"Would you like some more oatmeal, Bobby?" Vonnie asked as she took the bowl.
"Yes, ma'am. That's the best oats I've ever had. I really like the brown sugar and you put some dried apples on it. You are the best cook ever."
"Well, Bobby, thank you. You're a good boy," Vonnie said spooning more cereal into his bowl.
Suddenly, Bobby's insides twisted and knotted up. What was wrong? Then he remembered what Madeline had given him, the twisty-looking knife, and what she wanted him to do with it. She said he'd be a hero and get lots of presents. Bobby stared ahead into empty space, wondering if he really wanted to be a hero.
"Is something wrong, Bobby?"
"No, just thinking."
"Are they happy thoughts?" she asked as she set a pot of water on the fire to heat up to wash dishes.
"Yeah," Bobby mumbled.
After breakfast, he thanked Vonnie and ran off to play with some of the other kids. He really enjoyed the friends he had made since joining up with Heckel and the rest. As he raced out to meet up with a small group of boys, Bobby spotted Jackson out near the edge of the field. A sharp staccato whistle and a quick arm wave from Jackson clearly sent a signal to Bobby that he was needed. Bobby put his head down and walked slowly over, all the while thinking-Oh great, I wonder what he wants? I don't think I like him. Madeline sure does.
"Hey, Bobby, how ya doin'?" Jackson said putting his arm around the boy's shoulder.
"Good," Bobby answered. He hoped he didn't get into trouble for lying so much.
"Did you have a good breakfast?" Jackson asked as he led Bobby behind a tall, wide bush.
"Yup."
"Do you remember what we have to do?"
Bobby looked down and remained silent; he hated thinking of the twisty knife.
Suddenly, Jackson grabbed Bobby by the back of the shirt and pulled him close. He shook Bobby hard and slapped him behind the head.
"You dumbass kid. I asked you a question."
"What?" the young boy asked timidly.
"You heard me," Jackson said, now twisting Bobby's arm.
"Ouch, let go of me."
Jackson glowered, waiting for Bobby to respond to his question. He then twisted Bobby's arm harder.
"Okaaaay, I know what to do."
"Is the knife safe?" Jackson asked with a calmer voice. His piercing eyes stared like they would bore a hole into Bobby.
"Yes, it's in my backpack. Um…what if I changed my mind?" Bobby asked sheepishly.
Jackson laughed a weird high-pitched laugh that reminded Bobby of a girl he knew when he was in school. It was a bit weird that his laugh lasted a long time. The more that stupid laugh went on, the more afraid Bobby got.
Bending down to look Bobby in the eyes, Jackson finally said matter-of-factly, "That's not gonna happen, my little friend. You made a promise to Madeline and you're going to honor it."
"Why don't you do it?"
Another girly laugh. Boy, was that irritating, Bobby thought.
"Because, apparently, that's not how it works. For some bizarre reason, it has to be you. Madeline said something about the innocents or some crap like that."
Jackson stood up, twisted Bobby's arm more and shook him. "Look, you little shit, when we get to the border of Arizona and California, we will be crossing the Colorado River. That night when we are camped, you will sneak into Heckel's tent and…"
"I know. I know. You don't have to say it."
Jackson's face was all red and sweaty. His eyes looked heavily bloodshot and huge like fake Halloween monster eyes had replaced his normal squinty ones.
"Fine. You understand?"
"Yes," Bobby said softly. "Please, let go of my arm."
"What? I didn't hear you," Jackson said, twisting the small arm harder and farther up the boy's back.
"Ouch! Yes, I understand everything."
"All is settled. You be ready when I come to get you that night. Do you hear me?"
"Yes."
Jackson twisted Bobby's arm one last time, ruffled his hair and then shoved him away.
"Have fun playing," he yelled as Bobby took off running. At one point, Bobby turned to look for him and tripped on a rock. He wanted to start crying, but anger took over instead. He didn't like the man.
