Willie: An Orphan’s Adventure

By Don Honenberger

Pre-teen adventure about a 12-year-old that suddently became an orphan due to a lightening storm that blew down a tree that smashed the front of an SUV killing his parents while he was asleep in the back

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Feb 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781489739100

Don Honenberger

Retired tooling and manufacturing engineer (self-educated) with over 45 years’ experience including 7 years in electronic design, 5 years as facility engineer, in over 32 products including refrigerators, piston rings; switches, dumb-waiters and 11 years with space shuttle building. Hobby’s include Amateur radio and private pilot, Wood-working, and Catholic religion (20 units of college level theology).

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Journey Begins

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W illie Jackson wa s the only child of Sam and Mi ldred Jackson, a twelve-year old boy with a very well-organi zed lifestyle. He was blessed to be living in a loca tion that had everything a young boy could want or need to be happy. His parents could be considered within the upper part of the middl e class with income great er than their needs. As a resul t, Willie had the opportuni ty to attend a well admired private school that taught m ore than the usual school subj ec ts.

Willie was well thought of by his classmates as well as the school faculty. He was considered a very smart boy with a remarkable tendency to learn his subjects more easily than most boys his age, without any tendencies to be a show-off or braggart. Willie was always willing to help others and be one of the first to respond when asked for help.

He enjoyed learning about new subjects and would study them in great detail. He especially liked to do physical things and when he was old enough to qualify, took up swimming and gymnastics. Both seemed to come naturally to Willie, and he thoroughly enjoyed the physical exercises. And the physical exercise helped tremendously during the many hikes he made with his parents after school and camping trips on weekends. They went as often as possible, weather permitting.

Their home was in a rural suburb of a thriving city and just minutes to a wonderful park full of rolling hills and forests, with many hiking paths and a couple of campgrounds. There was an occasional encounter with deer and plenty of squirrels and a few rabbits to spice up their hikes. The most enjoyable encounters were with the chipmunks with their pointed tails standing straight up as they ran from place to place. They were fun to watch. Willie’s best friend and school chum was Billy Rogers, a boy of eleven, though just a few weeks younger than Willie, who lived in the house next door. They would often walk to the woods after school and play along the edge of the trees, where both their parents felt it was safe enough for them. Whenever they were needed, their parents knew just where to find them.

One place they were fond of playing was a small, shallow stream coming out of the forest. It was very fascinating to watch the little fish and bugs in and around the water. Once, they caught a few fish in a bottle and took them home, only to be made to return them to the stream. The boys never repeated that effort, especially knowing that the fish were better off living in the stream, and they didn’t have to take care of them.

Billy Rogers would often join Willie and his folks on their almost nightly hiking trips, giving Willie a companion as they made their way along the trails. It gave both of the boys someone to challenge to see who could jump over a fallen tree trunk or climb up to the first strong limb of a tree first or fastest and safely. Learning to pick the right obstacles, based on their abilities, proved to be a very good learning lesson. The boys would often carry a strong rope and toss one end over a limb and, grabbing both ends, use it to help climb a tree. They soon found out that both ends of the rope had to be in both hands at the same time because they couldn’t release one to reach up for a boost without falling. They also found out that carrying a hiking stick came in handy for knocking limbs out of the way and poking into thick brush to see what might have been in there to make the brush move. They were always doing their homework together since both attended the same school and were in the same class. It helped as they could pool their knowledge and always seemed to get the right answers. The teachers knew there was no cheating as tests in school proved that both boys knew the lessons.

Willie’s dad, Sam Jackson, had been very successful as the owner of his own accounting business along with his wife Mildred, who was not only the head bookkeeper, but a partner in the firm. If you said they were well-off, you would not be stretching the truth. They had worked hard for it and enjoyed a good life together. Like most people in their status, they enjoyed all of the usual things like the theater, dining out, music and museums. Their greatest interest, though, was the great outdoors, and they managed to hike and camp as often as possible.

