Hey guys, I know that that last chapter was a little intense, but wanted to show the depth of anger that young kids can exhibit, if that makes sense. Anyways, this'll be more light hearted for a while.
Tale of Cash
Part 41: Return to the woods
" I think it would be a good idea." Dave said. " I don't know. The girls grew up in Australia and the boys know their way around a forest, thanks to their visits with Vinny here when she was living in the woods." Ms. Miller. " Then what is the problem?" Dave asked. " I think what Rebecca is trying is that she is worried about Cash. As far as we know, Cash never spent time in a forest after I lost him that day. We don't know how he'll handle it. We'd basically be bringing him full circle, right back to where his origin story started." Vinny said. " Dave, It would be like making Katrina spend the night under that tree those poachers kidnapped her from.." Ms. Miller said. The kids had a three day weekend coming this weekend. It was Friday and so, it would begin tomorrow. " But, for what we need to take with us, we could be ready and gone in a matter of hours. We could leave tonight. The kids were to busy messing around in various rooms. Katrina sat and read a book at the head of Cash's bed, while he sat at the end of it playing video games. Theodore and Eleanor were making a small meal together. Simon and Jeanette were trying to study, but couldn't keep their eyes off each other. Alvin and Brittany were Racing each other back and forth across the back yard. However, now it was just for fun. A game between lovers." Well, Why don't we ask the kids what they think?" Vinny said. " But, What if Cash goes to that spot or where your tree was?' Dave said. " Dave, everyone has to return to where they came from at least once in their life. Maybe going back will finally shut the door that the incident opened so many years ago." Vinny said. " Alright. Simon Theodore, Cash, ALVIN! Come in the den please. The kids came from their various rooms and areas. " Whatcha need Dave?" Alvin asked. " Are we in trouble for something?' Theodore asked. "No dear. We want to ask you something. Primarily, we want to ask Cash something." Vinny said. " Ok, Shoot." Cash said. " We've been talking and Vinny I think it might be a good idea. Cash, how do you feel about going camping in the woods this weekend? Vinny seems set on showing you were your origin began and I think camping will be good for everyone to relax after your last adventure. After all, it's been one trial after another for the while. You kids just don't seem to get a break and we want to give you won. So, Cash what do you think?" Dave asked. " Well, to be honest, we have been talking it over at school. We think we need a retreat too. We've been hiding it, but we're constantly worn out. A nice camping trip would be just what we need to recharge our batteries. So, Let's do it!" Cash said. " Alright, Girls, we have to leave to get ready. Vinny, We'll drop you off so you can get ready too. " Ms. Miller said. ' Thank you Rebecca." We'll see you bright and early tomorrow. Let's say 10 o'clock?" Ms. Miller said. " Sure. " The boys said. The girls gave the boys little pecks on the lips to say goodnight and headed home. " And Cash?" Vinny asked. " Yeah mom?" " There is one more place I want to take you tomorrow. All four of you actually." " Alright?" Cash said. " See you tomorrow. Goodnight boys." " Goodnight mom. We love you!" Dave wasn't sure, but he thought Vinny looked worried about something.
Tale of Cash
Part 42: how we met
Everyone arrived and they all left as planned that Saturday morning. Mr. Franklin had given Dave an enormous RV. When asked what for, Mr. Franklin told him because Vinny said that boys said he had had his eye on a new one. The huge RV, as they were told, would also focus as their tour bus for their tour coming up this summer. Ms. Miller insisted upon bringing a photo album of the girls to show Vinny. Katrina had brought all of Mrs. Choy's most cherished pictures of her through out the years. " Look Vinny, Here the girls are when they were little babies." " My goodness, they were so tiny, but I guess they were large for chipmunks. Normal ones anyways. But we're not normal. We're, what did you call it Simon?" Vinny asked. " Anthropomorphic, mom. Meaning we are human-like animals." Simon said while going over old baby pictures of him and Jeanette. " Thank you dear. But Rebecca, if the girls didn't come here until they were young kids, how did you get baby pictures?" Vinny asked. " A girl named Olivia took care of them in Australia. She had them and when I met her years ago, she gave them to me." " ah, That makes sense." Vinny said. " Wow, Cash, you were so cute!" Eleanor remarked. " he's still cute Ely!" Brittany said. " Hey, you got Alvin, so keep off my man!" Katrina said." I didn't mean anything by it Katie. I just meant he's good looking is all. It must run in the family. Say, Vinny, was the boys dad good looking?" Brittany asked. ' Girls, look at Cash. Imagine him a little taller. There, now you have an idea of how Tom looked at Cash's age." " How old were you when you met him? " Jeanette asked. " Thirteen. I was fourteen when I had the boys. But, the ' teenage mom' thing doesn't apply to animals dears. Especially not in the forest." " we get it mom." Alvin said. " But mom, how did you meet dad?" Theodore asked. " Well, let's just say that Cash isn't the first heroic one in the family. You see I met your father when he saved my life. I was walking through the woods, looking for berries to prepare for my dinner. Then, a large bear jumped out at me. It was obviously a father watching the kids and I had stumbled to close to where the cubs were. I thought for sure I was a goner. But, Your father jumped in a hit the father bear incredibly hard with a large stick. I said ' You saved my life. I thought for sure he was going to eat me'. He said ' No problem. I couldn't let such a pretty young thing like you go to waste as a snack for a bear. Say, your like me. You can talk like those humans, huh?' I said' You really think I'm pretty?' " well, yeah. Actually, you're the first one not to run away when they discover I can talk. All the other lady chipmunks run from me, chattering something about me being a monster. Ha, So, what is your name anyways?' he said. ' Vinny.' ' Hmm, has a nice ring to it. My name is Thomas. You can call me Tom or Tommy.' He said. I invited him over to have dinner. Six months later, we declared ourselves what humans would call husband and wife. And a month or so after that, I became pregnant with the boys. Then, Tom got word of a strange man carrying a large metal pole that made lots of noise and fire burst out of it. Worst of all, this man with the 'fire stick', as the regular animals chattered about it, was coming after them. Tom tried to do the right thing and save a large family of rabbits. The hunter shot him as Tom was just getting the last baby rabbit to safety. After I got word, I wanted to be done with it. But, A close friend of mine, also a rabbit said not to. A week later, I gave birth to the boys. To me, Cash was like Tom reborn." " Wow, amazing!" all the girls said.