Previously I do not own Molly of Denali, or any of the characters contained within this story. Molly of Denali is the property of Kathy Waugh and Dorothea Gillim.
I look forward to the reviews and criticisms (I know there will be some). I hope you enjoy the story, and just like the cartoon on PBS Kids, I am trying to stay true to the characters as shown each and every day. I am also including real elements like they've done on the show (racism, environmental, life, and death, etc..). I hope you like this when I start to repost the chapters.
Please review all of my stories. Feedback would give me ideas I can use for not only this story but for future ones. Thank you for your time and happy reading.
My story takes place in 2021 when Molly is twelve, Tooey is twelve and Trini is nine.
Revelations of the Heart and Mind
"Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I am glad they found each other." Daniel softened his voice. "Just not the way they found each other." Daniel mentioned.
Mr. and Mrs. Atalaw shared a glance. "Totally understandable, Mr. Mumford. We'll talk to him when he comes back." Mr. Atalaw said. "Please don't be hard on him, from what Trini mentioned it was purely an accident. Had the nurses been at the station it would have bee avoided." Daniel assured them.
"That is true Mr. Mumford, but on the bright side, had they been there Trini and Robbie would never have met. Who knows they may even become good friends." Mrs. Atalaw said smiling. "We'll see, have a good trip back to Nenana. Take care." Daniel told them shaking hands with each of them before he left.
"You too Mr. Mumford, from what you said about Trini's injuries, I am glad she is in the best of hands." Mrs. Atalaw said.
Daniel looked at the station and noticed that it was full of nurses. Thinking to himself he walked over to the station. "Excuse me ladies, is the station always staffed?" He asked. "Yes, sir, it is staffed 24 hours a day. If I may ask, why?" The nurse asked with a curious expression on her face. "Was just wondering, thanks." Daniel told her walking towards Trini's room. "Hey kids, having a good chat?"
Trini smiled when her father entered the room. "We sure are dad. Robbie has to go home today. I was just telling him about how I won't be going home until tomorrow. Where did you go after eating your sandwich dad?" Trini asked, raising her eyebrow.
Daniel looked at her, and smiled, "You caught that huh. I am sorry about the sandwich, and you weren't able to have one too. I'll eat whatever you're having or similar foods until you can have the same thing I can eat too." Trini nodded, "Okay dad,"
"Robbie, I was just talking with your parents." Robbie and Trini shared a look as they were listening. "I already knew he was going home Trini. Nice people. I am glad you're okay and have no permanent injuries. I am glad you and Trini met mostly." They shared another look.
"They had finished talking with the doctors when I got there. The doctors were leaving. We talked for a few minutes. They wanted me to let you know whenever you're finished the doctors will begin the discharge process. So, take your time. It won't start until you get there. Okay?" Daniel mentioned taking a seat in the recliner.
"Thank you, sir. I guess I should get there and go home." Robbie said, standing up. "Nice meeting you Trini, call me whenever, okay?" "Sure thing, Robbie." Robbie waved, turned, and walked out of the room. "Nice boy, isn't he Trini?" Daniel asked Trini as she watched Robbie leaving the room.
"Yep, I like him. He was nice. He gave me his phone number, so I gave him ours. I hope that was okay?" Trini sheepishly asked. "It's fine Texas. I am glad you have other friends besides the kids in Qyah. Just like you have friends and family in Texas you can also call." Daniel reminded her.
Trini nodded. "Did Robbie tell you why he was in the hospital?" Daniel asked, watching her reaction. Trini reached back for her bear and placed it in front of her and hugged it, "Yes, he told me that he accidentally fell into the river and almost drowned. He mentioned that he woke up here yesterday I think." Trini admitted. She had a feeling he was going to ask about Robbie." She thought to herself.
"Okay, I was just wondering if he had told you. That is something I don't think you've heard before." Trini listened as she thought about everything Robbie had been telling her. "We had a good conversation. I like him." She said to her father. "I'm just glad he didn't drown." Trini whispered to herself, holding the bear close.
