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  “Hey, everybody, isn’t Kaden’s backpack wicked?” Yo-Yo started saying, holding the backpack up over his head for all to see. Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn away from Luke as Yo-Yo continued talking. “I don’t know any kid who has a backpack like this one. And I can’t believe where Kaden gets to live! I know you guys have known each other forever, and I’m just the new kid, but I heard all these rumors yesterday, so I sneaked onto the bus just to see if they were true, and like I said, I couldn’t believe it! Kaden really does live in cabins out in the woods. Most people only get to go someplace like that when they go on vacation, but Kaden gets to live there every day and . . .”

  Everyone seemed mesmerized by Yo-Yo, who was talking so fast, it was hard to actually know where one sentence stopped and another began. Nobody noticed that Ms. Ales had walked in and was ringing her little brass bell until Kaden pulled Yo-Yo down from the chair, clamped his hand over Yo-Yo’s mouth, and loudly said, “Yo-Yo, shut up!”

  The words were the same as the ones he yelled on the bus the day before, but this time, there was no anger in Kaden’s voice. This time, he had a smile on his face. And, except for Luke, the rest of the class was laughing. Not at Kaden, but with him.

  Saturday, September 3

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ALL FIGURED OUT

  The rest of the week went as usual for a first week of school. Teachers got back into their routines and students got back into theirs. But talking and laughing with a friend was not at all Kaden’s usual routine and he was enjoying every minute. For once, the school year seemed promising.

  Each day that week, Kaden went to the fire tower, just to check, but there were no more surprises. The stick was still standing in the muddy spot. The leaves were not crushed by tires. No more gifts were found on the landing. Kaden was frustrated about not meeting his father yet, but he kept thinking about what Yo-Yo had said. Miracles didn’t happen overnight. But every time he lifted the new backpack, he knew his father had thought of him and that seemed promising, too.

  The first day of Labor Day weekend was wet and windy. After lunch, Kaden went to the junk cabin and took out all the old vinyl record albums. He brought them to Gram’s cabin, cleared a space under the kitchen sink, and stacked them in there.

  “Hand me that one,” Gram said, looking over his shoulder. She put the album on the turntable and carefully moved the player’s arm so the needle rested in the groove. A jazz trumpet solo came through the speakers.

  Kaden went back to his cabin. Sitting at his desk, he listened to the music through the intercom as he worked on a model of a P-38. He was about to glue the fuselage together when through the intercom he heard a knock on Gram’s front door. Kaden immediately thought of his father. He quickly climbed across his bed to look out the window. A big black SUV sat in front of Gram’s cabin. Kaden went back to his desk to listen.

  Over the intercom he was surprised to hear Mrs. Strokowski’s voice. “Hello, are you Mrs. McCrory?”

  “I may be,” Gram answered. “What do you want?”

  Kaden didn’t wait to hear Mrs. Strokowski’s answer. Mrs. Strokowski was nice and he didn’t know what Gram might say. Kaden charged out of his cabin. He took the porch steps in one leap and landed behind Mrs. Strokowski.

  “Gram, this is Mrs. Strokowski, my music teacher.” Gram didn’t move.

  “Who’s that in the car?” she said, looking beyond Mrs. Strokowski.

  Kaden turned around. Yo-Yo had his nose jammed up against the rain-streaked window.

  “That’s Yo-Yo,” Kaden said.

  Mrs. Strokowski started to explain his name, just like she did with the class, but Gram cut her off. “I got that all figured out,” she said. “What I haven’t got figured out is what you want.”

  Kaden pushed past Mrs. Strokowski and opened the screen door.

  “Come on in,” he said.

  Gram gave him an irritated look but stepped aside to let Mrs. Strokowski enter.

  “Better get your friend and go to your cabin while I talk with your teacher,” Gram said, turning off the record player.

  Kaden jumped from the porch, motioning for Yo-Yo to follow him.

  “Where are we going?” Yo-Yo called out, dodging puddles.

  “My cabin.”

  Yo-Yo followed Kaden in and looked around. Bent deer hooves over the bed held a BB gun, and a fish was mounted on the wall over his desk.

  “Wicked!” Yo-Yo exclaimed. “You didn’t tell me you have a whole cabin to yourself.”

  Kaden turned and put his index finger to his mouth.

