Run Danny Run (Chap. 14)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 

Walt stood beside his dad and looked across Economy Lake. From this distance the little island looked like a pile of rocks, with a scattering of pine trees. If you sighted down your thumb, you could easily make it disappear.

            The baking sun tried to sap their energy as they prepared to begin this exciting camping trip. Dad talked about it for the past two weeks and now they were actually going to do it.

            The boy could hardly believe it, just the two of them.

            They loaded their canoe with food for three meals, Coleman stove and cooking equipment, sleeping bags and finally water. Extra clothes, tent and a flashlight were also coming along to make the journey.

            Father and son waded into the water in bare feet, until the keel of the canoe cleared the shallow shore. Then one at a time they carefully stepped into the canoe. Paddles dipped as Larry yelled from the stern, "Forrwarrrd Ho!"

            They were off. Walt gave a quick peek back at his mom and sister. He figured Susan was seething with jealousy. Maybe next year she could come, he reasoned.

            When a few waves exploded over the gunnels, Walt became fearful. But he managed to settle down as he relived feelings he had been keeping to himself these days.

            The overnight was dad's great idea. "It’s because I spent so much time chasing after Danny," he had said, "I'm sorry you were neglected son. And I wanted to make it up by doing something really special."

            This trip would go a long way towards proving he was the number one son, Walt thought. Although it was still painful discovering he had a new brother. Later tonight, he and dad would have to talk.

            Right now though was bug-slapping time, as a cloud of insects followed them from the mainland. It helped steer Walt's mind away from his serious thoughts.

            Black flies flew down his neck, then up his shirt and into his hair until they struck pay dirt. Fresh blood was their prize.

            Walt wondered if they were related to vampires.

            Setting up the two-man pup tent went smoothly. Walt and his dad checked the ground for rocks and twigs, placing their nylon house flat on the ground. Four pegs secured the corners. Each of the outside aluminum poles at opposite ends had taut guy lines. The tension lifted the tent to a height of four feet.

            Walt and his dad didn't go out very often, anymore. Lately, things were just too busy at home with everyone only worrying about Danny. His family didn't realize how much Walt was a worrywart. Studying as much as he could was meant to make mom and dad happy.

He knew he spent too much time worrying about things, like the bills for all those telephone calls and airplane flights. And whether he was helping around the house enough. He tried to find as many ways he could to prove dad didn’t make a mistake by adopting him.

            "What are you thinking about, son?"

            "Oh, just things." Walt tried to smile back. His mushroom haircut fluffed in the wind. Tired-looking blue eyes were usually full of sparkle on his tanned face. Lately, they were troubled. The sun's golden rays played tag with his light brown hair, trying to cheer him up.

            "Nu...Nothing."

            "Come on, son. What is it?" Larry asked as he placed their sleeping bags in the tent.

            "It's just...I'm happy, that's all. You and me, I mean." The boy swiped at his eyes. He was happy. Here they were in the great outdoors, father and son, just the two of them. Really, it was neat.

            "Since everything's put away let's have a swim," Larry suggested, trying to penetrate his son's dark clouds. Walt seemed disturbed by something these days. If only he could get him to open up.

            Faster than gulping back two hotdogs, father and son were in their bathing trunks. Bare toes slipped into rubber and nylon swim shoes.

            They shivered through the water out to their waists, before the splashing began. Soon it was a free-for-all.

            Mud balls and handfuls of grassy weeds went flying through the air. It was a "gooey" war. Mud balls made messes that landed with "splats" on backs and chests.

            Walt won because his aim was much better from pitching for the school's intramural baseball team. He plopped a handful of mud and weeds on dad's head. "Now you’re not bald anymore!" he shouted.

            Hungry bellies called a truce. After washing off the mud they changed into dry clothes.

            Thankfully, the wind blew just enough to keep the black flies away. Lunch was hotdogs, juice packs and Trail Mix.

            Walt made a super fireplace with flat stones. Between he and dad collecting firewood, the sounds of a fire soon crackled.

            After tidying up, fishing rods were checked and life jackets put on. This time Walt didn't even try to argue. He had made a promise to mom to have fun. The 14 ft. Kawartha canoe moved easily through the water and brought them quickly to a small bay.

            Dad had said the blue fiberglass canoe was easy to handle.

            He was right.

            "I wish mom and Susan were here to see this," Walt said, looking around at the scenery. Yellow flowers looked pretty alongside green lily pads. And the sun reflecting from the water made it's surface look like thousands of bright icicles laying side by side.

            "Yes son," dad finally answered. He too was caught up in the beauty of the scene. "I know they would enjoy it. But, mom has a surprise for Susan too. Probably about now they're heading out on their own special trip. Like us, the two of them are spending a special evening together. They’re going to a restaurant in Collingwood, just about ten kilometers up the road."

            "Did they want to come with us, dad?"

            "Well, for one thing, Susan's asthma hasn't acted up lately and we want to keep it that way. We thought maybe heavy morning dew might trigger something. No sense taking chances. We thought her sleeping in a tent on the ground might not be such a good idea. Make sense?"

