Loon Child

By Joanne Vruno

Tom Jackson lived his life grieving in seclusion after the loss of his wife, Katherine. His one reprieve was a nightly routine of fishing, heading out at sunset and trolling for muskies until dawn. That was until everything changed one night when he heard an unusual loon call. Never in a million years would he had guessed that mysterious event would lead him to a five-year-old boy named Joseph, abandoned in the wild lake area of northwestern Wisconsin. As a school principal and parent himself, Tom could not fathom how anyone could abandon this innocent child. He soon found himself working with his best friend, Roy Hutchinson, the Sawyer County sheriff to unfold Joseph's past, while unintentionally healing his own along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud
• Release date: Jun 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9780878398683

Joanne Vruno

Joanne Vruno was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), to very adventurous parents who were missionaries at the time. She spent her childhood in Maplewood, Minnesota, houses away from Battle Creek Regional Park. Her childhood introduced her to a love of nature by exploring and hiking the woods, camping with her family, and gardening. Today Joanne lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and the youngest of her three children It isn't unusual to find her working in her yard, walking her dog, or having a picnic while spoiling her four grandchildren.

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The Loon

As I slowed down the boat to a soft hum, I dropped my fishing line into the darkened water. It was what I considered a perfect late July night. The full moon sailed high in the sky with its reflection forming a rippling white path across the lake. Looking around, I realized I was the only boat on the lake tonight. The only other lights were the peppered, distant, specks from lighted cabins on the shoreline. I had a feeling tonight showed promise to catch the big one, a trophy musky.

Wha-ha-ha-ha broke the silence on the lake. The call of a loon always made me smile. Somehow this unique, mystical sound made me feel at peace, connected to nature, almost as though I was honored to be here. There was not another bird call that could match the loon’s wail.

Another trembling call came from the loon. It seemed to be close to the bow of the boat, but I couldn’t spot the bird with it being so dark out. I heard the sound again but this time there was an unusual ring to it. The tone had an unearthly cry of distress in it. I was still unable to spot the loon. I grabbed the flashlight from the compartment in my boat and scanned the water. I knew the loon was out there, somewhere. I just couldn’t find it.

 More calls kept wailing, breaking the silence of the night. Then a new call, alarming, informed me the loon was moving towards the center of the lake. I realized at that point I was not going to keep fishing, not with the loon beckoning me to investigate what was happening with it. I reeled in my line and turned the boat in the direction of the calls.

 The calls never stopped as the bird kept moving. It seemed to be guiding me across the lake, directing me along its illusive path. I wasn’t even sure why I felt compelled to follow the calls, but my fascination with the species drove me. I felt that this bird was on a mission to have me trail it. Why? I had no idea. But how could one turn down such an invitation?

It directed me into one of the bays in the lake. One I was very familiar with. Normally I fished here at day break for walleyes. The call seemed to be heading towards the only island on the lake. There were no cabins on the island—too small for that. It was a completely untouched, even though it was located close to the main shoreline.

The call flowed across the air again, urgency within its tone—eerie. I could not ignore that voice. But still, I was unable to spot the loon.

 As I slowed the motor and approached the island, I shone my flashlight towards the shoreline. Searching the water next to the island I finally saw two red dots—loon’s eyes. The dots disappeared. In their place, as I drifted closer, I could finally pick out the darkened form of one of the larger loons I’d seen. The water bird was moving in towards the sandy edge of the island.

I killed the engine entirely and waited to see what the loon would do next. It awkwardly pulled itself out of the water and laboriously dragged its body across the sandy landing. That was the first time I’d seen a loon move on land. With legs far back on its long, heavy body walking was definitely a hardship for the bird. It occasionally turned back to look at me, almost as if to make certain it had my total attention.

It stopped by a dark object near the shoreline. The loon turned its eyes directly on me—glowing red coals in the darkness. Then, inexplicably, it simply turned and trudged back towards the water with its almost painful movements. But then, like silk, it slipped into the water, awkward no more. In its element, it became grace in motion. At that point I got the sensation that the unknown object on the island was the reason the loon had brought me here.