"I'll be back, I'll check and see if the laptop is available for you to talk to your friends. Okay, honey?" Daniel asked standing up. "Yes please, I would like that, thanks dad." Trini said in a monotone voice hugging the bear harder.
Tooey looked at the clock in the microwave. It was almost nine in the morning. "Molly had been gone for about an hour and a half. She should be returning in just a little bit. While she was gone, he was able to do the dishes. He also put them away without too much pain.
He was standing up against the counter and looking in the cabinets. "I wonder if I should make pancakes. Will she like them? I think she would. Oh, I wonder if there's some sausage left over from breakfast on Friday last week?" He wondered as he pulled the box of pancake batter from the cabinet. Leaving it on the counter, he sat back down onto the chair behind him and rolled next to the refrigerator.
Opening it, he locked the wheels and stood again. Looking in the freezer. "I know mom had them somewhere unless we already ate them just before we left for Nenana." Not finding any, "I guess we did." He thought aloud. "What else could I add instead of sausage? Maybe bacon, I know she'd like that. Oh, or maybe reindeer bacon, we should still have that." He remarked sitting down and wheeling over to the deep freezer.
"I have no idea why we have this, just take the meat, and put it outside, I mean we have a freezer that can hold more than this thing could outside, and it doesn't cost a thing to use. Perfect from October to April." As he was talking aloud again. He looked towards the door and saw Molly entering the house.
Smiling, he motioned for her to come closer. After stowing her parka on the hook and removing her boots. She padded over in her socks. "Need help with something Tooey?" Shaking his head, he patted the seat at the dining room table as he wheeled alongside the chair he had pointed to.
Molly sat in the chair, "What's on your mind Tooey?" Tooey smiled, "My usual answer would be nothing, but in this case, it just so happens to be you I have on my mind." Joining him in smiling. "Really, what about me, were you thinking about?" She asked blushing from head to toe.
"Breakfast actually. Pancakes, and reindeer bacon. Is that something you would like to have right now?" Molly brightened immediately, "Yes, I would love to have pancakes and reindeer bacon. Do you need help making it?"
Looking at the pancake batter box on the counter next to the stove, and the package of bacon on his lap. "I was hoping to have this done for you by myself, but I can't stand for too long without my legs getting tired. I had to take two breaks while you were gone." He said looking back to his lap. She shook her head and tapped him on the shoulder. He looked up,
"Teekkone, I would love to help you, I don't mind." She leaned forward and Tooey leaned forward as well. "Beside I would do anything for you, especially when it comes to helping my…" She stopped talking, not sure if she should be saying this until she was sure of their relationship.
Tooey raised an eyebrow, "Did you mean to say boyfriend?" He asked her looking her in the eye. Molly didn't answer, just reached into his lap, and picked up the bacon he had there.
She walked towards the kitchen. She observed him for any signs of excitement. She was not disappointed. He was still wearing pajamas, and it was hard to miss.
"Tooey, do you want to change your clothes before we eat or afterwards?" Looking at his clothes, "Afterwards, that way if I get dirty the clothes I'm wearing can be changed." He said smiling.
"Okay, want to help make the pancakes?" I can already start the bacon. I just have to place them into the pan." She pointed out. Reaching under the counter and finding the griddle for the pancakes. "Sure thing," he mentioned getting a bowl for the pancake mix.
Minutes later, a bowl of pancake mix was ready by the griddle, and bacon was in the pan sizzling away. Molly poured a few circles of the batter onto the griddle. As the bubbles were forming, she walked over to the chair and pushed it in front of the stove. She helped Tooey to stand up. Once he was steady. She put the spatula into his hand and kissed his cheek as she walked to the sink.
Tooey flipped the pancakes over and turned to see Molly getting the plates and utensils out for their breakfast. He finished flipping the cakes a second time and then sat down, since his legs were getting tired again.
Once situated, he saw that Molly had finished getting the plates, forks, and knives and placed them onto the table. She walked over and relieved him of the spatula. She lifted each cooked pancake onto a plate set aside for them.