Sam and Millie were married early as young college graduates. They met as teens and dated through their senior year and all through college. Hard work and a good drive to excel gave them the chance to open their own accounting firm and turn it into a very profitable company. They were in their early forties when blessed with their only child, a boy named William (Willie) Samuel Jackson. They brought Willie up in a good home and included him into their love of the outdoors as soon they could. Willie soon turned into as great a lover of nature as they were. Camping and hiking taught Willie how to live-in nature and finding out what to be wary of and what could be used to advantage taught him a lot for survival. Most important was being aware of his surroundings. It was soon to be apparent that the skills he learned by doing this would be some of his better assets.

Then one day, Willie was surprised to learn of plans that would change his life forever. Sam Jackson had an offer for his business he couldn’t refuse. He and Millie had wanted to retire and travel for some time, and the sale of the business made their dream come true. The client list for the business was so impressive that Sam was able to make a very nice profit. They put a plan together to start retirement by taking a nice long summer vacation tour to see the sights of the country. As soon as Willie heard of the plans, he started asking all kinds of questions about the trip. Where will they go? When will they start? What is there to see on the way? What should they pack? How long will they be gone? All were questions at the top of his list. He was involved in making the plans from the start and his excitement could not be quieted down. Of course, Billy Rogers had to be told and Willie asked if he could come too, however his folks had some plans that meant it would be just the three Jackson’s on the trip. But it did not stop Willie from going over all of the plans with Billy and even getting suggestions on what kind of things to look for and what kind of souvenirs to get. All of these thoughts kept Willie awake a long time each night with great expectations of the planned trip. Willie could hardly contain his excitement.

The business sale was finalized just two weeks before the summer break for Willie’s school and made the planning work out very smoothly as Sam and Millie were able to do all of the packing and making arrangements for closing the house for the summer. Their neighbor took all of the indoor plants and set the sprinkler schedule for the outdoor plants not covered with the lawn sprinkler system. All of the utilities were arranged for, as well as the mail and newspapers. Sam even bought a new van for the trip so they would have plenty of room.

The days of planning and packing for the trip excited Willie tremendously and making sure he had everything he needed made him very conscious of every item. Besides his clothing that Millie packed for him, Willie personally packed his hiking backpack together very thoughtfully. Without knowing why, one of the first things he packed was his little hoard of money he had been saving from his allowance for months, planning for the trip. He put it in a special pocket inside, along with some extra his parents gave him, not aware of his savings. He wanted to buy a surprise for his parents as a keepsake for the trip. The compass, whistle, signal mirror, emergency blanket were the next things to go in, along with the canteen and a small first aid kit. His camping flashlight had a set of fresh batteries and was working fine when he checked it. He even added a small survival book just for reference. Willie wanted his parents to know that he was ready for any adventure. He almost forgot the multipurpose camping knife that, along with the survival book, would prove vital in his future. Finally, the car was packed and ready, the house closed up, and the long-anticipated trip was about to begin. Willie could hardly hide his excitement about the trip and was eager for the adventure to start.

The first couple of days were very exciting for Willie, as he was experiencing the kind of sights he had seen only in books and movies. Every hour was filled with yet another wonderful experience. It was a thrill to see the distant mountains approaching with the view constantly changing as each mile passed under the car. And the anticipation of what might be hidden around the next curve was ever in his mind.

Although he did read a lot whenever he had to stay indoors, his many trips through the woods and all of the camping trips made him very aware of the wonders of nature, and the excitement never ended for him. He wasn’t like a lot of young boys that only wanted for the ride to end. He couldn’t be entertained as easily as most of his age with books and games to pass the time because there was just too much going on outside of the car to waste the time. Reading the signs and billboards was a fascination for him. And looking at the homes and stores added a lot of interest, besides. Wandering through the stores and looking at all of the wares whenever they stopped for gas or meals was very interesting also. And the nights were fun with Mom and Dad, whether camping out or staying at motels, especially at motels with a pool to relax in after riding all day.

