by Joy Redmond
“Oh, Sweetie, I don’t know,” Nana said, scratched her head thoughtfully. “Pawpaw and I have a little money in savings, but don’t get your hopes up. Dr. Tegethoff might not be able to do anything, but I tell you what, I’ll call him on Monday, and if anything can be done, we’ll pool our money and—well, then we’ll see. Okay?”
“He’s in his office on Saturday, too,” I said. “Daddy has taken Maggie and Koda to him on Saturday’s. He can fix Baby Deer—I just know he can.”
“Honey, I have to talk to Pawpaw, first,” she said.
“Thanks, Nana,” I said and gave her a big hug before running outside to play.
We played hide-and-go-seek and tag, until Nana came outside and called us. We hurried to her before she had to resort to the two-name call.
“Baby Deer, what time do you have to be home?” Nana asked. “I don’t want your mama worried.”
“Deer don’t do time like people do,” said Baby Deer. “We come and go and eat and sleep when we want to.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Nana said. “But I think you need to be home before it gets dark, so you won’t lose your way.”
Baby Deer laughed. “Nana, deer can see really well at night. I can find my way home in the dark as good as I can in the day.”
Nana petted Baby Deer’s head and said, “Okay, but I want the girls to come inside, take a shower, and then help me make supper. They’ll come see you again tomorrow.”
Caitlin and I hugged Baby Deer and said goodbye.
“Bye, Caitlin. It was nice to meet you,” Baby Deer said happily. “Bye, Julia. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
I watched as Baby Deer scampered across the yard and headed down the dirt lane on his goofy hooves. I hoped that Dr. Tegethoff would be able to help him so that he wouldn’t have to be ashamed by being different or be embarrassed when the other deer laughed at him. I wiped my tears as he disappeared from sight.
DEER VILLAGE
Caitlin and I were in the back yard, hoping to see rabbits. We loved to watch the sweet rabbits scamper across the yard with their white tails in the air. And sometimes they kicked up their hind legs as if they were playing rabbit games.
“School is out!” we said, giving each other a high-five.
Then we went inside and saw Nana staring at the wall clock in the kitchen. “It’s ten minutes to five,” she said. “I still haven’t talked to Pawpaw, but I’m going to call Dr. Tegethoff’s office and see if he’s in.”
Nana went into the living room, looked around frantically, and said, “Where did I put the phone book?”
“On the end table by your rocker,” I said.
“Well, for crying out loud. If it was a snake it would have bitten me,” Nana said as she sat in the rocker. She adjusted her glasses and ran her index finger down the pages. “There it is,” she said, picking up the phone, pushing the numbers.
A few minutes later, Nana was describing Baby Deer’s affliction. Then she said, “I’d say he is about a month to six weeks old. Possibly two months. Uh-huh. I understand. Okay, I’ll call back in a few months. Thank you. Bye.”
“What did he say?” I asked, my heart racing.
“He said Baby Deer was too young and his bones are growing too fast right now, but when he’s six months old, the doctor will examine him and see if he can help.” She paused, then added, “But I have to tell you, he didn’t sound very encouraging. Regardless, we’re going to have to wait until at least October to find out. That’s five months from now.”
“Five months is a long time,” I said.
“It’ll seem like a long time, but October will be here fast enough. Now, I’ve got to get supper going, and you girls need to get in the shower,” Nana said.
Caitlin and I got into the shower and shampooed each other’s hair. By the time we were finished, Nana had supper ready.
After supper, we sat in the swing on the front porch until dark. We swatted mosquitoes that were biting without mercy. Nana said the mosquitoes were big enough to carry us off. We went inside and I set up the card table so I could teach Caitlin how to play checkers.
Nana sat in her rocker, rubbed her chin, and then slapped her thigh. “Heavens to Betsy, I forgot something important. We have to talk to Mama and Papa Deer. We can’t take their baby to a vet without asking if it’s okay with them!” She chuckled and said, “They might tell us to mind our own beeswax.”
My heart sank. Maybe they wouldn’t want Baby Deer to visit a people doctor. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind before. “Can we go talk to them now?” I asked. “I won’t sleep a wink until I know what they’re going to say.”
