Someone's Son Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sheldon felt a stirring in his chest. Taking off had been in his thoughts these last couple of days. He wasn’t going to run away, just take some time to think.

He had to prove he could handle his problems. Otherwise everything dad and Larry taught him was for nothing. Opening up his dresser drawers, he began pulling out socks, underwear and other items. Good thing mom was out, somewhere. He returned to his bed and flung himself on it. The creaking mattress sounded as if sharing his pain.

          He had been on enough hikes as well as an overnight campout to know what to bring. He carefully stuffed his backpack with shirts, jeans, socks, shorts and underwear. Don't forget T-shirts. How many? Four should do it. No, five. It was hard to leave some of his favorite clothes.

          How long will he be gone? Where was he going? He kept packing. Were those noises on the stairs? Quick, hide the evidence. "Well, hi there mom. Just fixing up to do a little runaway trip. Sure you don't mind?" Silly boy. What a crazy imagination.

          He almost fainted when he heard his mother at the front door.

          "Sheldon? You up there?"

          "Mom, I'm busy now. Hey, I'll be right down, OK? You're home early," he added. He hoped that would satisfy her. If she came into his room now, with drawers pulled out and clothes all over, she'd get suspicious. After all, wasn't he 'Mr. Neat and Tidy?' He scrambled around stuffing loose ends back into his dresser.

          "Sheldon? Supper's ready!" Mom's voice was not requesting or coaxing. She expected him to join her for supper.      

          And he obeyed. Quickly. He didn't want anything to bung up his plans. He opened his door and tore down the stairs. "Coming!!" He didn't know anyone else was here.

          Mom and Larry were sitting at the table patiently waiting for him. "Hi Larry," he said, his eyes looking down.

          "Hi Sheldon," Larry answered quietly.

          "Did you wash your hands, son?"

          "Sorry." And he hurried to the washroom. Sheldon turned the cold water on full blast sending sprays of wetness all over his chest and waist before he could control the flow. He returned sheepishly to the table, bending forward so they wouldn't notice the front of his pants all splashed.

          Mom smiled at his boy-carelessness. She knew he was embarrassed.

          Of course, Larry had to make a wisecrack, "Evening swimming lessons?"

          Sheldon felt like telling him to soak his head. Instead he managed a tight smile. "Yes. And the water temperature is just right." He laughed aloud in spite of himself. Hey, that was kind of funny. Turning the tables on Larry was neat. His mother was pleased the way he handled it.

          Sheldon knew Larry was here to help take his mind off dad. But somehow he’d have to manage on his own.

          "Mom?"

          "Hold your question until after grace, son."

          "All right, but may I ask the first question right after?" he asked.

          "Deal," she said, "if you say the grace."

          He asked the Lord to bless this meal, ending quickly with an Amen. "Do you mind if I go to bed right after supper?" he hurried on.

          "I don’t mind," she answered quietly.

After supper, Larry said goodnight, but wanted a few moments with Sheldon's mom before going to his own home. The boy gave his “Good Nights,” and headed upstairs.

 

Sheldon looked around. It was still dark out. One o’clock? Hey, he must have fallen asleep. The moon sifted in through the parted curtains. A slight breeze tumbled into the room.

          He stretched, hands behind his head. Slowly peeling back the covers, Sheldon hopped out of bed. He was already dressed and ready for action. There was no turning back. He took his pack from the closet where it was hidden in a corner under some dirty jeans and shorts. Bending down to inspect the straps he remembered mom's comment a few hours before.

          "Sheldon, you're awfully quiet." They had both avoided talking about dad, at least for now. “Son. You’re going to get over this. Just remember the sun will shine really bright for you tomorrow morning.

          "Goodnight mom," he had said and kissed her on the cheek.

          "You haven't done that in a while," said mom.

          "Goodnight mom," he repeated. Then after a ’high five’ with Larry, he scurried up the stairs.

          The memory washed over him painfully. And he hoped she wouldn’t worry too much about him. He had to prove something to himself.