She poured another round of batter onto the griddle before helping Tooey stand again. Once the cakes were flipped a second time, she helped him back into the chair.
She pushed him to the table. Seeing that the batter was finished, she placed the bowl into the sink. Getting the plate with the stack of pancakes, she placed them onto the table, alongside some butter, syrup, napkins, and juice.
Before sitting down, she made sure that all of the burners were off, and the griddle and pans were placed on unused burners to cool before taking a seat at the table with Tooey.
Tooey smiled as he watched Molly. He thought to himself, "She would make a good wife to a lucky man someday." He wondered as he asked her, "Why did you keep helping me to stand when all I had to do was flip the pancakes?"
"You said you wanted me to help, not do all of it myself. I was not going to squander a moment when I could put you to work now am I?" Molly smiled broadly.
"Tooey, you mentioned that last night was like us having a date. I didn't agree because I didn't make dinner, dad did. However," she said as she smiled. "We made this together. I was glad to help, I just hope you like it."
"Molly I would love anything you do. You put everything you have into it. From finding "Totally Hidden Hot Springs" to fixing the camera on Eagle Egg night. I am a lucky man to have a life that includes you." Molly's eyes glistened as her heart filled. "Thanks, Tooey, let's enjoy this before it gets cold."
As they were eating, Molly and Tooey stole glances at the other. Sometimes making eye contact and sometimes not but still smiling the whole time they enjoyed their breakfast.
"Mr. Mumford, the computer will be coming your way in about fifteen minutes. Okay?" the nurse told them. "Thank you." Daniel said from the recliner putting down his book.
Trini perked up from her contemplation of what Robbie had told her. "I know about suicide because I read about what had happened to New York, and DC twenty years ago." She thought absentmindedly crushing and releasing the bear she had been holding since he left about a half hour ago.
"People didn't want to die in the fire and instead jumped from the building. I had to get permission from mom and dad so I could see the film. It scared me then because I was young and didn't understand what I was seeing. Now I am nine, and I understand those things and I can see how that may affect people." Trini sighed heavily as she continued thinking.
"I don't think Robbie is like that. He doesn't seem like the kind of person to want to hurt themselves like that. He told me he didn't. I need to talk to dad about this." She thought to herself.
"Can people be wrong about someone even when they don't know them?" She quickly blurted out. Daniel, returning to the book, didn't catch everything Trini had asked him. "I'm sorry Texas, what did you say again?"
Taking a cleansing breath, "Dad, can people be wrong about someone when they just met them?" Hearing her he thought for a moment, "Trini, is there something Robbie told you that is confusing you?" he asked, watching her reaction.
Keeping her expression neutral, she looked at Daniel and tried smiling but failed. "Yes, he told me that the doctors think he was trying to kill himself." Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. His greatest fear did come true. "Trini, I am sorry he told you that—" "I'm not angry because he told me that. I know things like that can happen. We hear that a lot on the news, and where mom works sometimes. My question is, why would people think that about him? When he said to them, he wasn't. Why don't they believe him?" she asked, looking at her father with a sad expression on her face.
"Trini, I know we've heard about people that think that because of bullying and not being able to manage what life has given them. I just don't know what to think. Here it seems like a simpler life, I don't see any reason for him to feel that way. However, the doctors may know something about him we don't. I mean you only just met him yourself. Is this the first time he's been to this hospital? There's a lot we just don't know Texas." Daniel pleaded with her.
"I know dad, it just doesn't feel like he's like that to me. I was just asking." Trini said hugging the bear and turning over on the bed covering her head. At that moment, the nurse appeared with the laptop. "Mr. Mumford, I have the computer. It's your turn." Seeing the mood Trini was in, "I think you can give it to the next person. We'll get it the next time around. Please put us back on the list." He said.
"Sure thing, Mr. Mumford." She said as she was leaving the room. Once the nurse had gone, Daniel heard a muffled call coming from the bed. "Dad, I could have still called my friends, I am not that depressed by what we have been talking about. I was just thinking about it."
