Free Lost in the Tunnel of Time by Sharon M. Draper Page B

bones.
    â€œSure, mon,” replied Ziggy, “but since school has started, we usually only meet on Saturday. Stop by sometime and see us. I’m bringing peanut butter pizza this week!”
    Mr. Greene grabbed his throat, pretended to gag, and groaned, “No thanks—not this time.”
    Rico and Jerome giggled, and Rashawn whispered, “If Ziggy brings it, I’m gonna make him eat the whole thing!”
    They walked into the classroom, talking and laughing, found their seats, and waited to find out why Mr. Greene was joining them on their field trip.
    Mrs. Powell, who was dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt, and tennis shoes instead of her usual suit and black, patent leather heels, was in a good mood. She took attendance, collected the homework, and cheered when every single homework paper was turned in.
    â€œClass, the bus is here. Be sure you have yourlunch with you. Let’s go! Mr. Greene, it’s right this way, sir.”
    They all trooped noisily down the stairs, while Mrs. Powell told them, “Hush! You’ll disturb the other classes.” Nobody really got any quieter, but at least she tried. Mrs. Powell checked names as each person got on the bus, and when everyone was seated, the bus roared away from the school while the kids inside cheered.
    Ziggy was sitting next to Rico and right behind Mr. Greene and Mrs. Powell. “So what’s going on, mon?” he whispered in Mr. Greene’s ear.
    â€œI like the river,” replied Mr. Greene.
    â€œYou like it so much that you got on a school bus full of kids just to see it?” asked Rico. “You could have walked down to the river from your house.”
    â€œI often do, Rico,” replied Mr. Greene. “Sometimes before daybreak I walk down here and watch the morning wake up and the day begin its business. It’s a wonderful sight.”
    â€œAwesome, mon,” replied Ziggy as he settled back into his seat.
    The school was not very far from the river, so it wasn’t long before the bus stopped at Eden Park and the kids got off the bus. The weather was a little chilly, but the bright sunlight made the day seem warm and cheerful. The trees had lost most of their leaves; they looked as if they might shiver when the warmth of the sun left for the night.
    Ziggy and his classmates walked through the park a short way, then stopped at a low stone wall. Suddenly there was silence. Fifty feet below them, shining in the sunlight, was the Ohio River.
    â€œWow!” whispered Rashawn. “My mom and dad and I have driven over the bridge lots of times, but all you can really see from the car window is a little bit of dirty brown water. I never knew the river was so pretty!”
    Silent and powerful, and filled with dark mysteries, the river relaxed at their feet. Like a long, purple serpent, it curled lazily as it wound its way from there to wherever. Although it was crossed by modern bridges and dotted with boats and barges, the river seemed strong, as if it were ignoring thedirt and pollution of the present and remembering the glory of its past.
    â€œThat’s Kentucky, isn’t it, Mrs. Powell?” asked Rico, pointing to the buildings across the river. “It seems like it’s close enough to touch, but it also seems like it’s a million miles away.”
    â€œYou’re right, Rico, and I know what you mean,” Mrs. Powell agreed. “When we get on the boat this afternoon, you’ll be able to see how far away and yet how close it really is.”
    Suddenly Ziggy pointed and cried out, “There’s our boat! Look! It says ‘ BB Riverboat ’! They’re loading up! We’re gonna miss it, mon!”
    â€œCalm down, Ziggy,” replied Mrs. Powell patiently. “We don’t have to be on our boat for another hour. They won’t leave without us. I promise.”
    The children sat or stood near the wall, and the river seemed to quiet them as they listened to