Susan Pfeffer - Shade of the Moon

The students stood and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then Mr. Morrow, principal of all the Sexton students from kindergarten through high school, told them to continue standing for a moment of silence in memory of all who had died on Saturday.

“These are difficult and frightening times,” Mr. Morrow said after everyone was seated. “The Sexton school system has suffered great loss. Miss Wilkins, the second grade teacher, is missing and presumed dead. Mr. Donnelly, who teaches English in middle school, is known dead. He died saving the lives of our students. His courage will long be remembered.”

Jon took Sarah’s hand and held on to it.

“Four students died on Saturday,” Mr. Morrow continued. “Jennifer Simms, a fourth grader, was trampled to death at the stadium. Seventh grader Michael Davies was separated from his parents. He was found shot to death on the playing field.”

The guards killed him, Jon thought, but he knew no one would ever admit that.

“Tyler Hughes and Zachary Wright, two of our most popular students, were murdered,” Mr. Morrow said. “It seems a mob grabbed Tyler, and when Zachary ran to get help, another mob found and killed him.” He paused. “I’ve been told there will be funerals for all who died, but not until the end of the week. Their bodies have been recovered and are in Sexton, but with so many deaths, it will take time before all the arrangements can be made.”

“They need grubs to dig the graves,” Luke whispered.

Jon thought of all the bodies he’d seen in White Birch, grubs who’d be tossed in body pits and cremated without anyone to witness and grieve. Then he thought of Tyler and what his parents must have felt when they saw what had been done to their son.

“I want to take a moment to praise the many students who stood their ground against the mob and helped women and children make their way safely back to Sexton,” Mr. Morrow said. “Five of the Sexton soccer team were students here. Now there are three. Would those three fine young men please stand? They represent what’s best in Sexton.”

Jon had no desire to stand, and he could see how uncomfortable Luke was. But Ryan, in the row ahead of them, stood, and reluctantly Jon and Luke rose as well.

It was a nightmare hearing the students and faculty cheering for them. Jon sat as soon as he possibly could, and Luke joined him. A moment later Ryan also sat.

“I didn’t do anything,” Luke whispered. “I got on a bus right away. Ryan did, too. We were too scared to stay.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jon said. “They need heroes. We’re it.”

“After this assembly, guards will escort you to your buses,” Mr. Morrow said. “School will be closed until next Monday so that you can attend the funerals of your friends and fellow students.”

Jon spotted Alex on one of the buses. It made him feel better. But when he got home, he found Carrie on her hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor while Gabe jumped up and down, screaming for attention.

“What’s going on?” Jon asked.

“Val’s not here,” Carrie said. “Someone has to do the work.”

Gabe turned his attention to Jon. “Play with me!” he screamed. “I hate Carrie! She won’t play with me!”

“Stop it,” Jon said sharply. “Carrie, your job is to take care of Gabe.”

“You think I don’t know that?” she said. “I’m doing what Mrs. Evans told me to do. I don’t have four hands.”

“I’m sorry,” Jon said. “It came out wrong. You take care of Gabe. I’ll do the scrubbing.”

Carrie stared at him. Gabe continued to scream.

“I’m getting the best of it,” Jon said. “Give me the scrub brush.”

Carrie stood up. “Do you know how to scrub a floor?” she asked.

“No,” Jon said. “But it’s about time I learned.”

“I want you to go to the hospital,” Lisa said at breakfast.

Jon wanted to whine, “Do I have to?” but knew better. Lisa was exhausted. She’d gotten home from work at ten o’clock the night before and had told Jon she expected to keep those hours for the rest of the week at least.

“Four hundred twenty-two domestics didn’t show up for work yesterday,” she said. “Roughly three hundred families are short at least one grub, and trust me, they need their grubs. Air purifiers can do only so much. Nineteen families don’t have working washing machines, and they each need one grub just for laundry. Carrie, this floor is filthy. I thought I told you to wash it.”

“I washed it,” Jon said. “I’ll do a better job today.”

“It’s not your responsibility to scrub the floors,” Lisa said.

“It’s not Carrie’s, either,” Jon said. “It’s Val’s, and she’s not here. I don’t have school until Monday. I can do some housework until then.”

“Do it better, then,” Lisa said. “And visit Miranda. That is your responsibility. Carrie, for the time being, you’re the only domestic in this house. You want to eat? You do the work.”

“Yes, Mrs. Evans,” Carrie said.

Lisa sighed. “I know Gabe’s a handful,” she said. “I know I’ve spoiled him rotten. His father’s gone, and I’m at work six days a week, and I can’t bring myself to say no to him during the little time we have together. And you’ve done wonders with him. You, too, Jon. He’s a sad and lonely little boy, and I don’t know how to make things better for him.”

“I don’t think you can,” Jon said.

“Probably not,” she said. “I’ve got to go. Tell Gabe I love him, and I’ll see him tonight. Only I won’t. I won’t get back here until after his bedtime. Tell him when I get home, I’ll wake him up with a kiss.” She got up to leave. “Jon, go to the hospital. Find out how Miranda is doing,” she said again. “And help Carrie out. Play with Gabe so she can do the housework.”

“I will,” Jon said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Lisa bent over and gave him a kiss. “You’re a good boy, Jon,” she said. “Give Miranda my love. Tell her we’re counting the minutes until she gets here.”

Jon went upstairs, woke Gabe, and helped him get dressed. He brought him to the kitchen and sat with him while Carrie made his breakfast. When Gabe was through eating, he and Jon went upstairs and played every game Gabe could think of. Carrie cleaned the house and made their lunch.

“I’m going to the hospital,” he told Carrie, after putting Gabe to bed for his afternoon nap. “I’ll stay with Gabe when I get back.”

“Thank you, Jon,” Carrie said. “See you later.”

Jon got a bus that took him to the hospital neighborhood. He couldn’t get over how many guards were in town. Did they really think the grubs were going to rise up in revolt? Or was it just to make the clavers feel safer?

Miranda was lying in bed when Jon got there. She looked good, better than Carrie and Lisa did.

“Jon!” she said. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you. I know something’s going on, but I don’t know what, and I haven’t seen Lisa since last week. Is everyone all right? I’ve been so worried.”

“Everyone’s fine,” Jon said. “I saw Mom on Saturday. Sunday, too. And I saw Alex yesterday, driving a bus.”

“Lisa?” Miranda said. “Gabe?”

Jon laughed. “They’re fine, too,” he said. For a moment Miranda was just Miranda, his big sister, the one who’d teased him, the one he’d driven crazy. Just for a moment, though. Then he remembered Julie and what Miranda had done to her. He didn’t want to, but he edged away.

“What’s the matter?” Miranda said. “Sit down, Jon, and tell me what’s going on. I know you’re keeping something from me.”

Jon sat on a straight-back chair against the wall. “Things went crazy in White Birch this weekend,” he replied. “Bad crazy. But Mom’s fine. Nothing happened to her. And Alex is on the job, so he’s okay, too.”