Freestyle with Avery Read online

  “I’m not mad,” I told her. “I just feel bad that you didn’t get to compete in the Snurfer.”

  Kazie shrugged. “Aw, Snurfer Shmurfer. I mean, it wasn’t sanctioned, so I didn’t lose any points. There’ll be other competitions. Besides, it was just for fun.” She sniffled away her last tears and gave me a smile.

  “Avery, I have some good news for you, though,” said Dad, laying a hand on my shoulder. “You placed. You came in fifth!”

  I whipped around. “Are you kidding me? I got fifth!” I started jumped up and down and throwing punches in the air before I thought to calm down a little. (You know—to be a little more thoughtful of Kazie.) They were all laughing, though. I think we knew that if Kazie had gotten to compete she’d be doing a first-place dance herself.

  “DK wanted me to tell you to write more postcards to your friends about your Snurfer glory,” Dad said. Huh, those postcards … whatever happened to them?

  “I even got pictures!” Dad added and handed me the digital camera. Talk about some sweet shots! I was airborne in most of them. There was my frontside handplant. I clicked to the next picture, and there I was executing a flawless alley-oop. Then I clicked ahead again and felt a pang of sadness. It was the one I tried to take of Jason at Legends and Lore, when he moved Frankie in front of the camera. Frankie was sitting on Jason’s shoulder and almost completely blocking his face, but I zoomed in to see if Jason was smiling. Then I noticed something weird. I zoomed in some more. No way. It couldn’t be … or could it?

  Dad patted me on the back. “I think we all need some hot chocolate. And some dinner.”

  “Wait!” I cried. “Dad, look at this!” I handed him the camera. Coming out of Frankie’s jacket pocket was a very familiar-looking piece of blue fabric. MY KGIRL ORIGINAL EAR WARMER. How did it get there? And more importantly … why?

  “Is that what I think it is?” Dad asked. Andie and Kazie stared at us, curious about what was going on.

  “My ear warmer! I mean headband! Well, whatever it is, it’s right there in Frankie’s pocket.” I was getting really wound up now. “Which means maybe Jason wasn’t the one who took the snowboard after all!”

  Kazie’s eyes lit up. “You mean Frankie could have taken it, just like he took your stuff?”

  “Exactly.”

  Dad glanced at Andie. “Look, we need to get to the bottom of this, and the sooner the better. There’ve been a lot of accusations made this afternoon, without a whole lot of facts to back them up. It’s always important to find out the truth before you start pointing fingers at anyone.” Now Dad was looking at both Kazie and me.

  “Let’s take a ride over to the Hulberts’, Avery,” he suggested. “I think you need to talk to Jason and find out his side of the story.”

  “Right now?” The words slipped out of my mouth. I was embarrassed about how I’d exploded at him when he brought back the snowboard. I guess Kazie and I had more in common than just boarding after all.

  “Now is the best time—while everything’s fresh.”

  I knew he was right. I owed Jason a big-time apology. And Frankie, as Ricky Ricardo says on I Love Lucy, had some ’splainin’ to do! Dad and I put on our coats and told Andie and Kazie that we’d be back soon. They understood. No need for everyone to come along.

  It was a short ride to Jason’s house. The sun was going down and now the streets were filled with people celebrating. It seemed like everyone outside of the Snurfmobile was yelling and cheering, but inside we were quiet. It had been a long and confusing day.

  When we got to the Hulberts’, Dad rapped firmly on the door. Bonnie opened it, wearing an apron smudged with yellowy goop. “Jake! Avery! What a nice surprise!”

  “Bonnie, we have a little …” Dad’s voice got quiet. “… situation on our hands.” We kicked off our shoes and stood in the hall.

  Bonnie smiled politely and led us into the dining room. “I just made a banana coconut cake … would you like a piece?”

  “Absolutely,” said Dad. I shot him a look. He shrugged. “What?”

  How could Dad think about cake at a time like this? But I wasn’t exactly disappointed when Bonnie cut me a piece of creamy, cakey deliciousness. Fred and Frankie were sitting at the kitchen table, but Jason was nowhere in sight.

  “So, what’s up?” asked Bonnie.

  Dad coughed and looked at Frankie.

