Torn Souls (19 page)

“Good, I’m glad. So, now that we’ve exchanged gifts do you want to go skating before you have to leave?”

“Sure, sounds good to me.”

Chapter Twenty

Alex and I had a blast ice skating. We stayed at the park for a little over an hour before having to leave. When we arrived back at the house, Alex’s mom was sitting in the living room talking with my parents. Apparently she stopped by a little earlier so she could drop off a bottle of wine and thank my parents for having Alex over.

After Alex and his mom left I took a shower and climbed into bed to read for a while. I started reading the third book in The Rose Trilogy. My plan was to only read a couple of chapters, but it was so good that I read the first ten chapters before calling it a night. The next morning Mom came in my room to get me up for breakfast and to open my presents. I was still so tired from staying up longer than I should have, that I didn’t even care about breakfast or presents, but I knew there was no way Mom was going to let me stay in bed so I got up.

When breakfast was over we opened all the presents. Mom and Dad both loved the gifts that I bought them. I didn’t ask for anything in particular, but Mom and Dad always seem to know what I’d like. I made out pretty good too. Between clothes, a laptop, and the ice skates, I couldn’t complain.

Once Christmas and New Years had passed, Alex and I began going to local businesses asking if we could hang our flyers in their windows. We took the time to explain to each and every one of them what we were trying to accomplish. Surprisingly, in every place we went to, people were willing to help. We were kind of weary at first and thought people wouldn’t take us seriously, but they did. A lot of business owners even said they would come out to rally with us in the park. After hanging and handing out over three hundred flyers, Alex and I were tired, but more than excited.

We were to rally in the park the following Saturday at noon. I was really hoping people were going to show up. Dad did use his connections with the city so we were allowed to use the park. He also knew a guy who was going to set up a small stage and a microphone with speakers so people would be able to hear me.

School started back on a Wednesday, which felt weird. I never understood why we never went back in the beginning of the week, but I wasn’t going to complain. On the first day back, I was called into the principal’s office. Mr. Joseph sat me down and explained to me what they had decided with Bridget. He said he had suspended her for three days and asked me if I thought the punishment seemed fair. I didn’t really know what to say, so I just nodded my head and agreed.

“By the way, I heard about what you plan on doing this Saturday, Julia. Have you written down what you’re going to say?” he asked.

“No. I’m still not sure if I should write anything down or just go out there and say what comes natural.”

“Well, whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll do just fine,” he said in encouragement.

“Will you be out there to support me?” I asked wondering if he really thought that what I was trying to do was a good idea.

“I’ll be there, but you do know that this is something that may or may not work. It takes a lot of people to start a movement as big as yours.”

“Yes, I’ve been reminded of this, but then I ask myself how will change ever happen if we don’t try, right?”

“You’re absolutely right, Julia.”

After speaking with Mr. Joseph, I headed back to class. It was nice knowing I didn’t have to worry about Bridget knowing she was suspended and wouldn’t be back until next Monday. In the back of my mind I hoped when she did come back that she would just leave me be. It was so nice not having to look over my shoulder or fear for my safety.

On Friday Alex came over to my house as usual and we sat down to plan what I was going to say at the park on Saturday. Two hours into it and my head was spinning. My nerves were already shot. Mom saw that Alex and I were quite busy, so she made us turkey sandwiches for dinner and brought it to us.

“So, are you freaking out, Julia,” Alex asked.

“I sure am, but I have to put my nerves aside and just say what I feel. Well, that’s the advice my dad gave me. I’m hoping it works or else I’ll sound ridiculous.”

Alex and I had just finished writing down the last of my key notes on index cards when his mom arrived to pick him up. She told me that while she was getting her hair done at the salon she overheard people talking about one of the flyers I had posted in the salon. One lady had even said she and her daughter planned on going. I was excited, but even more nervous. After walking Alex and his mom out, I headed back to my room to lie across my bed. I just needed to rest for a while. I felt like I had been going for days without stopping.

Morning came and I was woken up by a knock on my bedroom door. It was my dad telling me that Alex and his parents would be at the house in an hour. I lay staring up at my ceiling. I felt good, like I had slept for a long time. When I climbed off my bed I realized I was still wearing my clothes from last night. Apparently, I had fallen asleep, and never gotten up to change into my night clothes.

I needed to take a shower and I didn’t have time to waste, so I grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom. I could smell bacon wafting in the air so I knew Mom was already up and cooking breakfast. Once I was showered and dressed I stood in front of the mirror. Breathing in and out, I said to myself, “Okay, Julia today is the day. There’s no turning back now.” Surprisingly, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be and I was hoping that wouldn’t change.

When I walked into the kitchen to sit down and eat some breakfast, I saw the table was covered with food. I thought my mom had lost her mind. Did she think Dad and I were so hungry that we could eat eggs, bacon, muffins, pancakes, sausage, home fries, and waffles?

