Phoebe Comes Home Part: 2 The Secret of Dreamstone by John KixMiller

The Protectors of the Wood Series

PHOEBE COMES HOME

PART 1I: 1I: THE THE SECRET SECRET OF OF DREAMSTONE DREAMSTONE PART

PHOEBE COMES HOME

Story and Text: John KixMiller Illustrations: Carlos Uribe and Gideon Chase Design: Geoffrey KixMiller Editing and Production: Jim Paul

WORLD TREE ENTERPRISES

Contents The Secret of Dreamstone

I. The Plot Thickens

II. Phoebe Breaks Through

III. Party Business

IV. Unexpected Appearances

V. A Team of Detectives

VI. A Letter From Abby

VII.Phoebe Puts Her Foot In Her Mouth

VIII.Into The Forest

IX. The Dreamstone Mirror

The Plot Thickens Phoebe awoke drenched in sweat in the half-light of early evening. She sat up in confusion, overwhelmed by a shocking feeling that something life changing had happened. Her rejection by Gilligan came back like a slap in the face, a deep humiliation far worse than anything their brief meeting would indicate on the surface. And her encounter with Abby inspired her with a powerful mixture of confusion, guilt, and happiness. But on reflection the happiness part seemed to grow and grow, putting the other feelings in the shade. She had no desire to share any of it with anyone, treasuring it all inside her private world. She took a cool shower, and put on fresh clothes. Her stomach rumbled with emptiness, and she skipped in her odd fashion down the stairs to the kitchen. The back door was open; she could see and hear through the screen door some action in the backyard. Coming out onto the porch she saw three tables and an odd collection of chairs set up on the lawn, with Penny hosing them down. Tiny was dancing about in a bathing suit. Every once in a while Penny would flick the hose at Tiny, and as the cold water hit her she would scream wildly and run. Over to the side Geraldine and Glenda drank from their glasses and occasionally poked with a long fork at some chicken on the smoking barbecue. It was a lovely scene, but Phoebe could not rid herself of the feeling of being an alien, outside it all. “Phoebe!” screamed Tiny, and ran up onto the porch and hugged Phoebe around the legs as if she were Phoebe’s best friend and had not seen her for weeks. Phoebe was touched, and picked Tiny up and hugged her. Glenda walked over and said, “Where have you been? We were worried.” “I was just taking a nap. I slept way longer than I thought.” Already the experiences of her day were sequestered off in some private area. “We’ve got a lot to do before Saturday,” called Penny, still washing down the picnic furniture. “We need twenty more chairs, and at least four more tables!” Geraldine approached Phoebe with a smile. “Where did you get all this?” asked Phoebe, feeling guilty that she was not helping or even feeling any motivation. Who cares? said a voice inside her heart, and she winced. She felt as if she were putting on a show for the outside world. “Oh, most of this is from my garage,” replied Geraldine. “I never use it. I’m grateful to get it all out into the light of day.”

The Plot Thickens “I’m sorry I’m not doing more to help,” Phoebe managed to say. “No, no,” said Geraldine severely, shaking her head. “That is not the right attitude. This is a party for you. You’re not supposed to do any work.” Phoebe actually laughed, and felt something loosen up inside her heart. She noticed again that she was hungry. “Okay, Geraldine, I accept. Thank you. Now, what’s for dinner?” “Ah, that’s more like it. Fred Petersons’s chicken, my own potato salad, iced tea, and sliced tomatoes with basil. The best. You know Penny’s tomatoes are something special. And, of course, the world’s greatest bread, made right here at home.” Later on, long after dinner, Phoebe couldn’t sleep. She sat on her bed in her pajamas, and paced the room, battling with phantoms in arguments that seemed to have no end. Was there any chance of working at the Toy Store? After all, Gilligan had invited Phoebe back over the next day or two. She didn’t think so. The invitation was too vague, and appeared to be just an easy way to get rid of her, to let her down gently. Tomorrow he would say, ‘Well, I’ve thought about it, and no, it’s not a good idea. I don’t have any work.’ If Phoebe tried to argue, he would just say, ‘I’m sorry. I do hope we can be friends.’ It was hopeless, probably not even worth showing up. Gilligan would eventually sell the store to some clever person who would immediately resell to the Scutter and company for a huge profit, and the famous and beloved Toy Store would be no more. It would vanish into the Morphy empire, and Phoebe would mourn its passing as a ghost in some dark world. Yet there in the darkness was some kind of a life, some counterweight to the power of Gilligan, or Scutter, or anyone, anyone at all. There really is more to do in the world than the store, Phoebe thought. That is a great discovery. Should she bother to endure the pain of seeing Gilligan again? Out of loyalty to Abby, she decided to try. The thought dawned on Phoebe that she might be in love with Abby. She knew she longed to talk to her again, and hold her in the darkness. But for Phoebe, the language of sexuality was wrapped in a knot of anxiety that she constantly sought to untangle, but could never succeed. Years of this confusion had already gone by. She counted the years and months and days in the dead of night. Almost exactly five years of uncertainty over what she felt about being a woman, about love, about men and women. And still the landscape of this strange country was dark. Finally she picked up a few of her books that were piled on the floor and arranged them on the bed. She wondered what had become of the rest of her books, her easel and paints, her pictures from the old days, and all the things she had left behind. Now in the midnight silence she opened The Wind in the Willows, and there opposite the title page was

Phoebe Comes Home the stamp of the tree with the words, EX LIBRIS, and then, handwritten in ink, The Hood Family. Her father had read it to the family long ago. Phoebe liked to study the map on the opening page, all green and white above its huge title, ‘A Map of the Wild Wood and the Surrounding Country’. In childhood she had been sure that ‘The River’ in the map was the Half Moon, the ‘Wild Wood’ was of course the Forest Preserve, the ‘New Iron Bridge’ was the Half Moon Bridge, and the town was Middletown. She felt so close to the animals -- especially the Mole and the Water Rat and the Badger -- that she imagined them to be her friends and relatives. And even now, especially now, just a few minutes of reading about the truly marvelous happiness of the Water Rat was so comforting -- so soothing -- that Phoebe actually began to feel okay. She murmured the words out loud as she read the Water Rat’s speech about the River, a speech that invariably reminded her of the Toy Store. ’It’s brother and sister to me,’ said the Rat, ‘and aunts, and company, and food and drink… It’s my world, and I don’t want any other. What it hasn’t got is not worth having, and what it doesn’t know is not worth knowing. Lord! The times we’ve had together!’ Phoebe went on to read the Rat’s opinion of the Wild Wood. ’We don’t go there very much, we river-bankers.’ What with the stoats and weasels lurking in the shadows, the Wild Wood was a very scary place. Definitely not home, and not a place to roam -- except in the company of the beloved Badger, a true friend when you needed one most. And now Phoebe began to reflect on the Wild Wood. The Badger’s home there among the roots of the trees was a cozy place, hidden from the people of the town. There was more in the Wood than she had thought. It was possible to live there. Her parents were there, and Abby, and the mysterious Wendy, and who knows how many others… Soon Phoebe went on to The Black Arrow. First she studied a few illustrations, especially a picture of Dick Shelton and Joanna Sedley descending the stairs of the Moat House as they flee Sir Daniel’s men. Phoebe admired Joanna’s green leather outfit over tights and a cloth shirt, looking very much like a member of Robin Hood’s band. Then she read the part where Dick and Joanna first meet, with Joanna disguised as a boy. Phoebe was fascinated by the feelings they experience over this confusion of identity, leading up to Dick’s discovery that Joanna is a woman. Phoebe reread his speech with great pleasure. “Joanna, y’ ‘ave saved my life, and I have saved yours; and we have seen blood flow, and been friends and enemies – ay, and I took my belt to thrash you; and all that time I thought ye were a boy. But now death has me, and my time‘s out, and before I die I must say this: Y’ are the best maid and the bravest under heaven, and, if only I could live, I would marry

The Plot Thickens you blithely; and, live or die, I love you.” Of course they live, and after great struggles, they marry. And she pored over her books until the sun was ready to rise. Phoebe felt she had been asleep only a few minutes when she heard a knock on her door. “Phoebe!” came Penny’s singsong voice. “It’s after nine o’clock. Glenda’s picking us up in half an hour.” Penny opened the door and looked in. “We’ve got a big day,” she said. “Just like Mom,” muttered Phoebe as she sat up. Oh God, why did I promise to go out food shopping? They don’t need me. I’m not interested in food shopping. I’ll just be an extra passenger in a bad mood. But Phoebe rose and threw on her clothes and splashed some cold water on her face. She grabbed a cup of coffee and sat on the front steps. There she entered a peaceful moment. She had begun to enjoy this view of the field and the forest and the cliffs, and the blue haze beyond. It was all out of the map in her book, the three great parts of her universe: the River, the Wild Wood, and the Wide World. What was the Rat’s comment about the Wide World? ‘I’ve never been there, and I’m never going,’ the Rat said. Yes, this was a panorama that made sense, a way to feel oriented as she drank her coffee and quietly got adjusted to the day. To hell with Gilligan, she thought. Maybe I won’t even show up. But she knew she would. Glenda’s blue truck came down Oak Knoll Lane onto Main Street and pulled into the driveway. Phoebe slowly took her last few swallows of coffee, and, leaving her mug on the steps, walked over to the truck. Penny appeared from the backyard and climbed into the front seat next to Tiny and Glenda, and Phoebe jumped into the open bed of the pickup and sat on the large trunk bolted to the floor behind the cab. “There’s room here in the front,” called Glenda. “That’s okay. It’s fun here,” replied Phoebe, and off they went. The truck followed Main Street to Bridge Avenue, took a left, and cruised along slowly, looking for parking, finally pulling into an open spot right in front of the Toy Store. Penny, carrying an enormous canvas bag, with Glenda and Tiny on her heels, hit the street and walked to the door of Sammy’s Coffee Shop. Phoebe jumped to the sidewalk and followed. Penny walked toward the back shelves, but after a few steps turned back to Sammy with a look of disgust on her face. It was clear from a distance that the shelves were completely empty. Sammy shook his head and held up his hands with a shrug. “Sorry,” he said. “You know how it is with this stuff.”

Phoebe Comes Home “Sammy, I’m desperate. The party’s tomorrow.” “I know. But what can I do? I would have saved you some of the best but nothing’s come in.” “That’s all right,” said Penny. “I’ll try something else.” She turned back toward the door. “But what have you got in that bag?” asked Sammy. “I sure could use a few loaves. I could sell two-dozen muffins today. I know you want to trade, but remember, cash is always useful.” After a brief negotiation the small group was back in the truck with an empty canvas bag. Phoebe, sitting on the trunk behind the cab, felt her curiosity rise as they approached their next destination. The truck began by following her route of the previous Sunday, turning right on Old Stone Road, right again on Cemetery Lane, and crossing Main Street with the hospital and the Garden Center just ahead. But instead of turning left and pulling up in front of the Garden Center, the truck, as Phoebe had guessed, went straight ahead up Cemetery Lane and parked in front of the old one-story wood and sheet metal shed with a stove pipe sprouting from its slanted roof. Above the window to the right a faded sign read, Monuments and Inscriptions. Phoebe eagerly jumped down and joined the group as Penny knocked on the old, unpainted wooden door. The door opened, revealing the man with the triangular face and pointed ears. “Chi Chi!” burst out Penny, trying to keep her excited voice low. “I’m so glad you’re back. What happened? Sammy has nothing in the shop.” Chi Chi’s hazel eyes darted over the faces of the group. “Come in, come in,” he said in a quiet tone that vibrated with excitement, nodding and smiling to Glenda, Tiny, and Phoebe as he ushered them though the door. “You know, it’s not easy to make a delivery these days. But I haven’t forgotten you.” He showed them inside a dim and cluttered workshop, mostly hidden in shadow, to a wide worktable that held three huge, bulging burlap bags. “We only have a few hours to prepare,” said Penny nervously. “Of course, of course,” cooed Chi Chi, smiling and rubbing his hands together. A window in the wall behind the table lit up the faces of the group as he greeted them. “Glenda, so good to see you. As pretty as ever. And your lovely daughter, growing by leaps and bounds!” Chi Chi bowed to her gravely and said, “Sit up here so you can see something special.” He helped Tiny up on a tall stool. Then he turned to Phoebe, who was standing back a few paces to stay out of the way, and offered his hand. “Don’t be shy,” he said. As she

The Plot Thickens grasped his hand he pulled her forward to the table, and then addressed the group as if they were all a part of some secret plan. “You’re in luck,” he announced. “I’ve just returned from some wonderful long walks… I knew these treats would cause a stir in the coffee shop, so I’ll present them to you in privacy…” Chi Chi quickly wiped the wooden table clean, and began unpacking the bags, laying out in the light of the window bunches of basil, arugula, and cilantro, bags of leaf lettuce, bags of peas bursting in their shells, bags of huge blackberries each over an inch long, gorgeous peaches the size of grapefruits, dozens of dark green finger beans and lemon cukes, a pile of the notorious colossal tomatoes, and maybe forty ears of corn the size of a man’s forearm. The smells, the colors, the sizes and the shapes, were overpowering. Phoebe wondered if some of this dazzling array might come from the garden among the hay bales, just a stone’s throw away. Certainly not the corn and peaches – or the blackberries either -- but maybe some of the rest, she thought. She watched carefully as Penny stared, her eyes glistening. Unable to resist, Penny reached out and fingered an ear of corn, gently peeling back a little bit of the husk, revealing a few tiny baby kernels, speckled tan and black. “The first corn of the season! How do you get them so early? And lemon cukes? People will talk.” “Let them. Let them. We’re almost ready,” replied Chi Chi mysteriously. He allowed Penny to fully appreciate the spectacular display, and then said, “Just for this occasion, knowing who will be attending, I’ll give you something special… from the heights and the depths.” He lifted onto the table two more bags, one of wet burlap that spilled dark and silvery fish amid crushed ice glistening onto the table, and another -- an ordinary paper grocery bag -- that Chi Chi turned on its side. Out rolled dozens of small mushrooms with white stems and darkly veined caps like small pointed brains. “Chi Chi!” gasped Penny. “You outdo yourself. How did you even carry all this…?” Chi Chi smiled gleefully and rubbed his hands together. “Surely the occasion calls for something special? It is a bit expensive though. I’ve had to raise the price we agreed on...” Penny took a deep breath. “Go on,” she sighed. “Three large loaves a week for twelve weeks, mostly your new specialties, big on the amaranth, potato, and bean flours, gluten free.” “Twelve weeks!” howled Penny. “I don’t have enough of the new flours! And I’ve given you six loaves already! Eight weeks is enough.”

Phoebe Comes Home “Now, now!” cautioned Chi Chi. “I have the advantage today. But for you I’ll make it ten. Think what I could get for this elsewhere.” Penny glanced at him sharply. “Chi Chi! You wouldn’t!” “I’m not threatening, I’m just saying, look at the rest of the world.” “Let’s not even think of it. Our little alliance is more important than anything else. Ten weeks it is.” They began to pack up their treasures. Phoebe, Glenda, and Tiny watched with fascination. On the way out the door Chi Chi said, “Now don’t forget, my friends, to keep this business silent. I know Penny would not have brought you here without your complete trust.” Chi Chi bowed his head in a formal and touching gesture, and they all bowed in return. Carrying the five bags, they returned to the truck. Glenda unlocked the trunk and stowed the treasure away. Overcome with curiosity, Phoebe squeezed into the cab beside Penny. Glenda put the old standard transmission into gear, took a slow u-turn, and they rolled down Cemetery Lane. “My goodness, Penny!” exclaimed Glenda with wide eyes. “Wasn’t that something! There is more to you and this world of ours than I ever dreamed of… Where to?” “Our next stop will be more boring. Just Scutter’s Market.” Phoebe could feel her sister trying to find the right words as the conversation paused. Finally Penny said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you to Chi Chi without asking you first. It’s a responsibility that…” “Say no more,” cut in Glenda. “Don’t worry for a second. I have no wish to meddle and every reason to be quiet as a stone. This business with the forest is not my cup of tea.” “Thanks,” said Penny with evident relief. “I knew I could count on you.” In the silence that followed Phoebe felt pressure to speak, but realized that her own view of the forest was quite different from Glenda’s. Somewhere inside Phoebe did wish to meddle, and felt every right to do so. She ended up saying nothing. They drove past Scutter’s Market, turned left into the large new parking lot, and walked back to the sidewalk entrance. “Don’t get sidetracked by anything here,” Penny advised. “It’s too expensive and we don’t need it. All we want are the drinks, big containers of juice, beer, and soda.” Deep in the supermarket-sized store, as they piled juice into a cart, they were surprised to hear raised voices emerging from a back office. An indignant male voice shouted, “But I’m the buyer! You’ve got to tell me the source of these goods!” To Phoebe’s shock Abby suddenly appeared, moving quickly into view while

The Plot Thickens speaking back over her shoulder. “You don’t own me,” she said coldly. As Abby hurried by her eyes met Phoebe’s in surprise for a moment of recognition, and she was gone. Scutter quickly followed Abby up the aisle, trying to make himself heard without attracting attention. “I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “Please… you can understand... We don’t run across products like these everyday. Our customers are interested, and so am I. Come back, please…” But Abby continued walking out of the store without a backward glance, and Scutter was left standing at the sliding door, uncertain of what to do next. He looked well-dressed but out of place in penny loafers, pressed slacks, a well-ironed pale yellow shirt, and a dark blue blazer with a college emblem on the side. Despite the intense air conditioning, he wiped the sweat from his brow with a white handkerchief. He pushed his hair back into place, and looked around with some embarrassment. A security guard hurried to the scene but Scutter waved him away. Seeing Penny approaching with a full shopping cart, he smiled and said, “Good to see you, Penny. Rumor has it you’re having a party. Glad to see you’re buying here.” Penny was staring vaguely into space, her face white as a sheet. The awkward silence grew longer. “Everything… okay?” asked Scutter, frowning. Penny’s eyes suddenly focused. She smiled and said, “Of course. And please come by tomorrow evening.” At that moment a very tall, very thin older man in a dark suit walked up the aisle and said, “There you are Scutter. A quick word privately if I may.” He nodded at the others with his long, narrow, balding head. His thin lips smiled, but dark eyes stared at them with smoldering ferocity. His long nose looked predatory, like the beak of a hawk. The man seemed to take Scutter into custody with his hand on Scutter’s back and his thin face leaning down to Scutter’s ear, and walked him back toward the office. Glenda, with Tiny sitting in the back of the cart, quietly joined the checkout line. “I saw that man a few days ago,” said Phoebe in a low voice. “Milton Morphy…” whispered Penny. “That’s him,” said Phoebe, just mouthing the words. The line moved forward and Glenda began to unload the containers onto the counter. The young cashier looked up and said, “Hi Glenda.” “George!” exclaimed Glenda. “I didn’t know you worked here. Aren’t you over at the Toy Store?”

Phoebe Comes Home “Oh, Gilligan doesn’t have enough business to keep me,” replied George in an embarrassed whisper. “I wish he did.” “Hey George, how’s things?” greeted Penny. “Oh, okay I guess.” At that moment George noticed Phoebe further back in line. “Phoebe!” he cried. “I heard you were coming back.” “Hi, George, I’ve missed you…” Phoebe could find no more words. Penny jumped in and said, “We’re having a party tomorrow night. At my house, 12 Main Street, across from the big field…” “I know, I’ll be there. Your Mom called.” As Penny counted out the money and George packed up the items, Phoebe stole a glance at him. He looked different, a bit taller and thinner than before, with the cheekbones more prominent. His brown hair no longer fell to his shoulders, but was cropped close to the head in a razor cut. His button down blue shirt looked more formal than the ragged tee shirts of old. Suddenly George stole a glance at Phoebe. His blue-gray eyes tried to smile, but the pain of long ago was still evident. The new lines in his face conveyed more suffering, and more character. They could not tear their eyes away from each other. To ease the embarrassment George waved, and she waved back and smiled. A few minutes later Penny, Glenda, Tiny, and Phoebe were once again crowded in the front seat of the truck heading for home. “I want Abby to come back,” announced Tiny suddenly. Her high, wavering voice broke the tense silence in the crowded truck. “Can we ask Abby to come back?” “Of course we can,” returned Glenda. “We’ll do everything to find her.” “I’d like to help,” said Phoebe. “I really think I can help.” But the manner of Abby’s departure left a cloud of gloom and worry over the group. After another long silence, Phoebe decided to fish for a little information. “It was nice to see George again,” she observed. “I’m glad he’s coming to the party. But what’s going on at the Toy Store that there’s not even work for one boy to help Gilligan?” “Oh! You don’t even want to know,” replied Penny in disgust. “Don’t get involved in that! You’ll tear your heart out.”

