The snake took charge, “Let me ask you one. What did Noah give the animals who couldn’t get on the ark?”
Jeep didn’t know. When the snake said, “A rain check,” he chuckled.
Jeep asked Anna, “Do I get any points if the animals get me to laugh?”
She made a face. “Don’t make me laugh.”
He tried again, “What do snakes study in school? (hisstory), to which the snake rolled his eyes. “I hear that snakes don’t have basements in their houses.” He paused for drama, “They only have crawl spaces.”
The snake rewarded him with a reluctant guffaw.
Anna announced, “OK, that one’s a full point. Now you have 1½. ”
By comparison, the polar bear was easy. Jeep asked one, “What do lady polar bears use on their faces at night?”
It probably was a girl bear since it acted embarrassed not to know.
When Jeep said, “Very cold cream (beauty cream),” she grinned, but stopped short of a snicker.
Jeep immediately followed with, “Where do pigs live?”
Once again the bear was stumped.
“In a high Grime area,” made her burst into giggles.
“You know,” the polar bear remarked, “there’s not much dirt where I come from. That’s probably why we see so few pigs in the Arctic.”
“Another point then,” said Anna.
Whereupon, Jeep turned toward the girls and made a dramatic gesture with his arms. “Da da!” Both girls applauded with gusto.
After so much laughter, the friends headed toward home in a light-hearted mood.
Jeep said, “Since we’ve all been feeling them this whole time, I guess it’s time to tell you about the binkle.”
“Dinkle?” asked Louise, “sounds weird.”
“Binkle, with a “B”—weird but wonderful. Just listen.”
So Jeep finally told Anna and Louise what the gnomes taught him about binkles. About creating energy through connecting with other people. Of course, the sisters understood at once. When it came to friendship and binkles they were already experts.
~~~
The hour was late and Jeep had been asleep for hours. Chris sat at the kitchen table with all his bills sorted into three tidy stacks—pay now, pay a little, put off a bit longer. The third pile was the largest and it seemed to grow month by month. Most of the bills came with fancy “Pay Now” or “Past Due” stickers. Chris couldn’t blame them—but he couldn’t do anything about it, either. He dreaded the collection calls that rudely pressed for payment. As an honest person, Chris hated that his word wasn’t considered trustworthy.
Chris got into this fix rather suddenly after Helen’s illness. Everything was going along fine when his wife was home. Their combined salaries covered the bills, with enough left over to save toward their own home. Then Helen’s medical bills sucked those savings up, and he couldn’t keep up. That’s when Chris took a second job. Besides his less-than-satisfying sales job at the mattress factory, most nights he worked as a short-order cook, dragging himself home at 10:00. He was always exhausted and a bit foggy.
He cut every expense he could, and watched where each dollar went. Extras were out of the question. Fortunately, Jeep didn’t want much or complain about doing without.
Chris had always been so-so with money. When he was single, he didn’t make much, but he didn’t spend much either. Once married, Helen handled their finances; she had a knack for it. There always was enough to go around, with some for fun and a bit put aside for a rainy day. This money pinch sent yet another reminder why he missed her so much.
At the thought of her Chris rolled his eyes to the ceiling and groaned, “Oh, Helen, it’s tough. But I could hang on if I only knew you’d be coming home one of these days. I can’t endure it by myself much longer.”
Now all the responsibilities were on him—to keep up the home and Jeep. At the thought of Jeep, Chris felt a twinge of guilt. Despite his best intentions, Chris knew he wasn’t doing a very good job as a father. More often than not, it was Jeep who was taking care of him, by doing the cooking and chores.
I’ll have to talk with him about her one of these days, he decided, as he’d often done before. Then never got around to it. Better he doesn’t know, better that he has hope to hang on to—I sure wish I did.
Chris wrote the checks and inserted them into the preprinted envelopes. Such a routine activity, yet each month was more distressing. He felt as inadequate as his bank balance.
Chris dozed off midway through and was awakened in the morning by Jeep, who was still in his pajamas.
“Hey, didn’t you ever get to bed?”
