Anna spoke through gritted teeth. “Thomas Harrison Jackson, you left us here worried sick and all you can say is you thought you’d be back before you were missed. For all we knew some evil person could have knocked you out and kidnapped you. Or you could have fallen off and been killed, and you know Galena would have jumped off after you. How could you have put her through that? I thought you loved her and us. How thoughtless and selfish.” She began to cry.
“Anna,” Tom sobbed, “I do love Galena and I do love all of you. Yes, it was thoughtless. I wanted something and was going to get it regardless of the outcome. I’m truly sorry. What more can I say?” He was now sobbing uncontrollably.
“Stop it,” Irene spoke firmly.
Tim was standing looking at Tom in amazement. He never thought Tom would break down like this, especially in public. Maybe -- just maybe Tom was truly sorry. After all, Tom was his twin and they had always been close and stood by each other through everything. Tim placed an arm across Tom’s shoulders. As tall and big as they were, they were still young boys.
“We’re all emotional and might say things we’ll regret,” Irene said. “Let’s keep quiet and go on.” Her eyes were sad, but as the mother she had to take charge and keep her family together.
Irene placed an arm around Tom as they walked out to the station wagon.
They were trying to get to the vehicle and not look at the people who were staring curiously at them.
Tom looked at his mother. “Mom, I’m ---”
“Shh. Don’t talk. Again you’ve caused needless worry. Your dad will be so disappointed when he hears of this.”
“Mom! Please don’t tell dad,” Tom begged between fresh sobs.
“We don’t hide anything from each other. That would be like lying. Let’s put it to rest for the time being. Please, please don’t wander off again. Try to be more mature and consider how others might feel as a result of your decisions and actions.”
Tom nodded and crawled into the back seat. Anna prepared to drive. Tim came back from walking Galena and got into the front seat. Irene put Galena into the back of the wagon and got in beside Tom. The silence hung as heavy as a thick curtain while they returned to the motel.
They went to dinner and little was said. When they returned to the motel Anna and Tim took Galena for a walk. Tom was uncomfortable because his mother was silent and his siblings were not talking to him. Tom jumped into the shower and crawled into bed, waiting silently while Tim and Anna took turns showering and dressing for bed.
Galena sensed sadness and whined until Tim encouraged her to get on the bed and cuddle a while. Tom’s chest felt as if something heavy was sitting on him. With a great sigh Galena slid off the bed and took her spot.
The next morning the twins walked Galena saying only what was necessary. Galena was left with her breakfast and clean water while the family went silently to their breakfast.
Chapter Nine
Anna was driving as they headed north toward Utah. In northern Arizona there were signs saying, “dust blowing area.” The wind whipped the red dust around and across the road until Anna was forced to drive so slowly she almost stopped in places. Visibility was limited.
All of them exclaimed in sorrow to see the skinny, hungry horses with all ribs showing as they staggered beside the open road. There were even starved sheep and goats. There was no grass to eat and no water where they were. The twins hoped someone owned the animals and would take care of them. Irene reminded them that the people were also poor and most of them didn’t get enough to eat. The animals were either turned loose to fend for themselves or had been abandoned.
Tom tried to take their minds off the sadness by reading aloud from the Arizona tour book. “Aw, we can’t go through Flagstaff. It says that Flagstaff got its name from a flagpole made from a Ponderosa Pine. In 1876 a group of people stripped the branches from a pine that was growing beside the trail. It remained as a landmark for wagon trains traveling to California. The fort built here became known as Flagstaff. In time a town developed and was given the same name. Boy! That’s interesting.”
Galena became worried again because she could not understand why her humans were so quiet and seemed so sad. She moved from person to person whining and licking any face she could reach.
Irene finally chuckled. “Everyone, including me, lighten up. We’re worrying Galena.”
The temptation was too much for Tim. He picked up the Utah tour book and read aloud. “Hey, listen. In Marysville, Utah is the Big Rock Candy Mountain. I always thought that was just a cute song Burl Ives sang, but it’s true. Wow! There’s even a lemonade spring.”
“Will we be there?” Tom asked hesitantly.
After a moment of silence Irene answered, “I think we might be able to stop.” Looking at the Utah map she said, “Yes, we’ll be near there in time for a late lunch.”
“Hurray!” both boys exploded.
The family was in awe of the scenery. “My goodness,” Irene observed, “the rocks do look like giant pieces of candy. It must be different chemicals in the rocks that show various colors when the water settles in them. Let’s try the lemonade spring. I’m ready for a cool drink.”
They paid for their cups in the gift shop and hurried out to try the lemonade in the spring. “May I buy a bag of that real rock candy to take to dad?” Tom asked almost shyly.
“Of course, Tom. That’s nice that you thought of your dad. I don’t know if he ever came here or not.” Irene said as she smiled and patted his back.
“Yeah, suck up to dad. Maybe he won’t be too mad at you for scaring us and giving mom such a hard time on the trip,” Tim sneered.
“You’re just jealous because you didn’t think of it,” Tom shot back, “Both of you--outside this minute. I am so embarrassed that you would cause a public spectacle. Tim, I’m astonished at your attitude.”
Tim snorted and whirled around to walk toward the car beside Anna. She looked at him with a sad expression. “Tim, I love my brothers and have been truly proud to be your sister, but I don’t understand you. Both of you know that mom is under a strain being responsible for everything, and us, on this trip. Remember, she wasn’t too enthused either about the move.
After all, dad is making the money that you gladly spend. We’re all tired and, yes, you’re probably bored most of the time, but you’re making it worse for you and for us by your attitude.”
Anna turned to look at Tom who had caught up with them. “That goes for you, too, buddy boy. Let’s make a pact that we’ll think before we speak. We have to be together, in a small space, so let’s strive to make it easier for mom and ourselves. It doesn’t feel good to have someone we love say hurtful things or try to belittle us. Can we make an agreement to be more considerate and think before we speak?”
The twins looked at each other and then shamefacedly nodded at Anna. “Okay. Let’s build on it.” She held out her left hand and each boy placed his left hand on the stack followed by their right hands. “Now. We have a firm agreement.” Anna grinned.
“What’s all this?” Irene asked as she walked to them.
“Just something we promised each other,” Anna smiled as she took Galena from the station wagon. “I’ll give Galena a break and then I’ll drive, Mom.” Galena obviously enjoyed the break. Irene privately thought the dog was better behaved and less trouble that her sons.
On the road again, Tom began to read from the book on Idaho. “Gee, Mom. This is one of the less populated