Phoebe Breaks Through

Phoebe Comes Home Back at the house Penny and Glenda began organizing the food and putting together some lunch, while Phoebe stood around awkwardly, trying not to think about Abby. Tiny kept getting in the way, asking for snacks, for juice, to go home, to see Abby, to visit Kayla, and on and on. After Glenda had said, “Just a minute!” about twenty times, Phoebe asked Tiny if she wanted to see something special, and led her out to the backyard. There they found a nurf ball the size of a soccer ball that had been sitting out all week. Over the last few days Phoebe had spent some idle moments experimenting with her recovery from injury by trying to juggle this ball, soccer style, with the feet, body, and head only. She realized that by standing on her good left leg and keeping her right leg just slightly bent, she could hop with the ball bouncing on the top of her right foot. She could keep the ball bouncing like that almost indefinitely, occasionally flicking the ball up to her head for a touch or two before letting it fall back to the foot. This exercise encouraged Phoebe immensely. Her doctor wanted to check her progress in another few weeks, and she dreaded making the trip up north only to hear bad news again. She began to show Tiny her little act. Tiny was fascinated, and began running at the ball and trying to kick it away. Phoebe began to move around the yard in her speed-limp, intercepting the ball and kicking it back to Tiny. She had to take great care in changing direction from side to side, but she was agile enough to develop a new game: Tiny would kick the ball as hard as she could, and Phoebe would anticipate its direction, move quickly, and be in the right place to send the ball back, to Tiny’s screams of delight. A voice appeared in the back of Phoebe’s mind saying, This is fun! This is really fun! I’ve got to do more of this. Lunch was ready far too soon, and immediately afterward Glenda and Tiny hurried off to prepare for a visit to Tiny’s father’s parents. As Phoebe washed the dishes Penny began organizing the kitchen for a baking session, muttering about having way too much to do. Phoebe wandered off unnoticed with her coffee to the front steps, where she could stare blankly at the forest and focus her full attention on the incident at Scutter’s. There’s no getting around it, she thought, suddenly aghast at the implications of what she had seen. Abby must have tried selling Wendy’s vegetables to Scutter. And what will keep the Morphy crew from coming after every piece of information Abby may know? When I had the chance I said nothing to warn her! All my father’s fears are already happening! She closed her eyes and shook her head from side to side, and finally put her head in her hands. I made some sort of promise to Abby. This is my chance to be a friend to someone. A lonely girl like me has to care for someone.

Phoebe Breaks Through It was still early in the afternoon on a beautiful day. Phoebe set off down Main Street walking with all the speed she could manage. At Bridge Avenue she turned right, and limped hurriedly toward the river and the forest beyond. In less than an hour she was on the dirt road to the dead end, walking in the shadow of the thick pine trees. As she followed the curve of the road she suddenly saw an old green car a short distance ahead, facing the rusted gate marking the end of the road. Phoebe froze. She stared and listened carefully. Her view did not afford her a look at the house, but there was no one visible in the car or the space beyond the gate as far as she could see. The path on the right hand side was screened by the trees. All of a sudden she heard a distant word or two of a man’s voice. Her heart beat loudly in her breast. She turned to the woods on her right and crawled under the long pine branches reaching out into the road. In seconds she was invisible, lying flat on a carpet of pine needles, with a broken view of the road not fifteen feet away. The voices became louder: “But Will! Why does he want her?” “How do I know? He just said find her and bring her.” “Yeah. But what if we had found her? What if she didn’t want to go? What were we supposed to do then?” “I told you. He said persuade her. That’s your job.” The two men were standing by the car. Phoebe could see the old work boots and jeans of one of them. “My job! I don’t even know what he wants with her.” “You’re not supposed to know. Just make something up, Marcus. She likes you.” “You mean lie to her. Trap her.” “You don’t have to see it that way,” came the reply. “And you’d better keep those thoughts to yourself. They want that girl bad.” Suddenly a car door opened and slammed with bang. The other door opened and closed more quietly. The engine coughed to a start, and the car moved forward and back in an effort to turn around. “Damned road isn’t big enough to ride a bike on!” growled the driver through the open window as they passed just a few feet from where Phoebe lay. “And they’ll probably just send us back again.” In seconds the car puttered slowly by, making a strange rhythmic clicking sound that slowly faded down the road. Phoebe could feel her heart thumping against the ground beneath her. She lay without moving for what seemed like a long time.

Phoebe Comes Home On the way back Phoebe thought of avoiding the road, but the forest seemed thick, dark, and without a path. So she walked carefully near the trees, stopping and peeking ahead around every bend. Her heart pounded. Her body was covered in sweat. She felt helpless alone in the forest with a bad knee. If they saw her they could catch her. It would be useless to run. And then what would happen? After stalking slowly along the stretch of road that wound through the forest, she came to the top of an incline, and suddenly could see down the slope to the Half Moon Bridge, and all the way up the hill to the town. No faded green car was visible. As she walked along Phoebe conceived the idea that if she couldn’t find Abby, the next best thing would be to follow her advice. She would see Gilligan right away, that afternoon. To her surprise, the sun was still a few hours from the horizon. It seemed as if it should be evening already, what with all that had happened. She brushed the pine needles from her jeans and her Northern State Women’s Soccer Jersey, and ran her fingers through her short hair, slicking it back from her forehead and behind her ears. I don’t look very presentable, but it really doesn’t matter. I probably stink but who cares? I’m only doing this because I told Abby I would. Gilligan’s clearly not interested in me anyway. But I can’t bear to go home without trying something… She noticed that she was still wearing her ‘lucky indoors’, one red shoe and one black, and was glad. Her walk to town seemed to be over in a second, and suddenly Phoebe stood at the gate to the courtyard of the Toy Store. With a deep breath she walked forward, swung open the front door, and stepped into the store. Her head seemed as empty as the sky. Once again Gilligan was sitting behind the cash register reading a book. He looked at Phoebe and muttered, “Good afternoon.” “Hi,” said Phoebe. “Good to see you.” She thought her voice sounded very loud. She felt as if someone else was speaking over whom she had no control. “I’m… I’m ready for work.” “Well, to tell you the truth, I’ve thought it over, and we don’t have many customers in the summer, and… maybe we can talk about it again in a couple of months.” “A couple of months!” Phoebe stared at Gilligan in disbelief. “I can help you, you know. I’ll bring you customers!” Gilligan found it difficult to meet her eyes and looked down. “I’m sorry, you see,” he said, “but we don’t have much money.” Phoebe continued to stare at him in mounting anger. “Well! If the store were more interesting, more people would come in!” Her eyes bored in upon Gilligan and he finally looked back, growing angry in turn.

Phoebe Breaks Through “We can’t all be like your parents!” he shouted. “I’m doing the best I can!” Phoebe paused and took in this new side of Gilligan, feeling the first glimmerings of sympathy. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just that I’m so eager to work. I’ve my heart set on it. Let me just try it for a week. I won’t ask for any money. Let’s just see how I do. Give me one chance and you’ll see how worthwhile I can be. I’ll work for free.” Gilligan sighed. “Well… indeed… that’s hard to refuse,” he said. “I do need some help. Things haven’t been going so well lately. I thought I’d made a hit with some of the new-style games, but that new store over in Half Moon specializes in them and is taking all the business.” “I’m ready to start. You won’t regret it. Where should I begin?” “You’re the one who wants to work. We don’t have any customers to wait on, so you’re going to have to think about what needs to be done.” “Hmm… okay. First, let me redecorate your windows. I’ll make some signs advertising a sale, and announcing some activities to bring people in. After that I’ll clean the place, and then I’ll rearrange the arts and crafts portion to make the paints and brushes and crayons and markers and paper and canvas more prominent so people can see them. Maybe I’ll call Rose from the pre-school to see if she’ll bring the children down for a visit. I hear Rose and Rob have groups of kids doing activities this summer.”

And so Phoebe got to work, feeling almost as if she were dreaming. She took

everything out of the window, and cleaned it thoroughly. Then she decided on a theme, stories of adventure, and made a large sign of bright red letters reading, FIND ADVENTURE TODAY.

She hung the sign in the left hand window, and below it she displayed illustrated

copies (that she found in boxes in the basement) of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, The Golden Compass, Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Poo, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Ozma of Oz, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Treasure Island, The Wind in the Willows, The Three Musketeers, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Some copies she laid open to illustrated pages and some she stood upright. Behind the books she organized a profusion of games and toys of all kinds, from stuffed animals to blocks, from chess to Candyland. At the very top of the window she put a sign that read, SPECIAL SALE ON GAMES.

Then she moved to the right hand window and made another sign of bright red

letters reading, MAKE A PICTURE TODAY, and hung it from the upper window frame. She displayed canvas and stretcher frames on the floor next to the window, and carried a wide piece of shelving in behind to present colored pencils, markers of all sorts, brushes, oil paints and watercolors, pastels and modeling clay. To take a little break she walked

Phoebe Comes Home to the hardware store and bought a large bulletin board and hung it near the gate that stood open at the entrance to the courtyard from the sidewalk. She then gathered all the miscellaneous announcements, signs and advertisements scattered around the shop for everything from babysitting to fishing tackle, and organized them on the bulletin board. By the time she had finished a handful of people were gathered there to take a look. As Phoebe stood in the courtyard admiring the effect of her bulletin board an old woman walked up to her and said, “Hello dear! I don’t think I’ve seen you in a long time, have I? Sometimes I can’t trust my memory. But I used to come by and see you in the old days.” “Yes, you’re Mrs. Wittison, aren’t you? I’m Phoebe and just back at work today. I haven’t been here in a year. Your memory is very good.” “I’m so glad. Sometimes it’s hard to be sure. I’ll see you again soon.” As they spoke a mother came in with a girl and three small boys. “I see you have a sale on games,” the woman said. “How much is your Connect Four? Uno? Monopoly? How about Candyland? We’ve lost so many pieces.” Phoebe walked them into the store and up to Gilligan at the counter. As they spoke Phoebe pushed her open hand down toward the floor, and Gilligan came through with attractive prices. The woman ended up buying a whole shopping bag full of games as her children said, “Please. Please…” and “Yes! Yes!” and “Can’t we have just one more?” After they finally departed Phoebe called the Middletown Pre-school on the telephone. To her delight Rose answered the phone, and Phoebe said, “Hi Rose, it’s Phoebe Hood, I was just talking to a friend about you and the school and I wanted to give you a call. You know my sister and I are having a little party tomorrow night at 6PM, dinner in the backyard at 12 Main Street, and I want to invite you and Rob…” “Phoebe Hood! Well, well. Your mother phoned just the other day. Of course we’ll come. It’s been a few years now. What made you think of us?” “Oh, for one thing, some friends are thinking of enrolling their children in the school. My generation is starting to become parents, amazing as it seems.” “Bring them over! We’re just forming a new class. How nice.” “Also, I just wanted to let you know that I’m back in the Toy Store now working for Gilligan, and I was thinking about some of the arts and crafts projects we ran for your classes when they used to visit years ago. Gilligan has given me permission to invite your classes here again, almost any day that you could take a little field trip. It would be great if you and Rob could invite the parents along, or have them pick up the children here at the store after

Phoebe Breaks Through the session… Yes, of course, free of charge, just a part of the good will of the store. Indeed! Of course we could use the advertising. That’s great, any day you can arrange it. Let us know… See you tomorrow night! Okay, thanks, bye! “Okay! We’re going to get some children here soon for an art project. And maybe we’ll do some storytelling.” Gilligan looked carefully at Phoebe and stroked the small reddish beard at the end of his chin. “You know, I may not be able to do the kinds of things you are doing, but I can appreciate them. And I want to apologize for the way I treated you before. I’ve been struggling with the store’s finances, and… I’m afraid I wasn’t as polite as I should have been. Really, to have you work here free of charge just seems unreasonable now that I see your talents. Let me start paying you minimum wage as of tomorrow.” “Thank you. I accept.” “And I just want to say that it’s a pleasure to have you here.” He walked over and shook her hand. “Now, I hope you’ll fill me in on some details. I gather that these projects for children will be free of charge. But we’ll have to pay for them. What do you have planned? What are their parents likely to buy? What should we order?” It was after seven o’clock. As they talked Gilligan put things away and counted the money in the register. As he was about to close more customers entered the store. Looking out the window, Phoebe noticed the street traffic spilling into the courtyard. “You should stay open at least until eight. You know we used to stay open past nine in the summer. The evening is the best time.” “I know, I know,” muttered Gilligan, as if talking to himself. “Someone was telling me that just the other day. Back when I first bought the store I promised my wife I would make it more like a regular job, ten to six. We aren’t even together anymore, and I’m still trying to make this into a normal job… Does such a thing even exist?” He waved his hand and looked up at Phoebe. “It’s time to cut loose! Let’s stay open another hour and see how it goes.” During the next hour they made half a dozen sales, and customers were still coming in. A couple of kids Phoebe had seen on the street rolled in on small silver scooters and took over a corner of the courtyard for a hackysack game. Phoebe admired their skill juggling the little bag-of-beans and joined them for a few minutes. “We’re the Flores brothers,” announced the older one, as if Phoebe should have heard of them. “I’m Phoebe,” she replied. “Come back and play anytime.” “We will.”

Phoebe Comes Home Phoebe took a few minutes to carry some folding chairs and a small round table up from the basement to the courtyard. Soon the group that had been standing around took seats and traded banter and gossip with passers-by. Some of those who stopped entered the store, and Gilligan made more sales. After seven o’clock they did by far their best business of the day. Phoebe thanked the crowd in the courtyard as she eased them out to close the gate by eight-thirty. “We’ll be here tomorrow,” she said. “Welcome back,” said an older white-haired man. “Chester Peterson!” returned Phoebe. “Good to see you.” “Yeah, welcome back,” said another man. “Get us some cards and dominos out here like your father did in the old days.” “Phoebe, where ya been? How come your parents don’t visit?” “Are you going to stick around?” Back inside Gilligan was counting the money in the register again. “This has been some day! Let’s open from eleven to eight from now on.” Out on the sidewalk before he got in his car he turned to Phoebe in some embarrassment. “Let me thank you again. I hope you’ll stay with it. Tomorrow at ten-thirty then, to open by eleven?” Phoebe refused a ride and walked toward home in the twilight, almost dizzy with happiness.

III

Party Business As Phoebe walked down Bridge Avenue and looked through the dim air toward the river and the forest beyond, her thoughts shifted back to Abby and the men who were hunting for her. Where was Abby now? Did she know that people were after her? Who could warn her? Phoebe considered the matter as she turned right on Main Street and headed for home, with the last pale glow of the setting sun ahead and a full moon rising behind. At Oak Knoll Lane she decided to turn left and walk up to Glenda’s cottage. A cool breeze wafted out of the dark forest, rustling the leaves and moving the shadows in the moonlight in the quiet night. Phoebe knocked gently on Glenda’s door. “Who is it?” came a nervous voice through the letter slot. “It’s me, Phoebe.” The door opened quietly, and Glenda stepped outside. “I just got Tiny to sleep,” she said. “We can talk out here. I only need a minute.” “What is it?” asked Glenda with a slight shudder of fear, instantly perceiving that Phoebe had some danger to communicate. “Is Abby here?” “No. She didn’t come back today. Why? Did something happen?” “After lunch today I walked to the haunted house, but I saw a car there and hid in the woods. I heard two men talking. They were sent to bring Abby somewhere, maybe even against her will, but they couldn’t find her. We need to warn her.” Glenda gave a deep sigh. “Oh no… I was afraid of that. I felt it coming.” She clasped her hands in anxiety. “I don’t know where she is. But you know, Abby has parents in Woodridge -- maybe she’s gone back there. I might be able to find somebody with their phone number.” “That’s a good idea. But is there anything I should do? I’d go back to the haunted house, but they might watch it.” “Abby is clever -- more clever than people think. She appears and disappears. I don’t think they’ll catch her at the house, but they might catch you.” “I hear you. It’s good advice.” “That’s all I can think of right now; except… maybe I’ve got another idea.”

Phoebe Comes Home “Yes?” “Oh, it’s kind of a long shot. You know my husband Dennis – I know, he’s never around, but he’s still my husband, and his parents, the Bentleys, are close to Tiny. She’s their only grandchild. They see her once a week, sometimes more. Tiny talks to them about Abby, and they asked me about her. They’re rich people, well connected. They got Dennis a job with Bill Owens at the Owens Apples office in Fellsburg. And Dennis’ uncle runs Hickory Securities right here in Middletown. Maybe they’ll help Abby. What do you think?” “Be careful. Hickory Securities is involved with Scutter, and I saw Abby practically run out of his store this morning. He chased her to the door, begging to know where the vegetables come from. She wasn’t talking.” Glenda sucked her teeth and shook her head. “Abby can’t make a friend.” “Be careful. She’s only got us.” Glenda nodded. “By the way, I’ve got some good news. I’m working at the Toy Store starting today. I got a job.” “Phoebe! That’s so great! How did you manage it?” “It’s kind of a long story, and we’re both beat. Let’s talk tomorrow at the party.” “Thanks for letting me know about Abby. I really appreciate it.” “Thanks, Glenda. Take care. See you.” Phoebe headed back down the lane in the moonlight. It had been a long day. As she approached 12 Main Street she was surprised to notice Jim’s jeep parked in the driveway. She thought about telling Penny and Jim about her new job, and felt unprepared for the attention the news would bring. If only I could talk to my father... She moved through the front door quietly and at the base of the stairs heard voices. “Fred Peterson’s got to get his wagon here by three o’clock,” Penny was saying. “Horses and all?” came Geraldine’s voice. “He won’t come any other way. We’ve got more salad vegetables from my father now, but we still need more potatoes, and chickens, and cheese. Fred will run it like a store, with Chester there. I like the idea. We can get whatever we want.” Peeking around the corner Phoebe caught a glimpse of Jim sitting at the kitchen table. Overcome with curiosity she continued into the kitchen, where she found Jim, Penny, and Geraldine huddled around the table deep in conversation. “Hi everyone!” she greeted them. “The mystery girl!” teased Jim, pitching his voice like a TV newsman. “Her activities are shrouded in secrecy.”

Party Business “Me? I’m an open book. You three look like conspirators, plotting late at night.” “Its true,” he whispered, looking around as if afraid of being overheard. “The big conspiracy is tomorrow night’s party. And this place has become a bread factory! I’m smuggling flour!” He gestured to the many heavy-looking sacks piled against the far wall and on the shelves above. “I notice those bags’ve got no logo, no printing at all,” returned Phoebe. “You just may be smuggling…” I hope I didn’t cut too deep with that one. Jim flushed and looked nervously at Penny, who scowled. “I’m just kidding,” Jim muttered. “Everyone gets too serious…” “We should all know enough to leave that alone, okay?” cut in Penny. “Now let’s get to work. This party has somehow turned into a bigger event than we thought. We seem to have solved the food problem. Fred Peterson’s bringing his roadside farmer’s market to our front yard. But we still don’t have enough tables; we don’t have enough chairs, or drinks, or cups, or forks or spoons… I guess we’re going to have to break down and buy plastic ware. I thought that between Geraldine and Jim and us we’d have enough table settings… And by the way, where have you been, Phoebe? Aren’t you going to get involved in all this? What’s up with you?” “Penny…” chided Geraldine. “Don’t forget what we...” But Phoebe jumped in, saying, “It’s all right, Geraldine. I need to let you all know something. I’ve got a job. I’m working for Gilligan at the store.” “I thought that might happen!” cried Jim. “Congratulations! Jeremy predicted it. Break out the champagne.” Geraldine smiled and said, “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.” But Penny was shaking her head. “I just hope you can get along with Gilligan. Things aren’t like they used to be.” “That’s all right, we’re doing okay. I’m just worried that I’ll be late tomorrow night.” “Oh, no,” groaned Penny. “When do you close?” “Eight o’clock.” “That’s terrible. How can we have a party for you if you’re not here?” Jim quietly moved his chair closer to Penny and leaned toward her. “It’s all going to be fine,” he said gently. “Phoebe will bring Gilligan to the party, we’ll all celebrate their good fortune, and people will be happy for Phoebe and the Toy Store. Your parents will be thrilled. You’ll see.” My goodness! thought Phoebe. I never thought Penny and Jim were so close. When did that happen?