"Oops, sorry, Trini bear. You'll get to talk to them later when you're in a better frame of mind for talking. Okay?" Trini uncovered her head. "Okay." Covering her head again.
'I have never had a meal where I was more interested in the company than I was the food.' Tooey pointed out rolling his chair by the sink and placing them onto the counter for Molly to place in the sink. Molly smiled as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. She stood with her own plate and placed it into the sink before placing Tooey's plate in as well.
Molly watched as Tooey turned his chair, angling to the bottom of the stairs and waited for her. She added some dish soap and filled the sink with water. When full, she dried her hands and walked over to the stairs. "How can I help you little wolf?" Reaching forward and pulling himself up, "I have to use the bathroom and then I need a bath. Since wearing these braces is really sweaty. Mom mentioned that they need to be washed every couple of days. Well, today is day two." Tooey said, wincing as he tried to push the chair away from the steps and failing.
Molly walked over to his right side, and he used his left to brace himself as they went up the stairs towards the bathroom. "I'll get the chair once I have you in the bathroom." She informed him.
Returning to the bottom floor, she struggled to get the chair up the stairs. Tooey heard Molly struggling a bit before she appeared in the doorway with the chair. "Molly is this causing you too much trouble?" Shaking her head, "No, I am not bothered by this." He noticed that she held her head as she was talking.
"Molly, is your head still hurting you?" Molly turned away from him but still placed her hand on the bridge of her nose, and then the side of her head. "Yes, I am still in pain and have a massive headache. When I was coming up the steps, I got light-headed."
"Have you taken your medication this morning? When I woke up you hadn't taken anything unless you took some before you woke me up." Molly turned towards him. He saw the pain in her expression. "No, I didn't take anything, I just need to take a pill before I do anything else."
Tooey was about to say something when Molly nearly pushed him into the bathtub. She quickly dropped to her knees and threw up into the toilet she luckily had uncovered before letting loose. Tooey watched as she hurled a couple more times. Reaching forward he made sure her hair was not in her face when she was doing this. With her face still in the toilet, "Thanks Tooey, that really helps."
"Just trying to do something rather than just sit here. Feeling better now? What made you sick? Was it the breakfast we just ate?" Molly, not trusting her stomach, just shook her head. "Atsaq told me about concussions and one of the major symptoms is possibly nausea, which can lead to throwing up. I was expecting this to happen at some time. I just didn't know when." Molly said dry heaving once or twice.
"Oh, I thought it was the food I suggested that didn't agree with you. I was going to apologize for suggesting breakfast in the first place." Molly turned towards him as she was wiping her mouth with a towel. "You did everything right. Today's just been about seeing how we are with each other. I think it has been a great experiment. At least I like it. How about you?" She asked with a flushed face.
"I like it as well. I would kiss you, but you just threw up and even to me that seems kind of gross." The look she gave Tooey could have melted steel, but since she was also smiling it was turned down from nuclear to simmering.
"I should kiss you just because you said it would be gross." Tooey looked around quickly and realized he could not run. He scrunched up his face and received a kiss on the cheek. "Go ahead, say ewww or something like that and I'll push you into the tub and turn on the water. Cold water." Molly smiled posturing for pushing him in.
"Looking down and seeing the tub, he held up his hands in surrender, "That comes later I need to use the toilet if you're finished with it." He asked. "I'm done, now I need to brush my teeth and get the taste and smell out of my mouth." She admitted breathing into her hand and sniffing. "Uggh, that is really bad." She thought to herself.
She stood up, gave Tooey a wry smirk. Tooey held his hands in front preventing Molly from getting closer. You are so lucky, I like you." She said walking out and closing the door. "Actually, you love me." He yelled at the closed door.
"Thanks again Layla, I am sorry you have to fly me back almost every day. I know it costs a lot in gas." Layla rolled her eyes as she walked over and hugged her best friend. "Atsaq, I am at your disposal, besides just like the book the kids had written. I have been serving the area for twelve years. I will continue to serve as long as I can fly this plane." She indicated patting the side of her bush plane. "I read the same book, I like how it also included Joy, since she helped that hiker a couple of years ago on Denali." Atsaq reminisced.
