A Flower For Casey

dream.

Chapter 1

A NEW BEGINNING

It was unusually snowy and bitter cold, the day Carl Andrew Simmons came to Brisbee. A small, quiet, northern New England town of 899, 900 if you counted Carl and well come to think of it, 901 if you considered the fact that Mrs. Martin was expecting a new baby within a few days.

Robert and Mary Ever-Young, a well-respected professional couple, who had just completed adoption proceedings a few days earlier, could hardly contain their excitement when the number nine train roared into South Union station. The release of the powerful engines shrilling air brakes nearly drowned out the conductor’s announcement of the train’s arrival. Welcome to Brisbee, next stop, Colton.

It’s awful cold, isn’t it Robert? Mary asked as she reached for a tissue from her purse.

Yes, a fine day, a real fine day! Robert answered nervously.

Oh Robert, do you think Carl will like us?

Why Mary, how could you say such a thing? Of course he will! He’s already met with us at least ten times and said himself he couldn’t wait to get here.

One by one the passengers began to exit the train. Robert looked away for a moment and noticed the large clock hanging in the archway of the platform. Mary! Do you realize it’s exactly nine o’clock? Robert cried out, his face looking as though he was about to win the Pulitzer Prize for some scientific discovery.

Mary looked at Robert with a puzzling look and replied, Umm, yes Robert. Carl was due in at nine o’clock this morning, and the train is on time. That is rather amazing isn’t it?

No, no, no that’s not what I mean! Robert snapped. I mean its nine o’clock, 9-0-0. Carl is the 900th person to live in Brisbee and it’s exactly 9-0-0 o’clock.

Mary glanced over at the clock and then back at Robert replying with a rather impish grin, ooh, scary as her eyes rolled up in her head.

You’re impossible! Robert cried as Mary stood their snickering.

Just then, a burly train attendant and a small young boy appeared in the doorway of the second rail car about a hundred yards from them. The train attendant was escorting him down off the railcar and onto the platform.

Watch your step now, young man.

I will Joe! Carl replied. Thanks, thanks for everything.

You’re welcome son! Now don’t forget what I told you, he added.

I won’t! Carl replied.

Oh my God Robert, there he is! Mary cried out. Do I look alright? Mary said as she adjusted her hat.

You look simply radiant honey, Robert replied. Let’s go get our son.

Carl spotted the Ever-Young’s almost immediately and began running towards them and they towards him. Mom, Dad! Carl cried out.

Mary began to sob as she, Robert and Carl huddled into an embrace that was befitting of a most cherished Christmas card. I thought this day would never come, Mary said.

Me neither, Carl replied.

Let’s go get your things Carl and then we’ll go get some breakfast at the Monarch, Robert said.

Yes let’s, Mary said with tears still running down her rosy cheeks.

I’m so excited I don’t know if I can eat, but if I can, could I get some waffles with strawberries on them? Carl asked. My friend Peter at the orphanage said he had them once and they were awful good, he added.

You can get whatever you’d like Carl, Robert said with a stifled laugh that seemed to almost choke him, anything at all.

As the three gathered up Carl’s belongings and headed to breakfast, Carl began telling Robert and Mary all about his exciting, yet sad journey from the orphanage to Brisbee.

You know it’s funny, Carl said as he began fiddling with the lid of the backseat ashtray, I never thought I’d say this, but when everyone at the orphanage found out I was being adopted, they were all so happy for me, even Miss Haskin whose facial expression normally wouldn’t have changed if you hit her on the head with a 2 X 4.

When I was getting ready to leave yesterday, everyone cried and then Miss Haskin hugged me goodbye. I guess they are all going to miss me and I guess I’ll miss them too!

It was at that moment when Carl realized just how much his life was about to change. He stared out the window of the car with a saddened look, thinking about the life he had just abandoned back at the orphanage. Gone, were the all too familiar regimens, routines and friends he had grown accustomed to. However, when the Ever-Young’s pulled into the parking lot of the Monarch, Carl noticed something strangely familiar. It was as if God himself had left a message for Carl to let him know that everything was going to be fine. It was the welcoming glow of the orange neon sign that adorned the restaurant’s roof. It looked just like the one that was on the building across the street from the orphanage, the one that used to light up Carl’s room when it got dark. Somehow the sign brought Carl a feeling of relief and comfort. That sure is a neat sign! Carl said. You know what? I’m getting awful hungry for those waffles! he added. I’ll bet I could eat a million of them.

Elizabeth Maxwell or Beth as she was known to all the customers at the Monarch waited on the Ever-Young’s. Hello Bob, hello Mary, can I get you some coffee? Beth asked.

Yes, please Beth! Mary replied.

