Run Danny Run (Chap. 7)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Finally the Reynolds's were on their way. It was holiday time.

            "I wish Roy could have come, dad." As usual, Walt wasn't shy to say what was on everyone's mind. "He said his dad had other plans. But, I don’t believe him."

            Larry tried to put on a little show of support for Roy, but it didn't ring true. In reality, the boy just could not bring himself to say he wanted to come. Anne had phoned and tried to coax him.

            "I'm sure he wanted to," Larry said. After all, what fun was it going to be in Halifax, when you could go camping instead? He’ll also miss out on canoeing and fishing. According to the brochure Larry received, there were large lots with ample privacy.

            "Anyway,” Larry said, “I also spoke with Roy’ dad and told him where we were going. Just in case they changed their minds and decided to come. You never know. They might even surprise us and come for one night. They wouldn't have a hard time finding us, either. Not many people camp there anymore, it's sort of out of the way."

            "Fat chance Roy will come. I wish he would, since he’s my real brother." Walt turned away, trying to hide his sarcastic comment.

            "Well, he had his chance,” Larry quickly replied. “I wish Danny could also come. Legally, he’s your brother, too."

            "Dad, chill." The words surprised even Walt. He didn't mean to be nasty. They just shot out like an arrow from a bow.

            Larry looked at his son in a new light. Aha, Walt is really jealous of Danny. Why didn't he notice before now? One brief statement of defiance stood out like a warning label. Walt was not happy about Danny, not at all.

*

The trip landed on them in a rush. Almost like an eagle's swoop. At first, no one had time to think of anything else. But since Danny had run away, home routines returned to normal. The family placed their emotions on hold and shelved their sadness. Everyone had to, since they could barely speak about the pain their father felt.

            Susan sat in the front seat, her head leaning on Larry’s shoulder. "Daddy, don't be sad. We'll have fun, you'll see."

            Anne was in the back of the station wagon. Larry could see Walt staring out the window, deep in thought. It wasn't too far to their destination, just about 40 miles from Truro.

            "I wonder where Danny is now?"

            "Larry Reynolds,” Anne said. “You stop it this minute. We've been through all this. We're on a holiday. Walt is right. Chill out."

            "Okay. I know when I'm licked. Do you think our neighbors the Larkin’s will remember we went to Economy Lake? In case anyone hears about Danny?"

            "Yes, dear. You didn't forget the cell phone, I hope."

            "Nope." Time to give this Danny thing a rest, he thought. Let the Police handle it. "Yes, dear" meant Anne was getting ready to blow her stack.

            "Sorry hon,” he said. “Try and get some sleep. You must be worn out from all that last minute packing."

            Larry hoped the Larkin’s would pick up the mail regularly. Never know who might wander by and see a full mailbox.

*

Truro was left behind, along with heavy traffic and two malls on Robie Street. Larry concentrated on the road signs, turning right on highway #104, then north to the cutoff heading towards Glenholme.

            This new highway had recently been completed and the 110 KM speed limit allowed anyone to really sift along, but not him. Since they weren't in any special rush Larry avoided that route and took the slower parallel one. 

            They crossed the Salmon River that meandered between dykes built by French settlers many years before. Cobequid Bay soon came into view on their left as they headed through Onslow, a small stretched out rural community. This was a more scenic drive.

            After these last few hectic weeks, the family was finally able to fulfill their holiday plans. Larry’s Department was going to miss him since he had a caseload that enjoyed his attention and concern. He always acted as if his clients were part of his extended family.

They weren't just Welfare recipients. They had names and faces and he treated these families like his own. They were flesh and blood, to be concerned about and pointed towards a future.

            "I'm glad I’m here instead of going camping with my Scout Troop," Walt said suddenly from the back seat.    

Anne sighed with relief.

            "Mom, I'm boiling." Walt began to unbutton his shirt.

            "Open the window a little then. The fresh air will help."

            "Okay."

            "Can I open my window too, daddy?"

            "No."

            "How come Walt is allowed?"

            "Do you want to have a great big fat juicy bug splat on your forehead?"

            "Yuk! Momm!"

            "It's true Susan. It's been so long since we went camping, I forgot. Better close the window up tightly, Walt."

            "Do I really have to?" Walt asked, sticking his hand outside the window in defiance.

            "Do what your mother said. Now." Larry’s voice held a hint of anger in it. "Please, son." He softened the blow a little.

            "Everything was fine until crybaby Susan butted her nose in," whined Walt.

            "Okay kids, time out." Anne finalized the conversation and once again there was peace in the station wagon.

            Wheels hummed quietly on the baking asphalt pavement. The hardtop trailer provided a resting place for the canoe. And just to make sure the fastened rope was secure, Larry pulled off for an inspection.

            Walt jumped out to help. He still had a pout on his face for the reprimand he received a while ago.

            Larry wondered why the boy was so sensitive. "Come here, son." Walt came and allowed his dad to hug him tightly. Larry kissed him on the head and said, "Love ya."

            “Me too. I’m sorry for being a jerk,” Walt said.        

"Don't be so serious, son. We're going to have fun. You'll see."

            "Is that a promise, dad?"

            "Yup."

            Anne was pleased to see smiles from father and son as they returned to the car.