Phoebe Comes Home Penny took a deep breath and leaned against Jim’s shoulder for a few seconds. Then she stood up. “I’ve got a good bottle of wine in here somewhere. Let’s all have a glass.” She searched briefly in the pantry. “Here Jim, you open this, and Geraldine will give us a toast. And here are glasses for everyone.” Then she turned and hugged Phoebe. Jim smiled and poured wine; four glasses were raised. “Here’s to Phoebe,” declared Geraldine, “with our happiness that’s she’s out there fighting for herself, and with my personal thanks to all of you for inviting me into your lives!” They clinked their glasses. The conversation went deep into the night. The next morning Phoebe awoke to the irritating beeping of her cell phone alarm. She had set it before going to sleep for the first time since her return. That’s all it’s good for, she thought. Here in Middletown it’s nothing but an alarm clock. She sat on the side of the bed desperate to return to sleep, but soon the good news of the day before washed over her like a wave. Life seemed to be moving very fast, just the way she liked it. This was the kind of world she had dreamed of, and she intended to make the most of it. Phoebe considered her clothes for the day, realizing that she wouldn’t have time to change before the party. To her surprise Penny was still asleep, and Phoebe took advantage by stepping into Penny’s closet and borrowing a nicely ironed button-down navy blue shirt to go with her clean pair of jeans and black high top sneakers. It almost feels like silk. Penny’s going to be so mad. But tonight’s the party, and all will be forgiven and forgotten. On her way out of Penny’s bedroom she noticed two bodies under the covers arranged like spoons, with Jim’s forehead and dark hair just behind Penny’s brown hair. Phoebe glided out of the room without a sound. Am I the only one who knows about this? More likely I’m the only one who doesn’t know. Nobody talks to me… Before ten o’clock she was out of the house and walking toward town. At the store Gilligan showed her the opening of the daily routine, and by eleven they were ready for business. But for hours no business came their way. It was a Saturday in beautiful weather, but not a single person came into the store. Gilligan read a book behind the cash register, looking depressed, and Phoebe felt a twinge of panic. I can’t let this dream die. There’s got to be something I can do. On a sudden impulse she descended to the basement and inspected the surprising quantity of toys and art materials remaining from years past. She brought up the best of the toys, cleaned them, and displayed them prominently to decorate the store. She also cleaned

Party Business the rows of folding chairs and folding tables, and imagined how she could organize groups for art projects, storytelling, and out-loud reading of children’s books. Finally a whole family walked in the door, mother and father and four children. “Some adventure stories,” said the father. “That’s what we need around our house. A copy of Treasure Island now, haven’t read it in years. I want the old illustrated edition, like the one in the window.” “Daddy, Daddy, look at the dolls. And the tiny chairs and tables!” said a small girl, wandering over to a set of low shelves. “Glowcolor markers!” exclaimed an older boy, wandering off in a different direction. “The stores in Half Moon don’t have these!” “Here is the classic Treasure Island illustrated by Wyeth,” said Phoebe. “Absolutely the best. By the way, this doll furniture is handmade, by my father actually. It really is something, isn’t it? Those markers are real art materials. Your family certainly notices the interesting things….” Phoebe hurried about, helping a wide variety of items over to the cash register. The family left in a state of delight, as if they were making off with buried treasure. When the store emptied again she paid some attention to the rooms at the back that were once used as a kitchen and dining room by her own family, but were now dusty and filled with boxes. Later on she climbed to the loft in the peak of the roof above the main section of the store, and took a look at the three small rooms that had once served as bedrooms and living room for herself and her sister and her parents. The main articles of furniture were still there, as if waiting for them to come back again. Thumb tacked to the wall next to the window in Phoebe and Penny’s room was a poem titled “To My Children” that Peter Hood had written in pencil the summer before. The faded words ran: I wish you a rainbow all round your head A warm place inside you when you go to bed A future beyond me where hope lights the way A life to be living when I’ve gone away The years roll like waves on the ocean before us You’re off in your boat with your sail in the air My heart it goes with you like a hand on your forehead More precious than gold is each strand of your hair I’m asking the man in the sky to take care Of you on that boat with your sail in the air Your life it unfolds as a mystery before us From out of our mother the earth we all share May earth wind and water go on forever May we always go with them our sails in the air

Phoebe Comes Home The man in the sky he wants us to take care Of our mother around us, the earth and the air He knew he was going away, thought Phoebe. He foresaw danger ahead. She grabbed an old pencil and a piece of scrap paper from the desk drawer, made a copy, and folded it into her wallet. In the middle of the afternoon Geraldine walked into the store. “I’m sent here on party business,” she announced, with a kind of mock formality. “But I was looking in the window outside and thought maybe I could ask for something personal as well.” “You’re always helping me, over my whole life,” said Phoebe with unusual warmth. “It would be wonderful if I could do something for you.” “Well, let’s take the official business first. Penny remembers there are chairs and tables here at the store, and hopes we can borrow them. I told her it wasn’t fair to ask you on your first day of work, but she insists, and wanted to come herself. So as a compromise, I took the mission and asked her to stay away… It’s perfectly okay to refuse. I’m just doing my duty.” Phoebe laughed. “Well, let me see… How can we handle this? Yes, I have an idea -- let’s talk to Gilligan.” Phoebe led the way to Gilligan at the cash register. “Dr. Bear!” he said with a smile. “Thanks for coming in. What can we do for you?” She looked nervously over to Phoebe. “It’s about the party,” Phoebe answered. “I forgot to mention it yesterday…” “Oh… the party! Your mother called me a few days ago. Yes, yes, that would be tonight, wouldn’t it? I told her I’d be there… but it slipped my mind, what with all we’re doing here.” “I have an idea,” Phoebe began. “You know the party is supposed to be in honor of my return to town. I don’t know how they came up with such a plan, but I’ve got to play my part. It turns out that my mother and sister have invited the whole town, and by the time we get there after closing the store tonight, a real mob will be there. Now here’s an interesting idea. They’re going to offer me a toast or something, and I’ll probably have to say a few words, and…” Phoebe paused and looked at Gilligan, “why don’t I announce that as of today I’m working for you at the store? I’ll invite all the guests to visit soon and buy items on sale and enroll in art classes and bring the children for activities… things like that. What do you think? Oh, and another thing. Penny needs some chairs and tables for the party. We can load some in Geraldine’s car and bring a few more when we arrive, just as a gesture of good will.

Party Business Well, that’s the plan.” Phoebe looked hopefully at Gilligan. The corners of Geraldine’s mouth were quivering with a smile as Gilligan stared at Phoebe. “I see what you’re getting at,” he finally said. “It seems worth a try. What do you think, Dr. Bear?” “I think it’s a splendid idea. You have no idea how many people will be there by eight o’clock, and Phoebe’s the guest of honor. I’m sure she’ll take full advantage of it. You’ll build your business.” “But about these classes and such… We don’t have any.” “We will soon,” replied Phoebe. “I’ll be putting up signs today. People will be joining classes next week.” “But who will teach them?” “I will. Don’t worry, I helped my mother teach painting and drawing for years. And you know my mother has some reputation now that’s she’s showing and selling paintings in Evansville. Did you know they’re arranging a show for her in River City? And by the way, Geraldine, remind me tonight to ask my mother for a couple of paintings to show here at the store.” Gilligan looked from Phoebe to Geraldine and back again. He appeared to be unsure if these new prospects were indeed serious, and not some kind of joke being played on him. Phoebe seemed too young and too glib to be trustworthy; but here was Dr. Bear, the very image of solid responsibility, obviously believing and supporting every word. “Okay…” said Gilligan hesitantly. “Where do we go from here?” “I think we can fit at least a dozen folding chairs into Geraldine’s car…” Phoebe said. “No, no! I’ll send Jim over with the jeep. My car is built for comfort you know. I’ve treated it tenderly all these years…” “Why Geraldine… of course. Let Jim bring the jeep, a much better idea.” The matter was settled. Phoebe walked Geraldine out onto the sidewalk, and waited for her to speak. “So Phoebe, this is all so fascinating. If you’ve got a minute, I want to ask you something… You’ve seen me admiring the paintings you and your mother made the other day, and I’ve been wondering if there is any way I could learn a little bit of a skill like that, and now I hear you’re forming classes. Would it be okay if I join?” “It would make me extremely happy if you would join.” “You know I won’t be any good. I’m the worst kind of amateur. You probably don’t

Phoebe Comes Home know what my life is like. I work and I work, and then on Saturdays I wake up and I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s been a relief to me this year to meet Penny on Saturday mornings, but later in the day I feel bored and lonely unless I get called to work. It’s my sad secret. I just haven’t known what to do. But then a few minutes ago I saw that sign in the window and it caught my eye.” “Which one?” “’Enjoy yourself, make a picture today.’” “You’re on, Geraldine. Saturday afternoon painting sessions. We can do it. I’ll get you started, and then I’m sure my mother will take an interest.” “Now, now, don’t flatter me. I’ll be satisfied with your class. So you’re really serious?” Phoebe looked into the kindly eyes of her family doctor squinting at her with an inquiring look, and felt for the first time her responsibility in this role reversal. Dr. Bear really needs me. And I don’t know if this class is really going to work. But so help me God I’ll make something happen. Phoebe smiled at Geraldine. “I’ll do my best,” she said. After Geraldine’s departure the store began to feel empty again. Phoebe busied herself creating a reading corner for children near the left display window at the front. Gilligan sat with his book behind the cash register and tried to read, but looked up nervously at the slightest noise. Finally he gave up and tossed the book on the counter. “I just don’t know,” he announced, “if this is ever going to…” “You know Dr. Bear will be joining our first painting class,” remarked Phoebe loudly as if she had not heard Gilligan. “One o’clock next Saturday. She’ll be buying a stretched canvas, oil paints, brushes, turpentine and such. We’re going to have to stretch and gesso some canvases. Plus we need a new sign announcing the class. I’ll be cleaning out the back room and setting up easels for our students. How much should we charge?” “And you really think people will come in for this?” “Well, Dr. Bear is already committed, and the party tonight will be filled with admirers of my mother’s work.” “You don’t say… Well, why don’t you make the sign? Let me clean out the back room. I’ve been planning to do it for weeks.” Half an hour later Phoebe heard the little bells attached to the front door jingle,

Party Business and looked up to see Jeremy walk into the store. He stopped and looked about, hands in his pockets, thin shoulders slouched forward. “Jeremy!” cried Phoebe. “Well, well,” said Jeremy, gazing here and there. “So this is the Toy Store. Nice. Nothing quite like it anywhere.” Indeed, thought Phoebe. She scrambled out from behind the counter. “Geraldine asked me to pick up some tables. ‘Party business,’ she said.” “Ah, of course. I didn’t realize you were in on this…” “I asked for the job,” explained Jeremy. “Well, let’s get going. Follow me… Gilligan! I’ll be carrying tables!” In a moment they were each maneuvering a long white folding table up the basement stairs and out across the courtyard. Jeremy stopped on the sidewalk and looked proudly at the huge blue and white tow truck parked in front. A few young boys were also admiring it, and one had the daring to climb aboard for a closer look. Phoebe stared at the truck in surprise. “Hasn’t that been in Jim’s back garage for years?” “Well, just two years, he tells me. But we need that garage for a car wash now -- and this truck will help us pick up more jobs -- so I decided to get it going. This is my very first test run. You know it’s an ex-River City police tow truck. Nice, huh?” “Spectacular. I see you’re drumming up some business.” “Absolutely. I can’t let you get too far ahead. Got to keep up with your pace, you know. You move fast.” Phoebe smiled. “I never thought I’d see this old monster running. Just an impractical idea of Jim’s, I thought. It’s been collecting dust way more than two years… Nice. I can’t believe it.” Jeremy beamed. A small crowd had collected around the truck. “Okay you guys, back off there.” He swung his table to lay it down across the back of the truck on the metal platform covering the four huge back wheels. Phoebe copied his motion. “Now what’s this all about?” asked a voice. “Chester Peterson… Good to see you again. We’re moving tables to my sister’s house for the party tonight. I hope you’re going to be there. Bring your family and friends. Twelve Main Street.” “We’re all coming. Fred’s market wagon is already there. We’re selling vegetables and peaches and eggs and chickens in your yard!” Then Chester paused and looked around

Phoebe Comes Home suspiciously, and said in a low voice: “I wouldn’t pass up the chance to see your father again. I’ve got some questions to ask him.” “Okay…” said Phoebe, not sure how to handle Chester’s conspiratorial air. “So tell me, what brings you to town these days?” “I’m helping Sammy, of course. We’re expanding the shelves, reorganizing the coffee shop.” “Amazing. I’m glad to hear it. Well, we’ve got tables and chairs to carry. It’s going to be a busy day.” As Phoebe turned to walk back inside a voice called out to her. George Thompson was approaching from across the street. He jogged over to the tow truck, coming up close to Phoebe. “I just heard you’re working in the Toy Store again. Is it true?” “That’s right. Just my second day.” Phoebe gave George a smile and another quick survey. He looked good in dark jeans, a short-sleeved button-down white shirt, and a new razor haircut with a lightning bolt design on the side of his head. He smiled in a charming way, but his voice was hesitant, and like the day before, his eyes were sad. He looked right into her eyes and said, “I just want you to know that I’m so glad to hear it. Congratulations.” He held up a hand and they smacked palms and embraced. “Oh! Thanks… I… really appreciate it.” Phoebe felt breathless, almost speechless. She wanted to say she knew he’d been working in the Toy Store, but then she was afraid George would take it as a reference to his being laid off, and in the confusion of her thoughts a few moments went by where they just stared at each other, tongue-tied. Finally Jeremy, standing next to Phoebe, shifted his weight and nudged his elbow into her ribs. She grabbed the opportunity to introduce him as if it were a life preserver in a trackless ocean. “George, I don’t know if you’ve met Jeremy, Jim and Glenda’s cousin? Jeremy, this is my old friend George. His parents own Miracles Gift Shop.” They shook hands and smiled. “So, what are you guys up to?” asked George. “I’m on my lunch hour.” “We’re carrying tables to my tow truck for tonight’s party,” returned Jeremy. “Let me help you. I’ve got time.” “Sure,” said Phoebe, but she found herself somehow outside the conversation, as George and Jeremy continued talking. “Boy, what a splendid truck!” exclaimed George. “You fixed it up like that?” “I did,” nodded Jeremy, accepting the admiration of the small crowd as his rightful

Party Business due. “Say, you must be the George who plays guitar. I just moved here, and I was asking Jim about musicians…” “You play?” They looked at each other in a new light, and slapped hands. “I’m in between bands,” said George with enthusiasm. “College and jobs broke us up. Let’s get together…” Phoebe stared at them hitting it off with mixed feelings. It was hard to be ignored, and she was the one on the clock with a boss inside. “Hey, let’s go,” she said. “We’ve got work to do.” Passers-by continued to collect, and some of them spilled into the courtyard and finally into the store. Gilligan was ringing up a sale as Phoebe, Jeremy, and George walked through on their way to the basement. “Phoebe!” called Gilligan. “I need your help over here.” “Sorry guys,” yelled Phoebe. “Keep it going, I’ll be right back.”

Unexpected Appearances

Unexpected Appearances As the day wore on the traffic in the store continued to pick up, but some of the new arrivals had no interest in purchasing anything. They were on their way to the party, had heard of Phoebe’s return to the store, and just wanted to pay their respects. Friar Tuck poked his bald head in the door at about 5:30, and, seeing Phoebe at the cash register, came forward with the formality of an official visit. He wore his dark coat and white collar, but his solemnity was broken by the good humor in his eyes and his odd messiness and awkward gestures. He just couldn’t seem to get a new pair of shoes, or keep his shirt tucked in, or keep his voice down, or lose any weight. “Phoebe Hood! I hope you don’t mind my stopping in on the way to the party. I just wanted to say hello, and… well, to say how pleased I am that you’re back in the store. And Gilligan, I want to thank you for giving this girl a chance. You’re doing the right thing.” Friar Tuck shook Gilligan’s hand vigorously. “You know, I’m going to give your store a little… well, visibility, in my next sermon. You deserve it. I’ll see you later. Carry on.” As he turned toward the door Phoebe said, “I enjoyed your sermon last Sunday.” “Did you now…” he replied, suddenly losing his odd fussy manner and looking closely at her. “You had something really important to say,” Phoebe went on. “It doesn’t happen often.” He nodded and smiled. “Not many have said so. I appreciate you’re telling me.” “I mean it.” “We’ll have to have a talk some time soon,” said Tuck, continuing his careful scrutiny of Phoebe’s face. He nodded again, dipping his head almost like one of Chi Chi’s bows, and turned toward the door. Later on George’s sister Ellie, Rose and Rob, and Glenda and Tiny all dropped by to encourage Phoebe, and finally Jerome Peabody, editor of the Middletown Standard, crossed the street from his office to gather some news for his next weekly edition. Wearing a pale three-piece summer suit with a straw hat, he seemed to be a visitor from a bygone world. “I heard the news, and just had to see for myself. A Hood back in the Toy Store! What a surprise! They say you’re going to bring back the old days. What do you say to a little interview? You too, Gilligan. How did you come up with such an idea? Like hiring the daughter of a Kennedy. Bound to capture the attention of everyone. I’ve just got to get an article ready. What are your plans?” Phoebe and Gilligan looked at each other with puzzled alarm, not knowing what to say.

Phoebe Comes Home “Don’t be shy, it can’t do the store any harm to get some publicity.” Phoebe jumped in: “I want your readers to know that I’m thrilled to be back here working for Gilligan. I’ll be starting classes in painting and drawing, we’ll be running activities for children, inviting personalities from the town to do out-loud readings of famous children’s books, and we’ll work with the Middletown community to organize some holiday festivals. We just want everyone to come by and bring the children. We see a new generation coming along, looking for life and art and fun, and we want to be a part of it.” Jerome Peabody was making notes, and after a pause he looked up and smiled. “That’ll do fine. Very good. Now, to give the article a little juice, folks in our town will want some news of your parents. What are they up to these days? Just a few details to keep the public happy.” Phoebe felt thrown off balance for a moment, but recovered quickly and managed a smile. “Well, you know my parents are always available to speak to you directly. I think it’s best if they speak for themselves.” He gave her a sly, appraising look. “Now Ms. Hood, what would you say if I told you that your parents have avoided my requests for interviews? What would you say if I told you that folks in this town don’t know what they’re doing, or even where they live?” “Mr. Peabody. That’s a little unfair. I hope you’re coming to the party tonight at my sister’s house. My parents will be there, and you can gather some news first hand.” “Why thank you. I actually wasn’t invited, but I’m sure that was an oversight. I know your family is very busy -- no hard feelings. I’ll be glad to come, and I’ll count on you for some first hand news. I appreciate it. And thank you for the interview. Gilligan… I know you’ll be happy with the support this article will give to your business.” Peabody nodded politely. “Don’t forget your promise!” Gilligan stared at the retreating figure in shock. “What’s all that about? What a day.” Phoebe’s mind was racing. “Do you understand what’s going on?” asked Gilligan nervously. “I hope it works out in our favor.” As dusk began to settle over Middletown, Gilligan and Phoebe closed the store and drove in Gilligan’s ancient Mustang down Bridge Avenue. The scars of many repairs, both old and new, were visible all over the body. Pieces of leather were sewn over the frayed upholstery. “This car is like a work of art,” observed Phoebe.

Unexpected Appearances “You wouldn’t believe how old this thing is,” said Gilligan, his voice laden with longing and regret. “I’ve kept it up since I was a teenager. But you know, it’s sad. A car like this isn’t suitable for these times… But my ex-wife took the new car, so here I am.” “I like it,” said Phoebe. “I secretly still love it,” admitted Gilligan, patting the dashboard as if it were an old horse. Peering into the failing light, Phoebe muttered, “My goodness… could all these cars be for our party?” They stared at the rows of cars lining the street. As Gilligan slowed down to a crawl they passed 12 Main Street. Cars blocked the driveways of Dr. Bear’s house and Penny’s house. Some people were milling about the huge wagon parked on the front lawn. Gilligan continued down the road to an open parking spot. They walked back toward the party, listening to the murmur of voices in the distance. A full moon rose over the horizon before them. “Just stick with me,” said Phoebe. “We’ll make this work.” As they approached the driveway Jeremy and Jim jumped up from the front steps. “You’re here!” cried Jim. “Lights, camera, action!” “That’s my cue,” said Jeremy, and disappeared. “Just wait a bit with me,” said Jim. “We’ve got to give them a moment.” The noise of the voices sank to a low hum. People in the front yard hurried to the back. Across the lawn by the wagon Chester Peterson waved to Phoebe, and she waved in return. “Okay, here we go,” said Jim, and escorted them around the corner of the house. The backyard was in shadow. Nothing moved. Suddenly the lights came on, and a chorus of voices yelled, “Surprise! Welcome home, Phoebe!” Crowded around the tables were all sorts of people. Phoebe and Gilligan blinked in the spotlight, and a hundred voices began talking at once. Her mother and father and sister stepped forward and hugged her. Then her father climbed up on a wooden picnic table and raised his hands. Slowly the hubbub subsided. “Ladies and gentlemen!” came Peter Hood’s deep voice. The crowd was silent. He raised his glass. “First, I’d like to propose a toast to the most wonderful wife and daughters anyone could ask for. I want to thank them for putting up with me.” The crowd laughed and cheered as he drank a swallow from his glass.

Phoebe Comes Home “And second… and second!” he boomed. Silence reigned again. “I’d like to welcome Phoebe back to Middletown! Come on up here Phoebe.” She stepped onto a bench and up onto the table next to her father. The crowd was thick under the spotlight and extended into the darkness at the edge of the lawn. Phoebe stared about in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears. She tried to find a few words. The crowd hushed. “This is so much more than I expected…” her voice rang out over the yard, “and I’ve done nothing to deserve it. But you’ve made me very happy. Thank you to my family and everyone… And a special thanks to Gilligan for giving me a job at the Toy Store. I hope to see all of you there, just like the old days!” Tears rolled down Phoebe’s face as she hugged her father and stepped off the table. The crowd cheered wildly, and then slowly began to disperse into conversations and trips for additional helpings of food. As Phoebe stood next to Gilligan in a daze her father urged them to take a seat. They were joined by her mother and sister, Friar Tuck, Alison, Chi Chi, and a baldheaded man with a gray mustache that Phoebe recognized as William Wyndaman, the lawyer who used to attend the meetings of her father’s foundation. Other guests were squeezing onto the bench and pulling up chairs. Jim and Jeremy moved another table over and joined it to the first. Phoebe turned to her father’s ear and said, “Dad, watch out for Jerome Peabody. He tried to pump me for news about you and Mom, and I invited him to the party. I promised we’d tell him something.” “The busybody! Don’t worry, we can handle him. By the way, I’m thrilled you’re back in the Toy Store. I’m so happy about it, I can’t tell you.” They smiled and hugged. Meanwhile, Jim and Jeremy and George brought trays of food, plates, utensils, cups, and pitchers of drinks to the table. Suddenly Peter Hood stood up and pointed. “Make way there at the head of the table! Let them join us! Pull up some chairs!” Phoebe recognized Mayor Wilcox, his secretary Michelle, his brother Jimmy and his wife, and Police Chief Santiago all approaching to pay their respects. “Make room!” boomed Peter, and the crowd of guests shifted their chairs. Chief Santiago leaned over to Phoebe and whispered, “Let me beg a seat with the family tonight,” and he pulled his chair between Peter and Phoebe. He looks his normal handsome self, thought Phoebe. Always in uniform, with maybe a few more pounds. Mayor Wilcox, looking distinguished as usual in a gray vest and gray pants to go with his full head of wavy gray hair, rose and raised his glass.

Unexpected Appearances “To old times!” he declared. “And more of them in the future!” As the people drank Chief Santiago said, “You can say that again. It’s been over three years and still no Middletown Fair. It just isn’t right. This vacation has gone on long enough, Peter.” Chief Santiago gave him a friendly slap on the back. When Peter smiled but said nothing, the Chief turned to Patti and said, “Tell him something. He won’t listen to me. The kids don’t have enough to do! Pretty soon we’ll quit, right Wilcox?” “Right, Chief. What about it, Peter? We had the best town in the universe with you on the team. I’m the mayor, but you’re our captain. We want you back.”