          "Sleep well mom," he now whispered, knowing she was asleep in the next room. Then he went silently down the back steps, pushing his bike along the driveway, before mounting it. A single sheet of paper lay on his bed. A few brief paragraphs ended with: "Mom, love ya. Sheldon."

 

His bike now lay hidden in a ditch, after taking almost two hours to get here. It felt strange pedaling steadily with daylight still ahead of him. First, he traveled through Great Village then Bass River, before turning onto the gravel road climbing towards Economy Lake.

          Why was he doing this? Right now he would feel so good to throw himself into his mom's arms. And tell her how he felt.

          Dad’s going away really tore him up. Why didn’t mom tell him this was going to happen? He didn't know if he could forgive Larry either, since he was in on the secret. Hurry, the trees were calling to him. Their shivering and squeaking sent signals that reminded him he was in his beloved woods.

          And he was alone. This wasn't getting him anywhere, just standing here. He headed further into the woods. It was a special spot he and Larry had found last summer. A creek cutting through the hills afforded just the right amount of shelter. Water was in plentiful supply and catching trout would help with the food situation.

They both planned to come back again this summer, but it didn't pan out. Dad had kept him really busy. It was the perfect place to hide away for a day, or two. Maybe he should have hidden his bike better, if he expected to stay longer.

          He knew he could take care of himself. He just had to.

          A sound fluttering on his right side startled him. Goosebumps raced each other from shoulder blades to his neck. His eyes searched warily before he spotted a partridge.   A patch of moonlight acted as a flashlight. Stooping, he could see its ruffled feathers begin to stretch. It was a welcome friend. Maybe a good sign he said to himself.

          The partridge pecked several times at the ground, then jumped up on a log and flew high into the spruce trees.

          Sheldon felt better now. He was in familiar territory. Night sounds didn't bother him too much. Dad had taught him that. Sheldon knew Larry would be telling mom about some of the places they went fishing. It would be awhile before anyone knew he was missing. And he didn't want anyone finding him, just yet. Returning would be his decision, his own timetable.

          His fifteen-mile bicycle ride had been tiresome. And seemed much longer in the darkness. The stars were like eyes, watching where he went. It was like being in the company of good friends.

          Then he stumbled and banged his knee as he threw himself on his side, landing with a crunch. A bean can and two soup packages spilled onto the ground. Oh-Oh, any food damaged?

          He knew mom would throw a fit when she saw all the canned goods missing. Chuckling to himself, he remembered he had their only can opener.

          "Where's that Sheldon?" she'd say. "What's he up to this time?" But she didn't realize how much of a change had come over him. And how prepared he was to do something about it. He wished she had kept a closer eye on him these last few days. Then she might have noticed how truly unhappy he was.

          He had heard mom and Larry in the living room when they thought he was sleeping. "Maybe we should have said something," his mom said.

          "It was really up to his dad," Larry had answered.

          Sheldon tried to push away last night’s memories. How could mom do that? What a traitor. Just like Larry. Maybe Sheldon should go live with his dad in Toronto. This trip away from everyone would help him think.

          Even Troy had given up on him lately, because Sheldon wanted to go with his dad instead. Well, his friend was going to miss him now. Right now he better get up from this cold ground before he fell asleep and picked up hypothermia. Thankfully the ache in his leg had subsided. Sure wish Larry was with me, he thought. He wasn't really a traitor. Now that dad was no longer around, maybe they could go on trips again.

          Then in sudden inspiration, he looked out over a small valley. At the very bottom, a creek flowed in a crooked pattern.

          "Hey LARRYYYY!!" he suddenly shouted. Loud echoes responded in swimming waves of sound. "I want you for a FAATHERRR!! The sounds roared in return from the valley, displaying his true feelings. He stood for a few minutes absorbing the sounds. "I wish..." But he didn't finish. He had to get going. He felt like he was betraying his dad.

          But his dad did leave him. Not once, but twice. And Larry was still around. Sheldon felt like a fool for letting his loyal friend down.

