I was fed up. I just couldn't take it anymore! That last injustice was too much for anyone to take.
After going to my room for the third time in as many hours, I decided that I was going to run away. That would teach them to be mean to me. Being very careful to not upset my toys, I quietly got my stick that dad and I found when we went out walking along the river several months ago. To this, I tied my handkerchief that grandma had brought me from he trips across the ocean.
I fashioned a small bag with my handkerchief, and put my book of Dr. Seuss, a change of underwear (even though I was mad at her, I stilled listened to my mom. I mean, what if I did get hit by a car?), and my stuffed bear in it. Quietly, I slipped out of my room and into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, I climbed up onto the counter and opened the cupboards, looking for food I could take. Once I found my peanut butter crackers, I grabbed them and climbed back down and went to the refrigerator, where I got a couple of apples. stuffing my food into my bag, I slung the stick over my shoulder and walked down the hallway to the front door.
As I was opening the door to leave, my Mom came out of her room. I stopped dead.
"Honey, what are you doing?" She asked, looking at me quizzically.
"I'm running away!" I said, mustering as much conviction as my four year old body could muster.
She walked over to me and crouched down. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Was that genuine concern I saw in her eyes?
I shook my head vigorously. I knew that if I said anything, my resolve would crumble and I would chicken out.
My mom sighed "O.k. sweetie, if this is what you really want to do..." she trailed off and stood up.
My heart leaped into my chest. My mind screaming at me 'she's going to throw you into your room! Run!'
That was not to be the case however. She opened the door for me and let me walk past. As I marched down the walkway to the sidewalk, she called out "Just remember, you're always welcome to come back!"
Acting like I had not heard her, I resolutely continued onwards, turning left at the sidewalk. After walking for a few minutes, I came to a street, and turned left, continuing down the sidewalk. Even though I was running away, I didn't want to go that direction. Again, I walked for a few minutes. By this time, I was starting to get hungry, so I found a place to stop. Carefully sitting down, I opened up my bag and got an apple.
Crunching the apple, I sat back and watched the world around me. I felt the sun beat down on my skin, warming me. I could smell all sorts of different smells. I felt content, that I had made the right decision. I came back to my senses when I realized that I had eaten the entire apple. Sighing slightly, I packed my stuff back up and continued on my way, turning left at the street.
This continued for several hours, until I found a nice little place to camp for the night. It was a wooden house that was just my size, with a loft and blankets that looked a lot like the ones I used to have. This place reminded me a lot of my old home. Feeling sad, I pulled out my stuffed bear, my book, and some crackers and read Dr. Seuss for a while.
A knock on the door startled me awake. Looking around wildly, it took me a minute to get my bearings. It was getting dark, and I didn't know where I was. the knock came again. My heart began pounding wildly. I didn't dare say anything - it was probably the police, here to arrest me for breaking into this house. I burrowed under the blankets and shivered uncontrollably.
A second later, I heard the door open.
A second after that, I heard footsteps.
Another second and the sheets were pulled off of me.
A light flashed in my eyes, I couldn't see. Fear gripped me, and I almost wet my pants.
And then, a voice. Familiar, reassuring, comforting.
"Son? Are you ready to come home?"
Too afraid to say anything, I nodded my head slightly, my eyes tearing up.
He took me into his strong powerful arms and held me close. "Shh.... it's o.k. kiddo, we're not mad."
I looked at him, my eyes adjusting to the light. "Promise?" I asked in a very small voice.
"Promise" he replied, his answer echoed in his eyes.
I snuggled close to him as he grabbed my things. He handed me my bear, and I hugged with the fierce intensity of a frightened four year old.
"alright kiddo, lets go inside" My dad said as we stepped out of the building and crossed the backyard of my house.