  Fred understood. “Frankie,” he said, “why don’t you run up and put on your pajamas? I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in.”

  Frankie hesitated but obeyed. I remembered how Jason said Frankie was like a wounded animal, and right now he reminded me of one more than ever—all shaky with his head down.

  Once he was gone, Dad took out the camera and showed Bonnie and Fred the picture with my ear warmer. He explained what happened with Kazie’s snowboard that day and the possible misunderstanding when Jason came to drop it off. “We think maybe Frankie might have something to do with it,” Dad said gently.

  I waited for this news to sink in, figuring that when it did, Bonnie and Fred would start yelling for Frankie to “get down here at once!” Instead, they sat at the table quietly and glanced at each other. Finally Bonnie spoke. “Frankie’s had trouble adjusting to family life, Avery. He bonded to Jason immediately—Jason’s so good with him. But when you started coming around the house, Frankie began acting out. I think he’s jealous of your friendship with Jason.”

  Fred sighed. “I wish I could say I was surprised, but Frankie’s taken little things from school before, and once or twice from other kids’ houses. The school psychologist says it makes him feel a sense of belonging. We know it’s a problem. But I still don’t know why he would take Kazie’s board—he hardly knows her.”

  Suddenly we heard a creaking sound from the stairs and the kitchen door swung open. Frankie stood there wearing red footie pajamas, holding my ear warmer and key ring. He stared at the floor.

  “Here,” he said quietly, holding out my stuff without looking up at anyone. He slid a fleece-covered foot back and forth across the floor. How could it be possible for a little thief to be so cute? Seeing him like that, with his hair all messy and that guilty look on his face, made my heart melt. I knew what he’d done was wrong, but I couldn’t be too mad. I walked over and kneeled down in front of him, taking the items from his little hands.

  “It was wrong to take these, Frankie,” I told him.

  “I know,” he whispered.

  I felt really bad for the little guy, but I had to ask. “Did you … take anything else?”

  “Um … yeah,” he said finally, still looking down at the floor.

  “Did you take Kazie’s snowboard?”

  He looked up at me quickly. “No, I took your snowboard!” So that was it—he thought he was hiding my board! I almost burst out laughing, but then I thought of Kazie. She probably wouldn’t think his mistake was very funny. I held in my laughter and tried to put on my most serious face.

  “No, Frankie,” I told him firmly, “that was Kazie’s. Our snowboards look exactly the same—except they have special settings so that Kazie can only ride hers, and I can only ride mine. When you took Kazie’s board, you took away her chance to win the Snurfer. And, you hurt my feelings—and Jason’s.”

  Frankie’s eyes widened as I explained what he had done. “I’m really sorry!” he said very sincerely, looking like he might burst into tears at any moment.

  “You have to promise never to do this again,” Fred said in a stern but understanding voice as he bent down to scoop Frankie into his arms.

  Frankie nodded solemnly. It really seemed like he had learned his lesson.

  “Well, in that case …” I handed Frankie the key ring with the charms and froggie pen. “Why don’t you keep this … for good luck. I have plenty of pens back home.” I knew the BSG would want me to do that.

  Frankie began to smile. “Wow, really? Coooool!” Dad smiled and rubbed my shoulder. I decided to keep the ear warmer … it was more like a head
band, really. “Thanks, Avery!” Frankie said. I think he was happier that I wasn’t mad than he was about getting a present.

  “Now, do you know where Jason is?” I asked Frankie. “I guess I need to say I’m sorry to him.”

  Frankie shrugged. “Jason’s gone.”

  Bonnie and Fred glanced nervously at each other and Bonnie said very slowly, “What do you mean?”

  Frankie looked up. “He left. Time to say good-bye to Ollie.” In an instant, Frankie realized what he’d said, and slapped his hand over his mouth. “Uh-oh …”

  Uh-oh was right. “Where’s Jason? Who’s Ollie? Will somebody please fill me in?” Bonnie asked. Her eyes were full of panic.

  Fred put Frankie down and dashed up the stairs. A moment later he pounded back down. “He’s not in his room. I’ll call the police station. They’ll get the patrol car out there ASAP.”

  Then it hit me. “Wait! I know where he is, Bonnie. I’m sure I do.” I pushed my chair back and jumped up.