"What time are you going to be returning to the hospital?" Layla asked stowing her gloves and glasses. "About seven or seven-thirty should be fine. We'll arrive just after breakfast, and I can do my final check-up before discharging Trini and bringing her home."
"You got it." Layla mentioned smiling and walking into the Trading Post. Inside she saw Walter at the front desk, he had the computer in front of him. Going behind the counter, she noticed that he was not using it. "Walt, is Molly back from Tooey's yet?"
Looking up he saw his wife, "No, she hasn't come back yet. I think she'll be back soon since Atsaq will be taking over helping Tooey. Molly can come home and take a break."
Reaching out he hugged her hard, "Has the flights been hard since Rowley, and Patak have been keeping the runway clear?"
"No, not especially, no more than usual, the winds have been tricky but nothing I can't manage." Layla remarked kissing Walter on the cheek as he hugged her. "Let me find out when she'll be back. Okay?" Walter asked, picking up the Trading post phone.
"Molly, it's dad, Mom just got here and Atsaq should be on her way there. You can come home and rest since she'll be there." Molly looked around the shed where the dogs were being housed due to the blizzards. Okay, when I finish taking care of the dogs. I'll be right there. Bye dad." She said, ending the call.
"She said once she's done feeding the dogs she'll be right back here." Walter informed her. Layla nodded. "What's for breakfast / lunch she asked looking at her watch. It's lunchtime, want anything specific?" she asked, turning towards the stairs leading to the upstairs living area. "Whatever, you like honey."
"Moose burgers, fries, and a cabbage slaw it is." Layla said laughing as she ascended the stairs. Walter quickly ran up behind her and immediately hugged her from behind. "Honey just wanted you to know that I miss you whenever you go on these long runs. Whether it's to the hospital or anywhere else." Walter said as he buried his face into her hair.
"I still haven't figured out how to get you and dad back since you both scared the daylights out of me, twice before. Actually, three since you simply scared me again just now" Layla said turning a wry grin towards him. "I thought you were hungry. I can't prepare anything if you're holding me like this."
"Just another moment longer, being away from you is very distressing and holding you made it less painful and worrisome." Walter told her. "I can make it painless, all you have to do is come upstairs and help me make lunch." Our daughter will be back soon. Okay?" Layla said trying to turn to face him, but he held her fast. "Sounds good to me. Lead the way." Walter said, releasing her and taking her hand.
Molly put the rest of the food back onto the shelves. She looked around and saw the dogs were busy eating. Absentmindedly, she walked among the dogs and placed her hand on each in turn and petted them. The whole time, she wasn't really paying attention to what she was doing. Each dog licked her hand as she passed them.
"I wonder if I need to talk to mom and dad. Does the discussion on the facts of life really cover this situation? Am I forgetting something they had told me, or should I ask for clarification?" Molly contemplated everything as she retrieved her parka and got dressed again before she opened the door.
The bitterly cold wind entered the shed briefly as she pulled the door closed. Grabbing the guide rope, she made her way to the house. Entering the house, she placed her parka onto the hook. "Just coming from the shed, I feel really cold. I wonder if he's finished with his bath. Atsaq should be here in a bit or a few depending on when dad had called me" She thought to herself as she looked around the living room and noticed it was 11:38am.
"I'll go check on him first before I go back home." Molly thought to herself as she ascended the stairs. Seeing the bathroom door closed, she knocked on it a couple of times and waited. A second later she heard, "Come in."
Opening the door, "Dad just called he told me that our moms have arrived and Atsaq should be here in a few minutes." Tooey looked up from the chair in front of the bathtub that was filling with hot water. "I can't reach the cold, could you please?" Tooey pleaded with her. Noticing his pajamas were bunched up above his knees. She reached over him and turned on the cold water. A few moments later, the steam began to subside.
