A Very Meowy Christmas

by Patricia Fry

  “Oh, he means on one of those switchbacks,” Rochelle said. “I see it. What’s your guess, Adam?”

  ****

  Meanwhile, in the first car, Savannah petted Rags, who lay in his bed on her lap. “He’s needy,” she said. “And he’s sore, poor guy.”

  “He’ll be sore for a few days,” Michael said, “but he could have recovered at home. In fact this jostling around in the car probably isn’t doing him any good.”

  “He’s comfortable in his little bed. That’s why I put it on my lap. He wants to be with me, but I think his bed’s more comfy than my lap.” She called into the backseat. “How’re you doing, Mom?”

  “Just fine, honey.”

  “When will we get there?” Lily asked.

  Michael and Savannah exchanged glances. He said, “I didn’t think kids started asking that question until they were teenagers.”

  “I guess children are just more mature today.” Oh, my phone,” she said, edging it from her pocket. “Hi, Rochelle. How’s it going back there?”

  “Good. We’re having some lively discussions and even doing a little gambling. So far, Simon’s ahead. He has earned two bags of peanuts.”

  Savannah could hear the boys’ voices. “What are they yelling about?” she asked.

  “Oh, they’re playing a game.”

  “Glad they’re having fun.”

  “How’s Rags?” Rochelle asked.

  “Doing fine. He’s clingy, like he always is when he doesn’t feel well. He’s curled up in his bed on my lap.”

  “You sure spoil that guy.”

  “Of course. And you don’t spoil your little birds?” Savannah asked. She laughed. “You built them a mansion.”

  Rochelle chuckled, “It’s actually just a simple aviary. Parrots need to fly, you know.”

  “And Clayton and Matilda are flying around in a classy joint,” Savannah said.

  “That they are,” Rochelle agreed. “Hey, the boys have a question. We found this trivia game on the phone and there’s one question they haven’t been able to resolve. They find conflicting answers in their research. They decided that you and Michael should be the judges on this one.”

  “What is it?” Savannah asked.

  “Are avocados poisonous to animals?”

  “Hmmm. Let me check.” Savannah turned to Michael. “The boys are playing a trivia game and they’re stumped on a question about avocados and animals. I recall reading that the persin in avocados is poisonous to most animals and you should never feed them to your pets.”

  “However,” Michael said, “different avocados come with different amounts of persin, and some animals can tolerate some avocados and not others. Wild animals eat avocados all the time.”

  “Yeah, I wonder if they get sick afterward.” Savannah put the phone back up to her ear. “Well, Rochelle, I’m not sure we’re any help here. Michael and I agree that there’s something in avocados that’s poisonous to most animals, but some avocados have more and some less, so a limited of certain avocados might be okay for some animals. I remember reading once that farm animals can get sick from eating avocados. But, like Michael said, wild animals love to raid avocado orchards—you know, bears, raccoons, squirrels. Do they die or at least get sick afterward? It’s anyone’s guess.”

  “Hmmm,” Rochelle mumbled. “I’m not sure your response brings any clarity to the question.”

  Savannah laughed. “Just tell the boys that avocados are for people and that they shouldn’t share theirs with any animal—just in case.”

  ****

  “We’re here,” Michael announced nearly two hours later, pulling up close to a riverfront cabin in the mountains. “This is Cabin Cricket,” he announced as everyone piled out of the two cars.

  “Cricket?” Adam said, laughing.

  “Yeah,” Simon said, “why cricket? Why not bear or mountain lion or…”

  “Butterfly,” Savannah said, chuckling.

  Michael shook his head. “I have no idea. So, shall we stretch our legs and check it out before we start unloading?”

  “And use the bathroom,” Savannah added.

  “Amen,” Gladys said.

  Savannah winced. “Mom, you should have spoken up.”

  “I’m okay,” Gladys assured her. “Michael’s timing is perfect.”

  “I want this room,” Adam announced after the two boys had run through the cabin once.

  “This one’s mine,” Simon shouted from a second bedroom.

  “Don’t get too attached, there, boys,” Michael called. “The gals will figure out where everyone sleeps, okay?”

