Troll Brother

by P. Edward Auman

  ~~~

  As the assembly of five poured over the map Rick had spread out, Marissa explained her appearance.

  “Actually, no, it’s not like my ears were burning really. It’s more like the idea of what you were saying comes to me. Since trees and stones don’t actually have ears it isn’t as though they can repeat exactly what you said word for word.”

  “So then, which tree were you out there that you could hear us inside?” Mrs. Johansson asked the young girl.

  “No, no. I just had the trees relay what your little Ficus in the corner of your living room was getting. It does take a little time, but I could tell early on you were going to need my help.” She smiled at Robert, “I didn’t know Rob had actually said my name because I was already on my way over…at least until you said so just now.”

  Robert wished he’d not asked the question a few minutes earlier amid the curiosity of the Johansson family at large. He blushed a little at having given away that he’d been speaking of her.

  To redirect the attention he asked, “How long have you been listening in on us anyway?”

  “Oh! Just since we talked yesterday. It’s not like I was spying on you!” Marissa retorted defensively.

  “Hmmm…” Rick said through his hands clasped together in front of his mouth. “It sort of seems that way.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I was just listening to see what you were going to do about Ricky. If it wasn’t about that I really didn’t pay attention,” a bit of his own mother’s red-headed temperament seemed to be showing through Marissa’s beautiful countenance. “It’s not like I really care about all that boy stuff anyway. And…it really does take the trees a long time to get an idea across.”

  “What boy stuff?” Kile asked, folding his arms in front of his chest as he had earlier in the table conversation.

  “Like the helicopter and stuff…” Marissa realized she’d let slip a little too much information.

  While all three “men” at the table smirked at each other and Dad nodded accusingly, Mrs. Johansson came to the rescue.

  “You know, it’s not like we girls don’t need a little information about you crazy boys. So lay off!” she said.

  “Thank you Mrs. Johansson,” Marissa mumbled and then picked up the cup of lemonade she’d been given and took a few sips.

  “What kind of information?” Robert pushed.

  “Well, I’m certain I don’t know what all you and Marissa have talked about, but if a young lady wanted a certain young man to notice her, she’s probably got to be fairly versed about the toys he’s interested in! Why do you think I let your dad go on so much about motorcycles? I’ve got to stay connected to him somehow or he’d be out in the garage playing all the time.”

  “That’s probably true,” Rick nodded and smiled, also taking a sip of his own lemonade.

  Kile and Robert looked at each other and giggled a little.

  “Do you happen to know anything about fashion or hair styles?” Mom said, looking straight at Robert. Then, while still holding his gaze, she swatted her husband’s shoulder and asked a question probably more directed to him. “And do you ever listen to me tell you about a romantic comedy I want to go see? NO! Of course not! So, give a girl a break if she was just trying to learn a little more about you!”

  Marissa had increasingly slunk into the depths of her little kitchen chair about as far as she could go while Mom had berated the boys. She mumbled a “Thank you, Mrs. Johansson” again, considerably more meagerly. Mom nodded curtly and offered a “you’re welcome.” Robert looked to Dad for support, which in turn just snickered and shook his head. Robert wasn’t sure if that was a refusal to help or a revel in the fact that it wasn’t entirely him taking the heat from Red for once.

  “And that brings us to our next question,” Mom moved forward more calmly. “What are your parents going to think about this Marissa?”

  “Well…” Marissa looked around the room for support for what looked like may be her own argument with Mrs. Johansson. Finding none, she decided to come clean. “My dad really doesn’t know anything. But he’s away this weekend anyway. But I kinda told my Mom what’s going on and she knows I’m planning on going with you up the mountain.”

  “Is that right?” Mr. Johansson spoke up. “And what happens if you get hurt. Does your Mom realize exactly what we’re dealing with?”

  “Um…Yes. I think she does, actually.” Marissa turned awkwardly and looked at the Ficus in the corner. It dropped a leaf but otherwise did not appear to be respondent.

  All of the Johanssons understood her meaning though. One or two wondered if perhaps her mother was able to keep tabs on them as they went about their little escapade through the forest. If so that could come in handy…if something really terrible happened. But the thought was tucked away for the time being.

  “Alright then…” said Rick Jr. “Let’s figure out how we’re going to make this trip.”

  The planning included supplies, a route and a backup route to get above the cliff face beyond the troll cave entrance and enter another at higher elevation if it became necessary, some food and drink, and some calls to each other in case anyone become separated. They agreed they’d await a return message from the Troll Queen this evening, but if no other input was to be had, they’d leave at 8:00 AM the following morning. At the last moment, after Marissa had returned home and the supplies and bags had been stacked at the back door, Kile made a suggestion.

  “Let’s bring the helicopter!”

  “What?! No…I’m not going to bring that along. It’s too big and we’re not going to have time to play anyway!” Robert responded.

  Dad was in the kitchen and merely stood, waiting to hear the rest of the idea from Kile.

  “But it’s perfect! I mean, what if we meet someone on the way, especially by the meadow and they’re wondering why we’re all up there?” Kile retorted. “We could tell them we are all just going up as a family to watch you try out the helicopter.”

  “Hmmm…” Rick said. “Seems like a good idea actually.”

  “Aaaanndddd…” Kile continued. “If we do hear some Goblins…or something else…maybe we could use it to distract them, or maybe scare them away?”

  Robert looked from troll to father. He could see they were in agreement, so he shrugged and nodded. Maybe it would be a good chance to really try it out too. He found himself wishing he’d had a small wireless camera or something that they could use to spy with the copter. But he didn’t and they had no more time to go purchase one or setup Mom’s laptop to make use of it.

  After a small dinner, the Johanssons and a troll all went to bed. But none of them really slept until late into the early morning hours.