.’
‘That’s not entirely unusual. If it’s a frustrating experience for you, imagine what it’s like for him.’ Mrs Stanton certainly had something right there but the frustration was all a one way street from where Eddy sat. ‘Shall we go up and see for ourselves?’
‘Yes, yes of course.’
Then came the first tell tale creak on the stairs, but before the second one could follow suit Grandma Daisy interrupted proceedings.
‘Just one more thing before we go in Mrs Stanton.’
‘Yes.’
‘Eddy and me… Eddy and I, I should say, have been doing everything you’ve asked for and more. He’s not a bright kid Mrs Stanton. You know that.’ The following moment of silence was very easy for Eddy to picture in his head. Mrs Stanton would be first in line up the stairs (the creak hadn’t been loud enough for it to be Grandma Daisy’s footfall) and Grandma Daisy would be staring up at her, chewing the inside of her cheek and figuring what line to throw at her next. ‘Look, what I’m trying to say is…don’t expect miracles. What you need to keep in perspective is that Eddy’s happy here. He’s got his little friend now and I think if you took him away he’d only go downhill. He needs me.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind and I would love to see Eddy thrive in his own home environment. Everyone wins that way. But, like I said when I was last here, if there’s no obvious improvement in his cognitive capabilities I’m going to have to report that. It’s what’s best for Eddy at the end of the day that really matters.’
‘Well, I can’t see how some person in an office in the city can know what’s best for Eddy better than I can.’
The next creak was most definitely Grandma Daisy’s and so was the second. She must’ve gone right on past Mrs Stanton, an observation which was proved when Grandma Daisy opened Eddy’s bedroom door. Only a split second after Eddy made it back to the desk, mind you.
The purpose for her rush up the stairs was immediately evident as well. She had a warning for him. Not a verbal one,
that would’ve been too risky under the circumstances, but her body language was riddled with it. If he stuffed this up, she would make sure that what time he had left in this house would be a living hell. A custom made preparation for the bloody dungeon that was boarding school.
And, as if a switch inside him had flicked, the heat went on. Beads of sweat broke out on his brow and, like a summer storm blowing in, his head went from relative awareness to chaos and concern. A million thoughts tussled and tossed around inside his head but they were all fleeting. None of them seemed to touch down to a place where he could hold them, feel them and taste them. Everything he’d read these last few weeks, even these last few minutes, evaporated into the maelstrom of his panicked mind.
Grandma Daisy please. Make her go away. I don’t want to go to boarding school. Don’t let them hurt me…please!
Come to me Eddy.
Mrs Stanton left no more room for his and Grandma Daisy’s private exchange and so Grandma Daisy’s face changed in an instant as she led the woman into Eddy’s bedroom.
‘Hello Eddy.’ For a lady who could send him off to a place where Stupid Boys were kicked and beaten, she had such a friendly way about her.
‘H…h…hello M…Mrs St…Stanton.’
‘How are you feeling today?’
‘A b…bit ner…nervous.’
Come to me Eddy.
‘Well I’m sure everything will be just fine.’ She came right over to him and knelt down so their faces were at the same level. Grandma Daisy would never do that. ‘I hear you’ve got yourself a new friend.’
‘Yep. R…Reagan.’ Eddy glanced across at the side window.
‘Reagan. That’s a lovely name. And does she go to school?’
‘Yep. Almost ev…everyday.’
‘Does she like school?’
Eddy didn’t get a chance to answer that one. Grandma Daisy heard something she didn’t like and cut in between the two of them to grab one of his learning books off the desk. ‘Shall we get this over and done with Mrs Stanton. We’ve got places to be a bit later on…don’t we Eddy?’
‘Y..yes Grandma Daisy.’
‘Okay then.’ Mrs Stanton knew a hurry up when she saw one but she didn’t budge, staying right in Eddy’s line of sight. ‘Eddy, do you know the alphabet all the way through?’
Jeepers, the alphabet’s so long!
‘Th…the whole alphabet?’ Eddy glanced back at the side window, then Grandma Daisy, then back at Mrs Stanton, anywhere where a rescue from this nerve wracking moment might reside.
‘Yes, all the way from A to Z.’
Come to me Eddy. I’m here to help you.
With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide Eddy resigned himself to his fate and did the only thing he knew under the circumstances, start at the beginning.
‘A, b…b…B, C, d…d…D, F, j..j…J.’ Eddy knew it was falling apart even as it came out of his mouth. What he hated most of all (apart from Grandma Daisy’s furious expression) was the fact that he was sure he knew this. He did. Somewhere in his head the whole alphabet was lying in wait but it refused to get up out of the grass. Stupid thing! Stupid Boy!
‘It’s alright Eddy,’ reassured Mrs Stanton. ‘I understand you’re a bit nervous so just take your time.’ If Mrs Stanton’s eyes weren’t as friendly as they were, Eddy would’ve simply melted into a ball of self loathing and sobs. As it was, he wished with all his heart he could just crawl under the desk and close his eyes until everyone went away, never ever to return again.
Believe. Believe because there is something special in you Eddy. Something very, very special.
‘Um…Mrs Stanton?’
‘Yes Eddy?’
‘C…can I g…go over and d…do this from the b…bed?’
‘Of course, if that makes you more comfortable.’
‘Th..thanks. It’s j…just that there’s fresh air o…over there.’ With permission granted, and choosing not to look across at Grandma Daisy on the way, Eddy got up from the chair and went and sat over on the foot of his bed. Mrs Stanton duly followed him over, bringing his chair and sitting in it herself after she’d set it in front of him.
‘Wow, what an incredible tree you’ve got here Eddy.’
‘Y…yes,’ beamed Eddy. ‘It’s m…my special t..tree. It c…comes to v…visit me.’
