Run Away (Published Jan 10, 2022)

Runaway I was a round ten-years old. I decided to run away, not sure why now, but sure I must have had a good reason. Where to runaway to? Around the corner was a street at dead-ended into Swanson’s Nursery. At the back of the nursery was an old woodshed where they kept some tools, hoses, and fertilizer for the plants. We kids often went into the shed for our games of hide-n-seek and war. Either the Swanson’s did not know we were there or didn’t care that were there as this was an area behind the nursery and we never went to where the plants were growing. I think they did kick us out once or twice but for the most part we played back there all the time and it was fine. I remember it was dark and I was hanging around the shed. Going inside and then going outside to see if the search party was out looking. I had brought some extra clothes along in a duffle bag but no blanket or sleeping bag. I think the duffle bag idea came from an episode of Lassie where Timmy decides to run away from home, only to be found by Lassie. That duffle bag just seemed the right think to have if you’re running away from home. I was hungry, my food ration, a hostess dingdong, already devoured. Should I leave and return home, or should I remain the spend the night? Should I maybe go to a friend’s house? They would surely call my parents so that would be a mistake. Time went on very slowly. I listened for sounds. Nothing. No search parties around, do they even know I’ve run away? It does get cold in the San Fernando Valley at night. I should have bought a coat or blanket. It seems like half the night has gone by when I hear a sound. Before I have time to duck or run behind a tree away from the shed, my dad is upon me. Son, he says, time to come home for dinner. I sure was happy to be home. It was a bit after 6 pm. We normally ate at 6pm but on this night we were eating a few minutes late. I was extra hungry. My mom was mad. I was not home at the prescribed time of 4 pm once again, and this time it was dark, and dinner was late. I was grounded. There was apparently no mention of the duffle bag or me running away, only that I had stayed out too late.

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