The Orphans in the Woods

Gertrude found a package of bologna in the fridge and took a slice out for the dog. Her brother protested and grabbed the slice of bologna out of her hand.

"I know you think you're doing the right thing," Rohan sternly said to his sister, "But I'm the Man, remember? If you don't trust me and listen to what I say we are never going to make it as a team. The dogs are not exactly like us. The only way that dog is going to leave is if we ignore him. If we feed him, he will stay. I can't have that right now. Do you understand me?"

It was Gertrude's time to be quiet for a moment. She did understand her brother's point of view and she didn't want him to worry about her doing foolish things. She knew Ro was right about the dog, but she also knew on some mysterious level that she was right too.

"Fine," she agreed as if she had just thrown all of her emotional sense right out the window, "I'll do it your way. I'll do what you say. But remember, every time I do it your way because there will come a time when I say "I told you so" and I just hope I can tell you how many times I did it your way when that time comes."

She walked quickly feeling preterbed out of the kitchen and towards her bedroom. She walked into her bedroom and flopped onto her bed. She was upset and she didn't want to talk to her brother anymore. She didn't know if she wanted to cry about her parents or the lost dog or if she wanted to scream because she felt like her truth was truer than her brother's. She was angry and frustrated for being so young and so small. She was scared and worried about being an orphan and her brother's crazy runaway plan. Everything was so messed up. Everything had changed so much and all she wanted to do was wake her parents up and go back to the way things had been. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. Why? Why? She started talking to God.

Why God? Why? How could you do this to us? How could you take Mom and Dad away? Why did you have to ruin my life? I've been a good girl. I've done nothing wrong. Why?

She started crying into her pillow.

Rohan was still in the kitchen thinking about the dog and Gertrude. He understood why she wanted to feed the dog. Gertrude had been begging for a dog for the past three years. Every birthday and Christmas she had asked Mom and Dad for a dog, but they kept saying no. They kept telling her that she wouldn't take care of the dog. They kept telling her that they were doing her a favor by saying no. She'd whine and cry and then get over it. But then this dog shows up. Rohan knew there was no way for her to look at it the way he was. She didn't see a threat to their secret. She saw the gift that Mom and Dad wouldn't give her.

Rohan locked the front door again, then he went to his bedroom and shut his bedroom door. He just wanted to enjoy his bedroom for as long as he could before they had to leave the house that he had called home and spent all of his childhood in. He layed on his bed on his back and looked around his room. He looked at the shelves hung on the wall where his prized collectibles stood in perfect order. Heroic figurines, small trophies, and other nifty items that he'd gotten as gifts or traded for with his friends. He looked at the walls painted light sky blue with a few images hanging such as the drawing of Elvis and John Lennon, and the card from Gertrude picturing a dog and cat kissing, and the framed sports card of Babe Ruth. He saw his baseball bat, ball, and glove set on the floor near the closet door. He saw the train set that was his favorite toy for years set in the corner near the window. Next month, he'd be 10. He'd spent all his 9 years of life in this house. This room had always been his room. These toys and collectibles had always been his. He knew he might never see them again. He knew he didn't have much time to enjoy his bedroom.

He stood up and walked to his dresser where his record player was set up on top. He found a 45 record in the top drawer and placed it carefully on the player, turning the machine on.

He listened to the music and the lyrics.

.........don't go around tonight...well it's bound to take your life....there's a bad moon on the rise....

Creedence Clearwater Revival.

It was a Christmas gift from his father.

Rohan sat on his bed listening and thinking about Dad and CCR.

He sighed trying to relax and decided that this night he would sleep in his room, in his bed. Cabin life was going to be rough. He wanted to enjoy every comfort they had for as long as they possibly could.