  “Why?” Simon asked.

  “Because that’s one of the things they’re really good at—organizing space in a household and stuff.”

  Simon ran to Rochelle. “Can I have that room?”

  “No fair bribing the judges,” Peter joked.

  Rochelle grinned at him, then took Simon by the shoulders and faced him away from her. “Look around,” she said. “You, too, Adam. How many people do you see?”

  “Um, counting Teddy,” Adam said, “eight.”

  She nodded. “Yes, and nine counting you, right? There are nine of us.”

  “Eleven counting Rags and Lexie,” Simon said.

  “People,” Adam stressed. “Only people.”

  Rochelle nodded. “And how many bedrooms are there?”

  “Three,” the boys said in unison.

  As Peter came in from the back of the house, he announced, “There’s a sleeping porch off the kitchen.”

  The boys looked at each other and Adam asked, “What’s a sleeping porch.”

  “Where people sleep in warm weather,” Michael said. “It’s probably too cold at night to sleep out there this time of year.”

  “It’s closed in,” Peter reported. “Go take a look. I think it would be great for the boys.”

  Simon tugged at Adam’s shirt. “Let’s go see it.”

  The women followed. “Yeah, perfect for you guys,” Savannah said. “What do you think?”

  The boys looked at each other, and Adam said, “Yeah, this is cool.” He pointed. “I dibs that bed.”

  Simon dove onto the second bed. “I dibs this one.”

  “Good,” Savannah said. “I think you boys will be comfortable out here. Looks like there are plenty of blankets.”

  While the boys continued to investigate their room, the others walked back through the living area and into the larger of the three bedrooms. Savannah said, “How about if we take this one for us and Teddy? Mom, do you want to bunk with Lily?”

  “Sure do,” Gladys said, smiling down at the child. She asked, “Which of these rooms do you like, Rochelle?”

  “It doesn’t matter to us.” Rochelle checked both rooms again and said, “This one has that little cot. Why don’t you take it and Lily can have her own bed?”

  When Gladys agreed, Rochelle turned to the men who were checking out the fireplace. “Okay, you can start bringing things in.”

  “You’ve decided already?” Michael asked.

  “It’s not rocket science,” Savannah teased. She pointed. “Michael, we’re in there with Teddy. Mom and Lily are in the first bedroom. Peter, you and Rochelle are taking that other room.”

  “You’re sure?” Peter asked.

  “Yes, we’re sure. Why?” Savannah questioned.

  “I just don’t want you playing a game of musical rooms when we start hauling stuff in.”

  Just then, the boys ran into the living room. “There’s a river out there!” Simon shouted. “Right outside the window.”

  “I know,” Michael said, smiling.

  “Let’s go look at it,” Simon suggested.

  Before the boys could scoot out the door, Michael hollered, “Wait right there! Let’s get unpacked.” When he heard grumbling, he said, “Come on. First our chores, then we can play.” He said for the women’s benefit, “When we’re finished, maybe we can pack a lunch and eat out there on those picnic tables next
to the river.”

  “Yay!” Adam cheered.

  Simon also celebrated. “Yay!” he said, darting out with Adam toward the cars and trailer.

  Savannah winked at Rochelle. “I guess we’re making lunch.”

  ****

  “So what do you think?” Michael asked the boys as the campers enjoyed sandwiches at the river’s edge. “Nice place?”

  “Awesome,” Adam said.

  “Yeah, rad,” Simon added. “When can we go fishing? I want to try catching a fish. Do you think there are fish in this water?”

  “Sure there are.” Michael motioned. “Come here. Sit on this rock and watch. I’m pretty sure you’ll see a trout swim by.” He looked at Adam. “There’s room for you up here, too. Bring your sandwich.”

  “There’s one,” Adam shouted a little while later. “Two. I saw two big ones, Dad.” He laughed. “Rags saw that last one. Look, he’s wondering where it went.”

  “Come back here, Rags,” Savannah said, reeling him in with the leash. “You’re not going swimming in that icy water.”

  “So can we fish after we finish our lunch?” Adam asked. “I’m just about done.”