The first night out found them in a motel and dinner in a restaurant after the rigors of packing and driving. And then back to their room to plan for the next day’s travel. After a very enjoyable day of new scenery for Willie to view, the second night was spent in a log cabin in a park that Sam had booked ahead of time. There they enjoyed the community campfire and outdoor cooking with other park visitors. And in the morning they enjoyed a short hike after breakfast. The day was spent touring the park and enjoying the scenery. Lunch was at an inn in the park near their camp so Millie wouldn’t have to fix it. Willie enjoyed the trip around the small lake that afternoon with his folks, and by supper-time, they were back at the log cabin. Another community campfire, with stories and songs and Willie was tired and ready for bed.

The next day it was back on the road. And to Willie, every day was another adventure to be lived to the fullest to build a lasting memory. Willie, look out to the right up ahead, Sam called to him on the morning of their third day. There’s a whole flock of big birds just flew off the lake there. I think they look like Mallards.

I see them answered Willie, there must be a hundred of them. Willie’s mom joined in with I think I got a good photo of them just as they lifted off. It’ll make a nice memory for our trip. Look over there, Willie responded, another group flew up further away, too far to see what kind they are though. This was just another thrill for Willie to experience and remember.

The days had been filled with similar events like this. The warm, early summer weather was cooperating nicely with their plans. One day after another was nothing less than a thrill a minute for Willie, and he looked forward to each moment.

Their trip was nothing but fun until the fifth day from home. The late afternoon found them heading for a motel where they planned to spend a couple of days while touring the local state park, with its woods and lakes. They couldn’t get reservations in the park but managed to find a motel nearby. A sudden storm caught them on a mountain road in a downpour and no place to park to wait out the storm. With lightning flashing, the wind-blown rain making visibility very poor, the tragedy happened. A bolt of lightning struck a tree just in front of their vehicle and the tree came crashing down on them. The tree trunk struck the front of the van, crushing the front, and both Sam and Millie were killed instantly. Willie was in the back seat and his seatbelt kept him from being tossed about as the vehicle was knocked around by tree limbs as it finally came to a jarring stop. Somehow, he was hit on his head, and he passed out.

Willie was found alive after the terrible accident that took the lives of his parents. He wasn’t sure how long he was unconscious, but a paramedic was checking him out when he came to in an ambulance. He was taken to a hospital and further examined by a doctor. The doctor said x-rays showed no injuries, but he should be kept overnight in case of shock. He had a nurse take him to a room and set him up for the night. Where’s my mom and dad? Willie asked when the doctor left. The nurse would only say that after he got in his room, someone would answer all his questions. She wouldn’t say any more about it. He wanted to see his mom and dad very badly and was upset that he would have to wait. He was fixed up in a nice room and as soon as the nurse left, another woman came in.

Where’s my mom and dad? Willie asked again. The woman said she was a hospital grief counsellor and had some very bad news. She told him about his folks and stayed with him for a bit while he cried. He was in total shock and devastated. What was he to do now? A boy of twelve, with nowhere to go and no one to help him. All of the plans he had with his parents were gone now. So many things went through his mind and no way for them to be of help. He soon fell asleep as he was given a sleeping pill. The next day he woke up a lot calmer, but with all of the fears of the future burning in his mind and wondering what would happen next.

How do you feel this morning? a nurse asked when she entered his room. Not too good, I’m a little sore, but can’t stop thinking about my parents, Willie answered. I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon, the nurse answered. Unfortunately, these things happen but we are blessed with the ability to live with things like this. I guess so, Willie answered.

She proceeded through her usual checkups and looked over his bandages to make sure there was no need to change bandages yet and to see if there were any new sore spots that needed attention. She soon left and a doctor came to check him over so he could be readied for release. Willie was uncomfortable having a stranger poke around on him, but knew it probably had to be done. He just wanted it to be over so he could be alone in his misery.

After a good breakfast with cereal, milk, toast and orange juice, he was helped to get dressed and be released. A lady from Child Services came in and began to get some information from Willie. She told him what to expect and started to ask all kind of questions, some that Willie had no answers for. Child service finally said that, until they could find relatives, he was forced to go to a local orphanage. There were no foster homes available locally, and the law required them to send him to a local orphanage temporarily.

