Adventure

Pulling the curtain back from the window she could see him digging away in the garden. Now was a good time as any. Libby turned and opened her cupboard and moved her shoes about. There it was, her backpack with the bird on it. Looking up at the clothes, she reached out and pulled a peach cardigan off the hanger. This one wasn’t her best, but Granny had knitted it for her. It was warm and thankfully not at all itchy. She put it into the bag unzipping it eagerly. She looked about her room, what else would she take on her adventure? Oh of course Ted must come. Ted bear had been with her every night since she was four. He had kept all of her secrets and been a wonderful muffler for her tears. Ted looked more than happy lying on peach angora inside the bag.

Down the hallway she heard the washing machine being filled and took the opportunity to enter the kitchen unnoticed. A banana from the fruit bowl was picked and she quickly filled a drinking bottle with water. These items also joined Ted in the full bag. Libby took a step towards the front door and then hesitated. She realised she was more responsible than that. Picking up a pen by the phone she wrote three words on the shopping list pad. Then she walked out, happily banging the front door behind her.

The breeze blew her hair as she made her way down the hill. It was exhilarating to be alone.  She felt free. She left the road at the bend and found the well worn path through the vacant block. The grass was tall, with the wind it moved like waves around her. She was walking fast with the anticipation of reaching her destination. In the valley a creek had to be crossed. There were enough rocks about to place stepping stones. You just had to choose the spot carefully. She could hear the creek before she reached it. Libby walked along to the bank, the creek gurgled and bubbled. She stopped and looked into the water, her hand reached out, she just had to touch it, to feel the cool fresh wetness of it. The light sparkled on the surface, her fingers dipped in, then reached up and touched her dry lips. A leaf was chosen and then placed on the water’s surface. Libby watched as it floated, turning around before getting caught on bull rush reeds.

Walking on she had to find a narrow spot to cross. Near a willow tree she found the perfect place. There were big stones already there. The stones were wet and very slippery looking but she felt confident. She only had to keep her balance on the middle rock before taking a leap to the bank on the other side. There had been plenty of occasions that the creek had won this challenge and she had to turn around and go home wearing wet pants and embarrassment. But today she was determined. Her confidence made her bold. She made the jump, her arms flung out to balance. With a sure footing she waited a moment, enjoying the sensation of being in the middle of the stream. However the bank on the other side beckoned and Libby made the leap to the dry land.

This side of the valley was sunny and warm. The grass was shorter, walking up the steep slope Libby stopped at a barbed wire fence. She very carefully pushed down on the lowest wire bending horizontally through.  Her imagination felt the terror of barbs entering her back as she passed them, but she came through the other side unscathed. It was always much easier getting past that obstacle with a companion. She felt her leg muscles tightened as she made her ascent. Horses were in this paddock some where; her feet felt their bumpy shoe shapes on the ground. 

Once she reached the top of the hill her destination was within sight. That group of trees had been such a wonderful find. No one was sure who had found it first or even who had made the tree house within the canopy. She had been there before with her brother and sister. On several occasions other kids had got there first and made claim to the sacred place.

A smile spread across Libby’s face, she could see that she had it all to herself. At the trees she looked for the ladder. Pieces of wood had been nailed roughly to the trunk of the tree making a ladder up to the platform. Some of the steps were wobbly, making the climb a little treacherous. Libby carefully got to the top. On the platform she took off the bag and got Ted out. She sat him down like a koala, his leg and arms hugging the branch with his bottom securely wedged in a fork in the branch

“We’re here” she said to him

Ted bear just looked back at her.

  
She took a drink of water. Dappled light filtered through the tree canopy. Libby had done it, she had run away to the tree house.

Taking out the peach cardigan she made pillow for her head. Stretching her legs out in front she lay on her back and looked up into the leaves. She saw leaf faces which moved and swayed in the breeze looking down at her. Birds flew in and took respite on branches, unaware of their still observer. Libby imagined being able to fly, gliding along the path of the creek finding where the water comes from.  She thought about being a princess high up in a castle in a room full of butterflies. Her hair was so long like Rapunzle, she would let it down so friends could climb up and visit her without her parents knowing.  Then her hair would turn into a long winding slide that they all could play on.

Her fingers felt for the tree trunk, she rolled over and looked at what she was touching. Names had been scratched into the bark. She wanted to put her name here. Scaling the ladder down she searched for a tool to use.  Eventually she found an old nail and climbed back up to the top. Libby showed the nail to Ted and began to pick at the bark in a suitable place.

By the time she was on the last letter of her name it was growing dark. She was now wearing the cardigan and the banana skin had been dropped to the ground. Libby wondered if anyone had missed her at home. What were they having for tea? Did they find her note? What was it she wrote?

Run away - Libby x

Then she heard her named being called, looking down at the ground she saw Peter her brother approaching.

“Libby! Oh thank God you’re here Mum and Dad are going nuts. Quick, get down; it’s time to go home.”

“How did you know where I was?” Libby asked

Peter said “I just knew.”

But he remembered the time he packed a little bag and made the journey out here alone himself.

Written for Sunday Scribblings