Chapter Two

11 Years Ago

"Mommy, I don't wanna go see Coop and Noble. It smells like weird food there." Brooke said, after an hour of trying to get her mom to stay home. "We can go another day."
  "Brooke Trinity Warren, we are going to your brother's and father's house and that's that. Now stop pouting and go get your backpack." When Brooke rolled her eyes and sighed, Sasha shook her head. That girl's attitude is going to get her into trouble one day. "Brooke hurry up! We're going to be late if you don't hurry...and you'll be in big trouble if you make us late."
   Sulking down the stairs, Brooke looked at her mom and stuck out her tounge. "It's not like we do anything anyways. Noble and me are always in trouble."
   "You wouldn't be in trouble if you kept your hands to yourself. Now in the car little Missy. I'm not going to argue about this with you."

Back from Noble's House

   "That wasn't so bad now was it?" Sasha said, helping Brooke with her bag and coat.
   "Yes it was mommy! Duke kept pullin' my hair and getting me in trouble. I hate him!" Brooke grabbed her coat and went outside to sit under her favorite cherry tree.  "Mommy just don't get it. Noble is a bully who likes getting me in trouble. Why don't she never listen?"
   Have you tried telling your Mother this Brooke? She can't know, if you don't tell her. And from what I've seen of you two here, it's a two way torment. You start stuff with him as often as he starts it with you. Brooke heard a willowy, but older voice say.
   "Who said that?" When looking around didn't reveal who the person was, Brooke pressed her back to the cherry tree's trunk. "I'll tell my mommy if you don't come out right now."
   The leave in the tree shook, and it sounded like a laugh to Brooke. Darling, I wouldn't call your mother if I were you...you'd be sent away. We'll just say you've known me since you were a baby, and you've always talked to me about your problems...whether you knew it or not. You're just listening to me talking back now.
  For a reason Brooke couldn't explain, she turned around and faced the tree. "Is it you that's talking to me?" As if it was an answer, a ripe cherry dropped into her lap.
   This has to be your secret Brooke...and later on, when I know that you're ready, I have more to tell you. But for now I'm just here so you can talk to me. Now go on inside and eat some supper. Brooke thought about what her tree said, and nodded. Then ran inside to go eat.