Part 22 (1/2)
ZAVION.
Everyone was there. Papa, Isaac, Enzo, Tavius, Skeet, and Osprey. Ms. Cyn, her knitting needles flying. Papa rushed to grab Zavion as soon as his feet hit the ground. He gave him a tight hug and then a good shake.
”You dont do that. You dont do that to me, do you understand?” he said sharply.
”But-” started Zavion.
”Never. Never again.”
”But I wasnt lost-I knew where I was-”
”You knew where you were? What good did that do me?”
”Im sure you were so worried.” Jake had made his way around to the other side of the truck.
Papa turned to Jake and shot him a look that made Zavion wince. ”Thank you for bringing Zavion home. But you dont have a clue what I was feeling-”
”Dont have a clue!” said Tiger.
”Shhhhh,” said Henry. He stuck the birds cage behind his legs.
”Dont have a clue, ya bonehead!”
”Tiger,” Henry hissed.
Osprey laughed. She squirmed out of Enzos arms and ran to Henry, dragging Green behind her.
”Nice dog,” Henry said. ”Looks like he runs fast.”
”Thank you,” she said, grinning. ”His name is Green.” She pointed behind Henry. ”Nice bird.”
”Thanks,” said Henry. ”His name is Tiger. And Im Henry.”
”Im Osprey.”
”Falcon?”
”No, Osprey.”
”Eagle?”
”No, Osprey!”
”Owl?” Henry was laughing now.
”No! No!” Osprey poked Henry in the knee and giggled.
Zavion was amazed. In a matter of seconds, Henry and Osprey had become fast friends.
”If you think youre going on any other d.a.m.n adventure, Zavion, dump that idea out of your head right now,” said Papa. ”Youre coming with me to Gabes and Im attaching you to my wrist with Ospreys leash all the way there. Do you understand me?”
”Papa-” Zavion forced himself to look into his eyes. ”Papa-” His voice came out a whisper. He opened his palms. The two roof s.h.i.+ngles, chipped and gray, sat in his hands. ”This is whats left of our house,” he managed to say.
”Sweet Jesus-” Papas eyes filled with tears.
”Two more canvases for you to paint,” said Zavion.
Papa pulled him close one more time.
chapter 50.
HENRY.
”Lets go inside,” said Ms. Cyn. She circled her arms around Tavius and Skeet like she was herding sheep. ”Time to eat, dont you think?”
”For someone who hates the kitchen, you sure do like whats inside it,” said Tavius.
”Hush,” said Ms. Cyn. ”Get on in-” She ushered them through the door.
Henry hung back and watched Zavions father hug him hard. He couldnt hear what he said, but he saw him whisper something into Zavions ear.
I cant lose you. That was what Henry imagined he was saying. I cant lose you.
Henry remembered Jake saying that to him only a few short hours before.
chapter 51.
ZAVION.
”If theres cake, theres a party!” said Enzo.
”Thank you, Cora!” said Tavius.
”Yes, thank you kindly!” said Skeet.