Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

Linda continues to talk about how sad it is that Roosevelt won’t be around to celebrate when the soldiers come home. She turns to look at Molly and says that she must be very glad that her dad already came home. She bets it’s wonderful now that everything at the house is back to the way it was before the war. Molly quietly responds yes. A funny look crosses her face, as if something about home is not quite wonderful, but she shakes it off and looks at me. She asks where my home is.

I answer that I live with my grandmother, Gem, in a forest preserve. I tell her that Gem is a wildlife ranger. She knows all about taking care of wild animals like raccoons, deer, and farm animals, like my friend’s horse, Aurora. Linda gasps that I have a horse. I explain that Bea and her family have a farm next to the forest preserve. And that Aurora just had a foal! Molly and Linda are amazed that I live in a forest. I must know all about wilderness survival and camping.

I answer that I’ve never been to a summer camp before. Molly comforts me and says that I’ll feel better once I settle in. I can stay with them in Tent Ten. Linda says there’s an empty bed in their tent. I can use that. Molly turns to me and asks where my trunk is. But I don’t have a trunk. Linda asks if it’s lost, and Molly says that it’s probably just late. It will turn up. But they can lend me clothes to wear until my trunk arrives. Molly says that we can find everything else that I need in the Lost and Found.

As we’re walking towards the Lost and Found, a blue car honks at us. It’s Molly’s father. We follow as Molly runs to the car. He says that everything is just fine. But, he gets out of the car and hands Molly a pillow. Molly hugs her father. She says it was awfully nice of him to drive back just for the pillow. He says he was only part-way home when he saw in the backseat, so he turned right around. He gives one of her braids a gentle tug. He greets Linda, and Linda introduces me to Dr. McIntire. He nods and says he hopes I like Camp Gowonagin as much as Linda and Molly do. He says it’s a good break. The war is hard on kids, too. He makes us all promise to have as much fun as possible. And he says to stick together when we go hiking, and especially swimming in the water.

Dr. McIntire hugs Molly one more time and gets back in the car. We say goodbye to Dr. McIntire, and Linda says that Molly’s dad is the nicest dad in the whole world. Molly nods. She knows, and that just makes it worse. Now I am sure that Molly looks upset. “What’s worse?” I ask. Molly pushes it aside. It’s time to move on.

What’s the matter with Molly? Is she sorry to say goodbye to her father? Or is it something else that has made her eyes look so full of woe?