The Wrong Bus Read Free

and turned in circles. The sprinkler rained warm water down on them. None of the mothers told them to watch out for the babies.

    Jack turned the wheel that made the water go on and off and on again. The little girl standing under the nozzle didn’t complain.
    They walked back to the bus. They were both dry before they got there. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” said Jack.
    â€œI figured as much, Licorice Whip,” said Grandpa. He turned out of the parking lot the wrong way. “Just one more stop on my Magical Mystery Tour,” he said.

Chapter Seven
    Grandpa ignored the young woman directing traffic near some road works. Even though the sign said Traffic Fines Double in Construction Zones . He didn’t even slow down when a little dog ran onto the road in front of the bus.
    Jack looked back. He was relieved to see the dog had arrived safely on the other side.
    They drove up a big hill where they could look down over the town below them. Grandpa ignored the sign that said Authorized Vehicles Only . He followed a curving path to the very top.
    When he turned off the engine, everything was very quiet. A bird flashed in front of the window. From far away came the sound of a lawn mower.

    â€œLet’s go walkabout,” said Grandpa Nod.
    They left the bus parked in the middle of the path. They stepped off the bus onto the grass. All around them were gravestones, statues and flowers. Some flowers were fresh and in vases. Others were faded and lying on the ground.
    Jack shivered. “Is this where they buried you?” he asked.
    â€œSure is. Did you ever see such a peaceful spot?” said Grandpa. When he took Jack’s hand in his it was cool as a breeze and soft as a feather.
    He led Jack through the cemetery. They stopped to read the names on the headstones. They straightened a flower that had fallen out of its vase. They studied a statue of a smiling cherub.
    They came to a small patch of ground under a tree. A shiny black slab of stone said:
    Selena Deacon 1952–2002
Loved and lost but never forgotten.
Beloved wife of Neil (Noddy) Deacon
    â€œThat was my grandma, wasn’t it?” asked Jack. He had heard lots about her. She had died before he was born.
    â€œThat she was,” said Grandpa Nod. “She got here first. Always had a competitive streak, my Selena.”
    Next to his grandma’s grave was a seam in the grass where a roll of sod had recently been laid. Jack noticed a pottery vase holding more daisies. A square black slab, just like Grandma’s, was behind it.
    â€œGo ahead. Take a look,” said Grandpa. “It won’t bite.” Jack looked up into the branches of the tree overhead. The leaves shivered and shimmied. He looked at the clouds scudding across the sky. He looked down over the town.
    â€œTake your time, my little Wunderbar,” said Grandpa. His hand on Jack’s back was like someone breathing a secret against his skin.

Chapter Eight
    Jack stepped closer.
    The white writing on the shiny black stone said:
    Neil (Noddy) Deacon 1953–2011
Beloved husband of Selena and father of Jeannie
Beloved grandfather of Jack Finch
    â€œThat’s you,” said Jack. It didn’t seem strange to be looking at his grandfather’s headstone while he held his hand.
    â€œSo it is,” said Grandpa.
    They sat on the grass and looked at the headstone. Grandpa put his arm around Jack. Jack leaned against him. His grandfather felt as soft as a pillow and as cool as the breeze curling around Jack’s head.

    Together they listened to the birds in the tree above their heads. They watched the city traffic far below. The cars and buses looked as small as toys.
    â€œI miss you,” Jack said. How could he tell his grandfather he still felt all the missing he knew he would feel later?
    â€œOf course you do,” said Grandpa. “But just think of it. I get to spend my days close to Selena again. In a peaceful