that he was looking at squirrels and the books were based on people, he drew comparisons but also knew that he needed better information.
Averell got to the mailbox each day before Ellie could and when a letter from the Public Library arrived, he pocketed it and put the rest of the mail on the dining room table. He took the envelope from the library to his room and opened it. There was his permanent library card. Armed with his card and a few quarters, Averell alternated between the woods and the library. His process of probing the animals became more directed, trying to insert his instruments and move them around for a longer period, always watching the animal’s eyes, and piercing specific organs only when he had finished his investigation. He was getting better at his sessions because he now knew something about what he was probing. After an animal stopped moving, Averell would use the box cutter to make as precise a surgical incision on the animals, from throat to groin, as he could, to remove and review their parts. He continued to compared the animals insides with what he saw in various books and read the bits about the parts he recognized. He thought about the Library often and it became one of his favorite places. He was in control of what he did, what he read, what he learned. The only problem was the questions that constantly arose and he did not have someone with whom he could discuss these things. It occurred that a science teacher at school may be a resource. He was now anxious to get back to school where he could ask his questions. In the meantime, he would continue his probing and learning in the woods.
Ellie had been out at a store and came home with bags of groceries and her change from the store. There were three quarters and some pennies and several bills. Averell took two quarters and two more one dollar bills. Later when Ellie put the change from the store in her purse, she was not sure just how much there was, because she hadn’t counted the money in the first place. She didn’t know exactly what Averell might have taken, thinking it may have been a few coins and she decided to let it ride. As she was putting her purse away she muttered, “You sneaky bastard, I really hate you.”
Sarah was close enough to hear.
Averell got up in the morning did a few chores and ran out to catch the bus. One quarter was all he needed for the ride to the library. When he got there and turned in the books he had borrowed, he looked around for others. He found one on squirrels and pored over it for an hour. Then, realizing the time, he went to the check-out counter and handed the librarian his new card and the book. She remembered him and said, “How is your mom’s ankle?”
He remembered the previous conversation and said, “Oh, she is much better, thank you, doesn’t need the cane anymore.” With that, he hurried out to catch the bus. He used another quarter for the ride home.
* * *
CHAPTER NINE
That made the cat screech . . .
July led to August and Jimmy returned from baseball camp. The boys were nine years old and got along famously through the end of the summer break. September brought the new school year and the new football season. Jimmy still wanted to wait a few more years before starting to play football. He would try out for the basketball team this year, and since he had never played organized basketball before, he wanted to see how he would stack up against the other kids his age. Once again, he was a natural. Jimmy took to the game as if he had been playing for several years. The other positive with Jimmy was the ability to coach him. The same staff that coached the baseball team also did the basketball team. They remembered Jimmy and that he actually listened to the coaches and did as he was told. After a number of
Averell got to the mailbox each day before Ellie could and when a letter from the Public Library arrived, he pocketed it and put the rest of the mail on the dining room table. He took the envelope from the library to his room and opened it. There was his permanent library card. Armed with his card and a few quarters, Averell alternated between the woods and the library. His process of probing the animals became more directed, trying to insert his instruments and move them around for a longer period, always watching the animal’s eyes, and piercing specific organs only when he had finished his investigation. He was getting better at his sessions because he now knew something about what he was probing. After an animal stopped moving, Averell would use the box cutter to make as precise a surgical incision on the animals, from throat to groin, as he could, to remove and review their parts. He continued to compared the animals insides with what he saw in various books and read the bits about the parts he recognized. He thought about the Library often and it became one of his favorite places. He was in control of what he did, what he read, what he learned. The only problem was the questions that constantly arose and he did not have someone with whom he could discuss these things. It occurred that a science teacher at school may be a resource. He was now anxious to get back to school where he could ask his questions. In the meantime, he would continue his probing and learning in the woods.
Ellie had been out at a store and came home with bags of groceries and her change from the store. There were three quarters and some pennies and several bills. Averell took two quarters and two more one dollar bills. Later when Ellie put the change from the store in her purse, she was not sure just how much there was, because she hadn’t counted the money in the first place. She didn’t know exactly what Averell might have taken, thinking it may have been a few coins and she decided to let it ride. As she was putting her purse away she muttered, “You sneaky bastard, I really hate you.”
Sarah was close enough to hear.
Averell got up in the morning did a few chores and ran out to catch the bus. One quarter was all he needed for the ride to the library. When he got there and turned in the books he had borrowed, he looked around for others. He found one on squirrels and pored over it for an hour. Then, realizing the time, he went to the check-out counter and handed the librarian his new card and the book. She remembered him and said, “How is your mom’s ankle?”
He remembered the previous conversation and said, “Oh, she is much better, thank you, doesn’t need the cane anymore.” With that, he hurried out to catch the bus. He used another quarter for the ride home.
* * *
CHAPTER NINE
That made the cat screech . . .
July led to August and Jimmy returned from baseball camp. The boys were nine years old and got along famously through the end of the summer break. September brought the new school year and the new football season. Jimmy still wanted to wait a few more years before starting to play football. He would try out for the basketball team this year, and since he had never played organized basketball before, he wanted to see how he would stack up against the other kids his age. Once again, he was a natural. Jimmy took to the game as if he had been playing for several years. The other positive with Jimmy was the ability to coach him. The same staff that coached the baseball team also did the basketball team. They remembered Jimmy and that he actually listened to the coaches and did as he was told. After a number of
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