“Huh?” Chris said, still half asleep. He stumbled toward the bathroom.
Jeep followed him, “You OK? You look awful. Want me to call you in sick?”
“I’m OK. Maybe a shower¼” He closed the door so he wouldn’t have to look at Jeep’s worried face.
But Jeep wasn’t fooled. He dreaded seeing more signs that Chris was losing it.
Chapter 9—
THE RETURN TO GRIKKL’S WORLD
The following Saturday morning Chris suggested, “Let’s have breakfast at Mildred’s Place. We probably should talk.”
Jeep was relieved since they’d hardly exchanged a word since their clash. Tension between them still hung in the air.
Mildred’s Place was their favorite café. If there ever had been a Mildred, she was long gone. Their waitress was Phyllis, who served them as long as they’d been eating at Mildred’s. When they arrived, the dining room was already about two-thirds full and filling up fast.
Chris got a mug of coffee, then gave Phyllis his order—sausage, French toast, and two eggs, over-easy. Jeep never looked at the menu since he always got the same thing—hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a crispy English muffin.
While they waited for their food, Chris spoke. “Been thinking about what you said, Jeep. It makes sense you want to see your mom. I wanted to protect you, that’s all. But I reckon you’re old enough to know the truth.”
“So I get to see her? You’ll take me?” Jeep was almost afraid to hope.
“Sure, the next Wednesday I go, you can come. But I still think it’s not a good idea. Like I said, she’s not just sick. She’s crazy—not just a little bit, either. Maybe you’ll stop blaming me¼”
Jeep wasn’t listening to the rest. He was too excited. At last I’m going to see Mom!
About then, Phyllis arrived with their food. They were used to her being efficient and quick with a clever remark. Today she wasn’t. Sunny-side-up eggs arrived instead of eggs over-easy. She forgot Chris’s syrup. Jeep didn’t fare any better—his English muffin was barely toasted and already cold (horrors!). Chris and Jeep pointed out the mistakes and Phyllis took their food away to fix it.
They had a ridiculously long wait before they saw their food again. Phyllis’ section was full, and all the customers expected service at the same time. The ever-cheerful Phyllis was frazzled.
Jeep noticed her struggling to keep up—even poorly. Here I am feeling so happy but Phyllis needs a lift, too.
Jeep whispered to Chris, “Let’s raise her spirits. I’m going to make Phyllis think we’re the best customers she’s ever had.
Her next trip past their table Jeep chanted, “You’re doing great! Go! Go! Go!” like he was her cheerleader. She looked so rattled he couldn’t tell if she heard. He made goofy faces and sent the “thumbs up” signals each time she hurried by. Chris played along.
When their correct order finally arrived, Jeep told her, “Phyllis, we like to eat here because of you. You’re the best thing on the menu. I’ll bet all these people agree. This is your fan club.”
The wisp of a smile appeared. Her fogginess thinned. When she made a witty remark, there she was! The Phyllis Chris and Jeep liked so much was back.
Their efforts to cheer her up were pleasant for themselves as well. Chris told about a British customer who expected free delivery of a bed all the way t
o England. For his part, Jeep repeated what Cindy had told him about the strange foods she ate in Korea.
Soon, they were laughing like long-time friends. They hadn’t acted that friendly with each other even when Helen was home. That morning some long-standing discomfort between them leaked away. Chris began to realize he could be a good farther without being a stern and distant, like his own father was.
~~~
Jeep was ready the next time Merve’s crew picked on them. He yelled, “Hey, you apes! Cut that out!” They responded like an elephant does to a mosquito.
Jeep jerked on Merve’s sleeve and hollered, “Leave them alone! You jerks can’t treat people like that.”
Merve shrugged him off. “None of your business, Jeep the Creep.”
Totally ignored—how humiliating! Hurts worse than a bloody nose would. Embarrassed, frustrated, yet determined to sidetrack the tormentors, Jeep lobbed a half-inch rock at Merve.
Ping. Direct hit—right on the chin. Although it wasn’t very hard, it got Merve’s attention. Merve spun away from Anna, then charged after Jeep like an angry rhino. His buddies chased behind.