I snugged my boat against the shoreline. As I kept the flashlight trained on the object, I stepped out onto the damp shore and cautiously made my way through the tangle of smashed reeds, not knowing what I was going to find.

 I don’t know what I expected to find. Maybe a nest. An injured mate. But my wildest imaginings didn’t include what I found. As my flashlight beam tightened on the dark object, my eyes suddenly focused on a small child curled up in a tight ball. I gasped. Quickly I leaned over and checked the pulse on the neck of what seems to be a young boy. I was relieved to find a strong beat. The boy was alive. He was just asleep. I gently shook the child’s shoulder. Soon a pair of dark, sleepy eyes stared back at me.

The child sat up abruptly and looked around, startled and scared.

You’re all right now, I said in my gentlest tone, looking at the face of the frightened child, I’m here to help you. Are you hurt?

 Where’s my mommy? asked the child in a young, unsure voice, as his eyes searched around in all directions.

I don’t know. Did she bring you here?

The boy nodded his head, his upper teeth bit down on his lower lip as it trembled. His eyebrows went into a furrow as he let go of his lip to say, She said she was coming back for me. She said she’d be back.

Where did she go?

The boy shivered in the breeze that swept over the reed bed surrounding the little island. She went in the boat.

I took off my sweatshirt and wrapped it around the child. You must be freezing. Do you hurt anywhere? In the darkness, it was difficult to tell if the child had injuries that might have prompted his mother to go for help.

The child shook his head.

It’s getting chilly. I need to get you someplace warm. I’m going to take you in my boat to my house. Okay?

Alarm lit the child’s eyes. He pulled away from my comforting hands. No. No. Mommy told me to stay here. To wait for her.

I looked around the dark lake. I listened for the motor of a boat. Nothing. I feared some woman had abandoned the child. But we couldn’t sit out in a aluminum boat or on a damp island. Then thunder rolled softly in the distance. We simply couldn’t stay here. Being on a lake in a thunder storm was far from safe. I needed to get this child to help. But I had to figure out how. He was already very upset and scared.

What’s your name?

Joseph.

Well, Joseph, my name’s Tom. I have an idea. I know you’re supposed to wait for your mommy, but I bet she didn’t know a storm was coming. I have a piece of paper in my pocket, see? And I think there might be a pencil in the pocket of the sweatshirt I put around you. I leaned over and searched. Yup, see, here it is. What if I leave your mom a note? I’ll tell her right where you’re going to be. I’ll leave my phone number, too. Then, when she comes back, she can contact me.

I started writing down my name, phone number, and Joseph’s name on the paper. I looked around for where to put the note. Noticing a large rock, I placed it on the corner of the paper by the shoreline. I was hoping this would work, even though I highly doubted a mother that had left her child on an island alone at such a young age would bother to return.

 There, now, your mom will be able to find you. We can go to my home and have some hot cocoa. Doesn’t that sound good?

 I like cocoa. Do you have marshmallows? Joseph said while wiping his nose on the sleeve of my sweatshirt.

 I sure do, I replied with a grin. So let’s get you in my boat.

I took Joseph’s hand before he changed his mind, and we walked to the boat. I lifted him in and pushed the boat out into the water before I jumped in. I picked Joseph up and placed him on my lap, turned the boat lights on, started the motor. We quickly left the little island behind.

Joseph clung to my arm as we moved across the water.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at my dock. I secured the boat in the boat lift, quickly picked up Joseph and climbed onto the dock. We were both immediately greeted by Blaze, my yellow lab. I was relieved to notice that Joseph wasn’t afraid of dogs.

Joseph, meet Blaze, she’s really nice. She won’t hurt you. The child laughed while he received a sloppy dog kiss. The dog stood as tall as the child.

