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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, despite Vera’s protests, Lucy stayed behind with Kate while everyone else went to the movies. Kate didn’t want to discuss why she was so upset about the idea of going to the movie theater. Lucy suggested that, instead, they go window shopping on the Vista Falls town square. Lucy asked Kate to wait in the Wildlife Sanctuary, making the excuse that she had forgotten to tell Mr. Jaquith something. Lucy hurried out to catch Mr. Jaquith so that she could ask him to talk with Kate about whatever was bothering her. On their way back to the Wildlife Sanctuary, they ran into Mr. Dinello who was walking near the creek. Mr. Dinello volunteered to help talk with Kate. When they arrived at the Wildlife Sanctuary, they were surprised to find a large bouquet of red roses on the ramp leading to the front door. Attached to the flowers was a card, but the card was not addressed to anyone in particular. Mr. Jaquith read the card which said simply, “For Nature.” Lucy, Mr. Jaquith and Mr. Dinello were puzzled by the mysterious inscription. But, before they could discuss it further, Kate came running out of the Wildlife Sanctuary—angry and upset—thinking that Lucy had forgotten her. What did they do? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 3: Flower Sour
By Joseph Crisalli
Suddenly, Kate came running out of the building in tears!
“I knew it!” Kate screamed. “I knew you didn’t really want to go shopping with me!”
“I do!” Lucy said quickly. “I told you I was going to see Mr. Jaquith first. We ran into Mr. Dinello on the way back.”
“Save me your excuses!” Kate shouted. With that, she began to walk off hurriedly.
“Where are you going?” Lucy called after her cousin.
“What do you care?” Kate shouted over her shoulder.
Mr. Jaquith sighed, studying the flowers in his lap.
“Now what do we do?” Lucy asked.
“We should go after her.” Mr. Dinello said quickly.
“I agree. She’s very upset.” Mr. Jaquith said, wheeling his chair forward.
“What about those flowers?” Lucy asked as she hurried to keep up with the two men.
“That’ll have to wait.” Mr. Jaquith answered.
“Kate!” Lucy shouted after her cousin.
“Leave me alone!” Kate shouted back, picking up her pace.
“Its no use trying to get away from us, cousin.” Lucy answered loudly. “We’re going to catch up with you. Mr. Dinello has long legs, I’m one of the best runners at Vista Falls Junior High and Mr. Jaquith is on wheels. You can’t out-race us.”
Kate stopped in her tracks, wiping the tears from her eyes. She sat down heavily on one of the wooden benches that lined the pathway.
“Fine.” Kate sniffed. “I stopped. Happy?”
“Not really,” Mr. Dinello said as he and Lucy sat down on the bench next to her. “We’re worried about you.”
Mr. Jaquith wheeled his chair so that he was facing Kate.
“Kate, we’re all friends. Can’t you tell us what’s bothering you? We only want to help you.” Mr. Jaquith said gently.
“What’s bothering me?” Kate laughed sadly, tears still streaming from her eyes. “Do you want the list?”
“If you have a list, sure.” Mr. Dinello said sweetly.
“Well, let’s see,” Kate answered, wiping her eyes again. “My parents sent me here to Vista falls to visit with my aunt and uncle and cousins while they worked out everything they needed to work out. Then, they wanted me to stay here while they were getting a divorce. Then, they got divorced and they never asked me to come home. And, even if they had, where would I go? Where’s my home exactly? They sold the house we all lived in when we were a family! They each live in little apartments in different towns! Where’s my home? Does my mom want me to live with her? Who knows? Does my dad want me? He never said! So, where do I live? I live in the guest room at my aunt and uncle’s house.”
“You’re part of our family,” Lucy hugged her cousin. “We love having you around. It’s hard to remember what it was like without you in the house.”
“That’s because I’ve been here for so long. Surely your mom and dad aren’t going to want to have me live with you forever! They have to take care of you and Vera! They don’t need another mouth to feed. Besides, haven’t you ever heard of wearing out your welcome?” Kate sobbed.
