Trouble in the Trees (13 page)

“You didn't have to.”

“Yeah, but now I have to practice so I can beat you to the top of a tree.”

“If the bylaw is overturned,” I said with a nervous laugh.

“It will be.”

We exchanged a smile, and then he was gone.

“You really knocked that one out of the park, Bree,” Dad said as he swung an imaginary baseball bat through the air.

“Thanks,” I said, “but we still don't know what's going to happen with the bylaw.”

“Well,” said Dad, “at least you ensured the vote was fair and informed.”

Mom was silent as she unlocked our front door. Just as she was about to step inside she turned to me and said, “I'm proud of you, Brianna.”

My mouth went dry and my chest warmed up as if I'd eaten something hot and spicy. Heat spread through me until my fingers and toes were tingling with happiness.

In some ways I was glad that it was going to take a while to hear from the Neighborhood Council again. I didn't want the good feeling to go away.

Chapter 20

Ding Dong.

“Brianna? Are you going to get the door?” Mom yelled out from across the hall.

“I'm reading!” I yelled back. “Just like you wanted me to!”

I was following Mom and Dad's advice not to climb the Spoon, Fork, or Knife until the council sorted out the bylaw. Their advice made sense. Although it was technically legal to climb those trees, I didn't want to upset anyone who might be considering a “no” vote. But I suspected Mom had another motive. She wanted me inside, working on my end-of-the-year school project. And I wanted to be outside, climbing trees!

Ding Dong.
Somehow, the doorbell sounded more urgent the second time.

“Brianna!” And so did Mom. I could tell by her voice that her eyebrows were scrunched.

“What?”

“It's for you.”

“Tell whoever it is that you've trapped me in my room so I can't come out and play.”

“It's Ms. Matheson.”

What was she doing here?

“Come down please, Brianna.”

I sighed and put my bookmark in place. I was only on page two, but I didn't want to read page one again. It was boring enough the first time.

I clomped down the stairs with no idea what to expect.

“Hello, Brianna,” Ms. Matheson said as soon as I got to the front hall. Apparently, Mom had asked her to come in.

“Hi, Ms. Matheson,” I said politely. The way I talk to Mr. Lee. The way you are supposed to talk to school principals and presidents of neighborhood councils. Not the way I
wanted
to speak at that particular moment.

“Can we sit down and talk for a minute?” she said.

“Sure,” I said hesitantly. I looked at Mom.

Mom smiled and turned back toward the kitchen. “Make yourselves comfortable in the living room,” she said over her shoulder. “I'll make some tea.” And then I was alone with the enemy.

Even though it was my house, Ms. Matheson led the way and I followed. She sat on the couch, and I perched on the end. I waited for her to speak. I was really curious about what she had to say. It must be big, for her to come here and speak to me as if I was a real person.

“I wanted you to know that you made an excellent presentation,” Ms. Matheson said.

She looked at me, as if waiting for a reaction. I just looked back, trying hard not to give away any of the many emotions I was suddenly feeling.

“And I wanted to give you the results of the vote in person.”

“Okay,” I said quietly. It would be an understatement to say I was surprised. I didn't expect the results for a couple more days. And I certainly didn't expect to get them directly from Ms. Matheson.

“Here.” She handed me a piece of paper. It was pee-colored.

My hands shook as I opened it.

Dear Residents of Cedar Grove,

This notice is to inform you that interim
bylaw 47.21, which prohibited tree climbing
within Cedar Grove Property, has failed
ratification.

An updated list of current Cedar Grove
bylaws is available on our website.

The Neighborhood Council would like to
remind residents that parents are responsible
for ensuring the safety of their children while
on Cedar Grove property.

We would also like to recognize Brianna
Bridges, Unit 83, for bringing the issue of
tree-climbing safety forward for discussion. As
noted in her presentation at the AGM, which is
posted on our website, the risk of injury while
climbing can be significantly reduced through
education, supervision and adherence to a few
basic rules. We are pleased that Brianna has
volunteered to continue offering basic tree-climbing
lessons to any interested residents.

Thank you all for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Cedar Grove Neighborhood Council

I had to read the notice three times to make sure I got it right.

“So?” I still wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.

“So, congratulations, Brianna,” Ms. Matheson said.

“We can climb?”

Ms. Matheson didn't answer. Instead she asked, “Are you willing to continue offering basic tree-climbing lessons?”

Before I could reply, Mom came in with a tray of stuff for tea.

“How's it going?” Mom asked.

They were both looking at me, so I said, “Good… I think. Does this mean it's legal to climb all the trees?”

“Yes,” Ms. Matheson said, “and we are really hoping you will help reduce the risk of injury by providing education and supervision like it says in the notice.”

“Of course!” I said, the excitement practically bubbling out of me.

“Okay then,” Ms. Matheson said as Mom poured the tea. No one spoke.

I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to jump up and celebrate, but Mom had taught me it was rude to gloat. And I really did appreciate Ms. Matheson coming to give me the news in person, even if it was to ensure that I would continue providing lessons. I couldn't believe I was now being asked to do exactly what I didn't want to be caught doing just two short weeks ago.

The silence was bad. I felt like I was waiting in the principal's office.

My desperation to get out of the house finally won. Breaking the uncomfortable silence, I said, “Excuse me, but can I go?”

Ms. Matheson smiled, and Mom said, “Go where?”

“Climbing!” I jumped up, unable to contain my excitement anymore.

Mom looked over at Ms. Matheson who nodded and handed her the letter.

“Go,” Mom said.

“Ethan's waiting for you,” said Ms. Matheson.

I ran out the door and left them with their tea.

I could see Ethan in the tree as soon as I reached it.

“Come on up!” he yelled.

“I forgot how rough this one is,” I said when I was finally perched on the branch next to him. I surveyed the scrapes left on my elbow by the tree's rough bark.

“I've named it Old Scratchy,” Ethan said proudly.

“Good name.”

“I bet you can't wait to tackle Mount Everest again,” Ethan said, gesturing toward the tall tree beside us.

I nodded. “So your Mom explained it all to you?” I asked.

“She didn't have to,” he said, “but she came out and watched me climb before going over to see you. She was really impressed. Said that tree climbing had given me confidence or something.”

I looked at him and smiled.

“She also said…” Ethan hesitated.

“What?”

“That you should run for Neighborhood Council next year.”

I rolled my eyes. “I think I'll join Tree Climbers International instead.”

We both got a good laugh out of that. Then we started climbing higher.

And it was all legal.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Claire, for giving me the idea, helping brainstorm the plot and suffering through the very first draft: This story wouldn't exist without you. Thank you also to Jennifer Heath, for providing feedback, and to Sarah Harvey, for seeing the book's potential and holding my hand through the editing process. And finally, thank you to Oliver and Spencer, for inspiring my creativity, and to Tim, for your encouragement and support.

The mother of five-year-old twin boys, Yolanda Ridge writes whenever and wherever she gets a chance. She lives in Burnaby, British Columbia, near an old-growth forest, where the trees are much too big for her to climb.
Trouble in the Trees
is her first book. Visit her on the web at
www.yolandaridge.com
.