Excerpt



UNKNOWN



By
Veronica Kegel-Coon





“WATCH OUT! HE’LL KILL YOU!” HE CRIED



He was one of the most important beings I encountered in my life. You’ll probably tell me I‘m crazy and not remembering things right. But I still can see Cole’s handsome face. He was such a vigorous bright little boy with bright blue eyes and blonde hair. e was tall for his age but not gangly. Thinking of him makes my heart stop.

Moving to our new ranch style house, I sensed my parents’ excitement. However, I’d liked my old school and neighborhood. Our old row home had been perfect. But, now we’d have a bigger house and yard. Dad said everything was going to be better. And I didn’t believe him.

While he and Mom bustled into our new flat house, I hung around the station wagon watching a couple walk past with a pit bull on a leash. The dog had a big black spot over one eye, and when I looked at him, he stopped in his tracks and snarled.

“Hey, stop it, Edgar!” The mousy haired woman yelled brushing lint off her flannel jacket and her denim skirt. “She’s a kid. She won’t hurt you.”

The dog continued to bark ferociously, while I felt my own skin crawl. Why was he so nasty?

He started to run toward me, but then the big burly man with curly black hair and a grizzly beard pulled the leash. All of a sudden, the dog squealed.

“I’m sorry,” the woman called. “He won’t hurt you.”

I nodded while the cursing man pulled the beast away. I stood dumbfounded watching the couple retreat.

“Watch out, he’ll kill you!” a squeaky voice behind me quipped.

I turned around to see a lovely looking boy jump down from the big oak tree behind my house. He wore denim jeans and a chambray shirt. I noticed his sneakers were gray and dirty, and the boy had a peculiar odor.

“How did you get up there?” I asked pointing to the branches.

“I’ve always been a pretty good climber,” he snickered motioning for me to follow him up the tree. “From my perch, you can see the entire town, and you notice all sorts of little things about people’s lives.”

Climbing the tree, we talked about parties, school, pets, people, rocks, and tree houses. Cole told me his name and all about the kooky neighborhood people.

I listened with rapt attention while he talked about his adopted parents’ problems. They fought a lot. I told him how my mother was never satisfied with what she had.

“That dog doesn’t know how I am, and Libby’s so scared of her man, Jack, she’s not going to say anything about what happens when they’re alone.” His tone was fierce.

“How do you know about them?” I asked.

He laughed. “I see everything. Just like I know you’re a girl with a good heart, and genuine concern for others. You’re also full of life. Not many girls like to climb trees. And I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where do you live?” I asked licking my lips inhaling sweet apple blossom scent.

“I live in back of your house. But I’m not allowed to have visitors. So we’ll have to meet here and play whenever we can. I’ll even teach you how to fish in the creek.”

Before I could answer, my mom called me for dinner. So I bade good-bye. While eating, I told my parents about Cole and how he wanted to teach me to fish. I also told them about the mean dog. Then the doorbell rang.

“Stay away from nasty dogs,” Mom snapped before rising from her chair to go open the front door to a skinny blonde lady who introduced herself as Helen Leroy.

She bantered some pleasant welcome after presenting my mother with a pound cake. Suddenly, she noticed me and my dad at the table. Then her eyes quickly welled up with tears as she waved to me.

Turning to leave, my mother placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“I guess I am,” the woman replied. “I suffer so much pain still remembering what I‘ve been through these last four years.”

Then before uttering another word, she bolted out the door. My mother followed. I couldn’t hear what they said. But I heard her crying. Mom tried to console her. I’d ask Cole tomorrow about Helen Leroy. I was sure he’d know her troubles.

My father talked about school. I mumbled something, too absorbed with the wailing woman. I talked about Cole. Dad smiled.

“Well, this boy sounds like a nice fellow,” he quipped.

The next day was summer’s end. I looked for Cole everywhere. But, I couldn’t find him. Meandering the streets behind my house, I tried to figure out where he lived. His directions had been vague.

Then I saw the creek with different colored fish. I knelt down on the bank to watch them. I’d always wanted to learn how to fish. Hopefully, Cole could teach me.

Staring into the water, I heard his voice. “I thought I’d find you here.”

I glanced up to see Cole, hands on hips beside me. “How did you get here?”

“I followed you thinking you’d be looking for my home.” His voice was soft as he touched my cheek. “What’re you doing here?”

“I was thinking about school tomorrow, and wondering what Mrs. Leroy said.” I licked my lips before adding, “And I’m glad to see you.”

“Good,” he stammered. “I bet she cried a blue streak to your mom. Don’t worry. She always does that.”

“Why?” I asked chewing my lower lip. “I don’t understand.”

“You’ll know soon. But, I‘m here now to give you fishing lessons.”

I grinned feeling my heart pound against my chest. “Good, I want to learn.”

“Let’s start!” he cried grabbing a rod from behind a tree.

I can’t tell you how long we were there. But he taught me to caste and bait, and I remember the two of us down by the water laughing and yelling. He explained I’d catch more fish if I got up at dawn since fish were early risers.

“You want to catch fish, you’ve got to think like one,” he whispered reeling in a big fat sunny.