Who is this handsome young fellow? Beth asked.

Beth, may I please introduce you to our son, Carl Andrew Simmons Ever-Young, Robert replied.

Nice to meet you Carl Andrew Simmons Ever-Young, Beth said with a smile. Can I get you something to drink?

Carl nodded, and replied, Yes, please! I ’d like some milk.

Would you like Chocolate or white?

Carl looked over at Robert as if to get permission to respond. You can get whatever you’d like Carl, Robert said.

Then I ’d like Chocolate, Carl said while spinning in his chair.

Then chocolate it shall be, Sir Carl, Beth quipped.

Carl laughed as Beth went off to get their drinks. She sure is a nice lady isn’t she? Carl asked Mary.

Yes she is Carl, one of the nicest, Mary replied.

After breakfast, Robert went off to pay the bill while Mary and Carl went to get their coats. Did you enjoy your breakfast? Mary asked Carl.

I sure did, those waffles were the best things I ever tasted.

I’m so glad Carl, Mary said laughing.

Robert soon joined them and Mary handed Robert his coat. As they headed towards the door Carl looked up at Robert and said, Dad thanks for bringing us here.

You’re welcome son, Robert replied.

Dad

Yes son.

Do you think that it’s selfish of me, to be so happy when all my friends at the orphanage are so sad? Carl said as Mary’s eyes began to well up with tears again.

Carl your friends may be sad but they are sad because you were leaving the orphanage. Everyone deserves a chance to be happy and hopefully someday, they too will get the same chance as you are now, Robert replied.

Thank you so much for picking me, I love you both so much! Carl said as he wrapped his arms around Robert and Mary.

We love you too Carl! Robert said as Mary softly wept. Let’s go home.

As they left the restaurant; the snow was beginning to subside. When they approached the car, Carl stopped suddenly and looked all around him, as though he was trying to record exactly where he was at that particular moment in time. Boy, it sure is awful cold out isn’t it dad? Carl asked Robert.

Robert paused for a moment while opening the car door, and as he took in all the beauty and good graces that surrounded him, he simply replied, Yes, a fine day son, a real fine day.

Chapter 2

FRIENDS

Carl had barely enough time to catch his breath before he was thrust into the fifth grade at Brisbee Elementary. The school was located on Scarlet Street less than two blocks from the Ever-Young’s home. Although a small school, Brisbee Elementary offered most of the amenities of the areas larger schools, probably more so in Carl’s case since most of his schooling and outside activities were mainly limited to the confines of the Brighton County Orphanage where Carl spent most of his life growing up.

Carl, you need to hurry it along dear, your breakfast is getting cold and you don’t want to be late on your first day of school do you? Mary asked.

No ma’am, Carl replied as he raced past Mary and sat down at the breakfast table.

Mom? Carl asked as he started nibbling on a small piece of homemade cinnamon toast.

Yes honey, Mary replied.

Do you think the kids will like me? Carl asked.

Why, don’t you worry about a thing honey of course they will Mary replied.

I sure hope so, I feel like I have bats in my stomach, Carl said.

Mary started to laugh a little, but understanding Carl’s anxiety quickly regained her composure. "The term is butterflies honey, but you know what? By the end of the day, after you’ve had time to get to know some of the other kids, I’ll bet you won’t even have those," Mary said.

Well, you’re probably right. I better get going, Carl said excitedly as he grabbed his jacket, another piece of toast and then bolted for the door.

Carl? Mary interjected.

Yes mom? Carl replied as he froze in place on the front porch.

You’ve forgotten your lunch! Mary said as she handed him a rather large brown sack and gently kissed him on the cheek.

Thanks mom, see you tonight, Carl said as he headed down the stairs and across the fresh snow covered lawn.

The morning air was crisp as Carl walked towards the school. His breath seemed to freeze in place like the icicles that majestically hung from the houses he passed. He was just noticing how beautiful an evergreen tree was from the snow that had fallen the night before when a large snowball whizzed past his head and nearly caught him right in the face. Ah man did you see that? I almost got a hold of you, the young voice from behind the large elm tree said laughing with sheer delight.

What are you trying to do, kill me? Carl said visibly startled.

Heck no, the voice replied. If I were trying to kill you I would have hit you with all of these, he added.

Just then a small boy with blond hair and wire rimmed glasses appeared from behind the tree with his arms loaded with freshly made snowballs. You’re that new kid that the Ever-Young’s adopted aren’t ya? the boy asked.

Yes! Carl replied.

Well my name’s Tommy, Tommy Martin glad to meet ya! Tommy said as he reached out to shake Carl’s hand. What’s your name? Tommy asked.

Carl Andrew Simmons Ever-Young, Carl replied.