  “Shh,” he whispered, “I want to hear what they’re saying. And they can hear everything we say, too.”

  “I came because you haven’t signed Kaden up for band,” Mrs. Strokowski’s voice came over the intercom. She sounded nervous and was talking real fast. Kaden knew Gram would just stare at her, letting her ramble and ramble, but nothing Mrs. Strokowski said would make any difference. Only Emmett could sway Gram to change her mind.

  “Don’t you want Kaden to play an instrument? Be part of the band? He might go on to play in the jazz band in high school. You were playing jazz. Maybe Kaden would be interested in jazz. The kids have a lot of fun. Both the marching band and the jazz band get to take a lot of field trips and—”

  “Oh no,” Kaden blurted out. Mrs. Strokowski stopped talking.

  “Kaden, don’t eavesdrop,” Gram said. Then the red light on one of the intercoms in Kaden’s room turned black.

  “Well, that’s the end of that,” Kaden whispered to Yo-Yo. “Your mom just gave playing in band the kiss of death.”

  “What do you mean?” Yo-Yo whispered back.

  Before Kaden answered him, he grabbed his pillow and smothered the intercoms.

  “Gram doesn’t believe in fun or field trips.” He had stopped whispering but kept his voice very quiet.

  “What’s with the pillow?” Yo-Yo asked.

  “Gram can turn off her intercom anytime she wants so I can’t hear her, but if I turn mine off so she can’t hear me, the little red light on her intercom will go out.”

  “So,” Yo-Yo said.

  “Then she’d know I turned off my intercom,” Kaden explained. “I tried it once and for two weeks, I had to go back to living in her cabin. But my pillow muffles our voices, and if we’re quiet, she can’t hear us.”

  “Doesn’t that bother you, having her listening all the time?”

  “I usually don’t have anybody here to talk to.”

  “What about when you’re on the phone?”

  “We don’t have a phone.” Kaden knew Gram secretly owned one but he wasn’t going to tell Yo-Yo that.

  “I didn’t used to but I finally convinced my mom to get me a cell phone in case of emergencies,” Yo-Yo said. “My number is 555-862-9696, if you want to call me. The first four numbers don’t mean anything, but the six and two spells out Ma, and the rest spells out Yo-Yo. Isn’t that cool? I picked it out myself.”

  “I’m not talking about a cell phone,” Kaden said, thinking Yo-Yo sounded a lot like Emmett. “We don’t have any phone. We have to use Emmett’s.”

  “Who’s Emmett?”

  “Our neighbor. He lives down the road in the house with all the signs.”

  Suddenly a muffled voice came from under the pillow. Kaden quickly picked up the pillow. Both red lights were shining again.

  “Kaden, did you hear me?” Gram said. “Yo-Yo’s mom is waiting for him.”

  Kaden and Yo-Yo hurried to Gram’s cabin. Mrs. Strokowski was on the porch asking Gram to think it over during the weekend when Emmett’s pickup pulled in. He came every Saturday afternoon to get Gram’s grocery list, and Kaden almost always went with him to the Big Apple.

  “Are you a promise or a threat?” Emmett said to Yo-Yo as he joined the group on the porch.

  Yo-Yo obviously didn’t know Thredt was the town on the other side of Promise and was Promise Middle School’s biggest rival. He also didn’t know Emmett asked
that question of just about every kid he saw.

  “I’m not sure,” Yo-Yo said, glancing questioningly at Kaden. “I’m Yo-Yo.”

  Emmett laughed. “I’ve never had a kid admit he’s a yo-yo before. Are you moody or bouncy?”

  “He didn’t say he was a yo-yo,” Kaden told Emmett. “He said he is Yo-Yo. That’s his name. And this is his mom, Mrs. Strokowski. She’s the new music teacher.”

  “I stand corrected,” Emmett said to Yo-Yo, then turned to Mrs. Strokowski. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I’m Emmett Adams. If you decide to start up a town choir, I’ll sing in it.”

  “Is that a promise or a threat?” Yo-Yo quickly said, giving Emmett his best grin.

  “Well, we could yo-yo back and forth with that one for a little while, couldn’t we?” Emmett replied. “I think you and I are going to get along, aren’t we, Yo-Yo?”

  “As long as you don’t pull my string.”