Phoebe stared as her father’s huge face formed a sad smile. “Believe me, gentlemen, I hear you. But let’s not get sidetracked. This is a night for

my family. This is Phoebe’s welcome home…” “I just had the pleasure of interviewing her at the Toy Store today!” came the high, sharp voice of Jerome Peabody somewhere in front of them. “And she promised The Middletown Standard a word with her parents...” Suddenly the table fell silent. “Isn’t that right, Phoebe?” She felt her cheeks burn. How could I have been so stupid? “Of course,” said Peter. “She was just mentioning it to me. Pull up a chair.” A standing room only crowd now surrounded the table. Peabody pushed his way in, still standing, opposite Peter, where he could see Peter’s face in the spotlight. Phoebe noticed two more men pushing in on either side of Peabody, and one she recognized as Scutter. The other, a chubby man with round cheeks, long hair, and a baseball cap, seemed faintly familiar. “So our readers just want to know what you and your wife are doing these days…” “Of course. You know Patricia here has a show opening in a couple of months at the Modern Art Society Galleries in Evansville. She’s been working hard, and I’ve been doing th

my best to support her. You’re all invited to the opening on September 10 .” “We wish Patricia every success. We’ll be reviewing her show for the Standard. But tell us something of your own interests… For example, aren’t you the president of an organization known as ‘The Protectors of the Wood’? What does this organization actually do?” “Jerome, you’re way out of bounds,” came the weary and cynical voice of William Wyndaman. “You know what our foundation does. What do you think you’re doing, intruding like this on a social occasion?” “Well, well. I’m sorry, Peter. I didn’t realize you’d brought your lawyer to the interview.”

Phoebe Comes Home “William is here as an old friend, just as you are. This is a friendly gathering. I’m happy to talk.” “That’s the spirit! I’ll keep it short. We understand that you and your wife no longer live here at 12 Main Street. Where do you reside these days?” “Jerome, please!” interrupted Patricia. “This is growing tiresome. You know perfectly well -- as do most of the people of Middletown -- that we live at the Garden Center. I have my studio in the greenhouse. I hear that you and your reporter have been bothering Alison. Why are you harping on this subject?” “Because you are never there.” “Jerome. You’ve known me for years. I’m a landscape painter. My husband and I are retired. We hike and camp at scenes I want to paint. Please come to the Garden Center on Monday and I’ll give you a preview of my paintings.” “That’s very generous. I am happy to accept. In the afternoon sometime? Say, two o’clock?” “Perfect! Now… let’s get back to enjoying our dinner.” She stood up, looked at the faces around the table, and raised her glass. “Penny,” she announced, “you and your friends have done a marvelous job.” “I second that,” put in Mayor Wilcox. “You folks do serve the best food I ever tasted. This fish and mushrooms dish is marvelous. And where do you get corn like this, and at this time of year?” Phoebe could see Peabody, Scutter, and the third man edge closer, staring in expectation. Finally old Fred Peterson, the bearded giant, rose above the crowd like the patriarchs of old, and spoke out in a deep voice that carried over the backyard: “All the best food is grown in private gardens and small farms the traditional way. My family is proud to donate food for this party, and our wagon is still out front and open for business. We invite you all to walk up to Bridge Avenue and George Street to our roadside stand some day soon, and we’ll show you a thing or two you won’t find in Scutter’s store!” “Bless the man,” said Peter behind his hand to Chief Santiago and Phoebe as the crowd laughed and cheered. “Will you donate to us too?” someone yelled, and the laughter went on.

“That donation part is stretching a point,” said Penny in a low voice, meant only for

a few to hear. Someone turned up some music on the other side of the yard, and the sound of splashing and the voices of young children could be heard. Peabody and his friends had backed out of the crowd. The show was over, and people regrouped to pursue other interests. Phoebe leaned over and said in her father’s ear, “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I just didn’t

Unexpected Appearances know what to do.” “It’s all for the best,” returned her father, patting her hand. “We’ve been putting that problem off, and Voila!” He snapped his fingers. “Things turned out better than we could have planned.” “Thanks. I hope so.” Phoebe stood up and scanned the yard. She could see young people dancing, and children kicking a soccer ball and playing in a plastic pool. “I think I’d better walk around and say hello to people.” “Good idea. But be careful.” “I will.” Phoebe took in the full moon rising overhead, and the silver light glimmering on the edges of the yard away from the spotlight. Young children were running through the shadows, playing their urgent games on this glorious summer evening. Phoebe began to realize that she was playing her own urgent game, one that was just as vibrant and engrossing as of old. But there’s a lot to learn, she thought. A lot to learn. She had her eye out for Peabody and Scutter and their unknown friend; and she wanted to relax with Jeremy and Jim and Glenda and… maybe George too. The image of Abby continued to haunt her thoughts. Will she show up? Not a chance. On the way back from walking Rose and Rob out to their car, Phoebe suddenly heard a raised voice coming from the other side of a minivan parked on the lawn. “I tell you some of it is the same as Abby’s! Exactly the same! The corn, the tomatoes, the blackberries. Have you ever seen beans like those before? And what are those cucumber things the kids are drinking? Have you noticed? They’re drinking them!” “You heard Fred Peterson. Check his farm.” “The stuff is not his! You’re too interested in the beer to notice. Just find Abby!”

The voices were moving toward Dr. Bear’s driveway. Phoebe stood back in the

shadows. The men walked into the glare of the driveway lights and she could clearly see Scutter and his friend in the baseball cap. “Stop yelling at me,” came the loud voice of the friend. “I’m not your little kid. Just what’ve you done for me to take that attitude? All promises and no follow through…” “You’re right,” replied Scutter. “Sorry. I get carried away…” His voice trailed off. Phoebe could see them move off silently up the driveway and into the crowd. She stepped out of the shadow of the minivan and saw Chester Peterson stand up from behind a nearby pickup truck. They stared at each other for a second and then began to laugh. Chester came forward and said in a very low voice, “Well, this looks like the beginning of something. I see we’re on the same team… You’ve grown up, but you’re still the same. I like

Phoebe Comes Home that. We need you in this town.” When Phoebe maintained her silence, Chester added, “You used to underestimate me.” “Not any more,” she said quietly. They were walking toward the huge Peterson market wagon. “So this is what’s been causing such a stir,” Phoebe commented, not sure what to say. “What a good idea of Penny’s to invite you here. Where are the horses?” “Oh, we’ve got someone watching them in the field across the street. There were too many people here who don’t know horses. Stupid people.” “Looks like you’ve just about sold out. Nice. So… I guess Scutter’s enemies in the food business are forming an alliance for the common good.” Chester smiled. “Much bigger than that,” he said. “You’ll see. You’ve only been back a week. Take it slow. It’s a big game. Very big.” Phoebe looked carefully into Chester’s face. He seemed to be the same older white haired man with weak blue eyes, clean-shaven, out of shape, Fred’s lazy brother who couldn’t hold a job. Where had this new man come from? “I’ve been around a long time,” said Chester softly as if reading her mind. “It’s taken awhile, but I know people. I see how the world’s going. You’re getting on to it…”

Phoebe thought of her father, and their conversation among the hay bales. She had

parked that discussion in a private corner of her mind, but things kept connecting up with it. Now here was Chester using her father’s words: It’s a big game. Phoebe wondered if he knew the phrase, The Ambassadors of Good. A young couple came walking down the driveway and approached the wagon. “Anything left?” asked the man, and Phoebe recognized Jimmy Wilcox, the mayor’s younger brother, and his wife Melissa. “Of course,” said Chester. “What’s your pleasure? Peas and lettuce and the first cherry tomatoes? We’ve got one chicken left, organic, free range. Now these raspberries…” Phoebe slipped off into the shadows. Her mind was in a whirl. For a moment she felt as if she might faint. I haven’t eaten all day, she thought. I’ve got to sit down. Desperately she scanned the crowd for Glenda, Jeremy, and Jim. Phoebe saw that Jim had taken the seat she had vacated at the main table; and as she scouted the edge of the yard she spotted Glenda, Jeremy, and George sitting together on pieces of a fallen tree behind Dr. Bear’s garage. “So this is where you’re hiding!” cried Phoebe. “I hope I haven’t missed all the interesting conversation.” “We’re just getting started,” came Jeremy’s soft voice. “Come and sit here,” said Glenda, patting an open space on the log next to her.

Unexpected Appearances But Phoebe sat down suddenly on the grass, feeling dizzy with exhaustion. She leaned over and put her face in her hands. “Are you okay?” asked Glenda. “I just haven’t eaten,” said Phoebe. “I’ve been too keyed up.” “To think of the food we brought to your table…” groaned Jeremy. “George and Jim and I brought the best of everything.” “I was too nervous to eat. But I’ll get something now.” “No you don’t,” Glenda told her. “You look all done in. I’ll get you something. Geraldine is watching Tiny.” “I’ll go,” offered George. Jeremy rose with him. “Jeremy and I are experts on finding the best food.” They moved off a couple of steps. “Get me something too,” came another voice. “I’m avoiding the crowd.” “Abby!” shrieked Glenda in shock. “Shhh… don’t yell like that. I need to be very quiet.” “We’ll bring food for everyone,” said Jeremy. George was standing and staring, but Jeremy motioned him away. In her usual black jeans and black tee shirt, Abby sat on the grass only a few feet from Phoebe. How did she do that? No one saw her coming. Glenda jumped next to Abby and gave her a hug. “I’ve been worried about you.” “I know. I’m sorry.” “It’s okay.” “I probably shouldn’t be here, but I need some help. I just hope this isn’t another of my mistakes.” Phoebe noticed that Abby was sitting in a position that gave her a view of a slice of the crowd, and her eyes kept scanning the crowd nervously. “I just don’t know what to do,” continued Abby in a low voice. “We’ll help you,” said Glenda quietly, their heads close together. “I need a job. A decent, okay, normal job. I need to make a little money. I need to get away from what I’ve been doing.” “Just come to my house and stay for awhile. You’ll find something.” “I keep hoping, but it’s not working out. Things get worse. I don’t know how to stop it…” The panic in Abby’s voice filled the silence that followed. “You know Gilligan gave me a job,” Phoebe broke in, trying to change the direction of the conversation. “I followed your advice! I’m working at the Toy Store now.”

Phoebe Comes Home “Ah! I’m glad…” “And after a little while I’ll be able to swing a job for you. Just wait a couple weeks and I’m sure I can do it.” “That’s a place I could work… if no one bothers me. I would like that. I’ve just got to stay out of the way for a while…” Abby’s voice was almost a whisper.

“Maybe Alison can give you something right away at the Garden Center,” suggested

Phoebe. “No, I’ve messed things up there too…” “Just stay with me for a week or so,” urged Glenda, trying unsuccessfully to keep her voice low, “and then Phoebe will be ready for you at the Toy Store. What about that?” “I knew you would help me. But I have bad luck. I really do. Watch out…” “Abby…” said Phoebe softly. “Scutter and his friend are here looking for you.” “I know. I’ve seen them, but they don’t see me.” “And yesterday I hid by the road near your house…” “I was hiding too. I saw them…” As Abby spoke George and Jeremy returned with trays of food and drinks, and spread everything out on the lawn. “This crowd is like a swarm of locusts,” complained George. “But we still managed to collect some good stuff.” “So it’s a plan?” continued Phoebe. “You’ll stay with Glenda and I’ll find you a job?” “Okay,” whispered Abby. “Then let’s eat.” The two starving girls dug in to roast chicken, potato salad, green salad, and several slices of Penny’s bread with apple butter. The food from Chi Chi was long gone. “I’m so glad to see you two eat!” cried Glenda. And indeed, they worked their way through the trays of food (with a little help). Phoebe lay back looking at the moon. “Damn these mosquitoes!” “So what’s the plan?” asked George. He was still standing awkwardly, his hands in his pockets. “What plan?” returned Glenda. “Phoebe’s plan. A few minutes ago she said, ‘It’s a plan’. She’s going to find Abby a job.” “You’re nosey,” said Glenda. George flinched as if someone had slapped him. “It’s the story of my life,” he said quietly. “I’m always outside of everything.” “It’s no secret,” said Abby, looking at George with sympathy. “I want to work in

Unexpected Appearances Middletown.” “I’ll try to help you,” offered George eagerly. “I’m always looking. I don’t want the job I have, but I’m sure you wouldn’t either.” “I’ll never set foot in there again,” said Abby with surprising force. George sat on the grass near Abby and said, “I wish we could do something good, something that matters… I know there are better things to do.” “I know what you mean,” returned Abby, falling into George’s mood. “I want to like what I’m doing. I’m tired of people being mad at me…” Suddenly her eyes focused and her body tensed. “In fact, I’m getting a little bit scared now.” She was staring out past the edge of the garage at the crowd still milling around. “I need to go somewhere.” “Come,” urged Glenda, getting on her feet. “I think I understand. We’ll go to my house. Tiny is over by the pool with Geraldine. We’ll get her and be gone.” She quickly began collecting the empty paper plates. “I hope it’s really okay…” “Don’t worry.” “We’ll walk with you,” said Phoebe, moving to Abby’s side. The whole group arose and moved around the corner of the garage and down the edge of Dr. Bear’s driveway. Soon they stood by the little plastic pool. Glenda picked up Tiny, who was already dry and sitting on the grass enjoying a lemon cuke. Phoebe and Abby continued down the lawn in the shadow of the side of the house. The full moon overhead illuminated the scene. Suddenly Phoebe saw Scutter’s friend lurch in front of Abby and peer at her face. “I thought it was you!” came a jarringly loud voice. “Where’ve you been?” “I don’t have to talk to you,” said Abby coldly. “I hooked you up with that deal, and this’s all the thanks I get?” Abby tried to walk around him, but the man moved to block her way. Phoebe stepped in between them, and the man shoved her out of the way. “You can’t be serious!” he yelled and laughed at her. People were turning and staring. But Phoebe somehow snapped back into place and held her ground. “Go, Abby,” she said. George and Jeremy suddenly moved in right in front of the man, who was forced to back up. He raised a fist to strike. “Mitch! That’s enough!” shouted Scutter, and jumped in to grab his right arm. The man turned on Scutter and pushed him back, hard, yelling “Get your hands off me!”

Phoebe Comes Home In no time a ring of people surrounded the scene. Scutter staggered but regained his balance. “Mitch, that’s enough. You don’t know what you’re doing.” Mitch looked hard at skinny Jeremy and George as if tempted to demolish them with a blow or two. The crowd wavered close to violence. Suddenly everyone stepped back as if by some telepathy, and Chief Santiago walked slowly into the circle. “I hope no one is disturbing the peace around here, gentlemen,” he said evenly, looking closely at the faces in the group. “Hmm! Well, well. I think I’m just in time. Mitch Connelly, you look a bit hot under the collar. Thinking of mixing it up with these boys? They aren’t your style. What’s this all about?” “No problem here, Chief,” cut in Scutter. “Maybe a bit too much to drink. Nothing we can’t handle.” Abby and Glenda, still carrying Tiny, were slowly backing down the driveway, unable to control their fear. Phoebe, George, and Jeremy began to move with them. Chief Santiago carefully watched every movement as if reading a script. “You’re not bothering these girls, are you Mitch? I wouldn’t like that. This isn’t your town. What are you doing here, anyway? Were you invited?” “None of your business. I don’t have to take this,” said Mitch with a sullen stare, moving off a couple of steps. “He’s a friend of mine,” offered Scutter. “I brought him. He’s just had one too many. It’s my fault. I apologize.” “Better get him home,” said the Chief slowly, with a hint of menace in his voice. “And Scutter… be careful of your friends.” Meanwhile Abby was backing away, and Glenda and Tiny, Phoebe, George, and Jeremy all followed. Suddenly they turned as a group and ran across the street and over a corner of the field into the shadows of Oak Knoll Lane. Running in the darkness, Glenda yelled, “Wait! Abbyyy! Wait for us!” They all came together in the middle of the street under the glimmering moonlight. “Let’s stay together,” sobbed Glenda, breathing hard. “It’s no good,” whispered Abby. “I’ve got to go. They’ll come looking for me.” “We’ll stay with you,” said George. “We’re coming too. We’ll stick together.” “I bring bad luck to everyone. I’m not good for you. I can’t put Glenda and Tiny through it.” She stared at George in the wavering light. “But I’m glad you said that. I really am. I’ll remember...” Glenda was sobbing. “You’re not going! Stay with us.” The group began to move again, gliding forward in the broken moonlight under the

Unexpected Appearances high oaks. Their dark bodies swayed like shadows, faster and slower, finally stopping under the light over Glenda’s door. The leaves shivered in a wind high above them. “Where is she?” screamed Glenda. “Abbyyy! Come back!” Glenda and Tiny were sobbing, and Phoebe finally took Glenda’s key and unlocked the door. The boys half-carried Tiny and Glenda into the house. Bright lights on the road caught Phoebe’s eye as she was about to follow the boys inside. A police car moved slowly into view, and Phoebe walked out to meet it. Through the open window Chief Santiago asked, “Everything okay?” “I guess so. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure. Abby, the tall girl, disappeared into the woods. I hope she can take care of herself.” “So it’s like that. Well, it won’t help to look for her. We won’t find her ‘till she wants to be found.” The Chief gave Phoebe a serious look. “As you can see, there’s more to this than meets the eye.” He nodded at her. “We could use some help around here. I hope you’re up to it. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Phoebe’s eyes widened in surprise. She couldn’t think of anything to say. I’m supposed to help? Me? I have no idea what to do… Finally she nodded, and the Chief slowly took a u-turn and disappeared down the road. The leaves continued to whisper in the wind as she walked back inside.

A Team of Detectives On Tuesday afternoon Phoebe was playing hackysack with the Flores brothers in the Toy Store courtyard when Jeremy walked through the front gate. He came forward without a word and joined the game. She was relieved to see that he was pretty good – not spectacular like the Flores brothers (soccer and hackysack geniuses at ages 11 and 13 years old) -- but not bad at all. “You didn’t think I could play, did you?” smirked Jeremy after returning an errant over-the-head pass with a no-look behind-the-back kick with the heel. They hadn’t seen each other since their dismal Sunday morning departure from Glenda’s house. After sleeping on Glenda’s couch and living room floor, Phoebe, Jeremy, and George tried to be cheerful over pancakes and coffee, but could not hide their anxiety and confusion. “But where did Abby go?” Tiny kept asking, in a voice that seemed to come from a breaking heart. “Why didn’t she stay with us?” No one had anything genuinely reassuring to say -- except vague statements like, “I’m sure she has a reason for what she’s doing,” -- statements that satisfied no one, least of all Tiny. Jeremy sounded the right note as they made ready to depart. “We’re way behind in this game,” he said. “We’ve got to catch up quick.” Phoebe worked at the store on Sunday afternoon and avoided the after-party cleanup crew. On Sunday night Penny was so resentful of Phoebe’s prolonged absence that she wouldn’t speak to her at all. Phoebe tried to make up for it by cleaning the house and yard her entire day off on Monday. There had been garbage everywhere, mountains of borrowed dishes, dirty pots, borrowed furniture… And to top it all off, a heat wave set in that wouldn’t let up. On both Sunday and Monday afternoons it seemed that a thunderstorm might break the sultry, stifling weather. Thunder echoed over the forest and the tension mounted through the evening, but with no release. Phoebe didn’t think it made sense to risk another visit to the haunted house, but she lay awake questioning herself. And another hot night of restless sleep went by. Meanwhile, Phoebe had discovered that she could enjoy playing with a group of young boys with free time on their hands, eager to hang out on the shady side of the courtyard juggling a beanbag or a soccer ball. Every sign of the recovery of strength and

A Team of Detectives range of motion in her knee filled her with elation. She found that she craved the energy and spontaneous movement of the children and young teens. Gilligan began to complain, but she noted that their antics attracted an audience, and that traffic and sales in the store were up. So when Jeremy paid his surprise visit he ended up joining a game of hackysack. As more boys arrived to play, Phoebe stepped back to watch. As she expected, Jeremy followed suit. Cooling down on the bench at the edge of the building, Jeremy came right to the point. “Don’t you think it’s time we had a real talk?” he asked. “About what?” countered Phoebe. Any move toward sudden intimacy made her nervous. “You know. What happened with Abby and… well, a lot of unexplained things. Aren’t you curious? Besides, we need to help our friends. Abby has real enemies you know.” “Ah! I do know. I’m ready.” “I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. I was hoping to take you on a little fishing trip in the forest… but of course we can’t go until your day off on Monday.” “Fishing! I’ve never been fishing…” “That’s all right. Fishing is just an excuse to show you something. We may not fish at all. Look, why don’t we have a coffee at Sammy’s when you get off work tonight? Will you meet me there?” They agreed and headed back to work. Later that evening when Phoebe entered the Coffee Shop she spotted Jeremy sitting alone at a booth toward the back. She slipped into the seat opposite him at the small table, and signaled Sammy for a coffee. Only two or three other customers were in the store. The back shelves were empty, and under construction. Her heart raced with excitement. She had no appetite. All afternoon she had considered ways they could form a group to help Abby, and play some role in the conflicts brewing around them; but she still wasn’t sure exactly what to say. “I’m so glad you spoke to me,” she told Jeremy. “Where do you want to start?” She unwrapped a piece of bubble gum and started chewing. Jeremy leaned closer to Phoebe and spoke in a low voice. “I’m new here, so I was hoping you would take the lead… but then I wondered if coming from the outside gives me a certain perspective…” “Go on.” “A lot of people are keeping secrets in this town, including you. The longer I’m here,