“Me either,” Caitlin said.
“You’re right girls,” said Nana. “I’ll drive the pickup to the creek. We’ll take a flashlight so we can see to cross the bridge and see our way in the woods. Do you know how to get to Deer Village, Julia?”
“I know the way. No problem,” I said.
“Put sweaters on. There are two in your dresser, Julia. It’s cold outside. I don’t want you to chill and catch your death,” Nana said, and headed for the hall closet to get her sweater.
Caitlin and I rolled our eyes, but wearing sweaters was a small price to pay to be able to talk to Mama and Papa Deer, so we ran to my bedroom and put them on.
Caitlin didn’t protest about going into the woods because she was excited about seeing Deer Village and meeting Mama and Papa Deer.
We hurried outside and climbed into the pickup. Nana tooted the horn, and Pawpaw stuck his head out of the barn door. Pawpaw spent his spare time in the barn working on old farm machinery and sharpening garden tools. Nana always said he had to have something to piddle with or he’d go crazy.
“We’ll be right back,” Nana yelled, without telling Pawpaw where we were going.
“Okay,” he said, waving his big hand before he returned to work.
Nana put the truck in gear and yelled, “We’re off!”
My heart pounded harder with each bump in the road. Caitlin nervously squeezed my hand. Nobody said a word until we got to the bridge.
Nana parked the pickup. “Come on girls,” she said. She jumped from the truck, and then held her hands toward Caitlin and me, and we jumped to the ground.
“Have you got the flashlight?” I asked, eying Nana’s hands.
“Oh, yeah,” Nana said, and reached under the front seat and picked up the flashlight. She turned it on high beam. “I think we’ll be able to see with this. Pawpaw bought it last week and I’ve never seen a flashlight with this much power. It’s more like a spotlight. We can see for miles.”
The high beam lit up the bridge as plain as daylight. I grabbed Caitlin’s hand and clung in case she decided to balk again. To my surprise, she trotted across the bridge, clinging to Nana’s coattail.
“You better not start bawling again when we get to the woods,” I said, and wagged my finger in her face.
“Grandnan, tell Julia to stop being a brat,” Caitlin said, and dropped my hand.
“Oh, hush, girls. This is no time to be in a snit with each other. This is serious and we better be thinking about what we’re going to say to Mama and Papa Deer. Now, get your brains in gear and use your heads for something besides a hat rack.”
On the other side of the bridge I said, “Nana give me the flashlight and I’ll lead the way from here.”
“How far is it?” Nana asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but it’s not far,” I said, shining the light and looking around for clues. “Watch your step. There’re a lot of roots on top of the ground here.”
After a few more steps, I spied the black nose. “Here it is,” I exclaimed. Then I whispered, “I forgot. We have to be quiet. We don’t want them to think we’re hunters. I’ll ring the doorbell.”
“Doorbell?” Nana asked.
“Yes, this is a doorbell,” I answered.
“Well, I don’t think hunters would ring a doorbell. Ring it,” Nana said.
I squeezed the no
se, but there was no answer. I squeezed again. Still no answer. Then I called out, “Mama Deer. Papa Deer. It’s me, Julia. Please open the door.” We waited a few more minutes, but there was still no answer.
Nana sighed and said, “They’re probably asleep. I guess we need to come back in the morning.”
Just then, I heard the front door squeak as it opened just a crack.
“Papa Deer, is that you?” I said softly. “It’s me, Julia. My cousin Caitlin and Nana are with me. Can we come in? We really need to talk to you.”
Papa Deer opened the door far enough for him to poke his head out. “Julia,” he said. “I’m happy to see you, but why did you bring other people to our house?” he said in a tone that wasn’t friendly.
“They mean you no harm. We have something really important that we want to talk to you about,” I said, fearing he was going to slam the door in my face. “Can we please come in?”
“Come in—I guess,” he said, eying Nana and Caitlin.
Baby Deer and Mama Deer were lying on piles of leaves. They jumped up when they saw us.
Baby Deer ran to my side and rubbed his nose up and down my arm. “I told Mama and Papa about meeting Caitlin today. They’re happy I have two people girls that I’m friends with,” he said.
