With one thing off my shoulder the next thing I had to worry about was Friday's field trip. It was the day after tomorrow, which meant that in a little more than a half a day it would be tomorrow. Tomorrow would be horrible because soon it would be today and today is now. This day would make or break me I thought. I became singly focused on my studies. Just maybe it was a blessing that uptight jerk Pittinger gave us this topic to study. If I was armed with the history, I'd feel more prepared to confront Gypsy. I went back to my new book about Elysian Park and wrote some more notes, starting with the paragraph on the inside flap that made me choose to buy it.
'The story of the tiny pueblo of Los Angeles, the city of Angels -- from Hispanic colonial foundation to international center for learning, art and commerce -- is as much a work of imagination as it is of history. It was the Dreamers of God who began it.'
As I re-read this, it hit me how this book of mine was much more about the 'silver screen' than Elysian Park, but I was still interested so I studied the timelines and made some notes.
You should really check this out -- it is truly fascinating:
I thought it was funny how theatres used to be called palaces. I don't know if it was because I was tired, but after I made one last note, I couldn't for the life of me understand it --
…this synchronicity poses a strong case for marriage made in historical heaven between mythological legends and film. Proving that the development of the silent film sustained [Native] American myth and sold it to the world…
so I went to bed.
My worries became monsters when I tried to sleep Thursday night, I tossed and turned for hours which only made me more upset because more than anything I wanted to be completely aware on Friday. About 2 a.m. it occurred to me that one of the masks might help me sleep. I dug under my mattress and fished the blue one out of the pouch.
Ah, the calm deep blue of the night. I instantly drifted off to a solid sleep. The next morning I was certain that the blue was my new favorite. I kept it on, even showered with it. Good thing too, because the bus-ride to the fair could have been vicious.
"Hey O'Shea," Rennie screamed from the back of the bus. "We heard about The Faldrane's stupid loser lawsuit."
"Yeah," Ryan joined in.
"Why don't you and Benny hang out with us," Rennie continued shouting so that the whole class could hear.
"Go ahead O'Shea," Faldrane made himself part of the discussion from three rows in front of where Benny and me sat. "You can use all the help you can get. Or maybe your greasy taco buddy is the only one allowed into your famous circle."
"Shut up Fat Freakin' Faldrane!" Benny jumped up before I could stop him.
"I think all of you should keep quiet," Mr. Pittinger stood up in the front of the bus. "I'm passing out maps and things that I want you to take notes on at the fair. I suggest all of you concentrate your energies towards the subject and save your bickering for your own time."
"Eli, this is cool," Benny slid down next to me. "Rennie and Ryan want to hang out with us."
"We'll see," I whispered. "Remember just last year these
guys were on Faldrane's side. Then
I reminded him of Franklin's quote, 'he that lieth down with dogs shall rise up
with fleas.'
"I see the blue mask is working. You kept your cool the whole time."
"I hope it can kick it into high gear when we get off
the bus. I have a feeling this is
going to get bad before it gets better."
"Maybe you should add the white one. You did bring them all didn't you?"
"Yeah I brought the whole pouch. I wanted to have everything with me in case I get to talk to Gypsy." I thought for a few minutes and then dug out the pouch from my front pocket. "I think it's time to use the green."
"But remember the soccer game? You were wild."
"Listen, she said it could be for anger and jealousy or strength and courage. I'm thinking if I wear it with the blue that it won't make me fly off in a fit of anger or jealousy. Hopefully it will give me calm strength and courage."
"Hey
Eli," Benny said my name almost as slow as his grandmother. "You know, your name is three of
the letters, maybe it is a code, short for something and not believe. Because really, what is it we're
supposed to believe?"
"It's probably not the best time to convince me I have nothing to believe, just stick by me in case I'm wrong about it all and, tell me right away if you see a green glow." I took the stack of maps from Maria Suarez's fat little hands. "Let me show you where she was." I passed the stack behind me to brainy Max Sticklie. He immediately raised his hand and shouted for Mr. Pittinger.
"Excuse me, Mr. Pittinger." He kept his hand up like he was still
in the classroom. Mr. Pittinger
was sitting all the way in the front of the bus so there was no way he could
have even seen his pale stretched out arm. I guess brainy Max wasn't all there in the day-to-day brain department. Miss Guzzo, the teacher's assistant was
sitting closer, in the middle of the bus.
"Is there a problem Max?" she asked, leaning over the edge on the back of my seat towards his.
"There is a potential of a problem," Max answered in his usual brainy style. He pulled out a folder from his backpack. "You see here in my report; I included a topographical drawing of seismic stress lines because of the importance they have in Los Angeles history."
"Yes, that was very thorough of you Max."
"Calm down everyone," Miss Guzzo announced, straightening up. "We all know that there are many fault lines in Southern California. As a part of living here, everyone is equipped to deal with earthquakes. Please go back to your seats. Chances are, that the fault in Elysian Park will not choose today to give way."
Recalling my one and only nightmare, I felt my necklace of masks for comfort. I hadn't told anyone that the first explorers along with Crespi had experienced three earthquakes during their short stay in Elysian Park. Besides, that Crespi dude made a note to say that he saw the possibilities for a large settlement in this 'delightful place by the river' -- so, hundreds of years later when the place is bigger than anyone could have dreamed it would be, why should I worry? Anybody on this bus could have learned this just as easily and Max and me did. Plus, the river is more concrete than water.
"I'm choosing to believe her." Benny whispered, eyeballing Miss Guzzo.
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