SAYING GOODBYE story

Moving day began early at Colin's house. And he was sad. "Okay if I say goodbye to my friends?" he asked.

Mom had both hands holding parcels. But he had to ask.

"I thought you did yesterday," she said.

"I know…but...just one more time. Please."

"Alright, go ahead and be back no later than 1 o'clock. What time?" she asked gently.

"One o'clock."

"You have your watch on. Good," mom said. “Don’t forget.”

Colin wondered what was so special about one o'clock. They must be going to visit someone.

First he went to see John. They had such fun playing at the park. John was a good baseball pitcher too.

No one home, how come?

He went down the street to say goodbye to Paul. They got into a fight once. But then became good pals.

"Hi Colin. I bet you're looking for your friend," John’s mother said.

"Yup." He gave his best smile. Colin’s hair kind of flopped over his ears. Mom said he needed a haircut.

"John’s not here, Colin. He went out with his dad somewhere."

"Oh shucks, Mrs. Wasson. I'm moving today and… it's okay, I guess."

The he went to Mrs. Lake's house. Stephanie should be home. Her mother painted pretty pictures of Victoria Park.

He liked to climb Stephanie's tree house. They used a thick rope with knots for steps. "Aluminum ladders are too easy," his friend said. But, Stephanie wasn't home either.

Mrs. Lake shook her head. "She's not back from swimming lessons."

Colin went around the other side of the block. "I have to say goodbye to Ace," he said to the blue sky.

The sun seemed to smile on Colin's freckles. But his heart still felt heavy.

Suddenly he thought he heard a familiar bark down the street. Colin hurried to pat the friendly black dog. But Colin couldn’t get there in time.

Barking grew fainter as he kept calling, "Here boy! Here boy!" It was no use. Ace was too far away to hear.

"If only I could hug him one more time," Colin said to the maple tree.

Not far away was the largest park in the county. He would really miss playing with friends at the Victoria Park playground. Climbing the monkey bars, and swinging up to the sky was such fun.

The park pool had a neat high diving board. “I’ll miss that too,” he thought.

"Will the lifeguard, Spunky also miss me?" he wondered. He kicked at the grass. Colin was sadder now because he couldn't find any of his friends.

What about Bushy-Red the squirrel? At each family picnic, he would scamper down his tree to grab peanuts from the table. They all laughed at how quickly the animal scooted up again.

Where were the crows that usually followed him on his bike? Their shrieks and cries were missing today.

Colin headed back home, shoulders bent low. His watch showed two minutes left to get home. He began to run.

He promised mom to be home at one o'clock.

"I wonder why," he said, running past the pool, past the swings. Colin's feet flew like an eagle. They slapped at the pavement, like thunder.

Then he stopped suddenly.

Ahead of him was a crowd of people. What were they doing at his house? Smoke was coming from a barbecue. Hot dog and hamburger smells quickly reached him.

Someone waved, "Colin!" It was his best friend John. Colin thought he was supposed to be playing baseball.

As he got closer he spotted Paul in the crowd. Wasn’t Paul supposed to be with his dad? Now he’s here too.

Stephanie ran forward. "Hurry up Colin. We're all waiting for you."

Soon everyone joined in with a loud shout of, SURPRISE!!”

Colin could barely whisper, "You’re waiting for me?"

"Yes, hurry. We're ready to eat." Colin let her pull him along.

Ace came from beneath the verandah and jumped against his chest. Colin rubbed under the dog's chin. Then bent down and gave Ace a big hug.

By now Colin’s cheeks were wet.

More tears became two rivers. But, they were happy ones, impossible to hold back. He could barely speak.

Mom came to his side. "We wanted to surprise you son. I knew it would be hard for you to move away.” She gave him a mother bear hug.

“All your friends are here,” dad added.

It was a great time for a boy with many friends. Everyone drank pop, munched hot dogs, hamburgers and other treats. There was much laughing, running and talking all at once. Even Spunky the lifeguard came to the party.

Bushy-Red chattered away high in his maple tree. Colin looked up. “Bye Bushy-Red,” he called. “Bye trees. Bye sky. Bye house.”

More goodbye smiles were saved for other friends.

* * *

(c) Richard & Esther Provencher 2006

Co-authors Richard and Esther Provencher invite you to view their newest novel SOMEONE’S SON written during Richard’s recovery from a stroke, which gob-smacked him in 1999. It is a Young Adult novel dealing with family crisis. http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_someonesson.html