Someone's Son Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sheldon lay on his side with both palms cupped together forming a pillow. As protection from tension and excitement his body was nestled in nature's blanket of warmth. His body huddled inside the cozy sleeping bag, while outside the wind stirred.

          His mind leaped over events like a computer hack checking his programs. Sheldon's mind flipped over pages of numerous adventures, then settled comfortably on an event that fitted the occasion.

          He dreamed of a man and boy on a hike. The boy planned a surprise since he was the guide for the day. They drove in a truck on the icy road. On a snow-filled trail, the wind pushed icy chills against their faces. The man was curious about a waterfall the boy was bringing him to.

          Sheldon stirred, then settled back, lost in his dream...

          They were now off the trail and cutting through the woods. Suddenly, both heard the sounds of gushing water. The man was overwhelmed by the beauty of the falls. It came crashing from a higher hill, icicles forming colored patterns. Thick icy crusts hung from the edge of the waterfall. It tumbled down, and down, almost to their feet.

          As the man and boy stared in wonder, a shadow hovered nearby.

          Sheldon blinked rapidly several times as he lay in his sleeping bag. His fingers opened and closed, then settled down again.

          He saw the image of a pretty lady, all dressed in white. Her gown sparkled and in her hand she held a staff. The lady had the face of his mother. She was smiling.         The boy felt the tiredness from the long walk fade away. "Wait, don't go away," he called as the image faded. His voice carried into the night.

          Sheldon stirred. Reaching back into the dark cavern of his sleeping bag he scratched at his leg. A daring mosquito had found a tasty landing. The bug didn't realize the danger it was in until it received one quick swipe.

          All that was left was a smudge below Sheldon's knee and a streak of blood from the insect's very last adventure.

          Sheldon sat up in the tent, a little bewildered. Was he dreaming? No, he couldn't have been. It seemed so real. Who was with him? He remembered being on some kind of trip. "Lady of the Falls," he whispered. Just thinking about it made him feel good. It came to him slowly at first and then details flushed out the facts from his mind.

          He was good at recreating events. His mother always 'bugged' him about it. He called it 'nagging.' He shook his head. Sleep and tiredness fought to wrestle him to the ground. Had he really been dreaming? It all seemed so real. His confused face was a mask if indecision in the dark. Was that man in the dream Larry? And the Lady of the Falls, really mom?

          "I miss you mom," he sighed. "I miss you too Larry. I wish you were both here." And the enormity of what he had done began to sink in. His stubbornness said he had to go through with it.

          Before he felt too bad, especially with tears threatening to cascade down his cheeks, the boy fell asleep once again.

 

The morning sun was like a furnace. But it wasn't very comfortable to have your face feel cooked like a pancake. Only the aroma of butter and maple syrup would make it worthwhile.

          He stretched then rubbed his eyes trying to drag out chunks of sleep. Oops. Dr. Carter said I shouldn't do that. Just massage his temple, that's better. Don't aggravate the eyes. He realized how silly he was, worrying about advice or rules. He had broken a major one. He had run away. There, it was out in the open. "I ran away." Sheldon exhaled heavily and peered out of the tent.

          The stream trickled in a lazy flow twenty feet away. He saw where fallen tree branches formed a tight knot at one corner of the brook.

          Bet there's nice speckles there. His mouth watered at the thought. He could see himself casting with the current, later preparing a great breakfast of pancakes and trout. Now that would be some combination. “Wish Larry could see this," he said noting the peacefulness of the moment. They had shared so many woodsy adventures. He wrestled with the fact he had spent so much time with his dad and kind of forgot about Larry, these past months. 

          The sky was blue with Cirrus streaks far above as tall pines shook and squeaked. A blue jay hop-skipped into view.

          Sheldon breathed it all in. The wind was like a warm puff on his neck.

          Memory of another trip came flooding back. Here we go again, he thought. Larry and Sheldon together, such good pals. He had lots of time on his hands to remind himself of precious memories. And that’s what this trip was about. To think things out and remember...

