Shadow Hound

I didn’t actually have a plan to do anything with them once I caught them. The point of chasing birds was to chase them. They just stood or sat on the ground like they owned it, and then they flew up into the sky in taunting, like they owned that too. It set me into a frenzy just thinking about it. And that was how the day went. Sometimes, Caleb would go into the cold water and splash his head in the chilly brine. For the most part, we ran until we couldn’t anymore. Then we collapsed on the ground gasping for breath and grinning with joy.

This was what being a kid was about, senseless happiness. Playing games that had absolutely no purpose but to make kids happy was the whole point of childhood. Because when else would we ever have the chance to feel this way?

Mom had been busy while we were running around like crazy people. She had packed our little grill all the way out to the sand with the charcoal and her cooler. Around the smoking grill, a temporary camp had been constructed. Folding chairs and a folding table were set up next to the grill underneath a large beach umbrella stuck deep into the soft sand for stabilization. The mouthwatering aroma of burgers drifted to us on the wind and I

realized that I was far too hungry, and my legs were too tired to walk all the way back to the camp.

Like the awesome big brother, he was, Caleb knew that trudging over the sifting ground was going to be too much for me. Without me even having to ask he picked me up by the armpits and carried me to our lunch. I sat happily on a blanket, munching little bits of juicy, smokey burger Caleb and Mom fed me. It was better if they hand-fed me rather than letting me try to feed myself. My food would have fallen in the sand and been covered in seconds if I had tried to feed myself. The sustenance filled my middle with warmth. It wasn’t long before I laid down where I sat for a nap in the sun.

It was getting dark by the time we left for grandma’s house. The sea breeze was picking up and felt less comfortable by then. Despite my nap, I was still drowsy and settled comfortably next to Caleb so I could use him as my pillow on the drive. It was bliss. The day had been such fun, the food so delicious, and the car so warm and comfy. I was safe and happy. My family was my home, and I should be anywhere that they were.

The car vibrated soothingly. We swayed around turns in the road as if the very earth were rocking us to sleep. The wind gusting by was muted by the closed windows and car insulation. The air was the perfect temperature, warm, but not too warm. Mom played what I liked to call our sleepy-time car music. She only played it in the car, but it helped her drive and made Caleb and I yawn and close our eyes.

When it was time for Caleb to get out of the car, I could hardly rouse myself enough to let him go. He bundled a towel up like a pillow and laid my head down on it before tucking another towel over me like a blanket. “I love you.” He whispered. “I will miss you so much. I’m sorry you can’t stay with us.” He hugged me like we weren’t going to be seeing each other ever again. “Goodbye.” And suddenly I wasn’t sleepy anymore and my happy, safe, contented feeling was gone.

“We’ll come visit you after school kiddo.” Mom tried to reassure Caleb, but he wasn’t having it now.

“It’s not safe in that house Mom.” He had never sounded so angry and hurt at the same time. “And I think that you are being stupid.” Mom was so shocked at Caleb’s use of naughty words that he had angry hugged her and run into grandma’s house before Mom could say anything about it.

“Maybe I should come over and see whatever it is that is upsetting him.” That was grandma. I wanted to growl at her because she wouldn’t let me stay with my Caleb or come in her house.

“I don’t know what you would see that I don’t.” Despite her son’s high emotions, Mom just seemed tired. “He thinks that there is something coming in the house at night and that it’s coming from below the shed in the backyard.” She sighed with resignation. “Apparently the patch of dead grass next to the shed is proof.” Grandma had been listening with a look that said I’m-a-patient-Mom-and-will-not-ridicule-my-child. That look changed to one of alarm when Mom talked about the dead grass.

“Honey, maybe you should stay the night here.” Mom laughed harshly. “Are you serious? After the fuss you made this morning? I don’t think so. Besides, I don’t have any clothes.” Grandma frowned and seemed a little ashamed of herself.

“Why don’t you go get some clothes and come back.” Her little old lady voice quavered uncertainly. “Maybe there is something, or someone scaring him in your house but leaving you alone for some reason? Whatever it is…” she hesitated for a moment “…your son doesn’t think you are safe in your home.”

I watched Mom scrub her palm over the furrows of frustration on her forehead. She gave a deep sigh, something she had done a lot of lately. “Okay, fine.” She shook her head like she was saying no even though she was agreeing. “I’ll go get some clothes, wash the dog, and then head back here. Okay?” Mom threw her hands up in a gesture of giving up.

“That sounds like a plan.” Grandma patted Mom’s arm reassuringly. “Do you have any pepper spray? You can take mine if you don’t have one.”

“I’ve got pepper spray Mom. Tell Caleb that we’ll be back in…oh, it will take probably more than an hour. Tell him we’ll be back in a few hours.” When we drove out the driveway, I was feeling considerably more fond of grandma. She was going to let me stay with my Caleb. That was very nice of her even if she didn’t like me.