A Wander About

An Unwanted Adventure

Dec had long ago promised his nephew Graham that the next time he came home to Newcastle to visit family and friends, he would take him and him alone on a famous Grand Da' Fonsie "wander about". Those two words were a very familiar and treasured phrase that had incited great excitement in him and his siblings whenever their da announced that it was time to go on one. A "wander about" was not only just a simple way for Alphonsus to give his wife Anne a break from their brood of kids....it was cheap entertainment for the growing family and, most of all he loved the time that he spent with the kids.

Often they would wander about in the woods not too far from their home or in a local park. There was one enormous park, in particular, near their home. It had been a favorite of everyone's because it had a creek running through it and large climbing trees just waiting to be conquered by any Donnelly willing to give it a go...meaning Declan Donnelly was not among those willing to give it a go.

On this particular windy Thursday afternoon, Dec and his nephew Graham, Martin's middle son, had arrived at Sanderson Park, about 20 miles outside of New Castle. This park wasn't all that frequently visited by the family since it was so far outside town but, every once in a while, Alphonse would bring the group out there as a special treat.

On their way out to the park, Ant had called him, having only just arrived himself in New Castle about an hour ago and they were now making tentative plans to get their families together sometime that evening.

"Okay...we're here at the park, Anth. Just text me what's been worked out and we'll call back later...okay...bye."

Dec turned to look at his nephew, who looked so much like his dad that it was scary. "Let's get started, Martin's little mini me," he said with a small laugh as they got out of his car. He pointed toward the entrance of a familiar trail before pulling a backpack full of snacks onto his back. Graham reached out and Dec took his hand then the pair entered a path that Dec fondly remembered walking with his family when he was about his nephew's age of 10. Granted, to this day, he didn't consider himelf to be the outdoor type but his walks with his da had always been the exception to that rule.

Dec had set some ground rules with Graham, cautioning him to watch his feet and to avoid very deep grass, especially near the forest that ringed what had been his favorite part of the park when he had been a child. He had told his nephew that he was more than welcome to explore on his own but he seemed perfectly content to stay by his side and Dec was enjoying telling him little stories that had long only been at the periphery of his memory. It had taken the recent loss of his da for them to rematerialize and take form. Most times he had to fight his emotions when this happened but today...he was laughing whole heartedly as he shared the fun times he had had with Graham's dad.

It was some time later that they made their way to a small clearing and Dec pulled the backpack he had been wearing, off his shoulders. Kneeling down he handed out a bottle of water and small bags of snacks that his mom had prepared for them then stood up and took a few steps to the right of the boy. Graham was talking quite excitedly about all that he had seen as he was choosing which snack to start with when his attention was suddenly turned to Dec, who had yelped then bent over to clutch at his ankle. His face went incredibly pale and he slightly stumbled then sat down heavily in the grass.

"Uncle Dec?" Graham asked, starting to walk over to him only to stop when Dec yelled, "No!! Stay over there, Graham...move...back...adder...bit me."

Immediately, Graham froze in his tracks then asked in a fearful, tremulous voice., "What do I do, Uncle Dec?"

"We...don't panic," Dec answered as he slowly lay down in the grass, out of Graham's sight. The boy took a deep breath then carefully walked over to his uncle, being mindful of where he was putting his feet. Once at Dec's side, the boy saw that he was taking careful, measured breaths...his face had broken out in a cold sweat and his eyes were closed. Graham knelt down at Dec's side and gently touched his shoulder only to shudder when Dec's eyes opened, revealing just how much pain he was already in. "It's okay, Graham...I'm okay..." he said through clinched teeth in an effort to not scream out the words. The pain was growing steadily to levels he hadn't expected.