  “We have to go into town first and get our fishing licenses and some bait,” Peter explained.

  “How far’s that?” Adam asked.

  Michael responded, “I think it’s just around the next bend there.”

  “Town?” Rochelle asked.

  Michael chuckled. “Don’t get your pocketbook out yet. I doubt it’s much more than a small country store and a café.”

  “Oh good. So we can eat out some,” Savannah said.

  “Where are the toads with horns you told me about?” Simon asked.

  “Horned toads,” Adam corrected.

  “You might not see them this time of year,” Michael said. “Simon have you ever seen one of those?”

  The boy shook his head.

  “Here, I’ll show you a picture on my phone. Stay there, I’ll bring it. Don’t want you to fall in.”

  “Oh, that is rad,” Simon said. “How big is it? It looks like it’s related to a dinosaur.”

  “It does, doesn’t it?” Michael said. “A miniature dinosaur. It’s small like a lizard, only wider.”

  Suddenly, Simon pulled his knees up to his chest and hollered, “A rat!”

  Peter chuckled. “Just about the cutest rat you’ll ever see. That’s a chipmunk. See the stripes on his back?”

  “Oh yeah, he’s kind of like a squirrel only smaller,” Simon said. “What does he want?” he asked, still hugging his knees to himself.

  “Probably your sandwich,” Peter said. “Most likely folks have been feeding him.”

  Meanwhile, Savannah held tightly to Rags’s leash. “Rags, no,” she said.

  “Would he eat that thing?” Simon asked.

  “I don’t think so. He probably just wants to make friends, but we don’t need him intruding in the lives of the forest critters.”

  “Who all’s going to town?” Michael asked when the women began gathering up the lunch leftovers and trash. Nearly everyone chimed in, and he asked, “Want to take one car?”

  “We don’t have enough room for everyone with the children’s car seats,” Savannah complained. “Or enough seatbelts.”

  “But I was thinking that since we’re on country roads…” Michael started.

  “We’re the only one with a third seat and it’s such a pain to remove the car seats,” she countered.

  “Can we walk?” Rochelle suggested. “You said it’s not far.”

  Michael nodded. “We might be able to do that. Let me double check to make sure it’s within walking distance.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind walking off that delicious lunch,” Peter said, patting his stomach. “I’d like to make room for those cookies Rochelle made.”

  “When did you have time to bake cookies?” Savannah asked.

  Rochelle grinned. “I made them at home and froze them. I took them out of your freezer this morning and Peter’s been eagerly waiting for them to thaw.”

  “What kind are they?”

  “Peanut butter and chocolate chip.”

  “Yum,” Savannah said.

  “Yeah, it looks like we can walk to the store from here,” Michael announced. “It’s just around the bend. Shall we give it a try?” When everyone nodded, he said, “I’ll get the stroller.”

  “Let’s take the baby pack, too—just in case,” Savannah suggested. She said to the cat, “Ragsie, want to go for a walk?”

  “You’re taking him?” Michael complained. “Maybe he should rest.”

  Savannah ran her hand over the cat’s fur. “Well, he’s been sedentary all day. If we’re not going far, a stroll would probably be good for him.”

  “Okay, then. Do you want his pack?” Michael asked. “I think I know where it is.”

  Savannah shook her head. “No, he might be more comfortable riding in the back of the stroller for now.”

  “You’re probably right,” Michael agreed. He called, “Coming, Gladys?”

  “I think I’ll sit this one out if you don’t mind,” she responded.

  He smiled. “I was wondering when you’d finally need to recharge your batteries.”

  ****

  “That was more than just around the bend,” Peter huffed.

  “It seemed to me like it was only two blocks,” Simon said.

  “Oh, to be young again,” Peter groaned. He looked ahead. “So this is the store? Hey, check out that cool truck. What year is it—nineteen fifty-eight?”

  “Boy that looks old, but also new,” Simon said.

  “Yeah about sixty years old, and it’s been restored,” Michael said. “It’s a beauty. And look at that cool cargo cover. I wonder if he had that made special.” He whistled. “I’ll bet it cost a pretty penny.”

