Chapter 6: No More Waiting

I lay on my old twin bed, listening to the noise outside. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t just sit and wait for disaster. If I waited another two or three days, even my little house might not survive.

I pulled on my old hoodie, the one that still smelled like woodsmoke and home, planning to call Big Ben to go upstate with me. But as soon as I reached Maple Garden, I saw Big Ben grinning from ear to ear, his round face full of pride.

He was posing for selfies with a pack of school kids, all teeth and giggles, like the world’s goofiest mascot at the state fair. I just shook my head.

Forget it, forget it. I’ll go by myself.

I jammed my phone in my pocket and headed out, boots crunching on gravel, heart beating fast with a mix of nerves and stubbornness.