"Need help with the braces?" Molly asked kneeling in front of him. "Yes, please." Tooey lifting his legs slightly. After removing his braces, she helped him to remove his pajamas and underwear. Molly removed them gingerly before placing them into the hamper. Looking up she saw that he was ready
"Did I hurt you?" She asked suspecting she had. He was wincing as she was asking him. "If I am hurting you, why aren't you telling me, so I don't cause you pain?"
"I don't say anything because no matter how gently you try the rolling or pulling parts there's nothing that can prevent my thigh from flexing, which is what causes the most pain. So, I just grin and bear it." Tooey said finally smiling.
"Grin and bear it? You look like if it weren't for our boyfriend/girlfriend ship you would have probably been calling me everything under the sun, if it were out of course." Molly indicated pointing to the bathroom window, which was still dark.
"I would never call you anything except, Molly, Nani, Shahnyaa, or if I was allowed Molly Doodle like your dad does." Tooey told her as he was smiling and watching her.
"If you're looking for a pet name to call me, how about Shaeeyaa, "Shimmering Star. I think I would like it if you called me your Shaeeyaa." She told him blushing.
"My Shimmering Star, I like it." Tooey said trying it out for size. "I guess you already have a name you call me that I like." Tooey said matter-of-factly. "What name is that?" Molly asked confused.
"Teekkone, I know it's not actually a nickname, my nickname is Tooey, but you calling me by my first name sounds good coming from you."
He smiled again. "Well, Teekkone, ready for the bath?" she asked as she leaned forward and turned off the cold water. She assessed the water and found it to be comfortably warm.
"Yes, please my Shaeeyaa." he said, offering her his arm. She helped him to stand in front of the tub and braced him as he lifted his left leg and placed it into the tub. She adjusted her grip and held him around the waist in case his left leg slid in the tub. He lifted his right leg and placed it into the tub beside his other leg. Leaning down with him she guided him until he was sitting on the edge of the tub. He eased himself down the rest of the way.
Once he was in place, they heard the front door opening and closing. "Hello kids, I'm back." Atsaq said. "We're up here." They both said.
"Hand me the bubbles, before mom comes up here. I don't want the questions." Tooey asked. "Neither do I. I have to go Teekkone, have a good bath. I might come back tonight if I am needed." She told him handing the bottle to him and placing a kiss on his cheek.
Before she could react, he quickly turned his head and instead of his check she kissed his lips. She smiled and leaned forward and kissed him again properly.
"This still feels weird, but a good kind of weird." Molly thought to herself. Shyly she waved to him. "Until later Shaeeyaa." Tooey smiled as she closed the door and walked down the steps.
"Is Tooey okay? Was he any trouble? Tell me the truth." Atsaq asked smiling. "Atsaq, Teekkone was no trouble at all, I am getting used to being there for him. We made breakfast this morning and had a fun time doing it."
"Okay, Molly. I will be going back to the hospital for Trini in the morning. You can let your mom know if you can stay again tonight since he'll need you in the morning and I won't be here."
"Where's Kenji, I haven't seen him since we left for the hospital?" Molly asked. "Layla flew him and Nat to Nenana, they mentioned they'll be there a few days helping out the tribal chief there, since he helped so much when you guys were still lost."
"That's one thing I am glad Grandpa Nat taught me. Always be available to help when others go out of their way to help you." Molly smiled as she put on her parka.
Shaeeyaa = Shimmering Stars, comic book hero created by Molly.
Yupik Dictionary
Waquaa! – Hello
Aana – Mother
Tua-Ingunnituq – Goodbye
Tuntuvak – Moose
Quyana – Thank you
Quyana Tailuci! – Thank you for coming
Gwich'in Dictionary
Sheggoya – My grandchild
Ti'yaa – My father
Dak Niighit – "She rises into the air" Layla Mabray's Native name.
Shchada – My grandfather
Dinjik – Moose
Khoh t'án - Rose
Shahnyaa – One who informs us – Molly's native name
Qaspeg – Tunic length, (falling between hip and knee length) hooded overshirt with a large front pocket