Pinecone Challenges -The Squirrel's Stash
I haven't had enough writing time to write anything lengthy, but have been playing over on Bonanza Brand with the Pinecone Challenges. Each month there is a prompt and the challenge is to write something no more than 500 words. This is the collection so far.
Thinking is the best way to travel
The Best Way To Travel by Mike Pinder (Moody Blues)
Adam leaned on his elbows and watched as Joe traced across the atlas. His eyes widened as he realised that Boston was all the way at the edge of the map. His finger paused at the spot that Adam had pointed out and tears welled in his eyes. Adam had explained the scale of the map, but he wasn't sure his explanation had really sunk in.
Joe sucked in a breath and tried to control his bottom lip. "But that's … that's like … forever away! It's almost as far as …" The words dropped to a whisper.
"It's almost as far as what, Joe?"
"Nothin'!" The sulky tone to the word wasn't lost on his brother. Ben had been watching proceedings, but had said nothing. They all knew that explaining things to Little Joe was going to be the hardest part of Adam's decision to head for college once the snows had cleared. Ben stared into the fire as he considered the long trek he and his tiny young son had embarked on all those years ago.
The sound of a chair scraping on the floor shook him back to the present. Joe was running towards the stairs as tears streaked down his cheeks. Adam hesitated for a moment as he watched his brother's retreating back. As he glanced at his father, he pushed out from the table and began climbing the stairs in pursuit of his brother. By the time he reached Joe's room, he could hear the sound of deep sobbing.
"Joe?" Adam pushed the door open and quickly made his way across the room. Joe had buried his face in the pillow and was trying in vain to stifle the tears. As Adam reached to rub his back, Joe shifted away from him. He refused to give up and pulled Joe upright and onto his lap. "Joe … what did you say downstairs?" He thought he knew, but wanted his brother to confirm it.
Finally the sobs slowed and Adam held out a handkerchief for him to wipe his face. As the last of the tears dribbled down his cheeks, Joe frowned at his brother.
"I ain't never gonna see you again!"
"Of course you will. It will just be a long time before I can come back."
"Mama didn't."
Adam wrapped his arm around Joe and tried to answer.
"Your mama went to Heaven, Joe."
"You said Heaven was too far to come back."
"It is, but Boston isn't anywhere near as far away as Heaven. Besides, you can travel there with me."
"Huh?" Joe stared at him and Adam hurried on.
"My teacher once said that thinking is the best way to travel. You can imagine everything from right here in the comfort of your own bed. You can keep track on the atlas with Pa and it'll be like you are right there with me. Until I come back home again."
Joe slowly smiled as he imagined traveling in the stagecoach with Adam.