The Long Gravel Road

By Johnnie Young

The young girl felt so safe in the beautiful, green woods. When she spotted the cabin, she felt at home because it all looked so familiar. What she found at the end of the long gravel road brought confusion, sadness, and joy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 7, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595854431

Johnnie Young

Even though Johnnie Young has never owned or lived in a log cabin, they have for many years fascinated her, and those who choose to live therein. Young lives in Akron, Ohio with her husband of fifty-nine years. They have one daughter. Since childhood she has been writing short stories and poetry. This is her first publication.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1  

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The Walk

The grass was tickling her toes. She smiled. It was such a beautiful day. The noon day sun was beating down on her head and bare shoulders. She lifted her arms and looked at them as though she had never seen them before. They were getting red. As she gently rubbed them, she started to sing a little song that popped into her head:

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true. I’m half crazy, all for the love of you.

She reached down and picked a yellow weed. Some of the petals were falling off, so with a big puff she blew the rest of the petals into the air. She watched them float to the ground.

It must be June or maybe July by now, she thought. She remembered she always loved June. But why? She kept walking. Someone had a birthday in June, but she wiped that thought from her mind. Again she raised her arms and hands. As she looked at her hands she dropped her sandals. For a few moments she just stood and looked at them. She then bent over and gathered them up as though gathering flowers.

Hopping on one foot, she put on one sandal. She raised her hand above her eyes to shield them from the sun.

As she kept walking, she started to sing another song:

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. Sunshine almost always makes—ouch!

She stepped on a pebble and sat down in the grass to put on the other sandal. Now she had no motivation to get up and walk. She just sat in a stare.

Her long dark hair resting on her shoulders and back made her very warm. She reached up and pulled it tightly into a pony-tail. She held it for a moment, and then dropped it, wishing she had a hair band.

She slowly got up and continued to walk. Many things flashed quickly through her mind. She wished she had a mirror to see how sunburned she looked.

At that moment a thin cotton sweater fell to the ground. It had been tied loosely around her waist. Under the sweater was a small leather money bag. She giggled just a little to herself. Silly me. I could have kept my shoulders from getting so red.

She placed the little bag on the ground and slipped the sweater on her red arms. She dropped down on her knees and leaned back on her heels. She picked up the bag and placed it on her lap, spreading out the skirt of her sundress.

Slowly, she unzipped the bag and pulled out a tube of lip gloss. She carefully put some on her lips, now realizing even her lips were sunburned. Again, she reached in and pulled out a roll of mints. She read what was written on the wrapper: Cinnamon. Oh, I love cinnamon, she said verbally. Slowly she opened the roll and put a mint in her mouth. Now she realized how thirsty she was getting.

She reached in again and took out a small sample of Avon lipstick. For some reason that made her laugh. She giggled. Next, she found a small comb. On the side was printed Gift from April’s. She read it over and over.

Who is April?

She cleared it from her mind, and then reached in again. Something was stuck in the corner. She turned it over and shook hard. A small round picture fell free. It was not much larger than a half dollar. On the back was written Bro. Did I write that? she wondered. Everything she did was made into a production. She reached in again, hoping to find a pencil.

She slowly placed everything into the bag one at a time, looking at each article. When she stood up, her legs were stiff and tired. The sun was starting to go down and she wondered how long she had been sitting there.

Now she was no longer just strolling along. She started to walk fast. In the distance she could see a black top road. Over and over she repeated C. J. 1414.

She walked faster and faster and now her legs were burning. By the time she reached the road it was getting quite dark. She looked both ways and there was not a car in sight. At least it was easy walking on the smooth surface.

She could tell it was a new road because she could see orange barrels in the distance. That made her smile as she thought Yes, they are everywhere.

Even though it was dark, she could see a pile of gravel on the black road. It looked as though it had been drug out on tires of a car. She stood for a few minutes, wishing she could see better. She took a few steps. Gravel crunched under her feet. Clearly she could see it was a gravel road turning from the black top. She started to walk slowly, thinking it’s much harder to walk on gravel. Her sandals gave her little protection and she was so tired. C. J. 1414 kept going through her mind.