“Um, Mom, I know you love to cook and all, but really? Who’s going to eat all this and what time did you get up? Did you start cooking at four in the morning?” I asked her while shaking my head.

“No, I didn’t get up that early, Julia. Don’t be silly. I know you and your dad can’t eat all this food. We have guests coming over or did you forget?” Mom asked while waving a spatula in her hand.

“No, I didn’t forget. I just thought Alex was getting dropped off. I didn’t realize his parents were staying for breakfast.”

“Yes, I invited them for breakfast and they’ll also be coming with us to the park.”

After Alex and his parents showed up, we all sat down together to eat. When we were done, Dad suggested that everyone except me sit on the couch. I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t included until he said, “Julia, why don’t you stand in front of us and read what you have. This way you can practice on us and we can give you our thoughts.”

“Sure, I can do that, but remember if I mess up it’s because I’m really nervous.”

“Honey, it’ fine if you mess up here. What you don’t want to do is mess up out there,” Dad said as he pointed out the window.

While I read my speech everyone was really quiet. I was waiting for someone to interrupt me in mid-stream and point out a word or sentence that I might have said wrong, but no one did. It took me a few times to get through the whole thing without messing up, but finally I finished. I stood waiting for some kind of feed-back when finally, Dad spoke up.

“Wow, honey, I think you’ve got this. You know, I don’t usually speak for anyone else, but I think everyone here would agree, right?” he said while looking at Mom, Alex and his parents.

Everyone thought my speech was great and said they wouldn’t change a thing which made me feel really good. I was glad Dad suggested I run through my speech. It helped my nerves and made me feel like I could now go in front of a crowd and bring hope to kids like me. Even though we still had about an hour Dad suggested we head to the park early. He said his friend was going to be there setting up all the sound equipment and he wanted me to meet him.

Because it was quite chilly, Mom grabbed a couple of blankets and two thermoses of hot chocolate with Styrofoam cups. I loved how my mom was like the Martha Stewart of mom’s. Dad pulled out some of our camping chairs we had that he’d stored away and tossed them in the car. When we were all set, we headed out. Alex rode with his parents and we met up just a few minutes later.

When we pulled up, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There were parents and kids of all ages standing or sitting in the park. They were lined up in front of the small stage. The strange part was I felt excited not nervous. Dad was pulling the chairs out from the back when Alex and his parents pulled up next to us. The first thing Alex said when he got out of the car was, “Julia, look. Do you see?” He pointed in the direction of the park. “There are so many people in the park and they’re all waiting for you.”

“Yes, I see, Alex.”

“So, are you even more nervous now?” he asked.

“Actually, I’m less nervous which sounds crazy, but it’s because of them,” I explained while pointing to the people.

“Wait, I’m confused, Julia. You’re not as nervous because of all these people?”

“I know, crazy, huh. I think my nervousness had to do with wondering if anyone was even going to show.”

“I’m still confused, but in any case, I’m happy that people came,” he said.

As we headed toward the opening of the park to the stage area people began looking at me. No one knew who I was just yet, but I could see the wonder in their eyes. Alex stayed behind with my mom and his parents while Dad took me over to meet his friend.

“Julia, this is Corey. He’s been a big help to me since we’ve moved here. He’s been working in the mayor’s office for years as a clerk and now I’ve hired him as my assistant.”

Before I could say anything, Corey stuck out his hand to shake mine and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Julia. Your dad has told me a lot about you. If I may say, I think what you’re trying to do is wonderful and I, myself, stand behind you as well.”

As I shook his hand in exchange I replied, “Thank you. That really means a lot to me. Do you have children yourself?”

“Yes, I do. I have a son and a daughter. My son is in the ninth grade and my daughter is in the fifth grade. They’ve both come home several times upset because some kid in school thought it was funny to pick on them. I’ve gone as far as going to their school to put a stop to it, but sometimes I think some things get pushed under the rug, you know?”

“I can relate for sure, so let’s hope that other parents and kids feel that change is necessary and sign my petition today.”

Being so wrapped up with the conversation I was having with Corey I hadn’t even noticed how many people were now in the park until I turned around. I could feel my eyes growing big. There was only ten minutes left before I took the stage, so I headed back over to Alex.

“It’s almost time, Julia. How are you holding up?” Alex asked.

“I’m alright. Will you stand on the side of the stage? It will make me feel better knowing you’re close by,” I asked him.

“Yes, anything for you, Julia.”

Chapter Twenty One

The time had come for me to get up on stage. Both my parents and Alex’s parents were already sitting amongst the rest of the people in the park waiting to hear me speak. I took one quick glance at my mom and dad for a reassuring smile and then headed up onto the stage. Alex stayed off to the side as promised which made me feel like I wasn’t alone.

I stood in front of a microphone, but didn’t say anything. I noticed Dad smiling up at me as if to say
“You can do this, Julia.”
It made me feel good. I took a moment to look out toward the crowd. There were hundreds and hundreds of people. Some of them were sitting on the few benches that were in the park, while others were sitting on chairs they brought with them.