“Kate, you’re always welcome.” Lucy continued. “Nothing is worn out.”
“That’s a lot for someone your age,” Mr. Dinello said softly. “It’s a lot for someone of any age—to not know where your home is, to not know what’s going to happen. But, you’re here with family who love you and want you around.”
“I’m not finished,” Kate said angrily. “I was going to give you the list. That’s just the top of the list.”
“Kate,” Mr. Jaquith said. “Let’s first try to calm down and remember the good things. For instance, you have wonderful friends in Vista Falls. Ward, Rick, TJ, Delia, Chief Colbert, Officer Littlepoole, Mrs. Conn and me…”
“For every one of you, there are five people that hate me.” Kate sniffed.
“Who hates you?” Lucy shook her head. “No one hates you.”
“You don’t know that.” Kate let her hair fall over her face. “I don’t fit in here in Vista Falls. I’m not like the rest of you.”
“Is someone picking on you?” Mr. Dinello asked. “Is someone giving you a hard time?”
Kate shrugged.
“Is that why you don’t want to go to the movies?” Lucy asked. “Did something happen at the theater?”
“I don’t want to talk about it!” Kate said.
“Talk about what?” Mr. Dinello asked.
“Nothing. Nothing happened. There’s nothing wrong. I just…” Kate coughed. “I just want to go home. To your home…” She looked at Lucy.
“It’s your home, too.” Lucy smiled encouragingly. “And, if that’s what you want right now, I’ll walk you home—to our home.”
“I hope you know, Kate,” Mr. Dinello said, “that you can come and talk with me or Mr. Jaquith or Chief Colbert or Officer Littlepoole any time you want.”
“I know.” Kate nodded. “Please, may I just go now?”
“Sure.” Lucy said. “Let’s go home.”
Lucy paused. “Thank you anyway.”
“Anytime.” Mr. Jaquith said.
With that, the two girls walked back to the Molton’s house.
“Poor kid.” Mr. Jaquith sighed.
“I know.” Mr. Dinello shook his head. “I wish there were something we could do to help.”
“We have to wait until she asks us, I guess.” Mr. Jaquith said.
The two men sat quietly for awhile.
“Claude,” Mr. Dinello said after a few minutes. “Are you busy? I mean, right now?”
“I was going to get my duds ready for the wedding tomorrow, but that can wait until tonight. Why do you ask?” Mr. Jaquith answered.
“I’ve been rehearsing my speech for the reception tomorrow night. I could really use someone to listen to it and tell me if it sounds silly or not. Would you mind?” Mr. Dinello asked.
“Not at all.” Mr. Jaquith smiled.
“Let’s go back to my house.” Mr. Dinello said. “You can try out the new ramp I built up the back steps so you can get in easier.”
“Great!” Mr. Jaquith smiled. “I appreciate you doing that for me.”
“No problem.” Mr. Dinello grinned.
As they went back to Mr. Dinello’s little house, they talked about the upcoming wedding. But, all the while, they were thinking about Kate and also about the strange flowers that had been left at the Wildlife Sanctuary. Mr. Jaquith still held the roses in his lap.
They made their way through Mr. Dinello’s back gate and up to the ramp.
“What a great looking ramp!” Mr. Jaquith grinned. “You did a wonderful job building it.”
“Sam helped me.” Mr. Dinello nodded. “It took…” Mr. Dinello stopped, his voices catching in his throat. Mr. Jaquith knew why immediately.
There, at the top of the ramp was another huge bouquet of red roses!
Mr. Dinello hurried up the ramp and fetched the bouquet, tearing open the card as he came down.
“What’s it say?” Mr. Jaquith asked.
“’For Art!’” Mr. Dinello gasped. “Just those two words typed on the card—‘For Art’.”
“Now what?” Mr. Jaquith sighed.
What should they do?
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