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Twisted Tales of Time Travel – Chapter 26

By Carla Birnberg

“Why 285 million? Does anyone remember? Rose, do you recall? Rose?”

I felt a sharp jab between my shoulder blades and my head jerked upward involuntarily.

“Rose, quit sleeping and pay attention,” a boy’s voice whispered behind me.

“Ow,” I winced as the place where I’d been poked began to throb. However, as soon as I realized where I was, I knew that this was neither the time nor the place to explain that I wasn’t asleep but merely taking a nice, long post-travizzle blink.

“Rose Dennis?” The same voice called.

“Hey,” the boy behind me whispered, “just tell the teacher that it’s one to represent every American. I guarantee that’s right.”

“It’s one to represent every American?” I answered uncertainly.

“Exactly Rose,” the woman, whom I now recognized as my teacher, Ms. Gomez, said with satisfaction.

“This year the Earth Day Network started what they call Trees Across America. The goal is to plant 285 million trees, which, as Rose informed us, works out to one tree for every American. As you read last night, Earth Day is April 22nd, but the tree planting will take place over the next five years.”

It was just my luck that I’d travizzled back to Austin smack in the middle of current-events. I was completely unprepared for this Earth Day discussion.

“I can’t wait to hear about your adventures,” the boy behind me asked. When he spoke again, I recognized the voice as that of my friend Brad. “ But are you taking a break for the summer?”

“If you have something to say, Brad, I assume it’s about Earth Day, correct? Why don’t you share it with everyone?” Ms. Gomez said.

The class laughed and waited to see what Brad would do next.

“Well,” he started as he slid out of his chair and stood by his desk. “Trees are important and balance out our ecosystem. Ecosystem,” Brad paused dramatically, “for those of you who watched The Simpson’s last night instead of doing the reading, means living organisms, their environment, and their interactions in a given space. Trees help us by removing air and water pollution that can make us sick. As cities and suburbs have grown, our forests have gotten smaller. And that, my friends, is why the Earth Day Network started Trees Across America.”

“Wow,” I thought. “Now that’s someone who’s prepared for an Earth Day discussion.”

Brad grinned, took a deep bow, and plopped back down onto his chair.

“Wow, Brad. That was impressive.” I hadn’t seen Brad that prepared for class, well, ever. “You didn’t just do your homework you memorized it!”

“I know,” he said without modesty. “Remember last year when we learned about the first Earth Day in 1970? And about how Senator Gaylord Nelson created it?”

I nodded although, unlike Brad, it hadn’t stuck in my mind. Judging by his performance moments ago, I was willing to bet that Brad had his facts straight.

“I researched Senator Nelson on the Internet and he’s a pretty cool guy. One specific thing that he said stuck in my mind. In his speech he said that we all need to work together toward an environment of decency, quality, and mutual respect for all living creatures.” Brad looked at me expectantly.

“Uh, okay,” I said uncertain of what he wanted to hear.

“So,” he continued excitedly. “This summer I’ve decided to go to camp in Massachusetts. It’s a nature camp and I’ll learn all about wilderness survival, forest ecology and recycling.”

“That sounds like fun!” I said as I thought eagerly about my own summer camp filled with arts & crafts and swimming.

“Class, I need your attention please!” Ms. Gomez shouted over the chatter. “We’re going to put our Earth Day discussion on hold for a moment as I have an exciting announcement to make.”

The class grew immediately silent as each student imagined what the teacher was going to announce.

“Although it’s quite unusual this close to summer vacation, we have a new student today. His family relocated here from England and he doesn’t know anyone in Austin. I ask that you all make him feel welcome.”

Ms. Gomez strode across the room and opened the classroom door. A boy entered the class and stood uncomfortably next to Ms. Gomez.

“Class, this is Michael Scott. Michael Scott this is your new class.”

“Huh?” I thought as I did a double take. “What’s he doing here?”

When I met Michael at the Diez Y Seis celebration, he said he’d seen me before at school.

But why has he transferred into my class now? And why on earth did Ms. Gomez say he’s from England?

“Michael,” Ms. Gomez said, “see that empty desk by Rose? Rose, raise your hand for Michael.”

I gave Michael a little wave and a little wink.

“You may sit there for today.” Ms. Gomez gave Michael a gentle shove toward the desk when he failed to move.

“What on earth is going on?” Michael whispered in confusion as he slid into the desk next to mine.

“I don’t know Michael! This is definitely my school and my class, but have we travizzled back home or is this simply another adventure that’s starting right back where we began?”

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