Phoebe Comes Home the more I do it too. The question is why. Everyone acts like there’s something important behind it all. Now, I don’t think we can deal with this alone, each person solo. I think we’ve got to take a risk, and work together. Why don’t we become a team and trust each other? We’ll act like detectives and share our knowledge… You know, there are some big responsibilities here. We need each other.” Phoebe nodded. “I’ve had the same thoughts… Oh, I know I’ve been hanging back. Like my sister always says, ‘It’s complicated.’ But that attack on Abby changed everything. We’ve got to fight back now. Isn’t that what you’re getting at?” “Yes, and we’ve gotta do it right. This enterprise is no joke.” “Okay. But… do you really know what we’re up against?” “No; but that’s why we’re forming our team of detectives.” Phoebe looked Jeremy in the eye. “This is just what I’ve been hoping for,” she said. “Can we take a little walk? I’d rather not tell my story in here.” They strolled out into the heat lingering in the still air. The town was quiet. “Let’s not go down Main Street,” said Phoebe. “It’ll be cooler among the trees on Hobart Avenue. Did you walk or drive?” “I walked.” “So we’ll go slowly toward the gas station.” They strolled across Old Stone Road and crossed Bridge Avenue at the church. Soon they were in the quiet darkness under the sycamore trees. “Jeremy,” Phoebe began, “What do you know about the vegetables sold by Sammy at the Coffee Shop?” He nodded. “Okay, that’s one place to start. I know that Jim is reluctant to answer my questions. I know the vegetables probably come from somewhere in the forest. I even have a pretty good idea of where in the forest they come from. I’ll take you there on Monday.” “Jeremy! How did you find that out?” “Come on now. I’ve told you some things, you tell me some things.” “Well, Scutter and his friends are desperate to learn what you seem to know already. I’m pulled into all this because my parents help raise these vegetables, and somehow Abby is involved as well. She made a mistake selling some stuff to Scutter, and they’ve been chasing her since then.” As they slowly walked along a late moon was beginning to rise, spreading the shadows of leaves over the street. “It’s hard to believe this is all about some vegetables,” said Jeremy. “I know. I’m sure there’s more to it. But the vegetables are pretty amazing. Anytime

A Team of Detectives Sammy has them for sale his place is crowded. Word spreads around and they vanish in a day. Obviously Scutter wants them, and wants to know how they produced them. But even so, there’s a lot more to this puzzle.” “Well, let me add a few pieces,” said Jeremy, impatient to talk. “Jim is in on this. He’s a part of it. How do I know? First of all, he’s doing something in the forest every week that he won’t tell me about. Especially on Saturdays he heads out on his path behind the house through the swamp and is gone the whole morning. I sleep in the loft over the office in the gas station, and from my window I’ve seen him leave just after sunrise. He comes back around noon and opens the station like he’s been sleeping late. Now I’ve taken to opening without him. Neither of us mentions it, like we’ve agreed not to notice. “Plus, I’ve done some investigating on my own. It’s true I love to fish, but I also love to explore, and fishing is a great excuse for exploring in the woods. I’m good at it, and I think I’ve discovered something important. There’s a secret zone in the forest, an area you can’t get to. A true artist has spent years improving upon nature to hide something. That must be where they raise the vegetables.” “I’ll come,” agreed Phoebe. “But let’s concentrate on Abby for a moment. People are hunting for her. That’s what keeps me awake at night. What can we do to help her?” “I was hoping you would know. Have you spoken to Glenda? Maybe she has news.” “She doesn’t. She found a number for Abby’s parents in Woodridge but gets no answer after more calls than she can count. She’s sick of worrying, and has decided to enter a summer intensive at Teacher’s College, five mornings a week, with Tiny in preschool.” Phoebe looked at Jeremy, waiting for this to sink in. “I understand,” he replied. “She’s got other responsibilities. It’s best for her to stay out of it.” They were quiet for a moment as they walked along, and then Jeremy added, “I found out a bit about Mitch Connelly.” “So did I, but not much. He runs the Half Moon Florist, a store that competes with the Garden Center and has recently been renovating and expanding. It’s only half a mile from the Garden Center and the cemetery.” “Right, but there’s more. About a year ago he made an offer to buy the Garden Center. Apparently he was very insistent, and named a high price.” Phoebe stood still with her mouth open, speechless. Finally she made a sort of frustrated, angry growl from deep inside. “All right. This is war.” Phoebe’s eyes narrowed as she glared off into space. Her lips thinned; tension gripped her face. “Well… that got your attention.”

Phoebe Comes Home “You probably don’t know that offers have been made for both the Toy Store and Sammy’s, almost certainly from the same group.” Jeremy stopped and looked at Phoebe. “I didn’t know. That puts a new light on things. The same group… What’s that?” “Milton Morphy’s business empire. He owns lots of companies, like Hickory Securities right here in town. But the Geddon Insurance Group seems to be sort of the mother ship, controlling the rest of the fleet.” “So he probably owns the Half Moon Florist too,” Jeremy replied. “It makes sense.” Phoebe noticed him smile to himself in dark, and felt like she knew Jeremy pretty well already. The smile was a sort of pleasure, even glee, that he could play this game well and impress Phoebe, like having skills at hackysack. She wondered what was coming next, and had not long to wait. “Did you know that Abby used to work there? Apparently for quite a while?” “What? I can’t believe it! I would have known about it.” “But not as a sales clerk or somebody out front. She worked as a gardener.” “How do you know all this?” “Jim told me. Every day he trusts me a little bit more.” “Okay… So Abby was a gardener for Mitch Connelly. This starts to come together.” “I’ve got more gossip. Mitch Connelly’s wife is Scutter’s wife’s sister. And Mitch Connelly’s father used to work for Owens Apples but lost his job over some scandal. They seem to be a family of bad boys. Mitch has a younger brother Will and a half brother too. They’re related somehow to the Bentleys and even the Owens family.” “Our enemies are a big clan, and Tiny is related to it through her father. Glenda’s just starting to discover this.” Phoebe’s spirits were soaring. It was so easy to talk to Jeremy, and she was in little danger of betraying any taboo secrets. He had already acquired so much knowledge that she was learning from him. “I’ve got one more idea about Abby,” continued Jeremy. “Yes… keep going.” “Well, this is a bit of a stretch, but could she be in that special zone in the forest?” “I’m pretty sure she’s not with my parents. But we know she brings the vegetables out of the forest. She could be with Wendy.” “I’ve heard that name mentioned, but it’s hard to find out anything... Who is she?” “Oh! The time I’ve spent asking that question! No one seems to know.” Thinking

A Team of Detectives quickly while chewing her gum, Phoebe decided to tell part of the story, holding back a few things. “When I was growing up it seemed like Wendy lived at the Garden Center, but now I think she’s mostly been living in the forest somewhere, and just stayed at the Garden Center sometimes. She used to come to the Toy Store for some events, and for meetings of my father’s foundation. She read to the children sometimes, and even brought animals into the store for visiting children’s groups -- a crow, and a squirrel, and a baby rabbit. Wendy used to sell herbal remedies and teas that were very popular, especially a kind of coffee substitute… Breakfast Mixture, they used to call it. Now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure Abby gave me some just the other day. Alison still sells the herbal medicines, but I haven’t tasted Breakfast Mixture in a long time. It was a specialty of Wendy’s. “Anyway, maybe four or five years ago Wendy kind of faded away, but every once in a while she would reappear and talk late at night with my parents. I don’t think I’ve seen her for two years. She never had a job, or a car, or any known address other than the Garden Center. But the stories people use to tell! Wendy is the real wild card. She’s old and tiny and full of energy. Years ago I heard Chester Petersen tell some men playing dominos that he saw Wendy fly out of the forest on a pole. That’s what he said. I’ve always thought Chester was weak in the head, but now I’m not so sure…” “So Wendy’s in the forest,” said Jeremy. He stopped walking and turned to Phoebe, trying to sum up the situation. “And Abby’s probably with her. If so, she’s safe for the time being. But sooner or later something’s going to happen. What strikes me is how aggressive this Morphy group is.” “I had a moment alone with Chester at the party, and told him how impressed I am with the way they’ve organized against Scutter. He said something like, ‘It’s bigger than that. Much bigger. You’ll catch on…’ Do you see what he’s getting at? There’s some really big picture out there that we’re a part of.” They looked at each other, face to face in the moonlight, and Phoebe began to feel nervous. “I’m sure you’re right,” Jeremy replied, seemingly unaware of the tension building between them. “But I can’t see the details yet. What about all of Peabody’s questions?” “There’s plenty for us detectives to do. But right now I’m feeling overwhelmed. I think I’m going to head home. But Jeremy…” She hesitated, and they looked at each other. “I’m glad you spoke to me. I mean it. Let’s stick together.” They were standing on the deserted slope of High Street, with Main Street still a

Phoebe Comes Home ways off down the hill. Nothing moved across the landscape. The moon was shining over fields of apple trees, their twisted and strangely human branches making shadows on the grass. Jeremy smiled. “I was hoping we would get together like this,” he said. “We’re really going to be able to do something…” He paused, and then added nervously, “Let me ask you one more thing... “ “What?” Phoebe backed off a step. “I was talking to George, and told him I was going to speak to you about all this, and… he’d really like to be in on it too.” “Why didn’t he come with you, or talk to me himself?” “Well… he wasn’t sure you wanted him to. Because of stuff in the past.” “It’s true. There are things… in the past. Pretty big things.” Phoebe was speaking slowly and looking down. Her finger twirled nervously in her hair. “It’s been sad. This has lingered a long time...” “Do you want to talk about it?” “Let’s not rush it. I just got back a few days ago.” “Okay… but it’s hard not to share things with George. We’re playing music together, and you’re an important person to both of us. He’s sensitive about being left out.” “Let him speak to me if he wants to. I’m not hard to find.” “Phoebe…” “What?” “You might be a little hard to talk to sometimes.” “Look, we’re not going to solve this problem tonight. Let’s not mess up what we’ve done already.” “I see,” replied Jeremy. “What do you mean by that?” returned Phoebe, surprised by her own angry tone. She felt something was wrong. “It’s been going on a long time,” answered Jeremy, keeping his voice calm. “It may be hard to fix.” “Is that okay?” asked Phoebe. “Yeah, it’s okay.”

But all Phoebe’s instincts told a different story. She felt a deep twinge of regret. Get

over it, a voice told her. But she never actually seemed to do it. “We’ll go further next time we talk,” she finally said.

A Team of Detectives “Be careful.” “You too.” The light of the moon seemed somehow diminished as Phoebe walked back up the hill past the apple orchard. The world seemed darker. All right, Phoebe admitted to herself, so George and I still have feelings for each other. We were in love. But that was mostly when we were twelve and thirteen years old! And we didn’t even have adult sex, except once, which didn’t work. Just a sort of… pre-teen sex, like young boys might have together, or girls. But that’s just the problem. I liked pre-teen sex. I don’t know if I want to be an adult, whatever that is. But I can’t go back to being thirteen!” She let out a long sigh in the dark.

A Letter From Abby On Thursday Phoebe began work an hour early to prepare for Rose and Rob’s new preschool class, due to arrive at noon. It was another outrageously hot day. She started the air conditioner, moved the last few boxes out of one of the back rooms, and swept and mopped the floor. Then she set up two folding tables together and covered them with a plastic tablecloth and surrounded them with folding chairs, adding cushions to bring the small children up to the height of the table. Phoebe was nervous about this new project. It was her first organized activity with children since her return. She was arranging watercolor paints in small paper cups on the table when she heard the front door bell jingle. I’m not even ready, she thought. This is not going to work. She heard Glenda ask Gilligan, “Is the pre-school class really coming today?” “Yes. We’re just getting ready in the back. Do you want to join us?” “Yes, we do.” Tiny and Kayla came charging into the back room, followed by their mothers, with Gilligan trailing along. Phoebe was hurriedly laying out watercolor paper, brushes, and small containers of water. “Do you think watercolors are the right thing?” she asked Glenda. “I can’t remember what we used to do with this age…” Gilligan looked at Phoebe in surprise. He had never seen her lack confidence in anything she was doing, but he rose to the occasion, saying, “This will be fine. Everybody likes to paint. You said so yourself just last week.” “I know, I know, but do you think they might like making collages better? But I guess they’re too young for scissors! I just don’t know…” “Relax,” Glenda said, touching Phoebe lightly on the arm. “Just start with the paint. See how it goes.” “I want to paint,” said Tiny. “Me too,” said Kayla. They climbed into the awaiting chairs and reached for the brushes. The doorbell jingled again and Gilligan hurried to the main room. “Now let’s wait for the others,” said Glenda, keeping the cups of paint out of Tiny and Kayla’s reach. Gilligan showed Rob and three small girls into the room. “Hi everyone,” said Rob.

A Letter from Abby “This is Lucy, Nancy, and Jane.” “Why don’t you three sit here,” said Phoebe, “and meet Tiny and Kayla!” “We know them already,” said Lucy. “From church.” She had blond curly hair and chubby cheeks. “Have you ever,” asked Phoebe, “seen colors like these?” She moved right into a demonstration, dipping a brush in the water and then in the paint, and then brushing the color onto the paper, obtaining different shades depending on the mix of water and paint. The colors seemed to glow and shimmer on the thick white paper. She placed more small cups around the table. The children quickly became involved in painting, and after awhile started saying a few words to each other. Phoebe chattered on as she helped the children. “Now your name is… Lucy. And you are Nancy and Jane. And this is Kayla, and Tiny. I’m so glad you could all come to the store. Ooo… that’s very beautiful, Kayla. Oh, what a lovely shade of blue you’re putting down there Nancy. You’re getting the knack of it fast.” “Know what this is?” declared Tiny. “This is my Mommy.” “Oh, I can see! Right there!” replied Phoebe. “And here is my Daddy!” said Tiny, making another shape. “Here is a house,” said Nancy. “And look! A monster!” said Lucy in a growling voice. “Walking over the mountain.” “My goodness!” exclaimed Phoebe, looking scared. “That’s exciting.” “Why Phoebe,” said Glenda softly, coming up near Phoebe’s ear, “that’s a lovely way you have with children.” “Oh, thanks. I used to watch my parents do it.” “You know, there’s something I want to show you before we leave, if you can spare a couple of minutes.” Phoebe shot a quick glance at Glenda. “Look at mine! Look at mine!” shouted Tiny. “I’m finished!” announced Lucy. “Look at my picture!” yelled Nancy. “Oops, I spilled the water,” said Jane. “It’s all over the table.” “Mommy Mommy!” cried Kayla. “I’ve got paint on my cheek!” And it was true. Kayla had a big blue streak on her cheek. Her mother wiped it off. “Let’s hang the pictures up now,” said Phoebe. “And if you’d like, we can try one more.”

Phoebe Comes Home “I want to do another one,” said Lucy. “Me too! Me too!” chimed in the others. So Phoebe thumb tacked the pictures to the bulletin board, and set out the paper for the children to start again. Rob had been talking to Glenda and Ellen, Kayla’s mother. When the parents of Lucy, Nancy, and Jane arrived, they formed a group together. As Phoebe hung up the next round of pictures the parents clapped and paid extravagant compliments. Rob stood up and said, “I’m proud to announce that this wonderful group of children will all be in our new morning pre-school class, starting Monday and running through the new school year. Two boys will be joining later in the summer.” Everyone clapped again, and began speaking at once. Phoebe stood at the side looking at the scene, and thought it looked like a birthday party with five birthday girls. Rob took this moment to approach Phoebe and thank her for hosting the activity. Phoebe noticed that Rob did not appear to age at all. He seemed no different than he was ten years ago: thin, quiet, brown hair going bald, close-clipped moustache. He wore jeans and leather moccasins. It was hard to guess his age. Phoebe looked closely at him, and realized that she did not really know him, just like she did not really know Chester Peterson. The children were suddenly getting a little out of hand. With peals of excited laughter they began to run around the store, grabbing things, playing tag, exploring this fascinating place that seemed to be made expressly for them. The parents quickly gathered them up, bought a couple of items, and said their good-byes. Glenda suddenly put an envelope into Phoebe’s hand and said, “Read this. I’ll be in the book corner with Tiny.” Phoebe turned her back to the departing group and looked at the address on the envelope. A female hand -- with neat curves -- had written: Glenda Trimble, 8 Oak Knoll Lane, Middletown. There was no postmark or return address -- must have been hand delivered. Phoebe turned and paid a visit to the bathroom. There she pulled out a plain white sheet of typing paper and read the following handwritten page. st

July 1

Dear Glenda: I just wanted to let you know that I’m fine and do not worry. I can’t visit because I don’t want anyone bothering you, so don’t expect me. But I’m fine! Really.

A Letter from Abby I’m still interested in working at the Toy Store, but I need to find a safe place to live. I wonder if Phoebe would let me live at the store. Her family all used to live there. Another idea I have is maybe I could live at the church. That would be even better. That would be perfect. Do you think Friar Tuck ever has anyone live there? Please, speak to Friar Tuck and Phoebe, and let Phoebe know anything that might help me. I will visit her at the store in a few days. If these things don’t work out I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m fine where I am but I can’t stay here forever. I need to be a regular young person like you and Phoebe. I want to have friends and a job and do things like you do. I’ll try everything I can. I believe that somehow help will come for me. Thanks for being there when I’ve needed you most. Tell Tiny I miss her. Your friend, Abby Chapman Phoebe read the letter twice, and held back tears. I can’t afford to cry here, she thought. Like a soldier, she put the letter back in the envelope, walked to the main room, and joined Tiny and Glenda in the book corner. Glenda was reading a Frog and Toad book, out loud, and Tiny was listening intently. Phoebe sat on a small stool and listened to Toad imagining that terrible things have happened to his friend Frog to make him late for Christmas Eve dinner. When the story was finished, Tiny said, “Christmas Eve is my favorite story.” “I like it too,” said Phoebe. “We’re all like Toad.” Glenda gave her a questioning look. Phoebe handed Glenda the envelope, folded in half and mostly covered by her hand, as if it were a secret and they were afraid of being observed. “Thanks for showing me,” said Phoebe. “I’m going to follow up on these things.” “That’s Abby’s letter, isn’t it?” said Tiny. Phoebe picked up something accusatory in Tiny’s tone of voice, as if she were saying, ‘You adults are messing things up again, aren’t you?’ “You know it is,” replied her mother. “Phoebe’s going to help us.” “That’s right,” agreed Phoebe, with all the confidence she could muster. “I’ll do

Phoebe Comes Home everything I can. I’ll try to get her a job, I’ll speak to Friar Tuck about the church, and… and anything else I can think of.” “I’m so relieved,” said Glenda. She hugged Phoebe. “This is beyond me.” “That’s okay.” “Tiny and I are starting school.” Phoebe smiled. She understood what Glenda was trying to say. “Walk me to the truck,” said Glenda, and they rose and headed for the door. On the way, as Tiny skipped up the sidewalk, Glenda said, “Someone’s watching my house. A pudgy kid who looks almost like a teenager, or maybe a little older. He waits in the trees on the other side of the field where he gets a view of my front door. I’m sure he’s looking for Abby.” Phoebe’s mind raced ahead. “And you… want us to scare him away, or get Chief Santiago on it… or you want us to do…” “Nothing. Nothing at all. But it’s one more fact for you to think about. My strategy is to let him look. I want him to look! Then they’ll leave me alone. Otherwise they might do worse things. I’m out of this now. They can see anything they want.” Phoebe nodded. “I get it. And Glenda, something I just found out: that guy who was bothering Abby at the party – Mitch Connelly – he’s related to the Bentley clan. I thought you should know.” “I knew it already – they’re some sort of cousins through Tiny’s grandfather -- but I didn’t see what it meant. I do now. We’re on one side and they’re on the other.” “It looks that way.” “But I’m on my daughter’s side before everything else.” “I understand. Call me at the store or at home, for any reason at all. I’m just down the street at night.”

Glenda hugged her; and Phoebe turned and walked back alone.

VII

Phoebe Puts Her Foot In Her Mouth

Phoebe Comes Home As the week went by, the tension grew between Phoebe and Penny. They had no discussion th

to clear the air, and seemed determined to avoid each other indefinitely. The 4 of July weekend was approaching, and the prospect of holiday social occasions filled them with anxiety. Both sisters reacted by trying to work as much as possible. Fortunately the town was crowded and business was good. Penny received more orders than she could handle, and created her varieties of breads and muffins around the clock. The Toy Store was full rd

of customers and open late on Friday, July 3 and Saturday the 4 . Phoebe took to eating regularly at Sammy’s Coffee Shop, which now sported a new festive atmosphere. Sammy had reopened his produce shelves in expanded form under a large World Tree sign, and was showing off an exotic variety of fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. She noticed children squeezing and drinking lemon cukes in the coffee shop and on the sidewalk out front. Phoebe thought constantly about her promises to Glenda regarding Abby’s letter, and began looking for an excuse to pressure Gilligan into seeing the need for another employee. But the holiday traffic, while encouraging, was not overwhelming. Geraldine missed her first painting class due to some hospital obligation that would last a few more Saturdays. No other students had as yet enrolled. Clearly it would take time to get the new activities going. Phoebe could see that even though they were busy, they didn’t need a third person yet. And the idea of Abby living at the store… well, it was out of the question. She felt sure that Gilligan would be deeply offended by the idea of allowing a strange and penniless young woman to live there. Any request would invite his distrust. To make matters worse, try as she might, Phoebe could not come up with an acceptable scenario for approaching Friar Tuck. A discussion after church services would be too public, and the thought of making an appointment with the church secretary to see him in his private office raised all Phoebe’s resistance and fear. She felt as if she were pushing herself to see a doctor or a therapist. Only an out and out emergency would force her to that extremity. And on top of these frustrations, she felt exasperated with Jeremy and George. At least one of them might have bothered to visit her at lunch or closing time, but neither one appeared; and she was too proud and frightened to make the effort herself. She could not rid herself of the painful suspicion that they were spending the time together. On Sunday evening Gilligan and Phoebe closed the store a little early. Walking home alone after work she pored over her worries yet again, seeking frantically for an opening. Any day now Abby will appear, and I will have nothing to offer. Nothing! Because I have done nothing, nothing at all. But tomorrow is our fishing trip…. Maybe – who knows?

