Dire Woods
Chapter 3

John Joseph Alabaster sat huddled on the stone steps at the entrance to St. Frances Academy. Class had been out for 15 minutes, and still no Alexander Blunt. If he ignored the sinking feeling in his stomach, the “first sleepover cancelled” feeling, John Joseph was actually feeling pretty good. If Alexander didn’t show up in the next five minutes, he would be heading home and going camping with is family. His dad didn’t usually leave until he’d graded most of his papers, so he might even be able to catch him before he headed for home.

He was planning his itinerary for the weekend, when Alexander Blunt plodded up the stairs towards him.

The sleepover was on!

John Joseph’s started to smile, then stopped. Why was Alexander coming UP the stairs? And why did he look so, well off? His face was a rather unhealthy red, his cheeks were puffed out and his mouth was compressed in a line so tight his lips were nearly invisible.

He also wasn’t alone. There was a short, blonde-haired woman wringing her hands on the walkway below him.

“Oh, there you are,” said John Joseph, “I was just about to head home. Thought you must have forgotten me.”

Alexander continued to scowl. The blonde woman leaned forward and gently squeezed his arm. “Your manners, Alexander,” she reminded in a soft voice. “Remember, your manners. John Joseph’s dad is a teacher. He probably has wonderful manners.”

Teacher? How did she know his father was a teacher?

Alexander’s thin lips totally disappeared.

“Sorry,” he muttered, the scowl on his face becoming even more prominent.

“Sorry for what?” John Joseph asked.

The blonde woman nudged Alexander in the ribs.

“Sorry for being late,” he answered.

“I’m Alexander’s mother,” the short woman said, her oversized eyes blinking rapidly, “and you must be John Joseph?”

John Joseph nodded slowly. “Yes, I’m him. Is there a problem?”

Alexander’s mother tried on a quavering smile. “No problem, no problem.” she repeated. “Alexander just forgot about the sleepover, all this excitement with a new school and all. He made it all the way home without you, that’s why we’re late. You know how it is.”

John Joseph had no idea how it was. He’d been thinking about nothing but this sleepover for the past few days.

“If the sleepover is a problem, I can go home you know. Really, it’s no problem. I mean it.”

For an instant John Joseph thought he saw the glimmer of a smile tug at the corner of Alexander’s mouth. It disappeared quickly when his mother began to chirp like a frantic bird.

“Of course it’s no problem, John Joseph. Alexander is really looking forward to the sleepover. We all are. We’ll have so much fun!” She stretched her mouth into a rather scary looking grin. “Let’s go you two! Things to do.”

As they trudged toward the school gates, Mrs. Blunt rattled off the itinerary for the weekend.

“First we’ll have a snack, something healthy of course. Alexander loves his healthy foods. Are you allergic to anything John Joseph?”

John Joseph shook his head.

“Good, I’ve some fruit and veggies in the fridge, Alexander likes them. Then we’ll probably do a bit of a puzzle. Alexander loves his puzzles.”

John Joseph glanced over at Alexander. He was staring at his mother like he’d never seen her before.

She didn’t seem to notice.

“Then possibly a game of badminton if Alexander feels like it and if the weather holds of course. Alexander doesn’t like getting wet; we’ve got to be rather careful that way. Then dinner. We’re having one of Alexander’s favourites of course. He’s the host, must keep him happy.”

Alexander didn’t look happy.

“Then after dinner, a rousing board game, Alexander’s choice and then a snack before dinner. We’ll have to see if we can fit in a walk. Breakfast in the morning, something healthy, but with a fun twist, I think, then off to the local museum. Have you been yet, John Joseph?”

“To the museum?” he asked.

“Yes, to the museum,” Mrs. Blunt confirmed.

“Not for a while,” he replied.

“Well, that’s alright then. It should be fresh, and fun. Fun’s important! Right Alexander?” she asked. Alexander ignored her. “Okay. Lunch in the park after levels one and two, then back in to the complete the third and fourth floor. I’ve got the lunch ingredients already, so that’s set. I’ve decided we’ll snack on the way home, we’ll be peckish and it’ll take time for me to cook dinner, even if everything’s prepped. So, it’ll be a late dinner, which means an early evening as we’ll be utterly exhausted after such a culturally rich day. Now Sunday.”

John Joseph stopped listening. He started to wonder if he was having a sleepover with Alexander or his mom. He stole a quick glance at Alexander plodding along beside him. He was muttering under his breath and smashing small stones with his feet.

He decided he might have more fun with Mrs. Blunt.