  “Where?” Bonnie sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

  “Bear Creek,” I answered honestly. I didn’t want to be the one to tell her everything about Ollie—Jason’s big secret—and maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have to. “Jason’s taking care of an injured hawk … from Bear Creek.”

  “Jason and his creatures.” Bonnie’s voice was squeaky. “But Fred, you can only get to Bear Creek by those old logging routes, and you can’t drive the patrol car on the logging routes in this season.”

  “I have an idea,” I said, but no one was listening.

  “There’s a big snowstorm coming tonight,” Fred noted.

  Bonnie clasped her hands together. “What are we going to do?”

  “I HAVE AN IDEA!” I didn’t know I was shouting until I noticed that all eyes had suddenly turned to me. “Snowmobiles can get through those logging routes, no sweat. Dad has a snowmobile in the back of the van. Dad and I can go out there and get Jason. It’ll be a piece of cake.” I looked at Dad. “Please?”

  “Are you sure that’s really where Jason is, Avery?” Bonnie asked.

  “Yes.” I nodded. “I’m almost a hundred percent sure.”

  Fred looked at Bonnie. “If that’s what Avery thinks, it’s our best bet.”

  Dad sighed. “All right. We’ll go. Fred, you and Bonnie stay here in case he comes back.”

  We put on our coats and told Fred and Bonnie not to worry. “If I know Jason … he’ll be there,” I promised.

  The snowflakes hit as soon as we started driving. They were big and wet, perfect snowball flakes. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains. I knew in another half hour it would be totally dark except for the light of the moon. “Who’s Ollie?” Dad asked as he drove further out of the town center.

  I knew I could tell Dad what was up. He deserved to know the truth. Plus, after tonight, Ollie would be back in nature where he belonged. “Ollie’s a hawk …” I began. As we drove to Bear Creek, I explained the story of Ollie, right down to how he got his name.

  We parked the car next to the River Trail at the south end of town. The snowmobile was heavy. Even though Dad was strong, he still needed my help lifting it from the van.

  Dad took his place in the driver’s seat and I took mine behind him. “Ready?” Dad asked.

  I put on my helmet and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. “Ready.” I leaned my head against Dad’s back and held on tight.

  Dad turned the key, and the motor cut the stillness of the woods with a loud VROOM VROOOOM! The snow-mobile blasted like a cannon, sending a fountain of snow into the air behind us. We drove about half a mile into the woods, when I saw the reflection of the large yellow moon on the frozen river and Jason on a rock. “Dad, I’m afraid the snowmobile might scare Ollie. Can we stop, and I’ll walk the rest of the way? You’ll still be able to see me.”

  Dad parked the snowmobile and the motor made a dull purr. “I don’t know, Ave. Are you sure I should stay here? Jason’s okay?”

  “I know he is, Dad. You just have to trust me.” I put my hands on my hips.

  Dad shut off the engine. The only sounds around us were the Rocky Mountain wind rattling the tree branches and the hooting of owls. “You have your watch on?” Dad asked. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes. Make sure you stay on the path where I can see you.”

  “Deal.” I gave him a quick hug and tramped off through the snow. It was only a few inches deep with sticks and old leaves underneath, so it wasn’t too slippery. The full moon made the white path gleam.

  It didn’t take long for me to reach Jason sitting on the huge rock. Ollie was perched on his gloved fist wearing a little leather hood. Ollie heard me first. He flapped in my direction and let out a squawk. Jason turned. When he saw me he stared down at the ground.

  I walked toward him and gulped. “Jason, I’m really sorry. I should’ve listened to you. I know Frankie took Kazie’s board.”

  He slowly looked up. His blue eyes were brighter than ever. In the moonlight, they looked almost glow-in-the-dark. “I’m so, so sorry,” I repeated.

  Jason shook his head. “Don’t be.”

  Ollie fluttered on Jason’s arm. “Seems like he’s ready to go,” I said gently. I knew that letting go of Ollie was going to be really tough for Jason. And would he even want me to be here, now that I had basically slammed the door in his face?

  Jason sighed. He untied Ollie’s hood and lifted it off. Then he untied the jesses and leash. I heard him swallow with every step of the process. I couldn’t imagine letting go of a pet I loved. But then again, Ollie wasn’t really a pet. He was meant to be free. Jason slipped off Ollie’s anklets and lifted the hawk into the air.

