Brandy Shauf

Mr Henry

let’s just start by saying a lot has changed in the course of a few years. Moving the kids from southern PA to Boone North Carolina, since my divorce was final February of last year. This definitely has been a challenging year to say the least. Moving from a small two bedroom apartment to a three bedroom cabin in the mountains, has always been a dream of mine. It had never occurred to me that I would be able to buy something. But when my great aunt passed away six months ago she left her only niece “me” a considerable amount of money. By no means is this the luxury cabins like you see in the Great Smoky Mountains but we have everything we need. The kids are at least happy having their own bedrooms finally. It was just after 5 PM i was making dinner the sky was beautiful with hints of pink and, purple as a the sunset. “Spaghetti again” my son came around the corner and said “yes” I said I already had the hamburger laid out Colby I wasn’t about to waste it sorry but this is it for tonight. He rolled his eyes typical teenager I thought to myself. Kay my daughter came running into the kitchen “mom mom There’s something outback under the tree where my swing is hung up hurry”! I said to my son “please watch that the pasta don’t boil over ok”, “ Yes” he said in an irritated voice. I walked down the back steps of the cabin making sure to hold on to the railing. I knew the last step was loose “darn” I said to myself I need to get someone out here to fix this when it warms up. Kay was standing in front of the tree “look look” she said “What I don’t see anything”. When my eyes adjusted I could see a white ball with a little bit of brown coming down its back.” It’s hurt mommy it’s hurt” Kay says anxiously. I reached down to look at it to see what it was it looks like it’s a baby owl I said. It must’ve fallen from the tree. “What should we do” her little voice cracked and she looked as though she was on the verge of tears. Don’t worry I’ll call Mr. Henry he’ll know what to do. Mr. Henry was 67 years old he lives just down the road from us in the cabin to the left of my mile long driveway. He was our only neighbor for 4 miles. He used to be a park ranger back in his younger days I knew giving him a call he would know exactly what we should do. Mr. Henry pulled up in his old Ford Ranger about 30 minutes later he got out of the truck and he had a blanket in one hand and a cate in the other. “So what do you ladies have here” he said his pale blue eyes sparkled in the sun as it set over the last bit of daylight. He knelt down “looks like a barn owl”he said “must’ve fell out of the tree when we had the Highwinds last night”. “Will it be ok” Kay said anxiously. “Don’t you worry” said Mr. Henry “this little fella will just be fine I’ll take him into town to the local vet and get him looked over and checked out!” “Good job in finding this little fella, he would not have survive long out here with all the critters we have in these parts at night” “Mom I heard my son call from the kitchen the noodles are ready. “We are coming I said.” “Thank you Mr. Henry we appreciate it.” “Anytime he said with a smile.”