Read Online A Father for Philip by Judy Griffith; Gill - Free Book Online Page B

open?”
    “No, but Philip’s lunch kit and books
are on the table, and the cookie can has its lid off, and the little stinker’s
disappeared. Must be off in the woods again with his dear friend ‘Jeff’.” She
returned to the living room. “Oh, Kathy, I do wish he’d give up on that
business.”
    “Take it easy,” Kathy said with her
mouth full.. “Just give him some time, Ellie. He will give up on it when he
outgrows the need for it... Having imaginary friends, I mean. Remember when it
was Solomon the Soldier?”
    Eleanor laughed at the memory. “Lord,
yes. And woe betide any of us who referred to the fellow simply as Solomon. The
whole title, or nothing at all.” She sobered, frowning again. “But this time
it’s different, somehow. He’s making up the most intricate details about ‘Jeff’.
They began by cutting down the trees, clearing away the brush and laying the
foundation. They even put in the base for the fireplace. Now, they’re putting
up walls. The way he talks about it is uncanny, almost as though he really were
involved in the building of a log cabin. The work is going ahead at what seems
like a likely rate. You’d think it slip up once in a while and put in a window
before building the wall, or something.”
    “Just shows the child has a level head
on his shoulders. And,” Kathy added, “that he has the same talent for making up
stories as his mother does.”
    “I suppose,” Eleanor replied doubtfully.
“But I worry about him. Besides, I don’t make up my stories; I just take the
old legends which have existed for centuries and weave fictional characters
into them.”
    “Could be that’s what Philip’s doing.
Perhaps he’s following the story he’s hearing from his teacher. She might be
reading them a frontier type book, chapter by chapter, and he’s acting it out
in his after-school play. But look, Ellie, if you’re really worried about him,
why not walk over to where he’s playing and sneak a look at him?”
    “No!” Eleanor yelped sharply, then
seeing the astonished look on her friend’s face, she went on more quietly,
“Sorry, Kathy. I didn’t mean to yell at you. But I stay the side of the creek.
There are too many memories over there on the other side of the hill.” Her eyes
had a faraway look in them. “Too many ghosts...”
    As if not wanting to intrude on
Eleanor’s memories, Kathy remained silent for a long time then she said gently,
“Maybe you should walk over there just once and see if you can lay those
ghosts, Ellie. Maybe they’re still there because you want them to be.” When she
received no reply she rose clumsily to her feet. “I’m going to stagger off home,
now,” she said, “before I’m tempted to eat even one more of your decadent
chocolate-chip cookies. My doc says she doesn’t want me gaining any more
weight.”
    “I’ll walk you home. Eleanor pulled
herself back with an effort from that far place and time she had been visiting.
    “No need. I can make it,” Kathy smiled.
    “Not on your life. Now I know there
might be two babies waiting on for their turn on earth, I intend to look after
you. After all,” Eleanor grinned, pushing Kathy up the gentle slope ahead of
her, “who else has their own private army of one tank?”
    The ‘tank’ laughed, and when the two
women reached the farmhouse door Eleanor turned to go. “See you Sunday, love.
Take care.”
    “Sunday... Unless...” Said Kathy
wistfully.
    “I’ll keep my fingers crossed those
babies stay right where they are,” Eleanor said. “It’s way too soon for them to
make an appearance yet.”
    ~ * ~
    When Philip got off the school bus he
walked slowly down the path toward home. He was feeling very, very blue. He had
a note in his lunch kit from Miss Walker. She hadn’t given him one at first. He
had asked her why he didn’t get one when all the other kids did. Miss Walker
had got all red in the face and her eyes got sort of shiny and she’d said,
“Philip, dear,