  Emmett started to reply, but Gram was tired of all the foolishness.

  “Emmett, just put the mail on the kitchen table,” she interrupted.

  The Strokowkis said good-bye and Kaden followed Gram into her cabin. Emmett had put the mail on top of the album cover and picked up a brochure sitting next to it. Kaden recognized the brochure. It had pictures of band instruments on the outside and inside was a rental form. Kaden had brought one home just like it but it had gone in the trash.

  “It’s getting pretty musical around here,” Emmett said, putting the brochure in his shirt pocket. “Always good to have a little music in the house.” He reached over and turned the record player back on.

  “Playing a trumpet would be fun,” Kaden said, “and educational, too.” But from the look on Gram’s face, Kaden knew it was pointless.

  “Enough nonsense,” Gram said. “Here’s what I need from the Big Apple.”

  Kaden took the list and followed Emmett to his truck. As they drove away, he told Emmett all about the new kid.

  When they reached town, instead of going to the Big Apple, Emmett turned onto the main highway.

  “Where are you going?” Kaden asked. “I thought we were going grocery shopping.”

  “We’ll do that later,” Emmett said. “We need to take a little side trip to Chapston City first.”

  “What for?”

  “I have to pick up some wood. The school sign was damaged this morning. They asked me if I would make another and we have some other errands to run there, too.”

  “What happened to the sign? Did Thredt kids vandalize it?”

  “No, it wasn’t Thredt this time but I’m not at liberty to say what happened. I’m sworn to secrecy.”

  “What else do you have to do in Chapston City?” Kaden asked.

  “You’ll see,” Emmett said. An hour later, Kaden was walking out of the music store with a trumpet case in his hand.

  “Don’t tell Gram about it just yet,” Emmett said. “I know I can talk her into it but it will take some time and you can’t wait that long. Band will be starting and you need to start with them.”

  “How am I going to sneak a trumpet into my cabin?” Kaden asked. “And there’s no way I can practice without her hearing me.”

  “I’ll take it home with me,” Emmett said. “You can pick it up when Doris stops for breakfast.”

  “What about in the afternoon?” Kaden asked. “And practicing?”

  “I’ll tell Gram I need you every day after school for a little while. Doris can let you off at my house. You know how it is. Gram just needs a little sweet talk. I’m sure she’ll sign you up for band in a few weeks. But until then it’s just between us, okay?”

  “Okay, thanks,” Kaden said.

  Sunday, September 4

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  ALLIES

  Sunday morning broke bright and clear. With a cooler, some fishing rods, and a tackle box in the bed of the truck, Emmett and Kaden turned toward town.

  “Where are you going?” Kaden asked. “The river’s the other way.”

  “We’re going to get Yo-Yo,” Emmett said. “I called his mom and invited him to come along. I wanted to surprise you.”

  Kaden was excited his new friend would be with them but now his plans to talk with Emmett were thwarted. He was with Emmett yesterday afternoon but he never found a way to bring up Dad and the new backpack. When Emmett suggested going fishing, Kaden thought that would be the perfect time.

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?” Emmett said when Kaden didn’t immediately respond.

  “It’s a super surprise,” Kaden said enthusiastically. “Thanks.” And he really meant it. It would be fun to have Yo-Yo with them.

  When Yo-Yo came bounding out of his house with a bright red duffel bag, Kaden learned there was a second part to Emmett’s surprise. Yo-Yo would be spending the night at the cabins. Kaden scooted over, letting Yo-Yo in.

  “This is so awesome. I’ve never been fishing before,” Yo-Yo said as they drove out of town. Kaden smiled. He’d never had a kid spend the night.

  One of the great things about fishing, Emmett always said, is it gives you time to think. And that’s what Kaden did. As he cast his line and reeled it back in, he thought about how he and Emmett always got along. They went places and did things together and Emmett was an ally when trying to convince Gram of letting Kaden do things. It was Emmett who convinced Gram that Kaden could have a bike when he was five, could walk to the fire tower alone when he was eight, and could have a BB gun when he was nine. Kaden was sure Emmett had a hand in him getting to move to Cabin Two, and just yesterday Emmett set it up so he could be in band.