  “What’s Rags looking at?” Adam asked, as he held the end of the cat’s long leash. “A dead animal?” He moved closer and pulled the cat back. “Dad,” he called, “I think it’s an animal fur.”

  “Where,” Simon asked, trotting up to him.

  “Must have fallen from the cab when the driver got out,” Michael said, joining the boys. By then Adam was holding it gingerly in his hands and the boys were examining it. When Rags swatted at it and growled, Michael picked up the cat. He glanced around and suggested, “Adam, just put it there on the fender so the guy will see it when he comes out. Come on. Let’s go.”

  Just then they heard a gruff voice. “Get away from there!” Before Adam could react, a man ran toward him, grabbed the fur, and hollered, “Get away from my truck! All of you. What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I thought someone might have lost this,” Adam said. “I was going to…”

  “You need to mind your own business,” the man spat.

  “Come on, Son,” Michael said gently, putting one hand on the boy’s shoulder and guiding him toward the country store. Simon followed.

  “What’s his problem?” Savannah asked from the porch where she waited with Rochelle, Peter, and the children.

  “Yeah,” Peter said, “what was that all about?” He asked Adam, “What was that you picked up, anyway? That guy was sure eager to get it back. What did he think you were going to do—walk off with it?”

  “It was a pelt,” Michael said quietly.

  “Oh,” Rochelle yelped.

  “What’s a pelt?” Simon asked.

  “An animal skin?” Adam asked. “What kind of animal skin, Dad?”

  Michael shook his head. He lowered the cat to the porch next to Savannah and handed her the leash, then put a hand on each of the boys’ shoulders. “Come on guys, let’s get outfitted for our day of fishing, shall we?”

  “But Dad, how could someone…?”

  “I don’t know, Son. It’s a different lifestyle. I’m sorry you boys had to see that.”

  Peter helped usher the boys into the mercantile. “Yeah, it was probably one he bought from a store a long time
ago—a store-bought one.” When the boys ran ahead of the men toward a display of fishing poles, Peter looked to Michael for confirmation. “It wasn’t fresh, was it?”

  Michael nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid it was.”

  “Dang. Is that even legal?” Peter asked.

  “What, Mr. Peter?” Simon asked, overhearing this. “Is what legal, fishing?”

  “Yes, fishing’s legal.”

  “I think he’s talking about that animal skin I found,” Adam said.

  “Hey,” Michael suggested, “let’s just forget about that. We have a fun weekend planned. Let’s don’t spoil it.”

  “But did that guy really…?” Adam started.

  “Oh look,” Peter said, pointing at a display of pictures. Those must be some of the fish they’ve caught up here. Wow! Catch a big fish like that and you could be part of this photo gallery.”

  Chapter Six

  “Hey, Dad, there’s that fur guy,” Adam said over breakfast at the Buckhorn Mountain Café the following morning.

  “Fur guy?” Michael asked.

  “The one who takes fur from wild animals.”

  “So you think he’s a trapper?” Michael asked.

  “He had an animal fur,” Adam reasoned. “He acted like it was his, anyway.”

  When Michael realized the boys were staring at the man, he said quietly, “Let’s not engage him.”

  “Engage him?” Simon questioned.

  The others chuckled.

  “Just don’t look over there,” Peter clarified. “We don’t want any trouble with him.”

  Simon whispered, “He really kills animals so he can keep their fur? That’s what Adam told me. That’s just gross. Why does he do that? To make clothes?”

  “He’s not wearing animal fur,” Adam noticed.

  “We don’t know that he’s a trapper,” Savannah said. “He may have bought an old piece of fur from a thrift store.”

  Michael grinned at her from across the table.

  “What?” she asked.

  “It was fresh,” he said, “and by his behavior, I’d say he’s doing some illegal trapping—either taking pelts he’s not supposed to or setting traps in areas that are off limits.”

  “Can we talk about something more pleasant over breakfast?” Rochelle asked. When she saw that both boys were still staring solemnly at the man, she nudged Simon. “Come on, eat your pancakes. You don’t want that big fish to get away because you’re dawdling over your breakfast, do you?”