Suddenly, she felt such peace. It was as though she had walked into a magic forest.

The road was lined with tall, beautiful trees. It smelled so nice and clean. It smelled like honeysuckle. Could it be? She walked closer to the trees. Yes, it was. The vines were climbing halfway up the thin poplar trees. She gently touched a flower as though she thought it might break, and then kept walking. As she slowly walked, she started swinging her arms and swaying in rhythm saying I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o’er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Around the trees and among the dead logs indeed she did see a host of wild daffodils. Beautiful and yellow, touched with white.

She was so busy trying to take in all the beauty when she spotted a table and stools. They were cut and shaped from a downed tree. The table was in the shape of a sunflower. The stools were just upright logs. It looked so inviting. She slowly sat down on a log. There were leaves on the table. She brushed them off with her hand, and placed her little bag on the table. She opened it and took out the roll of mints, putting one in her mouth.

For a while she just sat very still. A little rabbit hopped very close. They just looked at each other. It soon hopped away.

She was so tired and wished she could lie down. She picked up the skirt of her sundress, placing it on the table and laid her head down. That hurt her cheek so she put her arm under her head.

She was getting so sleepy, but very softly she kept repeating, The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go…

Her voice became softer and she fell asleep.

When she awoke, an ant was crawling on her hand. She jumped to brush it off and realized her neck and cheek were hurting.

She stood for a few minutes, rubbed her neck, then smoothed her skirt. As she stretched her arms she looked up. The moon was shining through the trees. She hesitated, wondering what to do next, then started slowly walking.

The deeper she walked into the woods, the more beautiful it became. At times, she seemed transfixed with the beauty.

Before she walked very far, she came upon another area that had been cleared of trees. More logs had been made into stools and a small table. This table was shaped like a leaf. She thought to herself, Someone is very clever. It reminded her of someone or something. But what?

She sat down on one of the logs. She was so thirsty. Her thoughts went to a cup of tea. She started to pretend she was pouring and drinking tea. She remembered she used to play that way when she was a child and she had a pretty little table and chairs. Someone made them for me. They were painted white with pink flowers.

She held her head and rubbed her temples with her eyes closed.

Quickly she jumped up and thought, That is so silly. I must be very tired. She slowly turned and started walking back to the table where she had fallen asleep. While walking she counted, One oak, two oaks, three oaks, four oaks. When she reached the table again she stood and looked at the stool as though she was seeing it for the first time, then slowly sat down.

For a while, she just sat and looked up through the trees, watching it get lighter.

Her eyelids got heavier so again she placed her skirt on the table and laid her head down.

Suddenly she raised her head, unzipped the little bag, taking out the picture. She tried so hard to see it but it was too dark to see it well. She placed it back into the bag and laid her head down once more.

In a trailing voice she said, Bro, Bro, Bro.

She thought to herself, It’s going to be another hot day. She wanted a cold drink so badly. She started to softly hum, then to sing, Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the wide and drifted snow.

She stopped singing, but still speaking audibly, Oh, I bet it is beautiful here when it snows.

She put her hand over her mouth thinking, I must stop talking to myself. She yawned, and fell into a deep sleep.

CHAPTER 2  

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The Find

Down the gravel road, a short distance from where the young girl lay sleeping was a beautiful log cabin. Ila Fisher lives there. Most every morning, she takes a walk down the road that winds through the woods.

This morning would be so different and change her life forever. This was an especially beautiful morning. July third. Hot, but not too hot.

Ila loved the woods, as did all her family. As she walked, she would think back about the many times she roamed these woods with her husband and their two boys. Oh, how the boys loved these woods. They would run and hide behind the big trees, jumping out, trying to scare each other. The woods rang with laughter.

Her walks are now very peaceful. The laughing, noisy boys grew into manhood. They now have their own homes. They still love the woods, and come home often.

After walking a short distance, Ila stopped and looked up to see the sun starting to peek through the tree tops. When she looked down, she thought she saw something white in the distance. She blinked. Yes, it is something white, but what?

A strange feeling went through her body. She had never been afraid in these woods. She took a few steps, trying to be very quiet. A pebble made a cracking noise so she stepped over into a grassy area. She stood still for a few moments, thinking it can’t be what it appears to be. She took a few more small steps.