‘I can see that. Wow.’
‘Yes, we’ve been meaning to cut it down, haven’t we Eddy?’
‘Y…yes Grandma D…Daisy.’ Eddy laid a protective hand on his branch and immediately soaked in its tingling nourishment.
Good boy Eddy. Together we can do this.
‘Okay,’ said Eddy taking a deep breath. ‘I’m r…ready now.’
‘Let’s start again. The alphabet from A to Z.’
‘A, b…b…B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, j…j…J, K, L, M, N, O, p…p…P, Q, R, S, t…t…T, U, V, W, X, Y, z…z…Z?’
‘Good on you Eddy.’ Mrs Stanton seemed as pleased as punch but even better than that, Grandma Daisy had an odd combination of surprise and pleasure on her face. That alone was well and truly worth the price of admission. ‘Now,’ continued Mrs Stanton, ‘can you count to twenty for me?’
This was too easy. All he needed to do was imagine he was counting the kids walking home from school every day.
‘One, t…two, three, f…four, f…five, six, seven, eight, nine, t… ten, eleven.’ Eddy paused to catch his breath and to reflect on how good he was feeling all of a sudden. He could do this. He could actually do this. ‘Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen…..and twenty.’ Bang, just like that.
Mrs Stanton turned her head to look at Grandma Daisy and while Eddy couldn’t see the expression on her face he could see Grandma Daisy’s reaction. She lifted her eyebrows like she did sometimes when she wasn’t expecting something, and Eddy knew deep down inside that was a good thing. That was the sort of thing that meant he might not have to go to the nasty boarding school. He might not have to leave Reagan and Mr Tree after all.
‘That’s really, really good Eddy,’ praised Mrs Stanton, returning her attention to him. ‘You have come a long way since I saw you last.’
‘I c…can sp…spell some words t…too.’
‘Which ones?’
‘T, R, E, E spells t…tree.’
‘That’s right.’
‘F, R, I, E, N, d…D spells friend.’
‘Good boy Eddy. Any more?’
‘J…J, A, M spells jam, and I like jam s…sandwiches.’
‘I like jam sandwiches too.’ Yep, Mrs Stanton was actually a really nice lady. ‘How about…’pencil’?’
If Eddy had been flying high, he suddenly hit a bit of turbulence. Pencil! He’d never had to spell pencil before. How on earth was he going to spell pencil. One stupid word was going to land him in that horrible place Grandma Daisy had told him about. Where boys like him, the dumb ones, were dragged screaming into concrete rooms and whipped so that the scars lasted for years.
Let go and ‘reach’ Eddy. We will never let you fall.
Eddy didn’t know what that meant. How could he? He didn’t even understand where this inner voice was coming from but, on pure instinct alone, he strengthened his grip on Mr Tree. And something inside him opened. Not a whole lot. Not like a door opening right up wide. More like enough so that you could peek through and gauge what was on the other side. And through that little opening shot a burst of what Eddy could only describe as bright white light. Brighter than anything else he’d ever experienced before. Brighter even than the setting sun on a late summer’s afternoon. It filled him deep and wide, from head to toe like a warm shower that would never, in a million years, go cold. But most of all, beyond anything else and beyond his wildest dreams, was an absolute, ten billion percent surety that Mrs Stanton could ask him anything and he would know the answer. As sweet and as simple as that. Anything.
‘Okay, then…how about…’ Mrs Stanton had obviously given up and was searching for something else, maybe
a little bit easier this time.
‘P, E, N, C, I, L. Th…that spells pencil.’
‘Desk.’
‘D, E, S, K. Desk.’
Mrs Stanton did one of those looks back at Grandma Daisy again. ‘Looks to me like all that study‘s paying off. Okay Eddy,’ she said, returning her gaze to him, ‘what is two plus two?’
‘T…two plus two is f…four. One, two, three f…four.’
‘Four plus four?’
‘F…four plus four is eight….and eight plus eight is s…sixteen.’
‘What is half of twenty Eddy?’
‘Half of tw…twenty is ten.’
‘Fantastic Eddy. How many sides does a triangle have?’
‘A t..triangle has three sides. Three.’
‘You’ve turned into such a smart cookie haven’t you.’ Mrs Stan-ton stood up and gave Eddy the sort of smile he so wished Grandma Daisy would give him one day. ‘I can’t believe the improvement.’
‘Yes,’ pried Grandma Daisy. ‘I told you we’ve been working hard. I think I could recite those text books cover to cover.’
‘Well whatever it is that you’ve been doing, keep doing it is all I can say.’ Mrs Stanton placed a warm hand on Eddy’s shoulder. ‘I’m proud of you Eddy. You’re a smart boy.’
Before Eddy could say thank you, Grandma Daisy was in on the act again. ‘I wouldn’t go as far as ‘smart’ at this stage Mrs Stanton but we are getting somewhere. Certainly I think we can say outside schooling’s not required now….don’t you think?’
‘On the face of things, I’d have to agree with you. I’ll openly admit Mrs Sullivan, I honestly expected I’d have to write a very different report. Eddy’s done brilliantly. Mind you, he’s got a hard road ahead of him.’ Then, more to Eddy than to Grandma Daisy, ‘But you’ll manage, won’t you Eddy?’
‘Yes Mrs S..Stanton.’
‘Remember, keep the study up and you can be anything you want to be.’
‘Th…thank you Mrs Stanton.’
‘Good boy.’
‘So, is that it?’ asked Grandma Daisy.
‘Yes, for now I guess it is.’ Mrs Stanton stepped over to the desk and quickly checked the titles of Eddy’s learning books. ‘The way things are going, you’ll be needing the next grade soon. You’ll be getting a copy of my report so I’ll make sure I include the list of curriculum books for you.’