As I rubbed Baby Deer’s ears I said, “Papa Deer, my nana wants to talk to you and Mama Deer. Please listen carefully and take time to think about your answer. It’s very important,” I said, and I felt tears welling.
As Mama and Papa Deer looked at each other curiously, Nana explained, “I have spoken to a doctor who may be able to help straighten Baby Deer’s hooves, but we’ll have to wait about six months. Then if he says he can help, Baby Deer would be able to run and play just like all the other deer.”
I held my breath as Mama Deer said softly, “You mean you want to take Baby Deer to a people doctor?” Her eyes rolled as if they were marbles, and I thought she was on the verge of fainting.
“Oh, Mama Deer, it’s okay,” I said. “The doctor is a people, but he takes care of animals. He loves animals and he’d do anything he could to help Baby Deer.”
There was a long pause, and every moment seemed like an eternity as we waited for either Mama or Papa Deer to say something.
Finally, Baby Deer broke the silence. “Mama, Papa, I trust Julia and Nana. They’d never hurt me or allow anyone else to hurt me, and if they say the doctor can help, I’d love to see what their people doctor can do.”
Mama and Papa Deer looked at each other, and though neither of them spoke, I could see tears in Mama Deer eyes. Finally, she said, “I’d love for Baby Deer to be able to run like the other deer.”
Papa Deer tucked his head as if he were in deep thought. Then he said, “I don’t think his hooves are a problem, but it seems I’m out-numbered.” Then he stepped closer to Nana’s side and asked, “How would a people doctor fix my buck?”
Nana admitted she wasn’t sure, and she wouldn’t know all the facts until we took Baby Deer to the doctor. She also explained there was a possibility nothing could be done.
Mama and Papa Deer walked away from us, huddled and whispered to each other. When they stopped talking, Papa Deer turned back to Nana and said, “Will you let us know when your people doctor wants to see him? Deer don’t do time like people, you know.”
“I’ll keep you posted as the months pass,” Nana said.
Baby Deer jumped up and down.
Mama Deer nudged him with her nose and said, “If it’ll make you happy, you can go.”
I blew my breath out before I turned blue. “Thank you Mama Deer. Thank you Papa Deer,” I said, and hugged their necks. “Nana and I will take good care of Baby Deer, and I promise the people-animal-doctor will fix him.”
Caitlin and I hugged the Deer’s and told them bye.
Nana rubbed their ears. “Thank you for trusting us. Well, it’s late and we need to get on our way.”
The Deer stood in the open door and watched as we walked away.
Back in the pickup, Nana said, “Goodness, for a while there, I didn’t know if Papa Deer was going to give his okay. I hope we didn’t get their hopes up for nothing.”
“Don’t worry, Nana,” I said. “Dr. Tegethoff will fix Baby Deer. I know he will.”
“Yeah, I think so too,” Caitlin said happily. “You just wait and see.”
When we got back home, we all hurried inside the trailer, where we found Pawpaw watching the news on TV. It was way past his bedtime.
“Okay, you girls go get your pajamas on and get ready for bed,” Nana said.
Pawpaw looked at us and asked, “Where’d you three go at this hour of the night, anyway? I couldn’t go to bed until you came back.”
Without thinking, I said, “We went to see the Deer family to ask if we could have Dr. Tegethoff fix Baby Deer’s hooves.”
Pawpaw looked confused, but he didn’t say anything.
Nana smiled and said, “I’ll explain it all later.” She turned toward us. “Go to bed!”
“We want a snack, Nana,” I said. “Will you fix us a grilled cheese sandwich?”
Caitlin made a face and said, “I don’t like grilled cheese. I want a chocolate cupcake.”
Nana pursed her lips and blew an exasperating breath. “Caitlin, if you’re hungry, I’ll fix you a sandwich, but you’re not going to eat junk,” she said as she walked into the kitchen.
“Yeah, Caitlin, all you eat is sweets. You know we can’t have sugar this time of night. Learn to eat healthy food.”
Caitlin stuck her tongue out. “You’re not my boss—”
Nana interrupted and said, “No, but I’m the boss when you’re in my house and I don’t allow sweets before bedtime.”
