Broken Flower (Early Spring 1)

Grandmother Emma stepped back. She shook her head and then she turned to me. "Get out!" she cried. "Go downstairs immediately. Go on. Get out!" "What about my medicine?" I asked. "Get out!" she shouted, much louder.

I had never seen her so wild and angry. It truly made my heart stop and start. I turned and ran out of the room, down the hallway and to the stairway, but at the top. I stopped and looked back because I heard Ian's door open.

Ian should know what was happening. I thought, and took a few steps toward him when he stepped into the hallway. He looked up at me.

"Something's wrong with Miss Harper," I said.

He glanced at her bedroom and at me and then, without saying a word, he turned and went back into his room and closed the door. A moment later, Grandmother Emma came out of Miss Harper's room. She closed her door and started walking toward the stairway. She didn't shout at me again. She looked like she was in a daze and didn't even see me. I waited for her until she realized I was standing there.

"Go on down. Jordan," she said. "I'll get you your medicine. Don't worry. Go on," she said in a low tont of voice that was only a shade or two above a whisper. I started down. "Tell Nancy to come upstairs immediately," she called to me.

I looked back and nodded. She turned and started toward her room and then turned and headed back to Miss Harper's room. I shook my head. She looked like she was confused and didn't know in which direction to go.

But of course I hoped she was going back to get my medicine for me. I practically leaped down the remaining steps and ran to the kitchen. Nancy looked up from the platter of toast and scrambled eggs.

"Grandmother Emma wants you upstairs right away," I said. She brought her head back.

"Now?"

"Yes, right away," I said.

"Everything's going to get cold," she said with regret. "Why would she want me up there now?"

"Something's wrong with Miss Harper," I said, and she widened her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"She looks frozen," I told her.

"Frozen?"

"Uh-huh. Her mouth's open and so are her eyes, but she doesn't talk."

Nancy's mouth opened and closed and then she hurried out of the kitchen.

I looked at the platter. Suddenly. I was very hungry, so I brought it into the dining room and placed it all on the table. Then I took my seat, fixed my napkin, and began to serve myself. After I began eating. I heard footsteps on the stairway and a moment later Grandmother Emma went by, hurrying to her office. A short while after that. I heard Nancy open the door so Felix could come in and follow her down to the office, too.

Grandmother Emma should have brought down my medicine. I thought. I buttered my toast and then I felt sorry for Ian. He was probably hungry, too, but no one was going to pay attention because of Miss Harper, so I carefully fixed a plate of eggs, toast, and jam and included a napkin. Then I went upstairs with it and knocked on his door.

"What?" he asked as soon as he opened it.

"I thought you might be hungrg. Everyone's busy with Miss Harper."

He glanced at the food, "Thanks," he said, and took it.

"I'm still waiting for my medicine," I said.

"That's wrong," Ian said. "They should worry about you more than about Miss Harper. If you don't get it in an hour, come back to me and I'll make sure you get it," he said. "You'd better go before Grandmother raises hell." he said, and closed the door.

I started downstairs again. Felix. Nancy, and Grandmother Emma were all starting up the stairway.

"What are you doing up there?" Grandmother Emma asked as soon as she saw me.

"I gave Ian something to eat," I said.

"Get back down here and stay here," she ordered.

"I need my medicine," I said.