Yes, it is human.

She could see her skirt on the table, so it’s a girl.

She had long, black hair falling over and covering her face.

Ila kept saying softly, Please, dear God, don’t let her be injured or dead.

Oh, what a thought.

If so, what will I do? She stood silent for a few more minutes, then sat down on a log and watched the small girl sleep.

She wanted to go closer to get a better look, but she was afraid she might frighten her.

A strange thought went through Ila’s mind. Could someone be with her?

She looked around. Could someone be watching me?

She tried to keep her eyes on the girl while wondering what to do.

The sun was now bright coming through the tree tops. It seemed like forever that she sat and watched the girl sleep.

She saw the squirrels dart from tree to tree

She listened to the bird’s morning songs.

Suddenly, a dead tree branch fell to the ground.

The girl moved.

She raised her head slowly from the table, rubbing her neck and cheek. When she started to stretch, she spotted Ila. For a moment they just stared at each other; then they both smiled. Ila raised her hand and waved. The young girl waved back.

Ila stood up and slowly walked toward the table. She said, Good Morning. Did you sleep well?

The girl just smiled, still rubbing her neck and cheek. Now she was embarrassed, realizing her skirt was still on the table. Pulling it from the table, she rubbed vigorously, trying to free the wrinkles.

Ila watched, then said, I bet that table was really hard on your face.

Still, no response was forth coming so Ila extended her hand across the table. At the same time she said, My name is Ila. What is your name?

Still clutching her small bag, she placed it on the table and extended her hand. "It’s nice to meet you, ma’m.

Ila waited, but she did not give her name.

There was an awkward pause. Neither knew what to say.

Young lady, did you sleep here all night? Silence.

Do you live close by? Silence.

Finally, the young girl said, I’m so thirsty. Is it possible to get some water?

Ila stood up. Yes, of course. I live just around the bend, as she pointed west. Do you feel like walking with me?

With that, the girl stood up, but said nothing. She just smiled, picked up her little bag, and followed Ila.

For a while, they walked in silence.

Ila could not keep her eyes off the young girl. She thought she was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. Her long dark hair kept falling over her cheeks. Now and then, Ila could get a glimpse of that lovely face.

Several times, she stumbled while walking on the gravel. Ila was hoping it was not from hunger. They walked a few more steps. Ila extended her hand and said, Let’s walk on the grass. We are almost home.

The young girl took Ila’s hand, holding firmly.

As they walked around the bend in the road, she dropped Ila’s hand and stopped. In a very soft voice she said, It’s my cabin, it’s my cabin, it’s my cabin, as her voice trailed off.

Before Ila could speak, she said, Are you sure this is your cabin? Ila could hardly keep from laughing.

Yes, my dear. I’m sure. It’s small, but I love it. I’m very comfortable here

Oh, ma’m, it’s so charming. I can see why you love it. I’ve always been drawn to this type of cabin. The setting is perfect for a log cabin.

Ila was happy to hear her talking.

When they reached the house, Ila opened a beautiful old rustic gate, and they stepped onto a large brick patio.

The young lady stopped, grasping the fence, and looked back at the gravel road.

Ila looked her directly in the eyes saying, Young lady, was someone with you in the woods?

Oh no ma’m, I was alone. Really, I was.

The look on the girl’s face gave Ila an eerie feeling.

If there was, tell me now. Please, tell me now. Ila was still holding to the gate. The young girl touched Ila’s hand.

Really, ma’m. Really.

As they walked across the patio, the girl looked at everything. She seemed so interested in Ila’s plants and furniture. As she passed a bench, she stopped and rubbed her hand over the wood. She took time to read names that were carved in the seat.

Ila and David.

Ila walked a few steps ahead and opened a screen door and motioned for the young girl to step in. Trying to keep things light she said, Welcome to my humble home. No response.

They stepped into a screened in porch. When the door closed, it squeaked loudly. The girl turned and looked saying, Oh, I love that sound.

Ila smiled. I do too. I thought about having it fixed but this way I always know when someone is coming onto my porch. She reached back and hooked the latch. She had not done that for a long time.