Phoebe Puts Her Foot in Her Mouth – we’ll find Abby there, and talk, and make a plan. Why not? Jeremy knows the way. And maybe I’ll meet George after work next week, and we’ll talk… Why not? He might wait for me when Scutter’s closes… and we’ll walk together, and make some sense of all this… Thus Phoebe’s thoughts whirled along. She barely noticed where she was going. Suddenly she heard voices and smelled cooking on the breeze. Up past Geraldine’s driveway in the backyard the barbecue was smoking. Smothering her anxiety, she walked through the half-light of the evening to discover Penny, Geraldine, Jim, Jeremy, and George all eating and talking around a couple of folding tables bearing plates, dishes of food, and candles. The group suddenly fell silent. “Hi, Phoebe,” called Geraldine. “Won’t you join us?” “I didn’t know you were having a party,” said Phoebe. The words popped out of her mouth involuntarily, and she immediately regretted it. Penny gave her a hard look and thinned her lips. “It’s not a party. I just invited Jim and he brought Jeremy and George, and we saw Geraldine and she sat down, and now you’re here. No one’s trying to exclude you.” “Of course,” said Phoebe, feeling touchy and stupid and alone. But she grabbed a folding chair and a plate, and sat down to make the best of it. “We were talking about Peabody’s article in The Middletown Standard,” said Geraldine. “I think you’ll be pleased.” She handed Phoebe a copy of the recent issue. There on the left hand side of the front page was a column of print under the headline,

The Potato Heads’ Daughter Returns to the Toy Store Hey Kids! It’s time to ask your parents to visit the Potato Heads’ Toy Store this summer. Phoebe Hood, daughter of Peter and Patricia Hood, is back selling toys and children’s books and running art activities at the famed Toy Store on Bridge Avenue. Phoebe is known to many as last year’s star goalie for the Half Moon High School state soccer champions. But an injury to her right knee has cut short her college career and brought her back to benefit the local community.

Phoebe Comes Home We all owe a word of thanks to storeowner Edward Gilligan for giving an opportunity to this outstanding daughter of Middletown! “Well, that’s nice… I guess,” said Phoebe, frowning down at the newspaper. “But it’s hard to trust anything from that man…” “I’ll say,” said Penny, with an edge to her voice. “You’ve got to be more careful. He’s trying to use you.” “He’ll have to work harder to burn me again.” “And look at the next page,” smiled Geraldine, sure that Phoebe would enjoy the coming surprise. There in the corner of the following page was an advertisement presented in bubble letters: George and Jeremy will perform new songs at Sammy’s Coffee Shop on 160 Bridge th

Avenue on Friday, July 10 at 8PM. Admission free. Phoebe was stunned. She felt as if George had stolen Jeremy away, in no time at all, as if by magic. Or was it that Jeremy had stolen George away? She could not be sure, except that she felt left out in the cold. “Boy, that was quick,” she managed to say. “Yeah, I got it in at the last minute,” said George nervously. “Peabody’s been looking at my photos and says he wants younger readers, so I asked him to put the announcement in. He did it for free – well, in exchange for a few photos.” Phoebe fidgeted with the newspaper, unable to find any appetite for the fish and corn. “Anything here about Mom and Dad?” she finally asked. “Nothing,” answered Penny. “He interviewed them last Monday, but no article.” “I’m sure he didn’t get what he wanted,” said Jim. “But he likes the Toy Store well enough. He’s pro-business. He wants to see Middletown get rich. ‘Shop in Middletown’ – that’s his motto. But he hates your parents for derailing so many big-money development schemes. Fifty homes here, an industrial dairy there…” “What do they have against Abby?” asked Phoebe. Just shut up! she said to herself, but it was too late. Complete silence followed. Penny scowled and stared off into space. Geraldine looked anxiously from one person to the next. Jim opened his mouth to speak but then thought better of it. Jeremy and George seemed to melt back into the shadows. Penny leaned forward, looking straight at Phoebe. “What’s your connection to her?” she asked.

Phoebe Puts Her Foot in Her Mouth “Give her a chance to eat,” interrupted Geraldine. “She hasn’t had a bite.” “It’s a reasonable question,” returned Penny. “I didn’t invite Abby to the party, or Peabody either. They didn’t exactly fit in.…” “Neither did Scutter, or his lovely friend,” said Phoebe coldly, looking Penny in the eye. “I wonder who invited them?” “Well, well. So you’re actually going to talk about something! Two weeks in town and already you’re in everybody’s business. But do you ask for any advice? Let anyone know what you’re doing? And now look at the mess you’ve made! When you’ve been around a bit longer you’ll understand what diplomacy is.” “I was using a little diplomacy on Peabody. Have you forgotten I’ve spent my life here? And Abby is a friend of mine. I’ll invite her anywhere I choose.” “She’s a loose cannon and a danger to all of us. I gather she’s left town, and thank God for that!” Phoebe found herself tempted to announce that she would be moving out shortly; but she remembered that she had nowhere to go, and wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. “Why don’t you two slow down?” cautioned Jim. “There’s no reason to be enemies. You’re on the same side. None of this was your fault.” Phoebe looked helplessly around the table. “I’m sorry if I messed things up,” she said, her voice breaking. “But I didn’t ask for the party, or the article. I just want to do my job and be left alone.” “You don’t really mean that,” said Geraldine. “You didn’t come back to Middletown to be left alone.” “I’m sure you’re right. But now I seem to be putting my foot into my mouth every chance I get, so maybe being left alone is a good idea. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Phoebe rose and walked inside and up to her room. She lay on the bed, propped up nd

by a few pillows, and began rereading The Hidden Staircase, the 2 Nancy Drew mystery. Suddenly there was a faint knock on the door. “Phoebe?” came Jeremy’s voice. “Can I come in?” She opened the door, but remained standing so he could not enter. “I’m heading home,” he said. “I just wanted to make a time for our trip tomorrow.” “I’m not sure I still want to go.” Jeremy just stood there silently with his mouth half opened and his sorrowful eyes slightly bulging. Phoebe looked at him and had a brief glimpse of her own hardheartedness.

Phoebe Comes Home “You could have stuck up for me!” she exploded. “You could have said at least one word!” “Come with me tomorrow. We’ll get a chance to talk.” “Why couldn’t you talk a few minutes ago?” “The things I wanted to say would have made it worse. Please -- don’t leave me hanging. This will be important for us. Think about it.” Phoebe felt a sudden burst of excitement, and knew that she actually wanted to go, wanted it very badly. “Oh, all right.” “What time will you be ready?” “Nine o’clock.” “Let’s make it eight. It’s a long way. I’ll come by and get you…” Jeremy was looking past Phoebe into her room. “Say, look at those books,” he said, and slipped past her. He walked over to the desk and grabbed the book on top. “You’ve got a version of Robin Hood! I’ve been wanting to take a look at it.” Phoebe hesitated. “That’s like a good luck charm for me,” she said, her heart beating faster. “Would you trust me with it? For a few days? It reminds me of something… I’m thinking about strategy,” he added mysteriously. “I’ll share it with you,” Phoebe said. “I’m the daughter of Robin Hood, you know. Well, maybe more like a distant granddaughter. But we Hoods carry the torch forward.” Jeremy smiled. “You can join up if you really want to.” “I do want to,” said Jeremy. He picked up the book. “You’d better be trustworthy then,” she said seriously. “I am. As trustworthy as they come.” “I hope so,” returned Phoebe. “You’ve got to give me a chance.” Phoebe nodded. “By the way, nice collection,” he said, nodding at the shoes. “You might be the only boy in town who would notice the books before the shoes,” said Phoebe. “Oh, I noticed the shoes right away. I’ve got to admit it. It’s just that I’ve been thinking about Robin Hood lately. The way things were going way back then, they had to

Phoebe Puts Her Foot in Her Mouth get organized in the forest. Does that remind you of anything?” They looked at each other, tongue-tied. Jeremy suddenly glided up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “See you.” “See you.” She felt an overwhelming sense of relief, and returned to her mystery from long ago. Later on she lay in bed in the dark, smelling the forest on the breeze coming in through the open window. The moon sent a glimmering light into the room. She turned around and lay on her stomach with her chin in her hands, her elbows on the edge of the bed, looking out the window at the silvery view. The nearby leaves trembled in the wind. Beyond the field the forest loomed like a dark continent, with the Half Moon Cliffs shimmering like a distant wall at the edge of the universe. And beyond that… the unknown.

VIII

Into The Forest

Into the Forest Her cell phone went off at 7:30. The breeze through the open window heralded a hot summer day. Phoebe slipped into jeans, old work boots, a long sleeved shirt thick enough to ward off mosquitoes, and grabbed a Northern State baseball cap. She considered her knee brace for a fleeting instant… and then surprised herself by putting it on. I’ve got a lot to do coming up, she thought as she tightened the Velcro straps. It’s almost like the playoffs. I can’t afford to be injured. I’m not going to miss this for the world. In the bathroom she slapped some sunblock on her neck and face, and brushed her hair. It lay dark and straight and parted in the middle. Her face in the mirror seemed attractive, but not too attractive. Phoebe was afraid of any aggressive romance. But she did want something very important from Jeremy, though it was hard for her to be sure exactly what it was. She descended into the kitchen for coffee and looked at Penny rolling dough at the kitchen table. But Phoebe had hardened her heart. She would not apologize, or even ease the way for Penny. They looked at each other -- Penny hesitated -- and Phoebe was gone, out the front door, down the steps, and onto the street. I can’t stand to wait around there, she thought, and sipped her coffee as she walked along. By the time she felt fully awake she was passing Jim’s house and strolling up the asphalt to the gas station. As she passed the gas pumps she could see Jim and Jeremy through the big window talking in the office. They were deep in discussion. She knocked tentatively, nervous about what might be engaging their attention. Jim pushed the door open and stared at her in surprise. “We were just talking about you,” he said. “I’m sorry about last night. Sorry for everyone. We’ve got to put our best foot forward to fix this.” He gave Phoebe a serious, steady look, forcing her to reply. “I don’t want to have a fight, but I just can’t apologize. I wouldn’t mean it. What good would it do?” “A lot of good, in my view. And Penny’s got to do the same. But have your fishing trip with Jeremy. I’ll talk to Penny today… Maybe things will look different this evening.” Jeremy looked like a hunter for the occasion in camo shirt and pants. He slipped a backpack over his shoulders. “We’re off,” he said. He led the way to Jim’s one story cottage next door and around back to a barely visible path that ran down the hill and into the swamp. Phoebe had never entered the forest by this route, and could do no more than follow him in single file. The path hardly existed, weaving through stunted trees, pools of water, and acres of reeds trembling in the breeze. But someone had placed stray branches here and there over the worst areas of mud and

Phoebe Comes Home water. Phoebe wondered how stable her knee would be in this type of terrain, and what the swamp would look like after three days of rain. The thought of snakes rose in her mind as she examined the path ahead. It was a beautiful morning, sky deep blue and the breeze taking the edge off the heat that was slowly building up. The path wound through the swamp for a couple of miles and then climbed upward onto a ridge on their left through thick trees and bushes. They rested on the dry hillside and looked at the high, gray rock face of the Half Moon Cliffs curving away from them beyond the river valley. Phoebe was hoping they were done with the swamp. The brace stiffened her knee, slowing her down and restricting her ability to jump the stagnant pools and the jelly-like green mud. But she said nothing as the path descended again and disappeared into a maze of water pools and cedar trees and impenetrable fields of cattails, reeds, and swamp grasses. They struggled from one grassy hillock to another. Small frogs and spotted salamanders seemed to appear out of nowhere, leaping into the shadows. As she feared, her right foot slipped on the wet ground and her knee gave way; she fell into water and mud over a foot deep. When Jeremy tried to help her she brushed him off in a fury. But after a dozen steps her knee seemed no worse than before, and her confidence was restored. In a few hundred yards the land rose to a bit of solid ground. Soon they met a wide stream at a line of cottonwood trees. A small group of crows began to follow them, circling and cawing and eyeing them from the treetops. Phoebe thought she could recognize King and his band. The leader had that wide wingspread, and seemed to study them from a distance. Do they really know us? she wondered. “Sorry about the mess,” said Jeremy. “I guess I don’t know this last part as well as I thought.” Phoebe realized that her whole right side was wet and muddy, but somehow her mind didn’t dwell on it. She found herself fascinated by the rocky cliffs and steep ridges that stretched on in an endless wall before them. The Half Moon Cliffs seemed so intimidating up close. The sounds of the birds and the water and the breeze surrounded them. Jeremy led Phoebe through the trees and bushes along the bank. Soon they came to a place where someone had placed a fallen tree across the channel to a tiny island. He quickly stepped over and then came a couple of steps back on this narrow bridge, offering Phoebe his hand. She had a vision of Robin Hood and Little John fighting with wooden staffs on a similar tree over a river in the book she had lent him the night before. Annoyed with her own nervousness she took a deep breath and walked across, taking his hand at the last second

Into the Forest when she no longer needed it, just to acknowledge the courtesy. Almost immediately Jeremy stopped and put down his pack on a dry spot in the shade of an old willow tree. Phoebe sat on a rock in the deep shade and took off her wet boots. Jeremy unpacked a blanket and a picnic lunch. He handed Phoebe a small towel to clean her face and hands, and to brush the mud from her pants. She realized that she had brought nothing. Nothing! Not an apple or a loaf of bread or even a bottle of water. What was I thinking? “Sorry I didn’t bring anything. I really owe you.” “That’s all right; this was my invitation. I know it’s not your idea of a good time.” “Next time I’ll bring lunch for us.” Phoebe drank a bottle of iced tea and dug gratefully into a cheese and tomato and sliced squash sandwich. “Is this that supersquash stuff? Not bad.” “Jim fries it and puts in everything.” Phoebe took in the lazy movement of the branches in the warm breeze, the shadows made by the sun shining through the leaves, the deep earthy smell, the view of the cliffs rising above them. It was all very stimulating, yet soothing at the same time, like a quiet view of the ocean and the slow rhythm of the waves. The sound of the birds and the water and the wind was almost hypnotic. Phoebe was reminded of Abby’s outdoor living room at the haunted house, but in such a wilder setting. The river, the swamp, the cliffs, the forest, it all seemed to go on and on, as if they had walked into a primeval world. Phoebe thought about her father and his invitation to visit the forest. She pondered again the dilemma of how much of his confidence to share. She preferred to share none of it; yet there was something so sincere and trustworthy about Jeremy. He was trying so hard, and who else did she have to talk to? She found herself becoming attached to him. Jeremy let her eat and think without pushing any conversation, and sat quietly while she got up, tested her knee, and strolled around the island. She stared at the cliffs, wondering how difficult a journey it might be to the place where her parents and Wendy lived, and how far she and Jeremy could go. Suddenly she realized that she actually wanted to get to Hidden Valley, and immediately returned and sat on her rock, leaning forward with her wrists on her knees. Jeremy waited for her to speak. “This is pretty amazing,” she said, “and I really appreciate your bringing me. But I know it’s not a fishing trip. Let’s get to the next part.” Jeremy was sitting on the ground with his arms around his knees. He looked up at

Phoebe Comes Home Phoebe and said, “I had the feeling that you underestimate the forest. I wanted you to come out here and see it.” “But why?” “You need to get your imagination going. Think about it: this place is enormous, and most of it is hard to get to. Weekend hikers don’t want to go through this swamp. These cliffs are too difficult for most people. If you don’t know exactly the right way, you need to be a professional to climb them.” “That’s something I’ve always wondered about. There are rock climbers and bird watchers and hikers over in Half Moon, but almost never here. Why is that?” “The swamp is deeper and wider here. And then there are all the stories of skunks, snakes, huge bats, people getting lost. I’ve been here only a short time and I’ve heard so many rumors; you know -- bears and coyotes, and the pack of wild dogs they call ghost dogs. They might actually exist! The point is, people don’t seem to have any fun when they enter the forest around here. They don’t get very far. I think Jim purposely scares them away as he talks to customers. He pumps gas, spreads rumors, and sends everyone over to Half Moon. And I’ve met quite a few hikers and climbers stopping for gas and the bathroom before heading home, who have stumbled into very unpleasant skunks… well, by the law of averages, I think it’s got to be deliberate.” Phoebe stared. “Deliberate? You mean someone is out here encouraging the skunks?” Jeremy smiled. “Even the Protectors of the Wood probably can’t do that. But the odor alone would be enough to stop a party of hikers, and ruin their day.” “Hmm. Is that really possible? Could people spread the odor?” “I think so. And this is a place where things can be hidden. A lot of life can go on out here over a long, long time, with no contact with the modern world.” “You were telling me about the secret place. Where is that?” “We’re going to head in that direction… but first we’ve got to take a minute to talk about last night.” Jeremy took a deep breath. “You’re taking your quarrel with Penny too far.” “She’s taking it too far.” “That’s true. But I mean both of you, and so does Jim. He asked me to help you with this, and I already intended to anyway.” “I don’t see why it’s your business.” “If we’re going to be a team we have to work together on things.”

Into the Forest They were silent for a moment. Phoebe wasn’t sure she wanted to work together on this particular kind of thing. “Look, Jeremy,” she said, “I’m not sure I agree. I haven’t signed up to share everything.” “Of course not, and I know you don’t want to hear the obvious – you know, about you and Penny being family and really caring about each other – even though it’s true, and someone should tell you – but I’ll just stick to our being a team of detectives, and ask you to look at the game being played here. Penny is in it. We’re in it. What are the stakes? What side are we on?” He caught Phoebe’s eye and saw he had her attention, and went on. “Here’s how I see it: one side has established a hidden base here in the forest and is quietly doing some very unusual things, like maintaining a disappearing world. The other side is all about money, developers, construction, industry. On the face of it one would think the big money side would win hands down. But this is where the mystery comes in. The weaker side seems to be winning, and has been for years. I come from the outside so I can tell you: this town is different from other places. So how are they winning? Some of their abilities almost seem magical.” “Like what?” “Well, the vegetables, the ability to stay hidden, the amount of time this seems to have gone on, the money they’ve got to raise.” “Money?” “I’ve been doing a little investigating. Who do you think is the biggest landowner in the county? Owens Apples, of course. All those orchards. A huge business in this state. Who’s in second place? The Protectors of the Wood Foundation. How do you think they did that?” Phoebe stared at Jeremy in surprise. Dreamstone, she thought. But she said, “I had no idea! Are you sure?” “Talk to Jim. Check out his library, or the town clerk’s office. Look, we’ve ended up in this game, and I think we should play it as well as we can. We really care who wins.” “You sound like my father. Does Jim talk like this?” “He does. They’re a team.” “Well, I’m on that team too. But I’m still going to help Abby no matter what Penny or anyone else thinks about it.” “Of course. But can’t we do it quietly, without a big battle?” Phoebe stared at the ground. The vivid sunlight, shaded by the long willow branches and leaves, danced over the dirt and the grasses. The crows called in the treetops nearby.

Phoebe Comes Home “I’m not sure,” she said. “I’m not sure it can be done quietly and without a battle. But I get your point. We don’t want to fight Penny. We’ll all lose.” “Good. That’s all I wanted to say.” “But you could still stick up for me every once in a while!” “I don’t think a bigger fight would have done anybody any good last night. And it may not matter to you, but I did say some things you might have liked after you walked out. So did Jim, and Geraldine too. She’s got some influence over Penny, and was not afraid to speak. If I’m any judge, Penny was pretty miserable about snapping at you, and would apologize if you gave her a chance. She might seem high and mighty sometimes, but underneath she’s sad and scared.” They both sat in silence, thinking things over. “Okay,” said Phoebe. “You make sense, you really do.” Jeremy smiled. He reached out and they slapped hands. “What’s next?” asked Phoebe. “That’s up to you.” “Well let’s get moving. I want to go as far as we can, all the way to the hidden zone.” “That’s a surprise! I’ve been so curious about all this, but you’ve been acting like you hardly cared.” Phoebe shook her head. “You really don’t know me yet; I’ve just been taking on one challenge at a time. I care a lot.” Jeremy nodded and glanced at his watch. “It’s after twelve; it doesn’t get dark until almost nine. We’ve got time to do the whole hike I’d planned, but it’s a long way. How’s your knee.” “Perfect. No problem.“ Phoebe allowed no discussion about her knee, and Jeremy left it alone. He packed up the remains of their lunch while she put on her boots. They set off through the trees, and almost immediately came to another fallen tree placed over a rippling channel of water. Jeremy stepped lightly across to the wet rocks on the other side. The bark was worn off, and the wood was slippery, but Phoebe followed with a sure step. Her knee felt stronger after the rest. They walked and jumped over a series of rocks to a bank crowded with laurel bushes and small trees. Beyond lay some rising ground of rocks and trees, and then the cliffs towered above, sheer and impenetrable. They could hear the cawing of the crows from the trees above. Hawks and turkey vultures circled high in the air. “I know you must have found a way up this thing,” said Phoebe. “But I don’t see it.”

