Right Next Door

Chapter 7

Aaron

Saturday mornings were the best as far as Aaron was concerned. His mom always made waffles, he watched SpongeBob Squarepants in his pajamas and if he didn’t have a t-ball game, he would get to play outside for hours. His mom said he didn’t have a game today, but she wanted to take him on a hike so he was just as excited for that. 

It was hot outside, but Aaron had so much fun. They stopped at a nature observatory where they learned more about bugs and local wildlife. He got to learn about the stars, too, and his mom promised they could camp in their backyard that night so they could see some of the constellations in person. 

“Mom, do you think Daddy is in one of the ‘stellations, looking at us?” Aaron’s view of heaven was pretty basic, but he felt that it made enough sense that when someone died, they just floated away into the sky. 

“I don’t think your dad is in one of the constellations,” she said, “but I believe he is in heaven which is above the stars.”

“Above all of the planets, too,” he asked.

“Yep, but you know what buddy,” she knelt in front of him and grabbed his fingers, “I know he can see you and smiles down on you every day.”

“Yea, Mr. Robert said he always protects me. Daddy is my guardian angel,” he nodded.

“He sure is, Aaron.” His mom stood and they finished looking at all of the exhibits in the observatory. 

They stopped to eat at one of Aaron’s favorite food trucks, specializing in all kinds of crazy hot dogs. When they finally made it home, he helped feed Dolly while his mom set up their tent. Under the stars that night, with just the dim glow of his little lantern providing light, he and his mom pointed to the sky and located all of the constellations they could remember and even made up a few of their own just for fun. 

Early the next morning, Aaron was awoken to the sound of some sort of high-pitched noises coming from Brandon’s house. Completely intrigued and not at all concerned with what his mom might think, Aaron put on his sneakers and unzipped the door to the tent.

“Shh, Dolly,” he whispered to the dog. “Don’t wake mommy!”

Aaron slipped out of the tent with Dolly following hot on his heels. As he approached the fence line by Brandon’s house he could hear the loud, buzzing sound was coming from the area by Brandon’s house. Without further thought, Aaron unlatched the gate, told Dolly to stay in his yard, and ran over to the deck that connects to the back of Brandon’s house.

He could see Brandon in the window cutting wood, wearing clear goggles and thick work gloves. He waited for the noise to die down before banging on the glass door. Brandon jerked his head towards the door and waved at Aaron. He turned off the machine and removed his gloves and goggles.

“Hey Bud,” Brandon yelled through the door. He opened it for the boy and Aaron hopped inside.

“Hey Mr. Brandon! What are you doing?” Aaron wanted to touch everything in the room. He snatched up Brandon’s goggles and held them against his eyes.

“I’m working on the cabinetry for the kitchen.” He moved something over the wood cutter and Aaron tried to reach the gloves the older man had worn.

“This is awesome! Can I cut something?” He was trying desperately to get his hands on the machine but Brandon placed his hand over one of his shoulders to hold him back.

“Aaron, I am so happy you stopped by, but where is your mom? Does she know you’re over here?” Brandon knelt in front of him and placed his other hand on Aaron’s arm.