He did remember an older uncle related to his dad because he got a model airplane for a birthday from him once. But Willie believed that he died a couple of years back. And there was an aunt somewhere in Europe that sent a Christmas card every few years. This information did nothing to shorten the search, so he was left to live at the orphanage for now. If no relatives were found soon, he knew he could possibly be put up for adoption by strangers, or worse, be stuck in the orphanage until he turned eighteen, a long time for a twelve-year-old. He was alone in life now for the first time ever and the future looked very grim.

Inquiries were made back at Willie’s hometown by the local police, with results that were less than helpful. The family of Billy Rogers, Willie’s closest friend were very close to Sam and Millie Jackson but had no memories of any comments about their relatives. It seemed that the subject was never mentioned, and they assumed Sam and Millie were either orphaned with no close relatives or very quiet about their personal lives. Even a search of their college records gave very little to go on. And since their tragic accident occurred out of the local county, very little emphasis was put on more research time, especially due to some local incidents considered more pressing matters to pursue. It seemed that Willie was not to get much help from his hometown.

Willie’s physical aches and scrapes from the accident would heal in a few days, but the pain of his parent’s death would take longer to heal. He became aware that he was going to have to rely on himself from now on.

The local sheriff took all of his family’s items from the wrecked car and put them in an impound storage, except for the monies and jewelry that were put in a local bank under Willie’s name. The jewelry and papers went to a safety deposit box and the money was placed in an interest account for him. The bank managed to make it so that the cost of the safety deposit box rental would be covered by the interest so that nothing would be lost for Willie. Both his parents had brought cash and travelers checks, and the money made a sizeable figure.

Miller’s orphanage was at the edge of a small, influential suburb of the county seat where Willie was placed. It was a large orphanage that was overseen by a board of directors and run by a good staff, with the help of the local ministerial association. It had been blessed in the past with a sizeable endowment that allowed it to be well funded without the need of monies from taxes. There were several buildings scattered about on some 60 acres near the edge of a large state park, with plenty of room to explore. Besides the main housing building with kitchen and dining room and main offices, there was a separate small gym with an indoor pool. Another large building contained classrooms so the boys could get their education. And of course, there was the usual maintenance building, including a service garage. They even had an old sawmill near the back of the property that had been made safe for the boys to play in and explore. Outside play areas and plenty of paths to wander made for very pleasant living.

The orphanage had an excellent reputation in the local community for taking good care of the orphans, even though there had been an incident lately of a missing young boy, presumed by the authorities, to have run away. But rumors were spread among the other boys that something else happened, though no one knew for sure, and rumors can be scary for young boys.

There were forty-seven boys in the orphanage, including Willie, with most under the age of twelve, with the youngest being seven and the oldest just turned fifteen. Upon his arrival at the orphanage, he was assigned to a bed in a two-bed room with another boy, a dark-haired boy named Charlie Phelps. Like him, Charlie’s parents were both dead. His mother died of cancer and his father was in the Navy and lost at sea when his ship sank in a storm. He had been sent to the orphanage only two months before and, like Willie, the staff was trying to find relatives. They were having difficulty as his family had moved a lot since his dad was in the service.

Willie’s parents were buried in a local cemetery a few days later, and Willie had been taken to the services by someone from the orphanage and brought back.

Willie and his roommate, Charlie, got along great from the start and soon became very good friends. They sat together at meals and played together whenever they had free time. Charlie was a little shy as he was always moving and had gone to public schools. He was not as athletic as Willie, but soon learned to be a little more daring at climbing trees, just to keep up with Willie. And they would sit and read at night and tell stories back and forth. Charlie enjoyed hearing about the camping trips Willie had as he never had the opportunity to do any camping. His mother had been sick, and his father was almost always at sea. Willie went through his survival handbook with Charlie, explaining the diagrams and pictures, and tried to answer all of Charlie’s questions.

It had been several weeks since his parents were killed and Willie had no word from the authorities (who told him they were still searching for some relatives to take him), he began to wonder if he would ever hear from them. Inquiring about the search daily at first began to irritate the staff as they couldn’t