They walked through the porch into a large, beautifully decorated country kitchen. Shades of beige and pale yellow made the room seem so bright and inviting.

Ila walked to the table, pulled out a chair saying, Sit her, my dear, while I get you something to drink.

She did as she was told, all the while looking around. Her eyes followed Ila’s every move.

Ila reached into a drawer, taking out a moist throw away towel, giving it to the girl. Here my dear, wash your hands.

She smiled at Ila and again did just as she was told.

While Ila fixed a tray of drinks the young girl opened her small bag, took out the little round picture, looking closely, then put it back and zipped the bag, placing it in her lap.

She straightened her dress and smoothed her hair, then folded her hands placing them in her lap like an obedient child.

Ila watched and wondered what was in the little bag. Whose picture did she have with her? Maybe the bag would reveal her name.

Ila placed the tray on the table. She poured a small glass of orange juice and a small glass of water, placing it in front of the girl. She unfolded her hands for her and removed the moist towel, throwing it away.

The girl looked up into Ila’s eyes and said, Oh thank you, ma’m. Thank you so very much.

Ila’s heart thumped. Oh, what a little charmer.

She didn’t want her to feel so alone, so she poured herself a glass of juice and sat down.

The young girl drank her water quickly, then sipped on her juice.

Ila sipped on her juice as well, then poured the young girl more water.

When she put the glass down, she held it for just a moment saying, Please drink slowly. How long has it been since you had water?

The young girl said not a word.

When she finished her water, she looked down. Ila could see she was trying to keep from making eye contact.

Reaching across the table, Ila touched her chin lightly making her look into her eyes.

Now young lady, you must talk to me. You still have not told me your name. Why were you in the woods alone? Were you lost?

The girl’s large dark eyes turned sad and started to glisten. She spoke softly, I don’t know.

Ila hesitated a few moments trying to think how to respond.

Maybe if we look in your little bag we can find your name. She gave Ila a little smile as she handed her the bag.

Ila unzipped the bag and took out each article. When she placed the mints on the table the girl said, I love cinnamon.

Ila looked at the comb and read, Gift from April’s.

Who is April? Is your name April?

She shrugged her shoulders but said nothing.

Ila took out the little round picture, turning it over and read, Bro. She laid it on the table and said, This is a very handsome man. Is this your boyfriend, or maybe your husband?

Ila gave her a little wink and a smile. Oh, you’re blushing. I bet that’s your boyfriend.

Even though the girl did not answer, Ila was sure it was her brother. They looked so much alike.

As Ila placed everything into the little bag, she said, Now my dear, we must call the authorities.

Immediately her eyes welled with tears. Ila took her by the hand to try to calm her. She didn’t want to make her cry. It didn’t help. She started to plead over and over.

Please don’t ma’m, please, please don’t.

Why would the thought of calling the authorities be so upsetting to her. What has she done?

Ila wondered if she was too trusting. Her boys always thought she was. She never wanted to feel anyone would take advantage of her kindness.

This time should I be more cautious? There was so much to think about and decide. What have I gotten myself into? She felt so alone. She wished for David’s good advice. She wished her boys were here now. I must think clearly. This poor child sitting at my table needs help.

CHAPTER 3  

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A Decision

Trying to look very much in control, Ila spoke sternly. Now, my dear, this is what we will do. First, I will stop calling you my dear if you stop calling me ma’m. Since at this time you can’t remember your name, we will give you a name.

The young girl smiled broadly. Ila was happy to see the change on her lovely face.

Do you have a favorite name? She just shrugged her shoulders.

Come on. Help me. Do you have a favorite flower? Silence.

Oh, I know. How about Petunia?

They both started laughing. The young girl put her hand over her mouth and suddenly looked like a small, giggling child.

Ila said, I know a good name. Let’s make it Daisy. They both shook their heads no.

The girl finally spoke. I like Holly.

Ila was happy to hear that. Maybe it was a clue. Maybe that is her name.

That’s a very pretty name. Do you think that might be your real name?

She didn’t answer, so Ila continued. I have several holly bushes and I think they are so pretty.

"I know you do, ma’m. I saw your plants when we came in through the gate. You have