 

It was just last summer Larry brought him here. And Sheldon fell in love with the area. A good mixture of woods, lakes and creeks was sprinkled about. “And lots of privacy,” Larry had said, “in about ten square miles of woods. No one would dare stray off the bush trails.”

          Sheldon remembered their trip. It was a gas. It was also the first time he proved to Larry he was not just a little kid. Larry brought out the best in people...

          "I'll get a pot and cook some corn. Not kernels, but corn on the cob," Sheldon had said to Larry over the telephone.

          "Is it an old pot?"

          "Yeah."

          "Not one of your mom's best ones, I hope?" Larry asked.

          "Why?"

          "Wood smoke will blacken the pot. And food may burn on the bottom and be too hard to get off. Does that make sense?"

          "What should I do?" Sheldon had asked. It did make sense.

          "Try soaping it, then the smoke comes off easy. You'll see when we go to clean it."

          "Neat. I'll bring a bar of soap. OK? And what will you bring?"

          "Aluminum foil meals. Hamburger and potato slices."

          "And carrots too."

          "OK Sheldon. And carrots too."

          "I'll bring my pack. I usually carry about 25 pounds. I'm used to it from Scouts. Is that OK?"

          "Sounds great!"

          "See you tomorrow Larry."

          "Right. I'll be there at 9:30. Sharp."

          "OK."

          "Right."

          "See you then...Larry?"

          "Yes?"

          "Thanks for asking me out."

          And the next morning was a breezy -8 C. A layer of crisp snow crunched under the tires of the Ford half ton as it came into view. Sheldon had been well dressed for the cold. He brought his winter hat with laps, heavy winter boots, lined pants and mitts.

          "Hi Larry! Beautiful day!" was his happy shout. After they placed their gear on the truck, they sped off to do some rabbit hunting.

          "Where're we going?" Sheldon had asked.

          "Oh, to one of my special spots. It should be good. I brought snowshoes. Just in case."

          "In case what?"

          "If the snow's deep, you'll see."

          "I was on snow-shoes when I was a kid."

          "Aren't you a kid now?"

          "No!"

          "Really? How old are you when you stop being a kid?"

          Sheldon pretended not to hear the question. "Larry?"

          "Yes?"

          "Do you think my dad will ever come back?"

          "Why?"        

          "I don't know...it's just that...what if he does?"

          "Would it upset you?"

          "If he wanted to see me. And make some plans. I might like it. But what would happen to us. I mean..."

          "No chance. You're stuck with me."

          "Promise? No matter what?"

          "Promise."

          "Do you know what I wish?"

          "What?"

          "I wish you were my dad instead."

          "I know."

          "You do?"

          "I once had a hero’s crush on this man who used to take me places. And I even wished he was my dad."

          "No fooling?"

          "No fooling."

          "Did your dad ever find out?"

          "Find out what?"

          "About your feelings?"

          "Yes. He even accused my adult friend of stealing his son. I was 11 or 12 at the time. I guess from my dad's point of view, he was right. I was stolen. At least, I was out of his hair, though."

          "Do you think I'm stolen?"

          "What do you think?"

          "Well, I'm really glad you take me places."

          "And?"

          "And I'm not mad at my dad anymore, for leaving me. Anyway, it's been three years now. I’ll probably never see him again."

          "You know something?"

          "What?"

          "You're growing up."

 

Sheldon's memory was clear and sharp. He had such fun with Larry. Just remembering the times together made it seem he was right here.

          What was wrong with pretending? He needed a dad to be close by. Not in Toronto, but here. In his heart Larry was his dad. Wasn't it important for a boy to have a father? They were friends, a team. Would his dad be upset about these thoughts? His dad did come back into his life. Maybe he left because he was jealous of Larry. Well, Sheldon didn't need that kind of dad anymore. Running out on his wife and kid, twice now. He had his chance.

          Yes, Larry is more like a dad. That thought drew him into a deep sleep.