The Order of the Trees Read Online Free PDF Page A

parents’ small rented farmhouse, he stopped to walk, to gather himself. His T-shirt was soaked and clinging to his back. Phillip wiped his brow with the back of his hand.
    He pushed in the door, and burst into the kitchen where his parents were getting ready for dinner. Phillip couldn’t keep in it. All in one sentence he blurted out, “Cedar’s in the hospital I need to go see her right away.”
    So much for acting normal.
    Silverware clanked on plates. “Oh!” his mom said, jumping up from setting the table, “Oh, God, Phillip, what is it now? That poor girl’s been so sick.”
    Phillip gulped, and pushed out words. “Mom, can you give me a ride to the hospital? I just need to see if she’s okay.”
    Phillip’s mom shot her husband a look. She turned her eyes back to Phillip and raised one eyebrow. Phillip felt his face go prickly hot, turning the color of the orange sunset.
    â€œTomorrow’s Saturday, I can catch up on sleep this weekend. I just want to be there.” The heat flamed his face, deep red by now, but Phillip held his mom’s gaze.
    Painfully long seconds passed until Philip’s mom said, “All right, all right. I can see you really care about her.”
    Phillip ran to his room, grabbed his backpack, shoving in random items they might need: his laptop, flashlight, blankets, the newspaper. His plan solidified in his head as he whirled around the room.
    Riding to the hospital, Phillip pretended to listen as his mom talked. What if they couldn’t do it?What if they were caught? His heart pounded in his chest. Cedar was in pain, he knew, and it might not stop. It would only get worse. They couldn’t help her at the hospital. They didn’t know the secret, and wouldn’t believe it if they did.
    Trying to sound casual, Phillip said, “Mom, have you heard about the development going into the Worcester woods by the trailhead?
    Glad to have something else to talk about she said, “Oh yes, its been all over the news, isn’t it terrible?”
    Phillip nodded, trying to keep his voice even. “What do you know about it?” He stared out the window, avoiding her eyes.
    â€œOh, its some businessman from Burlington, he will be developing that whole hillside, putting in a neighborhood of about 20 houses. It’s such a shame. Traffic will increase on our road, but you know, it will be good for the school. More of a tax base, they say, more funding for our tiny, old school, which Lord knows we need.”
    â€œDo you know when they will start cutting the forest?” He tried to control a wince as he spoke.
    His mom turned to look at him for a second—alook that said, “Just why are you so curious?” But she continued, “Our neighbor says they’ll start soon, to try to get the site ready before the snow falls. He even thinks it will be this week, because they’ve told him to expect logging trucks to be active on the edge of his land.”
    â€œThat soon?” Phillip’s heart shot up into his throat. Cedar!
    â€œWhat is it, Phillip? You can play somewhere else, you know?”
    â€œIt’s. Not. Playing,” Phillip said. They pulled up to the hospital roundabout.
    â€œThanks Mom,” Phillip called as he burst out the door, before she could reach over and kiss him.
    â€œCall when you need a ride home,” she called after him. The door had already slammed shut.
    Phillip strode down the hospital sidewalk, thinking about how he could talk to Cedar alone, what they would do, and how she would react. Would she think he was crazy? Or would she know he was right? He walked faster.
    At the hospital reception desk a woman with orange lipstick and sprayed perfect hair said, “May I help you?”
    â€œYes. I’d like to see Cedar Montgomery please.” His voice was shaky.
    â€œAre you family?”
    â€œWell, no, just, um, a friend.”
    â€œI see.” She