Murdoch of Oz
Chapter 1
For familiarity's sake, the aspects taken from the Wizard of Oz are those most recognizable to the reader, rather than strictly from the novel.
William got home a little late, but was met at the door by his 5 year old daughter, Susannah, as he usually was.
"William! I missed you!"
He laughed as he picked her up. "I missed you too, Sweetie."
That was their routine whenever he came home.
"Look what Julia brought me!" She held out a new book, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. "Can we read it tonight?"
One the their favorite times together was reading. Susie's favorite book was 'Alice in Wonderland'. They had read it several times.
"Maybe after dinner we can get it started."
No sooner had dinner ended then Susie followed William to the parlor. She climbed onto his lap as he sat in his favorite chair.
He opened the book and began-"Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer's wife." After several pages William began to nod off.
"Shall I read some now, William?" asked Susie, who had been able to read a little when she was adopted at four, but now had become quite skilled at it, although from time to time she had to ask William a new word.
William jerked his head up. "Oh, yes, Sweetie. Read a couple of pages and then we both need to go to bed."
So Susie read to her father as he struggled to stay awake. At last he stopped her. "Tomorrow Susannah. I'm too tired and so are you," he noted as she yawned.
Every night Susie insisted that they read her new book. Mostly William read, but Susie would read a little bit when William tired.
Julia would sit on the sofa as they read, smiling to herself as she read her own book. It delighted her that William had embraced fatherhood so wholeheartedly. He truly enjoyed every moment he spent with his little girl. It took several weeks to finish the book and Susie seemed sad to see it end.
"William, I like the stories where the little girl is the hero, like Dorothy and Alice."
"Then we'll have to find you another like that."
Not long after finishing the Oz book, Julia came home with another surprise.
"Guess what's playing at the Shaftsbury Theatre?"
Susie and William looked at her expectantly.
Finally William said, "Well what? Don't keep us in suspense."
Julia grinned mischievously, reached in her pocket and pulled out tickets, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. And we have tickets."
Susie shrieked with glee. "Oh, Julia! Really? Can we all go?"
"Yes little one. And Uncle George and Aunt Emily are coming too."
William smiled too, if only at the delight of his little daughter.
It was the first time Susie had ever gone to the theater and she had been excited all day thinking about it. Julia had gotten them both new dresses, in same color of blues. And for a lark she had gotten William a new necktie in the same shade of blue as well. Blue was definitely his color. To make a real treat out of the evening for Susie they were having dinner at a restaurant near the theater with George and Emily.
Little Susie's eyes were bright all evening. On the carriage ride home she sat on William's lap excitedly talking about the play.
"I liked the Cowardly Lion best, didn't you?"
"He was quite magnificent," agreed William.
Susie's enthusiasm was contagious and all three of the Murdochs were laughing and reviewing the evening's undertaking.
On Sunday William rose early, helped his daughter dress and they set off for church. Julia almost never joined them and usually slept in on Sunday. As they were walking home William noticed the dark gathering clouds as the wind picked up.
"Looks like quite a storm brewing. We'd better hurry." He picked up Susannah and quickened his step.
As they arrived home Julia met them at the door.
"Thank god you got home before the weather broke."
She and William went through the house pulling the window shutters tight. When they finished William looked around for Susie.
"Where is she?" he spoke with an edge to his voice.
Julia called from the kitchen. "William, she's out by the gazebo."
"I'll get her. Go into my office. It has the least windows and will be the safest. We'll be there shortly."
William ran outside. By now the wind was blowing so hard he found it difficult to walk.
"Susannah come here. We have to get inside."
"Daddy, I can't find Dinah!" she cried. Dinah was her cat.
"It's alright, Sweetie. Animals are smart. She'll find a place to hide."
He picked her up and ran toward the house. Debris blew past them as the wind got even stronger. As he reached the back door, Susie looked over his shoulder.
"Daddy! There she is. Under the 'zebo. Oh, Daddy! Get her."
William set her down onto the kitchen floor and looked back at the cat cowering under the gazebo steps.
"Please, Daddy!"
"Alright. But you go to your mother in my office. Now!"
"Thank you Daddy."
"Go. Go."
William ran back out as the storm, wind and rain, opened up full force. He knew he shouldn't but he could almost never say no to his daughter.
Of course as he approached the cat pulled back just out of his reach.
"Dinah! Please!" he said, exasperated.
Finally he was able to reach a paw. He grabbed her and turned to run back to the house. The wind almost stopped him, it was so strong. He reached the house and just as he pulled the door open a tree limb borne by the wind struck him hard in the head. He dropped the cat and fell face down half in and half out the kitchen door.