Into the Forest “I don’t mean to brag, but I’m good at this. I notice things. For example, there’s no way up this cliff over a long, long way, unless you have equipment and know how to use it. But I found a way. I’m sure it’s been purposely concealed.” “How?” “I’ll show you.” Jeremy led her through the bushes and trees to the foot of the cliff, and then hiked along the stony surface for five or ten minutes. They passed several huge boulders, but Phoebe could see nothing that looked like a path upward. He stopped next to the most immense boulder yet, a slab of rock leaning up against the cliff, measuring maybe twenty feet high and thirty feet wide, and twenty feet deep. It was as big as a house. “I’m sure you don’t see the things I see, but stones -- even small boulders -- have been moved, and ledges have been purposely chipped away to eliminate paths. These things have mostly been done long ago. And it’s not just here at the cliff. Once you get up on the plateau amid the streams and the hills, you see more of it. Hillsides of thick brambles and laurel, boulders and rockslides in the right places, walls of poison ivy, nettles, and Virginia creeper. Don’t get me wrong -- the secret place is naturally hard to get to. They’re just improving upon nature. And then there’s another thing…” “Yes?” “When I get close, I’m sure I’m being watched. This place has a warning system, and some sort of patrols, or lookouts. I know it sounds crazy, but I’m convinced these crows are a part of that system. Every time I head in this direction the crows seek me out. And the closer I get, the more fuss they make, from the tallest trees. From up on the cliff with binoculars, you could spot any intruder for miles around by looking for the crows.” “So has anything happened to stop you?” “No. I’m just testing the borders of the thing. I haven’t actually tried to go in. Plus I’m convinced they know who I am. And I’m alone. They’re letting me be, and I’m letting them be.” “But you could just walk in and see what’s there!” “I like to be invited. I’m on their side.”

“Of course. I understand.” Phoebe felt rebuked for her refusal to respect boundaries,

but she felt she had every right to enter the secret zone. They’re my parents, she thought. I am invited. This is as much my project as anyone’s. She rephrased her question to get an answer out of Jeremy: “But can you actually see the hidden areas? How close did you get?” “Close enough,” said Jeremy with a smile. “I’ve got Jim’s binoculars. They’re

Phoebe Comes Home excellent.” “Well let’s go! Lead the way.” “The path is right next to you, but you can’t see it. Look around.” Phoebe moved back from the cliff and studied the rocky face. Above the boulder the wall was steep and straight for maybe another thirty feet. No one could ascend it without ropes. Yet there was some sort of jagged gash, a diagonal crack moving up the cliff above the boulder. And still higher there was definitely a ledge of some sort, and the cliff seemed to bend on a softer incline. A number of dwarf pine trees began to grow. In fact if you could just get halfway up, the rest might be easy. “All right,” said Phoebe. “I can see how you did it. Somehow you found a way up to that ledge.” “That’s right! You’re absolutely right! Through the binoculars I saw that the upper path must be used and maintained by people, so I looked for a way to get to it. Can you find it?” “I don’t think so…” Suddenly she remembered the time. “Jeremy! You’re slowing us down!” “But I want you to appreciate what’s gone into this! The inspiration and the labor in this landscape! It’s… it’s…” He thinks it’s a craft like cars, or an art like music, thought Phoebe. He’s got a professional interest in it. “… it’s someone’s life’s work! And not just here, but for miles around.” “Trust me, I’m beginning to see it. And I’m thrilled to see it through your eyes. But I want to get to the end.” Jeremy looked at her and nodded. “All right. Here we go.” They walked to the far side of the giant gray boulder. There Phoebe could clearly see the way it leaned against the cliff, leaving a space about a foot wide at eye level, but mostly filled by an elongated stone that stood about five feet high in the opening. “Watch this,” said Jeremy. He reached over the stone, grabbed it by the far corner, and rocked it backward. With a little effort it swung toward them and balanced again in a new position, leaving an opening about a foot and a half wide in the lower portion of the crack. “See that? Could that be an accident?” Phoebe stared, her mouth open. “We go in there?” “Yup. You first. I’ve got to pull this stone back behind us.”

Into the Forest The opening seemed barely wide enough for a child; but with almost no hesitation, she stepped around the stone and squeezed sideways into this narrow door. Jeremy followed. She slid along through a dark, damp, and very narrow tunnel. Her heart was in her mouth. The way became even darker and tighter. For brief seconds she felt wedged in, unable to move, and desperately wanted to retreat. A claustrophobic panic began to brew inside her. As her muscles tensed and her lungs filled, she felt the stone hem her in. But when she bent her knees to shorten her height, she found a little more space. The opening widened toward the ground. ‘Jeremy! How much longer?” Her voice was muffled in the thick darkness. “Keep going. You’re almost there.” Soon she could see a trickle of light descending from above. A space opened up, a crack in the giant wall of the cliff. She now had the room to stand at ease. To her left she could see Jeremy appear out of the gloom and put his hand on her shoulder. “The rest is easy,” he said. “Let me squeeze by.” His thin body slipped through into the open crack. “Now just follow me.” He began climbing up a steep path of stones about a yard wide, with the mountain itself on their right, and the sheer rock face of the split off piece to their left. A thin slice of blue sky appeared far above above them. Phoebe followed, finding a foothold and taking a step with her left leg and swinging her right leg stiffly into a level position. It was slow going, one half step at a time. She could see that a major section of the cliff had split away countless years ago, and gradually the crack had filled with stones. The huge boulder covered the opening. Plus, she felt sure, the strange genius, the artist of the landscape, had discovered the secret, smoothed it out and cleared the way, and found another stone the perfect size to cover the entrance. As they climbed the light gradually improved, until the wall to their left was only six or eight feet high. They stopped in a cozy little spot, hidden as if they were in a nest of stones, a small cave with an open roof. Phoebe had no sense of being on the face of a mountain. “Let’s take a short rest,” said Jeremy. “For the rest of the way up we’re exposed on the side of the cliff. Anyone could see us from the swamp -- not that there’s anyone there, but we should move quickly.” He opened a bottle of water, took a few deep swallows, and handed it to her. She drank gratefully, swallow after swallow. Water never tasted so good. She sat with her back against the rock and massaged the big muscles just above the knee. I’m doing fine, better

Phoebe Comes Home than fine. I’ve been missing something like this. It’s as good as soccer. Phoebe began to feel like she could ascend the rest of the cliff in three strides. Her hopes rose that they could reach Hidden Valley, and somehow find Abby, and even discover some solution to the problems they were facing. It occurred to her that she should fill Jeremy in on the news from Abby’s letter, and do it while they were still alone. There might be no opportunity like the present. But when she turned to speak to him he was looking at her in a way that made her nervous. Is he going to try to kiss me? “Jeremy, I’ve got to tell you something. Glenda showed me a letter she got from Abby last week.” His eyes focused. She took a deep breath. “It’s mostly good news: she’s safe and wants to return to town. But she wants me to find her a job at the Toy Store, and a place to live either at the store or the church.” Jeremy stared in surprise. “What?” “Yeah, that’s right. Abby says she needs to live either at the store or the church. She won’t visit Glenda because it’s too dangerous.” “The store or the church! How about the police station? This business is hotter than I thought.” “And Glenda says her house is being watched by some boy our age in the trees across the field, but she won’t interfere. She wants to let them see that Abby’s not there. You see? The responsibility’s been passed to me. But I’m afraid to ask Gilligan or Friar Tuck to help Abby. They’re going to think I’m nuts. But I’ve got to do something! It’s all I think about… You’ve got to help me, Jeremy. This is my biggest problem.” He pursed his lips and pulled his mouth to the side in an odd expression he had when thinking. “It is a surprise. Living at the store or the church…. But really, why not? Can’t you talk to Tuck and Gilligan in a low-key sort of way? Just ask if they could ever consider having someone live there. See what happens.” Phoebe kept shaking her head. “You don’t understand, Jeremy. It’s not going to work. That’s what Abby always says, and she’s right. Somehow she’s in a separate universe and can’t get back to this one. If only we could see Abby today, out here, we might be able to talk it over. We might learn something… we might understand things better.” “Don’t get your hopes up on that. I doubt if we’ll find her; but at some point she’ll find us. We’ve got to learn more, and be ready.” He gave her a strange look of enthusiasm or elation. “Phoebe, this is really exciting! This is something important to do! Don’t you see?” “I’m seeing the scary side. Abby’s so afraid she wants to live in the church! It’s more responsibility than I’d bargained for.”

Into the Forest “I’m glad you’re in this with me. You’re no one to push around.” Phoebe glanced at Jeremy, unsure of his meaning. Jeremy smiled mischievously. “We do make a good team,” she admitted, and they hugged briefly -- long enough to feel their hearts jump. “I’ve been afraid to ask you something,” said Jeremy, “but maybe it’s all in my head. Were you mad last night about George and I planning the concert?“ “Oh…” sighed Phoebe, shaking her head. “Let’s not get into that.” “You see! You are mad. But what are we supposed to do? Pretend we’re not playing?” “Of course not. If I’m going to feel bad that’s just the way it is. It’s not your fault.” “But you don’t need to feel bad. There’s nothing to feel bad about.” “How can you know that? What makes you so sure?”

Jeremy open his mouth as if about to speak, but suddenly closed it again and

frowned. “Some things aren’t so easy,” Phoebe said. His eyes went blank. “If there’s anything I can do to help,” he finally said, “let me know.” His voice was a cold monotone. They were both silent. Phoebe could not have been more sorry that this problem had jumped out into the open, but she couldn’t help it. Jeremy stared off at the rocks, sadness and disappointment written on his face. “Come on, Jeremy,” she said. “Let’s just put it aside.” “You’re right. Let’s get moving.” They stood up, and Jeremy took a deep breath. Their attention immediately refocused on the drama of their situation, perched over thirty feet high on the side of the cliff. He turned toward her and studied her thoughtfully. She froze, not knowing what to expect. “Phoebe…” he said slowly. “Be careful here. It’s not hard if you follow everything I do, but you can’t, absolutely can’t, make a mistake.” “What do you mean by that? Are you trying to scare me?”

“Maybe a little bit. I’m scared of this part myself. It’s not that it’s so hard physically,

but if you fall, nothing can save you. I should have mentioned this before.”

Phoebe stepped back, and looked up at the ledge moving across the rocky face of

the cliff until it was lost in the shadows above them.

“We can turn back here,” said Jeremy. “That’s fine with me. But if you want to go

on, don’t look down, and don’t think about it. Stay on all fours, and follow everything I do. It’s not hard if you just stay in the path.”

Phoebe Comes Home

“Do you think I can do it?”

“Yes, I do. But treat it with all the caution that you have. Concentrate on copying

what I do, where I step, what I grab.”

Is he exaggerating? I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t see this through. “Okay, let’s

go,” she said. Jeremy nodded to her, and then set off. He took a few steps the normal way, but soon hit a switchback and went down on all fours. “Just stay in the path,” came his voice ahead of her. “Don’t look down, and don’t think about it.” The ledge was still over a yard wide, and it was fairly level and free of debris; but the wall that had concealed them from the valley and protected them from falling was gone. This path seemed much, much narrower now that the edge dropped off into space. Phoebe took one glance out at the wide valley, and was rendered dizzy by the sight. It was too overwhelming. Don’t look down, and don’t think about it, she told herself. God in heaven, a person could die here! Her knee brace became a dangerous hindrance during this part of the climb. She had to drag her right leg as she crawled, and had to move with agonizing care, concentrating on each toehold and handhold, feeling intense relief on reaching each scrubby gaunt twisted pine tree growing tenaciously among the rocks. Gradually the nearly vertical cliff became more horizontal. They crawled over smooth rock to reach meadow grass and level ground. She lay panting and covered in sweat, still afraid to look back. The glaring sun beat down. Jeremy moved closer to her and offered his hand, but she pretended not to see him. He sat down, almost touching her. Finally she stood up, and he rose with her. They took in the sweeping panorama. Phoebe looked at the church steeple and the farmland and the vistas beyond, wondering if the dim purple line in the distance was really the North Ridge Mountains. We’re up here with the hawks and vultures. “Let’s keep going,” said Jeremy. “We’re too visible on the edge of this cliff. Someone could see us easily, even without binoculars.” Just then the crows gave them a raucous serenade from the tops of the nearby trees, and Phoebe followed Jeremy’s hurried steps along a thin trail into the evergreen forest. They entered a plateau of many steep hills densely covered with boulders and trees. At first the path proved to be surprisingly consistent, and they made good time winding between the hills among pine and fir trees. But soon the path seemed to dissolve into a series of

Into the Forest small openings in the underbrush, and finally there was no path at all. To Phoebe’s eyes the landscape was a dense and tangled wilderness of thickets and evergreen trees, boulders and rocky ridges. Jeremy stopped every once in a while, not speaking but just looking things over carefully, and then somehow found a way through the obstacles ahead. A few times they had to raise their arms and breast their way through thick patches of mountain laurel; but finally they reached a small stream that sailed along merrily in a narrow valley. Jeremy, with Phoebe on his heels, followed it faithfully through a long, deep gorge full of large boulders and small trees. They scrambled up and down, sweating and exhausted. The crows continued to jump from treetop to treetop, fluttering their black wings and long feathers against the deep blue sky. The stream bubbled along, sometimes disappearing under huge stones in the steep gorge, only to reappear a short distance later. Phoebe noticed with alarm that the sun was sinking toward the horizon, but she said nothing, not wanting to discourage Jeremy. As they moved deeper into the wilderness she became preoccupied with the notion that they were actually going to arrive at some destination of great importance. Their journey no longer seemed like a hike in the forest, but a quest for some luminous goal that would move their lives forward in a significant way. In the back of her mind, Phoebe still hoped to see Abby. Even Jeremy seemed affected by the mounting excitement and expectation. He spoke hardly at all, and moved with the focus and alertness of a forest animal. As they climbed down the rocks near a small waterfall, Jeremy muttered, “We’re coming to the place now.” They continued walking around a bend in the stream. “There,” he said. “The standing stone.” Phoebe looked down the stream and saw a very high boulder – perhaps eight feet tall -- with a sharp vertical side at the front and a steep slope with rough steps at the back. Other more ordinary two and three foot stones seemed to have been moved to form a circle around it. Jeremy promptly climbed the standing stone and looked about, announcing, “This is where we turn off.” At the side of the stream a steep bank ascended the hillside. There a path had been worn into irregular steps; not the kind of steps that have been built, but informal steps gently fashioned over time. Up and over the bank they found a narrow rocky way that climbed sharply. Boulders jutted from a steep cliff, where the small pines grew with roots that clung like fingers.

Phoebe Comes Home Suddenly Jeremy stopped and went down into a crouching position, looking back the way they had come. “The barking,” he said. Phoebe became aware of a rushing noise, like wind in the leaves, but soon realized that it was the barking of many dogs. Jeremy pointed back down through the trees to the stream below. “Ghost dogs,” he said. Phoebe could see white shapes swirling in a counter-clockwise circle around the standing stone that Jeremy had climbed a short time ago. It was hard to see clearly through the trees, but the dogs leapt and bounded and danced through the stream and over stones and part way up the hill at incredible speed. “I’ve never seen them up so close,” said Jeremy. “I wasn’t quite sure they really existed.” Phoebe stared. “Will they come after us?” “I don’t think so. They seem to be like the crows, guardians of the secret area. They usually appear between the zone and the intruder, warning people off. But today they’re behind us, pushing us further in. I guess we should continue on.” Up and up they climbed, until they came to a long ledge of stones and small trees. They trudged along, making slow progress, ascending slowly. Finally they approached a high, sharp ridge running ahead of them at right angles, like the top of a letter ‘T’. Picking their way up over some rocks, they finally stood at the connecting point between the two high ridges. A marvelous view opened up ahead of them. They saw a narrow valley roll forward like a long green road bounded by rocky hills and ridges on either side. Phoebe vividly remembered seeing it before in her mother’s painting. The whole area could be seen at once, like an elongated bowl maybe three quarters of a mile wide and about two miles long. Its velvety green texture glowed like a jewel in the late afternoon sun. The silver stream appeared from the hillside below them, sparkled through the deep green of trees and meadows, and then seemed to vanish under the far ridge and the high cliffs known as the Horn beyond. “Hidden Valley,” said Phoebe. “You found it.”

IX The Dreamstone Mirror

The Dreamstone Mirror Phoebe and Jeremy stared at the radiant green valley shimmering before them. The area was not fully forested, but had large stretches of meadow and fields with plants and trees too orderly to be wild. From their perch high on the rocky ledge, the land below had the look of tended countryside, with open meadows bordered by hedges and piled stones. A few deer browsed at the edge of a grassy area. “How do we get down there?” Phoebe asked. “I don’t know,” Jeremy replied. “This is as far as I’ve ever gone; and I’m still not sure about going any farther.” Phoebe looked down the incline ahead of her, and noticed the rocky slope grow steeper and then disappear altogether, dropping into a vertical cliff. The nearby screeching of the crows startled them, like a sudden siren on the streets of a city. Phoebe turned and noticed the band of black figures not ten yards away on a nearby stunted mountain pine. They ruffled their feathers and flapped their wings, looking huge and fierce. She was not used to seeing them up so close. The enormous lead bird croaked ominously. “These crows are not happy with what we’re doing…” she said. “That’s for sure.” Jeremy stepped to one side behind a low screen of stones, and Phoebe followed. Lying on his stomach, he examined the valley through binoculars. Then he turned and gave the way they had come the same treatment. Finally, crouching low, he investigated the edges of their small lookout. “There seems to be no one about,” he said. “The dogs have gone, though they’re probably nearby. But there’s no way forward from here. Let’s just rest and talk for a few minutes, and then head back.” “But you can always find a way!” Jeremy laughed. “I’m flattered, but it’s not true. I really don’t think we can get down from here without ropes, though I haven’t looked that hard. I’ve only been here once before. But it doesn’t matter -- we’re not invited.” Phoebe felt a sharp sting of disappointment. I wanted more than this! cried a voice inside her. “If we go down there, they’ll find us,” she pleaded. “Maybe we’re not supposed to do that, but…” She was trying to think of some persuasive argument when a new voice appeared out of nowhere, saying, “You are invited. I’m here to guide you.” Phoebe turned and stared. “Chi Chi!” she cried. There he stood in front of the stunted pine tree, blending in

Phoebe Comes Home with brown corduroy pants and a dark green shirt and hat. The crows were now silent. Phoebe approached him with some awe, as if he might be a ghost. “Where… where did you come from?” “I’ve been tailing you for quite a while. I’m on duty today. Normally I would ward you off, but I received a message: you’re invited in!” He smiled and rubbed his hands together with glee. “Yes, this has almost never happened before… It’s a great day, a great sign for the future. We’re very fortunate!” He smiled at them. “Chi Chi… this is like a miracle, I can hardly believe it.” They stood staring at each other. “Chi Chi, you know Jeremy…” “Yes indeed,” he said, bowing his head in Jeremy’s direction with his typical aristocratic formality. Jeremy stepped forward and bowed in return. Phoebe noticed that he stood a full head taller than Chi Ch, who seemed more like an elf than a man. “So!” Chi Chi snapped them to attention. “We have business to attend to! I am bidden to hurry. Come along.” He rubbed his hands again in excitement. Suddenly he looked up doubtfully and asked, “You do want to come, don’t you?” “Of course,” answered Jeremy, slinging on his backpack. “I’m ready,” declared Phoebe. “But who wants us?” Chi Chi was already heading back down the way they had come, and called out over his shoulder, “You’ll hear everything soon. Just follow closely.” He whistled sharply, and they could hear the dogs reply. He seemed to glide down the ridge with such effortless speed that Phoebe and Jeremy were far behind in less than a minute. She allowed Jeremy to go ahead, and continued to pick her way with half steps. I’m not going to get injured, she told herself. I’m going to be at my best for this. At the standing stone Phoebe met eight white and gray dogs that bounded and yelped with frantic excitement. They looked like small greyhounds, maybe two feet tall, with long legs, short fur, and pointed floppy ears. Their energy and speed were incredible. “Diana! Hermes! That’s enough. Slinky, don’t try it. Back, Angel!” Chi Chi assumed a stern expression and held up his hand, palm outward, staying as immobile as a statue. The dogs cowered into sitting positions, trembling with expectation. Chi Chi faced Phoebe and Jeremy with the same commanding manner, saying, “Always remember: the way we travel and what you see are a privilege for you only.” He looked at them closely. “Do not share it, or attempt to repeat it, without instruction and permission.”