            "I guess so," the boy answered. But he was glad Susan wasn't being left out.          The water was inviting and another swim was on the menu since the fish weren't biting.

            Before long, they were back at their campsite on the edge of the lake. From here, they barely made out their tent trailer a quarter of a mile away. Anne and Susan must be gone by now. Larry wished he hadn't forgotten his binoculars back at the house.

            It seemed only a short time before supper was finished and the sun was setting. The night was warm enough to wear only T-shirts and underwear as father and son lay in their sleeping bags.

*

"What are we going to do about Danny, dad?" Walt asked in the darkness of the tent.

            "Do you want me to lie about it, son?"

            "No."

            "I really want Danny to be a part of our family. Even come camping with us and---”

            Walt shifted in his sleeping bag, turning away.

            "Wait 'till I finish. Please," Larry said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

            The boy turned around once more and faced his father. He knew dad was taking his time, trying to say the right words.

            "I want Danny to get to know you. To see how special you are to me. You might get to love him too. Besides, wouldn't you like to have an older brother---I mean living with us?" Larry allowed the question to hang silently in the short distance between them.

            Walt took his own time before answering. "Did you like the mud fight?" he asked.

            "Yes," the man answered.

            "And getting splashed when you tried to show me some fancy speed paddling?" Walt laughed at that one. He could still see dad's face when his whole side got soaked. But, he didn't get angry. Just sort of chuckled, after he let out a scream from the cold water.    

            "Yes, that too" Larry answered, poking his son on the chest.

            "Is it fun being a father, taking his son camping?" Walt quietly asked.

            "Yes, it is, a whole lot. Boy, you sure talk a lot. Aren't you tired yet?"        

            "I'm still a little upset," the boy answered in the darkness. "We have to try harder, dad."

            "What do you mean, son?"

            "You know."

            "No, I don't. Help me out. Okay?"

            "Well it's just...you and me right now. Later there will be somebody else, like Danny. And it won't be the same."

            "I promise you son, you will always be super special to me.” Hope to die if it isn't true, Larry thought to himself.

            "Dad?"

            "What, son?"

            "I'm going to try really hard, too. About having an older brother. I know there’s Roy. But it’s not the same, he lives in Halifax."

            "Thanks son." God, it's so hard sometimes. So much love needed, sometimes little left to give." And Larry wanted to give much more.

            As Larry looked out the doorway flap, he yelled, "Hey look!" The moon was like a flashlight beam pointing right at their tent.

            "Do you want to check it out?" Walt whispered, hope in his voice.

            Father and son left their sleeping bags and walked to the shore, only a few feet away. They stood in bare feet in the glare of the moon. It bathed them in its freshness. A bright white beacon created a path towards them.

            Sparkles like diamonds shimmered across the water.

            "Now this is what I call peaceful," Larry said, trying to begin a cheerful conversation after their serious chat a short while ago.

            "Do you really think Danny will want to live with us?" Walt asked, changing the subject once again.

            The man fumbled for the proper words. "I sure hope so, son." “Gosh,” the man said quietly to himself. Surely the boy would want to live with his family. Larry hadn’t really thought about that other possibility.

            The Big Dipper stood out clearly in the sky.

            "Why does it seem so bright?" Walt asked.

            "There are no lights from Truro to compete with in the middle of these woods," Larry answered.

            As they headed towards their tent the calling of a loon pierced the stillness. "It sounds sort of sad and happy at the same time," Walt said. It was exactly the way he felt this moment.

            As they settled once more in their sleeping bags, Larry told his son what he knew about loons. "Usually two baby chicks are born, with both parents working together to protect and teach their young."

Dad's voice was soothing as Walt lay in the darkness. It had been a full day. Both fun-filled and thought-filled. Tiredness threatened to close the boy’s eyes in a few moments. He almost missed hearing his dad say softly, "You'll never be second best, son."

Walt fought back tears before closing his eyes. Dreaming about a family of loons took over the boy’s thoughts. Except instead of two baby chicks, there were going to be three of them.

A deep and restful sleep descended upon the boy.

*

The "splash" of early morning waves traveled silently to his ears. Suddenly, Walt jumped up. It wasn't a dream. He really did hear loons. And they were very close. He peered through the tent opening.

            His heart was hammering.

            "Dad...oh dad," he whispered, barely able to breathe.

            Through the mist he saw two loons and two baby chicks about twenty feet away. The mist caused him to blink; making sure what he saw was real.

            Strange sounds became melodies escaping their throats and circled the tiny island. Walt  shook his dad awake. "Listen, listen."

            "Sssh. I'm awake, son” Larry said, putting a finger to his lips. “It’s a beautiful sight, isn't it?" he whispered. Both father and son lay quietly on their stomachs and watched, and listened.

            The family of loons was awesome. Their cries rose eerily through the dawn. They sensed they had an audience that appreciated them.

            An accolade of further calls was their parting message. Then they were gone, swimming into new adventures.

            Dawn was now showing on the horizon.

            The boy turned and faced his father. "Dad, that was so cool," he said. His tears came rapidly now, but Walt didn't care