 Walking in through the back door, I took Joseph into the kitchen and sat him up on a kitchen chair while I fixed us something to eat. I knew I needed to call the authorities, but I figured I’d let the child warm up and relax a bit first. From years of being a high school principal, I knew all too well what happened when social services took away a child. The kid was already confused and scared. I saw no reason why I couldn’t at least get him something to eat before the authorities were brought into the picture.

Joseph slid off the chair and wandered into the living room. I watched him over the kitchen island. He climbed up onto the couch and sat down. Blaze followed and plunked down on the floor at his feet, waiting to be pet. The two seemed to have become immediate friends. It was good to see Joseph playing with the dog. He was relaxing. Whatever happened to him tonight couldn’t have been easy. How could a mother leave this sweet little boy alone on an island in the middle of a lake? I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for him to watch his mother leave. The thought gnawed at my very core.

 I began to make hot cocoa and sandwiches. Joseph, do you like turkey or ham in your sandwich?

Turkey’s my favorite

Do you want lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo?

I don’t like tomatoes.

 Come on over to the table, and we will eat, I said, as I placed the plates on the dinette.

 Joseph immediately came back to the kichen and took a seat at the table. He was kind of low in the chair.

As he started in on the sandwich, I could finally take a good look at the child. His face was full of smudges, his hair was dark and curly, and his dark-brown eyes were completely focused on his food. It wasn’t long before he devoured the whole sandwich. He drank half of his cocoa before he started yawning.

Joseph, why don’t you lay down on the couch. I’ll get you a pillow and a blanket so you can warm up.

The child walked towards the couch, climbed up and collapsed into the small, curled body I had seen on the island. I covered him up. In seconds he was asleep.

I headed to the phone and pushed in the familiar numbers. Soon I heard a groggy, Hello, Sheriff Hutchinson.

Roy, sorry to call you this late. This is Tom.

What’s up Tom?

Something happened tonight as I was out fishing. I found … Roy, I found a young boy alone on Evelyn Island

What? Did you say you found a boy on the island?

Yeah, he was curled up in a ball asleep next to the shoreline. He said his mom just left him there.

 Is he all right?

 A little shaken up, a little scared. He was exhausted. In fact he’s asleep on my couch right now.

 I’ll come right over.

 Great. See you in a while.

 I walked back to the couch and checked on the sleeping child. While watching this tiny child sleep, my mind wondered … how in the world could his mother simply leave him there? I mean I could understand a woman facing tough times. But Joseph was so young. He could have fallen into the water and drowned. The more I thought of all the possible ways this child could have been injured, the angrier I got. I had lost two of the most important people in my life in the last five years, Katherine and Jim. I’d give anything to have them back. How could Joseph’s mom discard him like this? What type of person could be so uncaring?

 I watched over Joseph as he slept, wondering what was going on in his little mind. What effect would the events of this night have on him? Had he experience other incidents like this? Had his mother done anything like this before?

Then I remembered the loon. What exactly was that? It was hard to believe a loon led me to Joseph. How could I explain that to anyone?

 The knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. I quickly went to let Roy in.

 Sorry I made you come out here. I suppose could have just brought him to the station. I was just trying to process all the weirdness of tonight. You’re going to think I have completely gone off the deep end when you hear the whole story. I know I can tell you, but I don’t want anyone else in town to know. People’d think I finally cracked … I mean with the loss of Katherine and all.

 Roy looked puzzled at me. Let me see the child first, and then I’ll listen to your story.

He said his name’s Joseph.

 We walked together into the living room. I stayed back a little and observed Roy as he bent over and checked out the child. He tried not to wake him, but felt Joseph’s forehead for a fever, and then examined his head for any bumps or cuts. He lifted the blanket off of Joseph and searched for any signs of injury. The child wiggled a bit, but didn’t wake up. Roy snugged the blanket back around the small body, then sat back on his heels. Looking towards me he stated, "Doesn’t look like