 

Andrew could hear the buzz from loud and busy voices, coming from the MacVicar house. The guys were always gabbing and horsing around. As usual, brothers Art and Mike were the noisiest in the crowd of teenagers yammering at each other. "Hey oaf!" one shouted.

The response Andrew gave wasn't pleasant to hear, and certainly not printable. "Yo Andrew," several others called. Then they were all around him slapping 'fives' and punching him on the shoulder. They couldn’t believe he actually did it. "How did you get away from the house, man?"

            "Easy," his relaxed smile answered back. "I just gave my old man the stare." Then he turned his eyes stone cold and curled his upper lip back. His facial features provided a pantomime that told the rest of the story.

            "Ya man. Way to go," Mike chortled. He was the younger of the two brothers and admired Andrew for his bravado. The policeman’s son always seemed so sure of himself. One day he wanted to be just like him. Andrew was cool and didn't take any guff from anyone.

            "Hey dude," Dennis said. "Did you see Sam yet?"

            "Did I see who? Oh yah, the fox."

And they all laughed.

            It was good to be with the gang and carry on. Andrew was popular with the group and it was sort of a status symbol to know him. He enjoyed the feeling of being somebody.

            In fact, it felt really good.

            Later that night it was time for a little action. Andrew was first up the ladder. He lifted the window cautiously so it didn't squeak or anything.

            He knew this was wrong. But being a member of the club had its price. Art and Mike said he'd be a chicken if he didn't get out with the gang right away. And if this adventure was to maintain his tough guy image, then he had to come along.

            It was simple as that.

            "Crud," Andrew grimaced as a splinter poked into his hand. A hot anger took over as he squirmed inside.

            "Sshhh" the others whispered.

            Good thing Andrew switched to long shirt and jeans, since the night was chilly. His watch showed 2 AM as he finally slid back through the open window. The ladder was parked at the side of the house, waiting for their sneaky footsteps to clamber back down. Breaking into someone’s vacant house was easy.

They really didn’t take anything, just snoop around. The gang had two more activities going on tonight. Knocking over garbage cans and smashing rural mail boxes. Should be a gas. Andrew could hardly wait to surf through the park.

 

On the other side of Truro another shadow moved near the edge of someone else's property.

            For some strange reason Danny was quite nervous. It was obvious he was not from this neighborhood, the way he kept checking his bearings. Nighttime was different from daylight. His head kept checking first one way, then the other.

            A pause followed footsteps placed carefully one at a time. He was furtive as a cat. This was the safest time of day when everyone was asleep. Or away from their home, thinking all was well with the world.

            The moon was almost full, its bland face staring impassively at those cautious movements below. The huge globe in the sky didn't realize its flashlight-shaft of light pointed at something not quite right. A stranger was about, gazing upon the vacant house at 4 Rosewyn Place.

            After hiding his packsack and blanket-wrapped package in Victoria Park, Danny spent most of the day walking around the block, checking everything out. Getting to know backyards for escape routes, and whether any dogs were around. Important also was how visible the Reynolds house may be from the streetlight.

            Later that night he made his way to the back of the house, where a small window offered little resistance to a determined intruder. His practiced hand punched through a corner of the glass and removed the piece of wood blocking the sliding window. It was easy for a slender figure to fit through the narrow opening.

            Amazing how many tricks a person could pick up in Training School. And Danny had learned more than a few at Waterville.

            This would be a perfect hideaway for a day or so. It wasn't hard finding out the Reynolds’s were on vacation for a week. The paperboy living around the corner was a chatty ten-year old named Nick.

            Suddenly, Danny heard sounds coming downstairs to the basement. It was more like a thumping of something falling from step to step.  At his feet a loud “meow” almost made the boy jump right out of his skin.

After calming his heart, he figured there must be a plan to feed the animal. Otherwise the family would have taken the cat with them. He had to be careful about other pets. What if a dog lurked about?

            Danny carefully searched every room.

       His silhouette showed briefly as the security night light in the living room suddenly went on. He tried to duck down quickly but not before Mrs. Larkin across the street thought she saw a shadow.

That was strange, she wondered, especially since the neighbors were supposed to have already left on holidays. If still here, why would they have asked her to start picking up the mail tomorrow morning? She wondered if she should call the Police. 

 

Silent as the pussycat that followed him, Danny's hunger brought him to the fridge. Thankfully there was still food left. Half a liter of milk someone forgot about, cheese, a few slices of bologna and half a dozen apples.

There was nothing interesting in the freezer though.

            A check of the cupboards brought a few treasures --- 2 cans of beans, soup, cookies as well as coffee and tea. And the freezer downstairs provided three pork chops and several packages of hamburger.

It was better than nothing. Maybe Danny could look around and find some money to buy more food.

            He had to be careful not to knock anything over in the dark. Sounds at night, especially in an empty house could make a lot of racket. Although it was something to be concerned about, the boy needed more than anything right now to get some sleep.

            Feeling so tired, Danny had to lay down somewhere. Before heading upstairs, he noticed a large family picture on the wall. He'd check it out in the morning. Right now a comfortable bed was waiting somewhere for him.

            Was it a coincidence the one he chose to sleep in was Walt’s?