Bobby didn't find his friends. Playing was the last thing on his mind. Instead, he walked along the stream until he found a wide pool, a perfect place for throwing stones. There was a sizable pile of boulders jutting out into the water. After grabbing a large handful of stones, he climbed up onto one of the larger boulders and sat down.
Bobby stared at the water for the longest time, doing nothing. His mind was a million miles away in a place where he thought he was safe, but it was yanked back when the image of that twisty black knife crept into his mind. He threw a stone at the water really hard, making a good-sized splash. Anger flared inside him every time that knife appeared in his mind's eye and he tried to appease it by pitching another rock into the water.
Slowly, the face of Vonnie replaced the image of the repulsive, evil-looking knife. She made him feel good inside again. Maybe if I told her what Madeline wants me to do, she could tell me if I have to do it or not, he thought. Jackson would be really mad at me, though, and he'd probably tell Madeline. She'd be very upset with me. I just don't want to do it. Even though Madeline said she'd be helping guide my hand. Thinking about Madeline made him scared. He hurled another stone at the water as hard as he could.
"Nice arm."
Bobby spun around. Heckel was standing there. A lump formed in his throat and it was difficult to speak. Bobby dropped his head and stared at his feet, hoping they would sprout wings.
"Can I join you?" Heckel asked softly.
Bobby nodded his head slowly and lobbed a stone into the water. Finally after what felt like an hour, he got his mouth to work. First he muttered, "Thanks." As Heckel moved closer, he said louder with more confidence, "Sure, you can join me."
"This is a good spot. I bet it'd be a fun place to swim or take a bath," Heckel remarked as he sat down on the large boulder.
"I think it's probably really cold," Bobby mumbled, watching out of the corner of his eye as Heckel tossed a stone into the pool. I really don't know this man, but he seems like a friendly guy. Why would anyone want to hurt him?
"It looks like it's going to be a nice day to travel," Heckel tossed another stone in the water. "Are you all packed and ready to go?"
"Yup. Vonnie helped me pack my bag."
"She really likes you."
"I like her a lot too. She makes great food."
Heckel continued to pitch stones into the pool. Thinking of Vonnie made Bobby remember his mother. "I miss my mom," he said with a quiver to his voice.
"I'm sure she misses you too. When did you lose her?"
Bobby's arm stopped in midair. Tears quickly formed in the corner of both his eyes as if they were wild bulls waiting to be released at a bull-riding contest.
"I don't like to talk about that," he said, hoping Heckel didn't push him. He didn't like the tears that came when he thought of his mom.
"That's okay. You don't have to. Someday if you want to talk, you come find me and we'll share stories. Okay?" Heckel asked.
Bobby nodded his head. Heckel slid over next to him and put his arm around his shoulders. His touch made Bobby feel comfortable and relaxed. It made his insides feel safe, unlike Jackson's.
Heckel looked down at Bobby, smiled and said, "We probably should get back to camp. I think we are leaving pretty soon."
"Okay," Bobby said tossing the rest of the stones into the pool. "Thanks for talking to me," he said quietly. Heckel extended his hand and Bobby shook it.
"You're perfectly welcome. It was nice hanging with you as well. Are you riding with Vonnie today?" he asked as they started walking back to camp.
"Yeah, she said I could. It sure beats walking. My feet still have blisters from all the walking I did with Jackson. He's kind of a…" Bobby caught himself before he said anything bad.
Heckel looked down at the young boy and just nodded slightly as though he knew what he was going to say.
Walking back to camp, they chatted about fun things like baseball, school, drawing and reading. It was all cool stuff Bobby hadn't thought about in a long time. He cracked some fun jokes too. Bobby had never heard 'Knock, Knock jokes,' or 'Why did the chicken cross the road?' Heckel reported that they were classics. Bobby felt really good to laugh, and laugh hard, even though some of the jokes made him groan. After Heckel left him at Vonnie's campsite, Bobby sat down on a log. His thoughts were going ninety miles an hour. One thought braked in front of his mind-I…can…not…hurt my new friend. I don't care if I'm not a hero and Madeline can keep all her crummy gifts.