Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

I clearly state that I did not take Molly’s pin. I tell Linda that I hope somehow, she believes me. But before she can say a word, I fly out of the tent and run as fast as I can to the privacy of a group of trees. I don’t know what happened to Molly’s pin. I feel terrible that Linda suspects me of stealing it. And unless she finds it herself, Molly will suspect me of stealing it, too. I don’t want to leave like this, but it’s the safest option.

I rub the pin, and find myself back in my own woods. I’m shaking and out of breath, and heartbroken to have left Molly and Linda like this. But I’m home.

I trudge towards our cabin, weighed down by having been judged unfairly. It feels awful to be accused of stealing when I didn’t. I hate that I had to leave Camp Gowonagin before I was forgiven for something that I did not do. And I feel even more awful for coming in between Molly and Linda.

Something nags at my conscience. There’s someone I’ve blamed for making me feel left out. Somebody whom I judged unfairly. As I walk back around to our cabin, I hear the familiar sound of whimpering. It’s the sound Barney makes when he has to sit still. I see Mischa hard at work, trying to keep Barney still so he can pick the burrs out of his coat. But Barney squirms and barks when he sees me.

Mischa cheerfully greets me and asks how my walk was. I’m quiet, and Mischa says that maybe Barney would be happier if I picked out his burrs. Mischa hasn’t done anything wrong, so it’s time that I start treating Mischa with kindness, the same way I was treated by everyone at Camp Gowonagin. I can’t resent him for just being here.

I tell Mischa that it’s fine for him to keep doing it. In fact, I thank him. Mischa looks surprised, but he says that he could use some help. He asks me to distract the dog so that he can pick a sticky burr out. I give a half-smile, and kneel in front of Barney to rub his nose. He licks my hand gratefully.

I’m forgiving Mischa for being here, and he’s forgiving me for my unfriendliness. My heart lightens a little bit. Somehow, our mutual forgiveness gives me hope that maybe Linda and Molly have found Molly’s pin, and that they are forgiving me, too.