  “Okay, Ollie.” Jason’s voice was faint. He stretched his arm high above his head. “Go on, Ollie. Good luck.”

  For a second, Ollie hesitated. Then, flapping his enormous wings, he lifted off with almost no sound at all. Ollie lowered his wings slowly, raised them, and repeated, lifting himself up, up, up.

  Jason looked happy and sad at the same time as he watched Ollie soar. I thought I saw a single tear slip out of the corner of his eye and drip down his cheek, but it could’ve been anything—a snowflake, a trick of the moonlight, even my imagination. I felt pretty uncomfortable—did he want me to go away and let him do this alone?

  Suddenly, without taking his eyes off the sky, Jason reached over and grabbed my hand.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered.

  My heart was beating a million miles a minute, and I could feel my cheeks burning. I didn’t know what to do or say. I was holding hands with a boy!

  After a couple of seconds I blurted the first thing I could think of—“Me too.” But it was totally true. This was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments that I was sure I’d remember forever.

  Our faces were tilted to the sky, and we blinked the snow out of our eyelashes. Above us, Ollie made two magnificent circles. It’s like he’s saying good-bye, I thought.

  Then he was gone. We stood there without saying a word, and I felt the warmth of Jason’s hand in the stillness of the cold night. Although the moment was kind of sad, I couldn’t help smiling—just a little.

  Finally, Jason turned back to the path. “We should go. Your dad will be worried.” He held my hand for a full two minutes as we walked back through the snowy path. When Dad waved, he gave it one quick squeeze and then it was back to the pockets. But that was okay by me. I’d had enough explaining to do for one day. What happened on Bear Creek would be between Jason and me.

  “Just in time.” Dad tapped his watch. “Everything okay?”

  “Yup. Everything’s fine,” I said and scooted onto the back of the snowmobile. Jason hopped on behind me.

  “Great,” Dad said, then twisted halfway around to face us. “Just one thing, Jason—no more taking in wild creatures, okay? Wild things need to be wild, and there are plenty of professionals around here who can help them if they need it.” Dad’s voice was firm but warm. I knew he
understood how Jason felt about Ollie—like by helping him get better, maybe Jason had healed a little bit too.

  “Sure thing, Mr. Madden,” Jason agreed. I didn’t think he’d want to keep such a mega-huge secret again anytime soon, anyway.

  Dad gave us a wink and the snowmobile roared to life. He was so cool that way—I knew he wouldn’t say another word about Ollie, or anything else.

  As we drove off into the forest, the snowflakes stuck to my cheeks and the air was getting colder, but I felt toasty and warm. The full moon, round and perfect, glowed like a lightbulb in the black sky. It had been a craaaazy trip to Telluride, with Dad and Andie, Kazie, Farkle, the Snurfer … but it was definitely a week I wouldn’t forget. I was proud that I’d made the trip all by myself, and I was reminded of Ollie, who was finally ready to fly off alone by himself, too. Then I thought of Frankie safe at home with Fred and Bonnie, and finally me, snug between Jason and Dad. All of us had something in common—we were right where we needed to be.

  Epilogue

  Flinging my bags on the floor, I flew across my bedroom. Kneeling down at Frogster’s terrarium and Walter’s cage so we were face-to-face, I could see in Walter’s shiny reptilian eyes that he was as happy to see me again as I was to see him. Snakes have feelings too!

  Ping! An e-mail already? I had just walked in the door!

  To: Avery

  From: BSG

  Subject: Postcards

  Dear Avery,

  We’re in the Tower Room right now and we have a question. All of us got postcards from Telluride that are signed by DK … Char says that’s a famous snowboarder. Is that for real? How are things with Kazie? Did she end up being cool? We can’t wait for you to come home. Maeve wants to know if you’re meeting any cute boys … should we throw a pillow at her for you? Miss you toooooons!!!

  xoxox,

  Isabel, Charlotte, Katani, and Maeve

  PS—Who’s Snurfette?

  I immediately started typing to fill them in on all the craaaaazy details of my trip—then I stopped, deleted everything I’d written so far, and started over. There was really only one way to share a story like this.