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happened, and how he d made it out in one piece. The girls were concerned for his
mom, but the guys wanted to know what it looked like, especially the part about the
fireball blowing out the front of the store.
Even Mr. Settlemeir had listened with avid curiosity as Jacob regaled the story
when he'd gone to see his teacher for his homework. He was going to take two extra
days off for the Thanksgiving break to stay home with Brick.
 So that's everything? Jacob asked.
 That should about cover it. I m not giving out anything for the holiday break, so
this can be turned in on Monday, when you come back.
 No problem. An essay isn t anything. And I ll make sure I read the chapters for
Monday s surprise quiz.
 What quiz? Mr. Settlemeir asked with a raised eyebrow.
 Exactly. It s a surprise.
Mr. Settlemeir s shoulders shook with laughter.  You re too smart for your own
good, Jacob. By the way, how s your mom doing?
 Much better. She s doing a lot to try to get the insurance to pay quickly so we
can rebuild. She wants to see it open again by summer, maybe even spring.
Ice Cream In The Snow 116 Diana Castilleja
 Really? Well, tell her I wish her luck
 I will. Thanks again, Mr. Settlemeir.
 No problem, he said as he watched Jacob leave.
Ice Cream In The Snow 117 Diana Castilleja
Chapter Ten
Jessica was thrilled for Jacob. He was getting an honorable mention by the
faculty and the school. She wouldn t be surprised if they made some comment about his
bravery at the parlor on the day of the explosion, either. Even the paper had done a
short article, honoring him and his courage.
It had been just a little more than a week since it had happened. Her ribs still felt
tender, but she could move like a normal person again. About Brick& well& she was a
little peeved with him.
He had come home with them earlier that day, but he had downplayed his
injuries from the beginning. The reason the doctors had been concerned about nerve
damage wasn t because of a simple skin slice, but because the glass had exploded
directly behind him, and numerous shards had been imbedded his shoulder and back.
When he had rolled off of her, he had pushed them even deeper, so he had spent hours
under the scalpel to remove shards from nearly microscopic, to as large as three inches
in length. It was surmised that the broad cut across his back was from a metal window
support as it whipped from the front of the building with enough force to have impaled
him had the angles been different. She'd been far luckier than he. She d had his
expertise to help her get out of the way; he d been on his own, trying to save her.
He was sleeping in the spare room, practically unconscious, thanks to the
painkillers and medication Dr. Hughes had prescribed. Otherwise, there was a good
Ice Cream In The Snow 118 Diana Castilleja
possibility she d have told him exactly what she thought of his macho attitude in trying
to keep the true extent of his injuries from her.
 Jacob, are you almost ready? she called.
 Just about. Are you sure we need to go to this? he asked, a forlorn sound
weaving into her room from his.
 Yes. I'll tell you why, but not what's so important. How s that? she said, joining
him in his room. It was a typical thirteen-year old boy s room. A computer sat on a desk
against one wall, and the bed was along the opposite wall, with a nightstand beside it.
His sneakers were carelessly thrown on the floor. As he sat to pull on his socks, she
said,  The school has something for you. And I want to personally see you receive it. Is
that okay with you?
He shrugged his shoulders.  I guess so. He reached for his sneakers, and she
remembered it wouldn t be long before she needed to buy him new ones again.
 Have you talked to Sammy --sorry, Samantha lately?
 Yeah, she s going to her grandparents for Thanksgiving, but she said she would
call as soon as they got home. He tugged his sweater down.
He was a handsome young man in his black jeans and a comfy knit sweater.
 You look wonderful, and I m not just saying that.
He gave her a dismissive groan.  Will Brick be okay while we re gone? Jacob
asked. He grabbed his heavy jacket off the chair as he moved to leave his room.
 Sound asleep, but he knows where we are tonight. Don't worry, he'll be fine.
He followed her to the door where she grabbed her coat and closed the door firmly
behind them.
* * *
The auditorium was packed for the festivities. The choir started with the
National Anthem, and then led into a few Christmas carols.  Just a taste for the
Ice Cream In The Snow 119 Diana Castilleja
Christmas concert, the director said amid loud applause. Then Mrs. Jang, the principal,
rose to the podium to begin the evening s announcements.
She addressed and congratulated several students on their extreme
improvements or on their advancement to regional or state finals in different categories.
When she began speaking about the Fellowship Award, Jessica sat up a little straighter.
 It goes without saying the reason for this award is quite literally in the name,
Mrs. Jang told the attending parents and student body.  The individual who has earned
this has excelled above and beyond the expectations of the school system and his peers.
He has worked hard on all aspects of his academic goals, and has even on occasion
surpassed the skills of the faculty. A few twitters followed this remark from the
audience.  In order to receive this award, it is a requirement the recipient be
recommended by at least one teacher and any portion of the student body, with valid
reasons for the recommendation. She paused, building the momentum for her final
few words.  This student has been an asset to the school system, to the students of this
school, to those in his class, to others in need of help, and most recently, to his mother.
Please, would Jacob Michael Harden come to the stage?
It took a gentle nudge from his mother before it registered that had been his
name he had heard. With a blank, uncomprehending look, he approached the stage as
the applause grew and thundered around him. When he reached Mrs. Jang s side on the
stage, she handed him a beautiful wooden plaque with his name engraved on it in gold
lettering.
 Would you like to say anything, Jacob?
It took a minute before he could nod his head, and with a step that faltered only
once, he made his way to the microphone on the podium. As he stood there, the
applause died away into silence.
He found his mom in the group before him, and she smiled proudly.  I want to
thank you, anyone who thought I deserved this. Thank you. And before his eyes,
everyone stood and gave him a round of applause.
Ice Cream In The Snow 120 Diana Castilleja
Half an hour later, as they made their way to the exits, some classmates who had
supported the recommendation and were in awe of the plaque sidetracked Jacob,
stopped him to talk about it. Everyone wanted to see it.
Jessica watched with pride, her heart ready to burst for him. She felt the nudge of
a body next to her, and turned to find Marc Settlemeir.
 I can tell you re proud of him, Jessica. I don t even have to ask.
 Extremely. Thank you for doing the recommendation.
 I don t get all the credit. I wasn t the only one who thought he deserved it.
 He was taken completely by surprise. I had to practically give it away to make [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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