by Tony Burgess
“First day.”
Erik doesn’t look up. He thinks for a while about what his sister has said.
“First day.”
They glance up at each other and exchange half smiles. They break step with each other and seem pleased to relax a little. Alix sighs, and as if Erik has been given permission, he sighs too. Soon, they are walking in unison again and Alix begins to tug her sleeves and cough.
“It’s a cold first day,” Erik says.
Alix looks over, considers answering, but thinks better. There’s a silent pattern holding them apart and someone needs to say so. Alix speeds up a little, preparing to do just this when her brother stops short. Alix is about to turn back to ask him why he’s stopped when she catches sight of Ms. Joost and her stop sign. Alix stops several feet past her brother. They stand like this, apart, watching the crossing guard swing her sign. Erik steps forward until he is beside Alix. He pauses then launches himself forward. Alix is surprised, and a little frightened, by the determined way he approaches the corner. She almost cries out, but isn’t certain what to say.
“Morning, Ms. Joost.”
The crossing guard laughs and points her finger.
“And to you, guys. Bit of a chill.”
Alix catches up just as her brother steps off the curb. She smiles, feigning shyness, and trots up to Erik, who suddenly stops in the middle of the road and turns to Ms. Joost. Alix reaches out and pulls Erik’s arm.
“Has Idaho Winter crossed yet?”
Alix judges her brother to be brave and she turns to hear Ms. Joost answer.
“He’s . . . ah . . . two ahead.”
In a few weeks Ms. Joost will know the exact order of the children who will cross her road every morning. The number that have gone and the number yet to come.
“Madison?”
Ms. Joost turns to look back down the oak lined sidewalk.
“Madison Beach is right back there.”
Alix and Erik turn to each other. Erik sees excitement in her eyes. Anticipation. She nods, smiling. Erik’s heart beats quickly. He can feel moisture building in his eyes and he can see it there in Alix’s.
“I need you kids off the road.”
Alix scoops her brother’s arm and they reach the other side. They stop and turn to watch Madison approach the intersection. Ms. Joost holds up her sign and the little girl strolls safely forward, swinging a green lunch box.
“Hi, Madison.”
Alix speaks and her brother nods, encouraging.
“Can we walk with you?”
Madison shrugs and steps between the two older children.
Eric peers ahead. Alix knows why.
“Hey, Madison. Do you know Idaho Winter?”
Erik tenses. His sister has asked a grave question.
“Sure. I like Idaho.”
Erik exhales loudly and feels a grin break out on his face.
“You do?”
Alix laughs and brushes her eyes.
“Sure. He’s a lonely boy and I’d like to say hi.”
Alix gasps and Erik skips forward.
“Then, you should! You should! We all should! Come on. He’s right up here!”
Alix laughs and can’t stop. She licks a tear from the corner of her mouth.
“He’s two ahead!”
Erik agrees.
“He’s exactly two ahead!”
Brother and sister laugh and Madison giggles and they run past the girl ahead and close in on Idaho. Erik spies two boys against a fence winding up to throw rotten apples. A scowling Mr. Harris leans out of the shadows ahead.
“Hi, Idaho Winter!”
The boy flinches at the sound of Alix’s voice as if snapped by a cruel wet towel.
“My name’s Eric and this is my sister, Alix.”
Idaho appears confused. Alix senses he may run. She puts her hand on his shoulder and they all stop walking. Alix goes down on one knee so her eyes are level with Idaho’s.
“We like you, Idaho.”
An odd thing to say to someone — liking is something most people assume. It is the bare minimum. It is the given. It never needs to be said.
“You do?”
Erik, still standing, scans the street. Mr. Harris is gone. The rotten apples have rolled to the gutter.
“Sure. You’re a good little guy.”
Idaho’s eyes sparkle. His mouth twists and his chin wobbles. Alix reaches out and draws the little boy to her. They both cry a little, softly and quickly. Idaho’s arms sweep around her and hold her. Alix whispers into Idaho’s ear.
“I have someone who wants to meet you.”
Idaho pulls back and looks into Alix’s face.
“Don’t be scared.”
Idaho nods. He trusts this girl he’s never met. Alix stands and turns Idaho toward Madison, who is full of wonder, now, at this peculiar first day of school. She would come to believe that on every first day of school a secret wish would always be granted. It would lead her to do extraordinary things.
She holds up her small hand and waves it at Idaho.
“Hi, Idaho. Want to be my friend?”
Dear Reader: You may return now to page 135.
Yours faithfully,
The Editor
Acknowledgements
The Author would like to thank everyone at ECW.
Michael Holmes for his fine editing and Jen Hale for generating this idea in the first place.
Thanks to David Gee for how this book looks.
Special thanks to Derek McCormack for squinting detail back into sentences.
Also, Doctors John and Edith Jones for resuscitating a couple of characters I forgot were in the book.
Jesse and Krista. Thanks.
Much gratitude to my sweet girl, Rachel.