The Dreamstone Mirror The standing stone loomed up behind the tiny Chi Chi like a living presence. They nodded and mumbled words of agreement, awestruck by this turn of events. He turned and headed quickly downstream. The dogs seemed to fly down the hill and were lost from view. Jeremy was anxious to help Phoebe keep up, and offered his hand as they climbed up and down the stones and ledges. She felt mortified to be so slow and clumsy next to the grace of Chi Chi and the dogs. Someday I’ll be able to leap around this wilderness like they do. Around a bend in the stream they found Chi Chi waiting. There the stream plunged down a steep gorge and disappeared into a forbidding rocky abyss. He led them along a slope strewn with boulders, and then turned off to the right onto level ground amid a cluster of pine trees. Soon they were walking down a gentle incline on soft pine needles under a dark forest, with a stone ridge to their left. After maybe a quarter of an hour they rounded a bend in the ridge to find Chi Chi and the dogs waiting behind a thicket of laurel bushes by a dark opening in the rocky cliff. A large stone, maybe four feet high and less than two feet wide, had been pulled out of the wall and was standing to the right like an open door. “Angel, Slinky! In!” He snapped his fingers and pointed through the dark opening. The dogs scooted in and vanished. “Go ahead,” he said. “I will be last.” Jeremy and Phoebe ducked through into a cool, damp breeze. Chi Chi tugged at the handle on the stone, and in seconds they were in complete darkness. The rushing of water echoed in the passage. He struck a match and lit a candle in a glass shade. The tunnel was low and gleamed with wet stones. He squeezed by Phoebe and Jeremy and led the way. Soon they were walking on the stone bank of an underground stream. “It’s slippery,” Chi Chi warned. “Use the railing.” To her right Phoebe found a metal rod running along the wall to give her some support as she tried to get used to the unfamiliar shadows and uneven surface. The candlelight dipped and rose in the underground breeze, and spread shadows over the white water ripping along. They struggled downhill, step by step. Phoebe maintained her careful pace with great concentration, climbing slowly over and around the dark, slippery stones, keeping her right leg stiff with half steps. Jeremy stuck by her side like a shadow. Around a bend a blaze of light appeared like a comet in the dark underworld. They struggled forward to the light of day. Chi Chi and the dogs were waiting near the opening where the water poured forth into the sunlight under thick evergreen trees. They crossed the stream on stones and an old log. Soon they were sitting and resting on long grass under an apple tree. The intense golden

Phoebe Comes Home light and vibrant green world were overwhelming. The dogs leapt and tumbled about as if paradise had come on earth. “You’ve done well, very well. Especially you, my dear, overcoming your injury.” Chi Chi bowed in Phoebe’s direction. “Forgive me for rushing you, but there are things for all of us to do before the day is over. I gather you must depart tomorrow early.” Phoebe glanced at Jeremy. “We’re happy to stay, but my sister and Jim will be certain to worry.” “Someone will have thought of that, I think. Come!” He moved off along the edge of the field under the shade of trees. In all his movements Chi Chi stayed away from open visibility. Even in the safety of Hidden Valley, by second nature he remained in the shadows. They walked in a slow curve, staying near the rocky cliffs that surrounded the valley like the sides of a bowl. To their right they could see three pairs of copper beech trees crowning a small hill. Flowers bloomed all about them. Fat robins inspected the grounds, their heads cocked, listening. Rambunctious blue jays circled about, moving from branch to branch and tree to tree. The dazzling red of an occasional cardinal appeared and vanished. The odor of honeysuckle was overpowering. Apple trees, thought Phoebe. And those must be peach. And pecans! Those look like pecans! I didn’t think they could grow here. Dead branches littered the ground as if the trees were old and untended, yet they seemed healthy with new growth. Further on they found a whole section of perennial herbs with a riot of mint as large as a backyard and a sage bush taller than a person. “I’m sorry to hurry you along,” Chi Chi kept reminding them. “But the sun is sinking.” As they walked Phoebe looked eagerly for anything that might be their destination; but besides the unmistakable aura of tended countryside, there were no signs of human habitation. There were no dwellings, no buckets, no tools, no wells, and no roads or even clear paths that could be followed anywhere. They took a short cut across the valley in the shade of oak and beech trees, and then detoured around half an acre of giant raspberry and blackberry bushes back to the edge of the stone ridge. There, amidst the tall brambles, Phoebe’s mother and father sat on wooden stumps, eating berries from a huge bowl. She hugged her parents and everyone exchanged greetings. The sun slanting over the ridge above them gave a golden glow to the scene, and halos to their hair. Phoebe and Jeremy were grabbing handfuls of berries and drinking eagerly from a bottle of water, but the relentless Chi Chi urged them on. “Just a little farther to go,” he said,

The Dreamstone Mirror pulling Phoebe’s hand. “You’ll be eating with us later,” Patti told them. “You can have enough blackberries to last you a year.” They dragged themselves, exhausted, up a slope between the brambles on their right and cliffs on their left. Only the dogs seemed to have boundless energy, and once again yelped and trembled with anticipation. Soon Chi Chi led them behind another thick screen of mountain laurel and climbing vines to a slim opening in the stone ridge, where they stooped and squeezed into a small cave. The dogs had disappeared ahead of them. Chi Chi lit a candle, and they walked into a sort of hallway with smooth walls and a high ceiling, and continued on through another opening. Suddenly they found themselves in a very long, sumptuous room brightly lit by a large rectangular hole in the ceiling, open to the sky. At first this complex space reminded Phoebe of the Toy Store: it was so well organized and full of things, and it took so long to see it all. They were obviously in a cave -- the floor and walls and ceiling were formed by huge pieces of stone and packed earth -- yet Phoebe and Jeremy had never imagined a cave like this one. It might have been out of a story from the Arabian Nights. The central space was open, with a level stone floor and ceiling over twelve feet high, decorated by a chandelier with perhaps a dozen candles, none of them lit. Straight ahead the ceiling curved down at least four feet and extended to a stone wall at least a dozen yards away. A long wooden table or shelf ran along that wall, full of objects and projects – open books, bunches of drying leaves, small piles of seeds, pieces of fabric and wood, small stones and jewels and tools, etc. – lit by the afternoon light pouring in through a wide open window in the ceiling about eight feet above. This window, perhaps ten feet wide and twenty feet long, was crossed by thick wooden poles; and beyond these poles Phoebe could see branches and leaves blowing in the breeze under the blue sky. The light sparkled through the cut jewels and crystals decorating the chandelier high above them. To the left she could dimly make out an area with chairs and tables, surrounded by paneled walls displaying countless pictures and maps. To the right the dogs were whimpering and jumping in an area with chairs and benches. Two walls were covered with floor to ceiling shelves of books – old, hard cover books with the bindings of an ancient library. Scattered about were shelves and tables with unusual objects: old clocks, musical instruments, pieces of sculpture, crystals, and tools or instruments of some kind. Chi Chi beckoned them forward to the area occupied by the dogs. There the floor displayed a vast rug of Middle Eastern origin, still shining with bright and warm colors in

Phoebe Comes Home some sections, but totally threadbare in others. The dogs had quieted down, and occupied the central portion of the rug. In the dimming light a stone fireplace flickered with small flames, and nearby, in a carved wooden chair almost like a throne, an old man sat looking at them through keen gray eyes. His thin face with high cheekbones and a hawk nose was framed by long white hair and a white beard and mustache. He wore a white button down shirt, and his jeans were frayed and bleached almost white. He stood and took two steps forward, raising his palm to the dogs and saying quietly, “Stay down, stay down.” “Father,” said Chi Chi with his slight bow. “I’ve brought Phoebe and Jeremy.” Father, thought Phoebe. Father! “Wonderful! Wonderful! Thank you all for taking this trouble for an old man, an old recluse who does not get out to see the world.” His voice was hoarse and uneven, but his manner was regal. He stood tall and slim and straight, with great dignity, though in fact Phoebe noticed that he was somewhat shorter than Jeremy, though taller than Chi Chi. “Phoebe and Jeremy, this is John Chapman.” “I’m so happy to be your guest,” said Phoebe, imitating Chi Chi’s bow. Jeremy also bowed, saying, “I’m honored to be here.” “Let them wash up. They’ve had a long journey. And bring the standard tea from the cold room. They are tired and thirsty.” Phoebe and Jeremy followed Chi Chi without a sound. In the bathroom off the hallway Phoebe was shocked by her appearance in the mirror. She was filthy. Mud stained her shirt and pants. Her hands and neck, even the side of her face, were streaked with dirt. This is really happening, she said to herself. Despite her exhaustion she carefully cleaned up, observing with curiosity that the basin and the toilet opened into some vast, dark, underground space. As she hurriedly returned, she summoned her last reserves of energy. This is for me. I’m going to make the most of it. Back in the large room, Phoebe approached John Chapman, who had resumed his seat on the carved chair. He nodded to her and motioned to his left, where Jeremy sat on a nearby bench. She joined him there. One of the dogs crawled forward with tiny steps to nuzzle and lick the old man’s hand. “Yes, my babies. Yes, Angel, the best dog in the land, the king of an angel band.” He stroked behind the dog’s ears. “I have my dogs, and Wendy has her crows, to protect our land from sorrow.” He looked up at Phoebe and Jeremy. “Do you know my daughter Wendy?” he asked. “I do,” said Phoebe. “I haven’t seen her lately, but she’s known my family for many

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The Dreamstone Mirror years.” “Of course,” said the old man. “Of course.” His eyes moved to Jeremy. “I’ve only moved to Middletown this past year,” returned Jeremy nervously. “I live and work with my cousin Jim. I’ve never met your daughter.” “Jim has rewarded all the trust I’ve given him over many years. I’m hoping you can follow in his footsteps. I see you have the talent -- great talent -- for understanding the land.” Jeremy looked up and smiled. The compliment clearly pleased him. Chi Chi reappeared with a tray, and when his father finished speaking, he handed out three very large cups of tea with one left for himself. The liquid was dark and cool. They took a few greedy swallows, and felt their energy revive. “We need every moment of our time together,” began the old man. “When you reach my years, you will see there are only a few things you have the time left to do, and you must choose the most important, and not delay; so I will come right to the point. A small group of us are carrying this project, this treasure, this life’s work, and we have reached a stage where we must begin to hand our hopes and responsibilities to the next generation. Will some of you accept the burden? Can you learn to carry it and hand it forward in your turn? We dearly hope so, and have decided to act, wondering who might prove worthy. As the saying goes, by their fruits ye shall know them. “And behold! You seek us out! You find us… here on our mysterious island in the midst of the modern world. “And so, with your permission, we will take a step today. You, Jeremy, will begin to learn from Chi Chi the duties of a Protector, and will assist Jim in his responsibilities; and you, Phoebe, will spend time with me to get a better understanding of who we are and what your future may hold. “We have very little time. You will eat later with Phoebe’s parents, and Chi Chi will guide you out at sunrise. Penny and Jim know you are safe.” He paused, looking at his guests, and smiled. No one spoke. “I know this offer of mine must seem rather sudden to you – I know a good deal about you, and you may know little or nothing about me. Perhaps I seem to have dropped from the sky. But you have sought us out, at just the time that we were seeking you. My decision is to seize this moment offered by fate. But if I’m mistaken in assuming your commitment to our work, please just say so, and we will still treat you as honored guests.” “I’m ready,” said Jeremy. “I can think of no better future than to assist Chi Chi and Jim as a Protector.” He turned to Chi Chi, who smiled and stood up.

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Phoebe Comes Home “Come,” said Chi Chi. “Bring your tea to the other side of the room with me. We’re going to look at some maps, and have a long talk before dinner.” “So…” the old man said softly. “Your situation is a bit more complex. You have much to give – gifts that are crucial to our future – but you must act independently, and at times without knowing where you are going… You have been called to a responsibility, a purpose. Are you aware of that?” The old man spoke very gently. “Yes. But I don’t know what to do.” “Well, you needn’t put it that strongly. You must be somewhat aware of what to do, partially aware. But there are important points where you are in the dark. Am I right?” “You are reading my mind. How do you know this?” “Of course I speak to people who know you, and I’ve been studying these problems for very long time; and my daughter Wendy has talents, and helps me, as do others. But right now all that is not important. For the next couple of hours, only you are important. We want to shed some light on your concerns, your needs. We must improve your understanding, and give you nourishment to last a long time.” “Can you really help me? I do need help. I’ve been given a great responsibility, but I don’t know what it is.” “Pull that bench a little closer,” said the old man. “You are too far away… Now, why don’t you ask me a few questions? What comes to mind?” Phoebe felt as if she were about to burst. I must trust him. I must try. “Do you know about the Thunder Being, the dark being with greenish eyes?” she asked. “I dreamed he looked in my window so sad and said, ‘Everything is at stake. Everything.’ What did he mean?” “What do you think?” “Then I heard Reverend Tuck, and then Alison, say the same sort of thing, about… this work, and our situation as people… on the earth, at this moment. ‘We must change!’ Tuck said. ‘Soon the stakes will include everything!’ And I realized that the Thunder Being might be talking about something we could do right here and now. Maybe I could join with some friends to work on this in my own way. Maybe even working at the Toy Store and helping Sammy might help protect the forest and make a difference somehow. But I know it seems stupid… such a small thing to do when everything is at stake. Does it really matter?” “Every small thing can make all the difference. Every link in the chain is crucial.” “But I might make a mistake. I’m always making mistakes. I’m like Abby. She says

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The Dreamstone Mirror the same thing.” “Ah, you know Abby, my grand niece.” “Yes. I need to talk to her.” “You do. Yes, you do.” “I was hoping to see her here.” “I cannot help you on that score. I wish I could. You may have more luck in town.” Phoebe considered this in silence. “By the way,” the old man continued, “People are hardly ever sure. And they must make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are terrible, and sometimes most wonderfully for the best. We are all in the hands of a higher fate. Your Thunder Being is a representative of that fate. That is the main consolation, the main reassurance I can give you. That is your calling. Who am I next to him? In another form, he also lights the way for me.” Phoebe sat quietly, troubled at heart. “I just wish it could be more clear to me,” she finally said. “I do have one more thing to offer, which I think I can give you without fear, since you are already on the road and have the talent…” “What talent is that? I’m not aware of what my talent is…” “You can hear your fate when it speaks to you, and not let it go.”

Phoebe suddenly began to sob, as if a dam, long under pressure, had broken, and

tears came flooding down. She sobbed helplessly for a few minutes, and gradually regained control of herself. The old man waited patiently, handing her a torn piece of fabric to dry her tears. She noticed the shadows shifting in the room. The day was darkening. Night was settling in. Time was running short. “What is that one more thing?” she asked. “You wear a piece of dreamstone -- your own charm, made here in this very room, by the way – a charm that your whole family wears. Would you like to look into a large piece? A very large piece? It’s known as the dreamstone mirror. No one can know what you will see. There is some risk. Not everyone is ready for the challenge or the burden that may come of it.” “I’ll try,” replied Phoebe. “I knew I was getting ready, that I needed to do something important today. I’ve always wanted to be like Robin Hood, and lead a band to do good. Does that sound stupid?” The old man smiled.

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Phoebe Comes Home “But I have to be ready. I feel stuck in the past as if I were still a little girl.” “There’s nothing wrong with that little girl, and everything right about her. She’s your greatest ally… But come. Here is your challenge. Let’s see what you will make of it.” The old man rose and beckoned to Phoebe. She followed his very upright form back to the arched opening leading to the hallway. Voices rose in the dim twilight on the far side of the room. Chi Chi and Jeremy sat close together in deep conversation. The old man waved her forward. He walked steadily but somewhat stiffly, looking lean and still strong, if a bit slow. A candle was burning in a lamp placed in a niche in the wall of the hallway. He took a lamp with a glass shade from a shelf and lit the candle inside. “I hope you don’t mind going some distance underground. It’s the only way. That’s where the dreamstone is. It should never be moved. Other than slivers, none should have ever been moved.” Never moved! But how could that be? He turned to her in the light of the candle. The yellow flame lit up his face from below, his glittering eyes under a huge overhanging brow piercing her with a fierce look. “I’m trusting you with my biggest secret,” he said, “because you have no greed. You are not attracted to possessions and power, and neither is your friend. But never forget that many others can think of nothing else. Never forget how much they desire! Enough to destroy everything! I am trusting you never to forget that.” He looked her carefully in the eye, and, satisfied, turned and walked through a small opening lying back in the shadows on the far side of the hallway. Phoebe followed him into a tunnel, maybe three feet wide and six feet high. The sides had been chiseled smooth, and the air was moving and fresh and damp. The passage seemed well maintained… but way too narrow, and clearly slanting downward. She longed to stretch out her arms, but they felt pinned to her sides. The panic of claustrophobia rose inside her like a demon beginning to scream. Is this getting tighter? It is! It is! Her breathing became short, like a pant. Her thoughts raced. Oh God please help me! Help me! After maybe ten minutes of steady progress the old man stopped and rolled a large stone a couple of feet to reveal an opening in the right side of the tunnel. The shifting light from the candle showed a very low, almost round passageway. That’s just a hole! A rat hole into the earth! “This way,” he said. “Be careful.” His voice seemed muffled and far away. Phoebe felt as if the earth were squeezing

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The Dreamstone Mirror in upon her. They stooped down and entered. The touch of her hands on the rocks to either side showed her it was getting smaller. “Look out for your head up here. You’ve got to duck lower.” Phoebe crouched down, her hand above her head. She felt she would die in there, trapped with a crazy old man lost in a wretched cave. The light flickered as the candle dripped. The shadows moved and grew. “You might need to crawl up here,” came the voice. Crawl? Crawl? No… no… no… Please no… please… please…. Phoebe could feel the ceiling getting ever lower, until she was forced onto her knees. Terror filled her like boiling water. “I’m afraid!” The words escaped her, a muffled cry of agony. “Of course you are. I am too, even though I’ve been here a thousand times.” “My knee doesn’t bend well. I have to drag my leg. I’m so tired. What if… what if I can’t…” “I should have warned you about this part; it’s been a long day for you. But I know you can do it.” They crawled forward. The tunnel was clean. No loose stones troubled them. A breeze smelling of water wafted by. The rocks in the wall were sometimes large and glistening, with white streaks glowing in the darkness. Green and brown colors reflected like mirrors. Clear crystals appeared in the rock, with clean, flat sides like glass. The tunnel was getting wider, and the old man had risen, and was walking normally ahead of her. They were moving downhill. Phoebe stood up and loped forward to catch up. Suddenly they entered a large cavern, with sides far off and the ceiling high above. They were walking downhill rapidly. Phoebe loped along to stay on the old man’s heels. After some period of time – Phoebe lost all track of time – the ground leveled off, and the old man slowed up. “Look at this,” he said, his voice echoing in the vast cavern. He held the candle, now burned low in a pool of wax, next to the wall. In the dim, unsteady light Phoebe could see streaks and small pebbles of flaky blue, the translucent, misty blue of dreamstone. “And look at this!” cried the old man. “And this!” The guttering candle flickered on chunks of blue sky, one, two, three of them, as large as baseballs. “Don’t stare into those,” he told her. “Wait for a second.” He took the shade off the lamp and lit a new candle, pressing it into place in the pool of wax, and then lit two other candles in nearby niches in the wall. The light blazed up, and seemed to shine like the sun.

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Phoebe Comes Home “Come over here,” he said, and pointed to a couple of old wooden crates a few steps away on the ground. “Take a seat, and compose yourself.” Phoebe rested. She had never been so tired, but her mind was on fire. Dreamstone! a voice screamed in her mind. It comes from here! It comes from here! My God, of course! This is what they’re all looking for. “Are you ready?” asked the old man. She noticed that she was facing a thick curtain of dark fabric, hung on the wall. “I hope so.” He took the fabric off the wall. The candlelight gleamed on a chunk of dreamstone as large as a chest of drawers, almost five feet tall and a yard wide, but irregular, with streaks flowing off along the wall, and chunks like stone balls with angular sides protruding. The clean, smooth blue surfaces began to glow, and opened into a measureless depth. She looked deeply, and began to flow into the stone, as if she were swimming in it, swimming in the deep blue sky. The fear of being lost immediately suffocated her heart, but she noticed -- more with her feelings than sight -- the sad, urgent eyes of the Thunder Being beckoning her onward. Suddenly she was in total darkness, peering for any sign of light. Then she saw the stars overhead, bright and colorful as she’d never seen them before. She heard the noise of the wind in the trees, and saw the glimmer of starlight on the branches and on the dirt and undergrowth at her feet. And there, coming toward her, was Abby and… yes, there was Phoebe herself… both somehow transformed yet still clearly themselves. Yes! Phoebe and Abby were walking together in the starlight, elbow to elbow, and there they went around the bend, disappearing down the road in the night under a forest so grand and mysterious, under stars that seemed to move and change and give out feelings and thoughts like living beings. Phoebe felt an immense rush of relief, of satisfaction, as if her greatest and most hidden hopes were justified. She was returning to herself, but at the last second the eyes showed her one more thing: a dark red object, an irregular sphere in shape, but with bulges outlined with blue streaks and covered with bluish film. The deep red seemed moist. It didn’t look like stone, but like flesh, some type of living organ. And suddenly it moved, it throbbed, and throbbed again. It’s alive! My God, it’s alive! She found herself thinking thoughts that she could not put into words, and was terrified. The eyes of the Thunder Being looked at her, urging her to understand. She struggled to form thoughts but did not know what she was thinking. Panic arose inside her. She heard the old man speak but could not reply.

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The Dreamstone Mirror Suddenly she realized that the old man had replaced the dark fabric. Her eyes were free to look at him and the world again. “Are you back?” he asked. “Oh! I lost myself... I couldn’t find my thoughts… Even now I’m afraid it will keep happening!” She looked into the old gray eyes of the man and hugged him, shuddering violently. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I should have ended it earlier, but I felt it was important for you.” “What was that thing, like a pumping heart, the dark organ? What is it?” “Ah, yes, others have seen it, and wonder about it. It’s a big question for our circle. What do you think?” “It… is dreamstone. It’s not a stone at all. It’s a living organ.” “Yes! You reward my confidence. Yes you do! I am so happy, my dear. You reward an old man… But one more question. An organ of what? An organ fulfills a function for a body. What is that body?” “I don’t know… maybe… The night I saw the Thunder Being I could feel I was lying on the earth, and it was alive.” The old man put his hand on her shoulder. Somehow it was a formal gesture, like a blessing, an initiation, a sword on the shoulder conferring knighthood. “You’ve received your gift, and so have I. Now we must return, and be worthy of it. Come!” Phoebe hardly noticed the way, or her exhaustion, or her fears at all. She focused on following the old man, and on treasuring a feeling in her heart. She felt that no fear could ever be greater than what she had overcome already. Soon she was back in the great room, and it was night time; and Jeremy and her parents and Chi Chi and the old man were there, and she drank tea by the fire.

The story continues in Part III, Building Robin Hood’s Band.

The Protectors of the Wood Series

PHOEBE COMES HOME The Protectors of the Wood Series follows the adventures of a group of young people trying to develop their lives and protect their hometown and the world from injustice, exploitation, and environmental destruction. The series poses a very real question--how can we pass through our own historical crisis and win a sustainable future? In Phoebe Comes Home, the first book of the Protectors of the Wood series, our hero Phoebe Hood returns to her hometown from college in a crisis. she is recovering from what seems to be a career ending injury. Worse yet, she finds her hometown in the throes of sinister changes. The family business, a toy and game store where she worked for years, has changed hands, and her parents seem to have abandoned both the town and their daughter, moving into the forest preserve in the highlands that tower above Middletown. In Part II, Phoebe discovers that the forest preserve conceals the most dangerous secret on earth...

PHOEBE COMES HOME Part I: A New Beginning Part II: The Secret of Dreamstone Part III: Building Robin Hoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Band Part IV: The Big Game And coming next year... ABBY AND WENDY