Jeep bolted, dodging around parked cars. If they catch me, they’ll get me good. Although he was still ahead, he wasn’t a good runner he knew he couldn’t last much longer. Why? Why was I so stupid?
Merve and his crew got closer. Jeep heard the flap-flapping of their tennis shoes as they gained on him. Any moment they’ll catch me. I don’t stand a chance. Jeep gasped, fighting for air. Unable to catch his breath, he pressed both hands against his chest. His fingers accidentally brushed his rabbit medallion and his thoughts went to Lulu. A zizz of happy memories. As his hands clutched the medallion the magic happened. (Blip)
~~~
Jeep appeared abruptly in Grikkl’s cozy chamber. His panting body plopped out of the air and bounced heavily onto the sofa by the fireplace.
“I’m safe!... I’m safe!...” was all the surprised and breathless Jeep could gasp—or grasp. He shook with relief, overcome with gratitude and wonder for his unlikely escape. Lulu hopped over to him and rubbed against his leg, as if he’d never been gone.
Adah rushed to his side and engulfed him in her welcoming arms. “Jeep, you’re back so soon!”
“I suppose... How’d I get here?”
“Binkle power. I knew you had a knack. You’re like a little bird that leaves the nest and manages to find its own worms.”
“I hope you’re talking about binkles, not worms. But I knew I had to find binkles every day so I could get back here.”
“Must have worked ’cuz here you are!”
“You’ll give me plenty of them while I’m here, won’t you?”
She cradled him tighter in her arms. “Silly boy. Don’t you know that whenever you give a binkle you get one? They’re about sharing! I get fed inside as much as you do every time we connect.”
She let go of him but held his gaze for a long moment. “My dear Jeep, so glad you’re back. Grikkl’s grown tired of my songs and I know all of his stories. You...” She beamed at him. “You want to hear me sing, and keep asking for more. How can I thank you?”
“Thank me? It’s me who should be thanking you. It’s much more than songs and stories—you make me happy.”
She tussled his hair in reply, and sang him the Bee Song—another favorite song about flying, only not so high. As she sang he tirelessly flew from flower to flower. He felt himself float slowly over flower beds, pausing to burrow his face into blossom after blossom, breathing in their many-flavored scents.
When he finally returned to the hive, other bees gathered around to taste the pollen clinging to him, so they could enjoy the same flavors. Jeep the bee wiggled an intricate dance for the other bees that told them where to find the flowers they just tasted on him.
Through Adah’s song he experienced a bee’s life as a diligent search for blossoms. As such, he enjoyed riding the shifting breezes and feeling the warm sun or cool shadows as he went about his never-ending work. Ah, the life of a bee, I like that.
Grikkl came over once Adah finished her song. “Now tell, Laddie. We want to hear about what you learned out there on your own.”
The three of them again sat in front of the fireplace, but this time Jeep did the talking. He told about the little ways his life at home and school changed after he went back—more energy, more variety in how he spent his time. The gnomes chuckled at his description of spending so much time with people he used to avoid. Adah praised his spunk. But hearing Jeep’s joy in having a marvelous secret was the part they liked best.
They talked a lot about binkles. Adah said, “Life is sprinkled with perfect moments, kind of like pepper. Whenever you binkle, you’re spreading that pepper around. You get some on yourself at the same time you sprinkle it on anyone else. And there’s more good feelings for everybody.”
~~~
Lulu stuck to Jeep as if she were glued to him, but he spent more time with Cerberus as well. Jeep asked the dog, “Don’t you ever leave?”
“Sure, but I’m so fast that no one sees me coming and going. I’m gone and back in a flash. Besides, most of my trips take me to other dimensions, where the fairy folk live. Over there everyone treats me like the mailman.”
“But I thought things got done by magic.”
“That’s only halfway true. But magic or not, the mail gets through because I deliver it. You know the saying, ‘Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor dark of night...’ That’s about me. See my mailbags?” He gestured toward the gear on his back.
“I was meaning to ask you about what it’s for. I thought it was a saddle.”
“That’s a good one, Jeep. Who do you think would ride me?”