          Finally he reached his destination. It was at the base of a hill, where several large spruce trees had created an enclosure. It was an excellent site, with protection from the wind. And it was to be his new home, for now.

Experienced hands got right to work. It didn't take long to smooth out the ground, set up his pup tent and ready his sleeping bag. Before long he lay quietly in his tent. And tired eyelids closed.

          He awoke with a start. It was not the usual, "Hey, I feel good," kind of wake-up. More like skin-crawling nervousness. Sheldon felt around his head. His flashlight was usually close by. Couldn't find it. Outside breezes pushed at the tent. He could see sky from the edge of turned up flap. The pup tent was just right for light backpacking. But it shuddered in the wind.

          Wait. What was that sound? Not the usual "chirr...chirr," of a raccoon. This was something different. A loon called from a lake nearby. Its haunting call usually relaxed him. But it wasn't working right now.

          He slid out of his sleeping bag, his white T-shirt the only light in the darkness. He crept along on chilled knees and toes towards the opening, lay flat on his belly, and stuck his head stick out. Listening.

          There it was again. A sort of 'slap…slap.' His eyes pierced the darkness, blue eyes focusing into the gloom. His heart hammered.

          "Well, there's only one thing to do," he said softly to himself. Larry had taught him not to be afraid of forest sounds. Dad did too. It was natural for the crack of a branch or even the call of an owl to bring out all kinds of imaginary thoughts.

           "After all, the night is when the forest comes alive," dad said. Larry also told him, "Taking away car horns and blaring radios allows the true sounds of nature their place under the sun.” In this case, Sheldon thought, "under the moon." He lay on his back, as he hiked on his jeans. Then pulled on a sweater as well as socks and sneakers, kneeling painfully on his 6-volt flashlight.

          He was like a panther leaving his tent, ears tuned for additional sounds. Glancing eyes noted the silhouette of wood stacked near the fire. Some smoke still trailed from the ashes. A homemade table of poplar limbs remained untouched, dishes face down to keep the flies off.

A food bag was tied high on a branch so no animal could get at it. Larry taught him well on many hikes. He realized Larry knew much more wood lore than his dad.

          Not too long ago Troy had asked, "How come you're always going out with that guy?" The answer was easy, "He takes me fishing and places. "Sometimes I wish I could go too," Troy had answered.

          Well, thought Sheldon, it's also because Larry is a canoeing and hiking nut. No, that's not true. It's because his own kids are grown up and he enjoys the company. No, that's not it either. "He's more like a father to me," he finally answered his friend. It was the first time he had shared this feeling with Troy. It astonished him how easily it came out.

          Larry was dependable. Sheldon's dad liked to pull off disappearing acts. And twice in a lifetime was too much.

          He heard the sound again and his face broke into a grin. “I bet it's a beaver!” Somewhere nearby there must be a beaver dam.

Larry had said there was always a guard while the family worked. Any noise and the guard would dive into the lake giving the water a hearty tail-smack. The rest of the workers would then follow with lightning speed.

          To test his theory, he picked up a branch and flung it in the direction of the disturbance. The crashing twig was followed by four loud splashing slaps. It sounded like a family commotion. He stood up with hands on hips feeling good about solving the mystery. He didn't want to hurt the animals, just check things out.

          Heads soon bobbed to the surface and silver lines of water flowed past. The beavers paddled furiously to their 'house' of mud and branches.

          Trees shivered as the breeze increased in velocity. Spatters of moisture fell from the clambering leaves. Sheldon noticed the stars as winking eyes, continuing to watch him.

          "Hello out there!" he hailed the forest, a slight creepiness in his voice. "My name is Sheldon. I'm only here for a little while. I have things to think about. You don't mind do you?" It was silly talking to the forest. But it made him feel better. "Goodnight sky."

          As he lay in his sleeping bag once more, his thoughts turned to his mother. "I wonder what she's doing right now?"

          Then he drifted off to sleep.