She waged her finger toward me. “And you stop bossing her around. You two wear me out. Stop the fussing.”
“Sorry, Caitlin,” I said. “I don’t mean to boss, I just want you to be healthy and you never eat food that’s good for you. Sweets taste the best but it’s unhealthy when that’s all you eat. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s okay,” Caitlin said. “Mama gets mad at me, too, but I don’t like anything unless it’s sweet. I can’t help what my taste buds want.”
“Girls, would you please just go to bed. You know I need to talk to Pawpaw,” Nana said in a pleading tone.
I took Caitlin’s hand. “Come on. We’ll eat later. She really needs to talk to Pawpaw. He may not go along with us taking Baby Deer to a vet.”
“Right. Let’s get out of here and let them have a talk,” Caitlin said.
“Goodnight, Pawpaw,” we said as we ran down the hall.
“Goodnight, girls,” he replied.
DOCTOR TEGETHOFF
I startled when Nana shook my shoulder. “Are you going to sleep all day? Are you sick?” Nana asked, and felt my forehead as if she expected to find I had a raging fever.
“I feel fine,” I said. “No, make that I feel wonderful. I was having a dream about a baby deer. Do you ever have dreams that are so real that you actually believe they happened?” Before Nana could answer I remembered her telling me that she was what she called a Dreamer. She said it was a gift from God.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “And sometimes those kind of dreams aren’t really dreams at all. They’re premonitions. I’ve had them since I was a young girl. We’ve talked about this before, remember?”
“Yes, I remember. But what’s a premonition?” I asked.
“Premonitions tell you what’s going to happen in the future,” she replied.
“Then I sure hope my dream is one of them kind,” I said and yawned. “I really don’t want to get up. I want to see if I can close my eyes and pick up where I left off.”
“I don’t think it will happen, but do want you want,” Nana said, and left the room.
I closed my eyes and as I drifted into dreamland, I could fell a soft, cool breeze blowing on my face.
It was October. I couldn’t believe how big Baby Deer had gotten. N
ana had made an appointment for the fourteenth, which was on a Saturday. I spent Friday night with Nana and Pawpaw.
The next morning, I awoke to Baby Deer’s happy laughter. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and heard him again. I jumped out of bed and ran down the hall.
Nana was in the kitchen fixing breakfast. I could see Baby Deer’s ears before I walked into the living room. He was sitting on his hunches in front of the TV, watching cartoons, and laughing as only he could do.
Pawpaw was sitting in his recliner watching cartoons and laughing with Baby Deer. I sat on Pawpaw’s knee and asked, “Did you get up with the chickens and go pick up Baby Deer for his doctor’s appointment?”
Pawpaw chuckled and said, “He was waiting at the back door when I went out to feed the dogs. So I let him in and turned on the TV for him.”
I could tell by the way Pawpaw smiled that he had fallen in love with Baby Deer, too, and he was going to go along with our plans to fix him.
I put my arms around Pawpaw’s neck, hugged him and said, “Thank you,” as I kissed his cheek.
Pawpaw patted my hand and said, “You’re welcome, Sweet Pea.”
Then I hugged Baby Deer. “You and Pawpaw sure get up early,” I said, and rubbed my stinging eyes. “Come on, we need to eat before we go to the doctor.”
Baby Deer and I ran into the kitchen where Nana had one bowl of oatmeal sitting on the table and a second one on the floor.
“Julia you eat like a people, and Baby Deer you eat like a deer—but don’t dilly-dally. We have to leave soon,” Nana said, untying her apron.
Twenty minutes later we were on our way. Nana let Baby Deer lay in the back seat of her old Buick, which had over 100,000 miles on it. As she turned the key, she said the same thing she always said, “I hope this old clunker keeps going a few more miles before it conks out and ends up in the junk yard.”
I managed to get the seatbelt over Baby Deer and buckled it. Then I buckled myself in next to him.
As we started down the road, Nana looked into the rearview mirror and said, “Baby Deer, when we get to the doctor’s office, you have to pretend you’re like other deer. That means you don’t talk.”