“Grikkl?”
Cerberus burst out laughing with a wheezy, yodeling sound. He laughed harder and harder, louder and louder, more like yodeling all the time. The dog was so consumed by laughter he fell over. His right front paw waived in the air, as he pounded the floor with his left one. More than once, the riotous laughter petered out, only to start up all over again.
“I don’t think it’s that funny. Maybe it was a dumb thing to say, but don’t make fun of me. I didn’t know,” said Jeep.
Cerberus was wheezing too hard to answer. Feeling put down and embarrassed, Jeep moved off by himself. I’ve been made fun of too many times, but didn’t expect that here. And not from a dog.
He tried to ignore Cerberus’ chuckles and floor pounding without success. But soon Lulu leaped into his lap and made him forget.
From then on, Cerberus treated Jeep as good for a laugh. The dog would ask him a riddle or tell a joke with Jeep as his straight man. Although Jeep’s ability to understand the dog’s words improved, he never got the point of those jokes. They depended on experiences he didn’t have. Like when Cerberus asked, “How is a fairy like a hummingbird?” the answer (taller than a finger) didn’t make sense to him. Even when I’m told the answer it doesn’t seem funny.
Jeep’s bewilderment just made Cerberus laugh at him all over again. “Is the real joke on me?” Jeep asked the dog. But he got no answer. “Jeep decided to tell Cerberus his favorite jokes—about cannibals.
“What did the mother cannibal say to her child? (Pause) Eat your soup before it clots.
“How did the cannibal like his pizza? (Pause) He ordered a pizza with everybody on it.
“Two cannibals ate a clown. Later one asked the other one, ‘Did that taste funny to you?’
“How did the cannibal describe the crashed airplane? (Pause) ‘It’s really crusty on the outside, but the insides taste real good.’”
Cerberus didn’t get them. All he said was, “Bad jokes! Cannibals aren’t funny. Now elves, they’re funny. Or wizards, they’re really funny. But cannibals aren’t funny at all.” Then he snickered smugly at his own wittiness.
~~~
Jeep asked Grikkl and Adah, “You said that sending me home was a test, to see if I could find enough binkle power without any help. I got e
nough to get back here. Since I passed the test, can’t I stay here now?”
Adah answered, “There’s still much for you to learn. You must be able to live in your own world. This isn’t a place to escape life’s challenges.”
“But I’m safe with you. Nothing scares me here.”
“Learning to master your fears is one of those lessons,” said Adah.
Grikkl added, “Fear can be a good thing or bad thing, depending on what you do about it. It can shut down your brain for the moment. That’s natural; we’re all afraid once in a while. But think of fear as just a warning—Be careful! So pay attention—don’t ignore those messages. The point isn’t for you to be scared by those feelings. Instead, see if you can notice your fear—without it scaring you.”
Jeep shook his head in confusion. “That doesn’t make sense. Fear, scared, afraid—they sound like the same thing to me.”
Adah answered, “But they’re not the same at all! Fear doesn’t do you harm—unless you let it scare you.”
“Are you telling me it’s OK to be afraid? I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Sort of—notice where your fear is coming from. From something that’s dangerous or your thoughts about it. Don’t get fooled because something is fearsome. That doesn’t mean you have to be scared by it.”
“So what should I do instead?”
“Treat whatever you’re afraid of like a sign that flashes, ‘Find a binkle here.’ By the time you figure out how to get a binkle in the situation you’ve forgotten to be scared. And binkle or not, you’ve gotten something better besides. It didn’t get you.”
“Even if you’re right, I’ve been scared way too often to take a chance. It doesn’t work that way. If I see a sign it would say, ‘Stay away!’ Do you really think a few binkles can make me brave?” Jeep made a face that clearly said he didn’t think so.
Grikkl said, “Let me tell you about a young African girl who overcame her fears. Her name was Mella. Her father was very ill and the medicines couldn’t cure him. She feared he would die, so she asked the moon goddess what to do. The goddess told her to get help from the Python Healer.
The Binkle and the Catawampus Compass (Binkles and Magic) Page 8