The Perfect Gift

Chapter 21

"Pa, we're home!"

"Okay, good. Were you able to bring back the bread like we'd planned?"

Mary was taking her shoes off and talking to her father who was sitting at the table, reading something. He hadn't noticed Rex yet.

"Yes, and that's not all..."

Now, curious, Mary's father looked up from what seemed to be a newspaper.

"Rex?!!"

He seemed surprised and excited at the same time.

"Yes, Pa. We thought you could have a visit with him! He was full of energy at Ned's so we offered to give him a walk. We agreed to take him back later tonight!"

"I can see that. He's practically bouncing off the walls. That's very nice of you children.  Now, John, could you please carry the box of bread to the counter. As well, please get a pail in the storage room and go fill it up at the well outside."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. I still haven't sorted the water thing out yet. This should just be temporary. Thank you, John."

Should be?

Mary sat down. Rex, after finishing giving his usual greeting, sat down beside Mary's father on the floor, right beside his feet.

"Where did you get that, Pa?" Mary pointed at the paper in his hands.

"Well...the mayor stopped by, wondering where Miles was," Mary's father started.

"Why would he ask that?"

"He said he hasn't seen him in a few days. I told him, 'I haven't seen Miles for a while either' and I said that 'I don't even want to after what happened between John and him.' He seemed confused."

"He seems to lose track of Miles very easily," Mary added, referring to a few days earlier when she had an unexpected visit with the mayor herself.

"Hmm."

John was now walking back inside, able to hear the conversation, but neither Mary nor her father noticed him.

"Wait, so are you saying that Miles is missing?" Mary asked, the conversation finally clicking.

"Well, yes, it appears that way," Mary's father said.

John overheard the conversation, and hurried into the room.

"WHAT?!!" he yelled. "How long has he been missing for?"

"I don't know exactly, John. The mayor said a few days. He skipped school and never came home. He's been gone since then. It's pretty scary. Although the mayor has been unkind to our family, and I hesitate to feel sorry for him, I can't imagine how he's feeling. This must be hard for him, and his wife too."

Well John was busy processing what he had just heard, Mary asked another question.

"So, how did you end up with the newspaper then?"

"Seriously, Mary? That's what you're asking right now!?" John shouted. "How inconsiderate of you!"

"Enough, John," Mary's father said.

John ran up the stairs and shut the door, loud enough to be heard by everyone else downstairs. Mary's father continued.

"The mayor had the paper when he came in, and simply left it on his way out, and boy has it been a while since I've had the privilege of seeing the paper!"

"Oh, well, can I take a peek, Pa?"

"Well, children really shouldn't be exposed to all the nonsense that is all over these papers..."