  Kaden cast his line toward a deep pool formed by a fallen tree. The lure went a little too far and landed over a partially submerged tree trunk. He quickly popped it up and back before it could snag, reeled it in, and cast again, this time not quite as hard. The bright yellow rooster tail spinner plopped into the water just this side of the tree trunk. Right where Kaden wanted it. Almost instantly, a fish took the lure. Kaden set the hook and played the fish until he brought it in.

  After he put the fish on the stringer, Kaden looked downstream. Emmett had watched him catch it and gave him a thumbs-up but Yo-Yo didn’t seem to notice. He was standing near Emmett staring intently at a bobber floating out in front of him, as if he could will a fish to pull it under.

  Kaden cast his line again and went back to his thoughts. There was an understanding between Emmett and Gram regarding his father. Kaden could talk to Emmett about anything on his mind. Anything except for the subject of Dad. Other than a few stories about when Dad was a kid, Emmett was silent on the subject. Even when letters came from the prison, Emmett only spoke to Gram about them. Deep down, Kaden knew even if Yo-Yo had not come along today, Emmett still wouldn’t have said a word about his father.

  Like always, he would have said, “If you want to know more about your dad, you’ll have to ask your grandmother.”

  Suddenly Kaden heard Emmett yell, “Set the hook!” He looked downstream just in time to see Yo-Yo flip the fishing rod up so fast and hard, the bobber and hook flew out of the water, sailed backward over Yo-Yo’s head, and got caught up in the bushes behind him. Kaden smiled, watching Yo-Yo and Emmett laugh as they untangled the hook from the bush. Kaden cast again, wondering if Yo-Yo would be someone he could talk to.

  Would Yo-Yo really understand about my father? Kaden thought. Yo-Yo has a whole family, with a mom and a dad, probably two sets of grandparents, and tons of aunts, uncles, and cousins. They live in a regular house. They own televisions, cell phones, and computers. The Strokowskis lead a normal life.

  Kaden heard Emmett and Yo-Yo splashing through the water, walking upstream to find another hole. It was Yo-Yo who took the first step to be friends, Kaden thought. And he never made any mean comments like Luke. I was actually mean to Yo-Yo, but he wasn’t mean back. In fact, he acted like the bus incident never even happened. But Kaden wasn’t sure he was ready to talk with Yo-Yo about his father.

  Just before suppertime, th
ey pulled into the circle drive. Gram was sitting on the porch shucking corn.

  “What’s he doing here?” Gram said when they all got out of the truck.

  “You’ve met Yo-Yo. He’s Kaden’s friend and he’s spending the night,” Emmett stated.

  “Says who?” Gram stood up and crossed her arms. Emmett took Gram by the elbow and guided her into the house. Kaden turned and rushed into Cabin Two, leaving Yo-Yo standing alone by the truck holding his duffel bag.

  “Friends only get boys into trouble,” Kaden heard Gram say over the intercom.

  “Kaden’s getting older. He needs to be around others his age,” Emmett stated firmly. What Gram said next, Kaden didn’t hear. The intercom had gone silent and the red light turned off.

  Kaden went back out. Yo-Yo was still standing by the truck. Kaden grabbed the stringers of fish from the cooler.

  “Come on,” he said. “We’re going in.”

  Together they stepped up onto the porch. As they reached Gram’s door, Emmett stepped out and pulled the boys aside.

  “Don’t mess up,” he warned quietly. “And do extra chores. Yo-Yo, you too.”

  The boys were on their best behavior all evening. They finished shucking the corn and set the table. As Gram fried the fish the two boys sat nervously on the couch, aware she was watching every move.

  “Neither of you boys has done any reading today,” Gram stated.

  Yo-Yo was sitting next to the bookcase. He jumped up suddenly as if something had bitten him, grabbed the closest encyclopedia volume, and quickly opened it to a random page.

  “Zoysia grass,” he blurted out.

  “What?” Gram said.

  “Zoysia grass,” Yo-Yo repeated, and read aloud as fast as he could. “ ‘A thick, tough kind of grass that’s used to stop erosion and grows well in all sorts of conditions. It’s used on many golf courses and parks because of its resistance to weeds.’ ” Yo-Yo looked up. “It tells all about it right here, in volume 18, W-X-Y-Z.” Yo-Yo talked so quickly and nervously, even Gram had to smile. He sounded just like his mom when she tried to get Gram to sign Kaden up for band.