Something woke Humphrey with a start, and his eyes shot open.
He was no longer in the wheelbarrow.
He was in his own bedroom, tucked under the covers with an ice bag on his swollen eye from the fight. Partner was curled up beside him, and the treasure chest was at the foot of his bed. He peered out of the window and saw that dawn was breaking. How did he get here? How long had he been here?
Mrs. Carter tip-toed into the room and saw that he was awake. She whispered something out the door and in followed Mr. Carter, Mable, and then Joseph. Mrs. Carter sat down next to Humphrey and stroked his forehead.
“How are you doing, honey?” She asked.
“Tired,” he replied hoarsely, “What about Emily?”
“She’s here. Papa saw her on the streets when he went into town the other day. He brought her home with him and she’s been resting up ever since.”
Humphrey was relieved to find out that she was okay. He had been misled into thinking differently after the dreams that he had been having.
“Mama,” Humphrey began, “Do you know how I got here?”
“Why – no. Didn’t you walk? You just showed up on the back porch sound asleep.”
His mind was cramped. He couldn’t sort out what was real and what wasn’t. Was the old lady just part of a dream?
“Yeah, I must have walked.” He replied.
Mrs. Carter kissed Humphrey on the forehead and walked briskly out the door. Before she left, she stopped abruptly and turned around.
“I was meaning to tell you, dear. Your Great Aunt Alice – the one from Wales – she died this past week. Got in some kind of…wheelbarrow accident.”
Then she continued out of the room, shutting the door softly behind her.
Everything began to make sense; the wheelbarrow, the old lady, the mysterious ride home. Only one thing remained unfinished to Humphrey, yet he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Emily walked into the room, and at the same moment, Humphrey remembered what it was.
“We need to give Theresa her share of the treasure.” He immediately stated.
Emily sat down next to him and said, “We can do that soon, but for now, you need to rest.”
“No!” Humphrey persisted, “This can’t wait. This could be the difference between life and death, every minute sooner I get there will be a minute sooner she and her baby will survive.”
Emily looked apologetic and hopeless.
“I promised.” Humphrey said softly.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing the Sky
Historical FictionWhen poverty strikes during the Great Depression, little Humphrey wants to help his family. He decides to run away in hopes of returning with the financial aid that his family so desperately needs, but will his efforts be successful? And will he m...