What… holy crap that’s a long name, Tommy said laughing. How bout if I just call you Casey for short? Tommy then asked.

Casey? Carl retorted.

Yeah, all the kids in our club do it. Like my friends call me TM, instead of Tommy Martin get it? Tommy asked.

Hey, that’s real neat Carl replied.

Now hurry up and get behind this tree before you get real dead because any minute now, the RB brothers (that’s short for Rory and Ronnie Brown to you) will be coming around that corner and when they do, we’re gonna beat the livin snot outta them! Tommy laughed as he started packing even more snowballs.

Hey Tommy, I….I mean TM? Carl asked.

What? Tommy said.

Aren’t we going to be late for school? Carl asked.

Naw, Miss Pritchard never says nothing if we’re a few minutes late. Besides, here they come so it’ll be worth it, Tommy said.

Although Tommy knew what was about to happen, Carl had absolutely no idea and was extremely nervous about what Tommy was getting him into. Oh man, here they come, Tommy said with a heinous laugh as he prepared his arsenal of icy cold weaponry. Carl peeked slowly around the tree to see the two boys approaching.

What are we going to do? Carl asked.

Now listen, just do as I tell ya. When they get about twenty feet from us, you go left and get the short kid and I’ll go right and get the bigger one and then wait for my signal, you got it? Tommy asked.

Yeah, I got it, Carl replied as his heart began to race.

Here we go, ready…..NOW! Tommy cried out as he ran screaming from behind the tree. Carl quickly followed suit with a nervous yell that would have made your blood curdle. In less than ten seconds, the two had launched every beautifully hand crafted snowball in a skillfully executed aerial assault that would have made General Douglas MacArthur proud.

Rory Brown was the older of the RB brothers and also the first to respond to the seemingly vicious attack. Tommy Martin, you’re a dead man! Rory yelled as he scrambled to his feet.

That’s the signal Casey…RUN! Tommy cried. Carl and Tommy tore off running like the wind with the RB brothers quickly behind them. Faster Casey, they’re gaining on us! Tommy yelled as he continued running, laughing like a madman. Carl, almost breathless, couldn’t even respond to Tommy’s command, but the very thought of knowing that any moment he was going to be killed, caused him to bolt even faster into the school yard.

All of a sudden, Tommy grabbed hold of Carl’s jacket and spun him around right into the path of the brothers. Oh my God, I’m going to die on my first day at school Carl thought. Just as Rory grabbed Carl by the collar he heard Tommy yell, HOME FREE!

Ah man, that ain’t fair Rory said as he relaxed his grip on Carl.

Carl looked at Rory and then back at Tommy. Home free? You mean you guys were just horsing around? Carl asked in disbelief.

Yup and we’re home free. That means we’re safe and there ain’t nothing they can do about it, Tommy laughed.

The RB Brothers, though visibly beaten, were not about to succumb to the righteousness of Tommy and Carl’s surprise attack. We’ll get you next time! Rory said.

Yeah, next time! Ronnie added.

Right, yer cool runt, c’mon were gonna be late Tommy said still laughing.

As the boy’s headed into school, Tommy formally introduced Casey to the RB brother’s. Later at recess Tommy, Rory, Ronnie and two more of the secret clubs members, Seth STP Thomas and Wally The Wall Higgins, welcomed Carl to Brisbee by making him an official member of their secret society.

From that day on, it seemed that the boys spent just about every waking moment together, playing their daily game of cat and mouse before school, building snow forts, and sledding down Dawson Hill on the weekends. While some folks would have liked to call it fate, others seemed to think that the boys just simply took an immediate liking to Carl. Whatever it was, it was clear that this was truly indeed, the age of profound innocence. Where happiness could be found in the pleasantries of freshly fallen snow and the wonderment of new found friends.

Chapter 3

MOE WARREN

The relentless snowy winter had finally given way to the welcomed rites of spring. The town of Brisbee was beginning to come back to life and the air was full of the subtle scent of sweet cherry blossoms from the Davis’s orchards, a sure sign that the school year was nearly over.

Carl, Tommy and the rest of the secret club were busy making plans for all the things they were going to do over the impending summer recess. That was the summer that would open up a whole new world for Carl. For it would be the summer of base-ball, hiking, fishing, delicious chicken barbecues and of course block boozer, which was kind of like hide and seek only better. It would also be the summer that Carl would meet Moses Warren.

Moses was considered to be a bit of a bully, the kind of kid that folks would refer to as coming from the wrong side of the tracks a term meaning that he was a kid to stay away from. Truth be known though, Moses wasn’t always like that. He used to be a rather petite, shy and very well-mannered young boy. However, Moses’ life was dealt a series of unusually cruel blows. He