The Journey

The War and Dad

It was a cold and windy day when mum yelled at me to go and get some bread at local store for dinner. I took my money out of my little hiding spot and grabbed my jacket. It once belonged to my older brother Mark. As I opened the door a cold blast of snow and ice entered our makeshift house. I ducked right as it came but mum was right behind me so it hit her in the face. I laughed so loud she heard me and grabbed the paddle ready to spank me. I ran all the way down to the store not stopping once. When I reached the store Bill ,the store clerk, stopped me at the front door and told me not bring dirt inside. I rubbed my shoe on the curb wiping all the dirt on my shoe. "Well hello Jack" said Bill, "how do you do." "I need bread", I mumbled ignoring his question. "Ok, here you go" answered Bill not noticing the I had not answered his question. As I walked back to the house I saw this small little black dog sitting on the street. When I pasted him he look at me with his beady little eyes. I continued walking and at the last corner I looked back but the little dog vanished.

I opened the door to my house and mum,dad,Mark, and even little Marie were all at the table talking with sobs in between. "Ohh, Jack" cried mum as I walked to the table " they stationed dad to fight in the war next month!" I stood there saying nothing. "It will be okay", sobbed dad. I have never seen dad cry so I new he was lying. " Come here little Jack", soothed Mark as he opened his arms for a hug. But I turned around and ran out the door into the snowy night. I ran all the way down to the farm where Uncle Joe lived. I came to a tree a sat down and cried. I cried for hours until Uncle Joe came down and asked me why I was crying. I sobbed "Mmm-yy faa-ther is bee-ing staa-tioned for waa-r." "Oh, I am sad too, but you need to be strong." "I don't want to be strong.", I cried. "You don't want to be strong!" exclaimed Joe, "here why don't I take you back home so you can talk to your parents." As we walked back home I saw the dog again."Did you see that!", I shouted. "See what". I looked back at the spot where the dog once was, but he had vanished again."Never mind". We got back to the house but I didn't want to go in but it was real cold and bitter outside. I opened the door and walked to my room not daring to look at my mum or dad, because they would spank me for running away. "Good night", mum said softly. I looked at her but didn't respond. I went to my room and laid on the bed staring up at the ceiling. It was grey and old. There were cracks and missing spots.

I woke up the next morning still in my day clothes. I got up not changing my clothes and walked down stairs to see Mark and little Marie at the table eating the bread I got last night. "Hi Jack, how did you sleep last night?", she said happily. "Where is dad and mum.", I said ignoring her. "They went to town to get some new clothes for dad", sighed Mark ,"but they left me a note-", "Ooh a note, but won't we be wasting trees.", I muttered. "-saying what we need to do today.", Mark finished. "What do I need to do", I said. "You need to go to the store and get these things", Mark said handing me a piece of paper. "and drop this letter off at the post office", he said handing me another piece of paper. " and -", " anything I don't need to do", I said. " Just go", snapped Mark. " What got into you.", I laughed. He gave me the evil eye. I walked out the door into the cool brisk morning. The store was not too far from the house but it still was far. So I grabbed my pale blue bike and started to make my way to the store. I stopped at a corner and saw the little black dog again. I turned away not caring that I was taking the long way.

When I got to the store the dog was right here. Bill came to the door and stopped me. " What do I have dirt on my shoe.", I growled. "No you can't bring dogs in the store." said Bill. "What I don't-". I looked down and there was the little black dog at my feet. "Stay!", I barked. I went in getting all the things I need and heading out the door. The dog was waiting for me. "Get lost.", I shouted. I got on my bike and headed for the post office. I was almost there when I heard a dog barking. I looked behind me and there was the little dog running after me. I skipped to a stop with a shriek. I jumped off my bike and headed toward the dog. The dog came running to me. He put his little paws on my knee and from there I could see his collar." Willy, huh", I whispered. He barked when I said his name. " Well if you don't have any owners why don't you come with me.", I said. I found some piece of rope in the trash and tied it to Willy's collar and to my bike handle. I started peddling toward the post office.

When I got back home I could see mum in the living room with little Marie in her lap. I took the end of the rope with Willy on the other end and headed toward Uncle Joe's farm. I found a shed in the back. The door swung open and I stepped in. I could see a fence post in the corner. With the rope in my hand I tied willy to the post. "Woof", barked Willy. "This will have to do okay, I will be back before nightfall with food.", I whispered not wanting to be heard. I got up and left the barn with Willy tied to the post and headed toward my house. When I got home it was dark so I tied my bike to a post and went in. "Where were you this late", said mum. "I was playing in the park.", I lied. "Well you are late for dinner.", huffed mum. "Here you go." said mum handing me a piece of bread and cheese. I ate most of the cheese but saved some for Willy, and I ate half the bread. I stuffed the bread and cheese in my pocket. Mum saw me and asked me what I was doing." I want to keep it warm.", I lied again, and with that I left.

Peddling hard to Uncle Joe's farm. I realized that I had left the lights when I got closer. I looked to the right and saw Uncle Joe's dim shadow. Panting I swung open the door and picked Willy up and hid him behind a pile of hay." Stay put and be quiet.", I whispered. At that second Uncle Joe came in. "Your scared the living daylights out of me, I thought you were a thief.", sighed Uncle Joe. "What is there to steal.", I asked. " A lot that you don't see." huffed Uncle Joe clearly offend. "Well you can stay here tonight if you want and I can call your parents.", said Uncle Joe. "You will! Thank you so much.", I shouted with excitement." Okay sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite." sang Uncle Joe. I gave him a face that said I'm to old for that. I took Willy out of the hiding spot and he curled into my arms. I let my eyes shutter down and I was fast asleep.