Mom would be home any minute. She worked until 3:30 as a secretary in the high school office. She didn’t make a lot of money, but with Dad gone, he wouldn’t be able to spend most of it. Mom could buy things without borrowing money from her brother all the time.
Maybe he would come camping with them tomorrow in his motorhome. Alex, her cousin, and Pat, Uncle Brooke’s partner, could all head out for an overnight at the beach.
Even though they went to different schools, she and Alex spent a lot of time together, camping and hiking. Uncle Brooke and Pat loved to cook and invited Lee and her parents over for dinner often. Dad had never come along.
“Hi, how was school?” Mom bustled in, dumping her purse and two bags of groceries on the counter.
Lee grabbed a carrot, the only thing she was allowed to eat just before supper. Her mouth full, she mumbled, “Fine. We painted.”
“Your teacher phoned earlier. Did the morning improve after that?” She handed Lee the food to put in the fridge.
“Yeah,” Lee shrugged. “Can we invite Alex and Uncle Brooke to come camping?”
“They’re coming later, Saturday afternoon. I phoned Brooke from work. We’ll set up camp tomorrow morning.” Mom smiled. She looked tired and her cheeks were pale.
“Are you glad Dad is gone?” Lee slammed the fridge door shut. She had a funny feeling in her chest, as if something was pressing hard against her ribs.
“Yes, honey. Your father should have left years ago. He wasn’t the kind of Dad you deserve.”
Lee shook her head. “He used to be all right before….” She wanted to hit something. Then the tight feeling loosened a little. “Why can’t I talk to anyone?”
Mom’s eyebrows shot up. “You can….”
“You said I couldn’t,” Lee interrupted loudly. Her hands curled into fists.
“Of course you can!” Her mother stood right in front of her. “But not to just anyone. Talk to me. Or your uncle, or your teacher.”
“To you? What difference would that make?” Lee took a step back.
“I know I couldn’t make him do what you wanted, honey,” she shook her head, looking drained, her shoulders sagging. “But some things we can only do for ourselves.”
“I guess.” Lee walked to her room. She didn’t slam the door, but she did turn the music up.
The only things I can do are write and paint–I can’t even paint at home any more.I wish I could create another world with just the swirl of a brush–browns, greens, blues. I wish Dad hadn’t sold my paints and easel at his stupid garage sale. He didn’t even ask me!!! He just sold everything while we were out camping with Uncle Brooke.I wish he was my dad. He likes my paintings and he probably likes Emily Carr’s too. He’s always buying new prints from the Group of Seven painters, maybe he even has an Emily Carr print. I’m going to look at his collection next time I visit. If I hint, maybe he’ll buy me a print for my birthday next month.I want the one called “Forest Landscape.” I wonder what Emily Carr is like…does she have a diary? (Would I ever like to read it!!)
The eagle screeched overhead and dipped temporarily before climbing higher into the trees.
“There it is.” Lee put aside the tube of sun block and, barefooted, walked slowly in the direction of the cedar tree. The bird perched on a high branch, his head swiveling this way and that.
Alex squinted behind wire-rimmed glasses. “I see it. It’s gonky.”
Lee nodded. Alex always had a favorite word. His latest was “gonky.” Lee didn’t know what it meant, or if it was even a real word.
The eagle spread its powerful wings, soared up from the branch over the trees and disappeared out of sight.
Two recreational vehicles were parked side by side at the edge of the tall trees just above a stretch of beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Lee and her mother slept in an old Volkswagen van. Alex, Uncle
Brooke and Pat stayed in their big, new motorhome. They were the only ones on that stretch of beach. Not many people knew about the narrow dirt road leading to this spot.
Climbing rocks, hiking, swimming in the cove and canoeing kept everyone happy for days. A long smooth rock formed a slide that shot them into the water when the tide was in. This morning the tide wasn’t far enough in yet, but Alex had already put the tubes by the rocks in anticipation.
Lee sat down on a big boulder. From here she could see the beginning of the trail that led to the old homestead on the forested hillside. The homestead, set in a clearing, had two old, tumble-down shacks made of logs and rough planks. The walls had partly collapsed. Branches and creepers grew through holes, open doorways and an empty window frame. Lee and Alex had taken the fifteen minute hike there many times. They had told each other ghost stories, climbed the old apple trees and had used the unripe fruit for target practice.
Lee wanted to go up there now, to check it out, perhaps find a hiding place, but usually an adult came along.
Uncle Brooke sat on the edge of his lawn chair. He wore white shorts and a bright orange short-sleeved shirt. On his dark, curly hair sat his favorite cap, the lavender one with the rainbow flag. His arm rested on Mom’s shoulder. He, Pat and Mom were talking in low voices. Lee kicked some pebbles, jumped up and moved farther away from the fire.
Walking over to Alex, Lee threw a pebble against a big rock.
“Let’s split,” she mumbled. “Go to the homestead.”
“Sure, you ask. Your mom might let us.” Alex grinned, but looked embarrassed. Uncle Brooke always wanted to be sure things were totally safe before he let them do anything.
When Lee announced that she and Alex were going for a walk, Uncle Brooke asked predictably, “Where are you going?”
Alex sighed.
At least his dad cares, Lee thought. “Up the hill. We won’t be long,” she said encouragingly.
“I don’t know if….” Uncle Brooke started, taking his cap off and rubbing his forehead.
“They’re both eleven now. They’ll be fine,” Lee’s mother interrupted.
“Well…don’t stay too long,” Uncle Brooke said. “Put on some sun block and bug spray.”
“I already did,” Alex yelled. He ran along the beach to the trail head, his blond curls bouncing with each step.
“Lee, wear your shoes,” Mom said.
“Wait,” Lee called after Alex. She slipped her socks and shoes on, rubbed bug repellent on her face, legs and arms and hurried after Alex. He was way ahead and not slowing down at all.
Lee ran up the first part of the old trail. It was steep, overgrown with branches and roots, and had many wide switchbacks. Alex had disappeared around a bend.
Lee stopped, and with her hands cupped around her mouth she yelled, “Wait for me.” No answer. She ran on, out of breath. Jumping over a big root, Lee’s left foot caught and she pitched forward, her hands spread in front of her. “Ah-h-h-h,” she cried as her head hit a rock. Soon all she saw before her eyes were blue and black swirls, the tree tops and dark skies….
Slowly light broke through the blackness and she began to see cloudy swirls, brighter swirls, sapphire blue curls and circles. Sound returned. Then light. Feelings came back. There was a tingling behind