The Mouse Story by Suzanne
The Mouse Story contains language not suitable for young children. Parental Discretion is Advised.
Chapter Nine
"Where is the boy right now," Uncle Ned asked Mother Mouse.
"He's out on the back porch. I'm so worried about him. He's been out there for days. I've tried to get him to come inside, but he insists that he's not coming back home until his father does."
"You might just need to give the boy a little space," Uncle Ned said in a reassuring voice. I'm sure he'll come around in time."
"Ned, I've been thinking about packing up and moving back to the country."
"I'm not so sure that's such a good idea right now, Paulette. Have you discussed this with Morty yet?"
"How can I discuss anything with Morty," Mother Mouse cried. He won't even talk to me anymore. "He thinks this is all my fault, you know? He even said it. He said that if I would have let him go with his father that night, that he would have been there to protect him."
Uncle Ned put his arms around Mother Mouse and hugged her tightly. "The boy is hurting right now. He's just angry. He doesn't mean the things that he's saying."
"Ned, I'm really afraid that I'm going to lose Morty too, if we stay here in this house," cried Mother Mouse. "That family is so dysfunctional, and Morty is just a child. He shouldn't have to live with all of this pain and heartache."
"I still think it might be best to keep the boy in his own environment right now. He just lost his father, I don't think he should lose his home too. You're upset, Paulette. You and Morty are both grieving right now. I just don't think that this is a good time for you to make any major life changing decisions."
Uncle Ned picked up his hat off the table and placed it on his slightly balding head.
"I really need to get back home, Paulette. I'm going to stop outside on my way out and try to talk to Morty. Maybe I can say something to get him to come back inside.
Uncle Ned kissed Mother Mouse softly on her cheek and hugged her. "I'll stop back over in a few days to see how things are going. Just try to relax and get a little rest."
Uncle Ned made his way around the maze of torn garbage bags and empty bottles that littered the back porch. There he found Morty, curled up inside an old rag behind a rusty paint can.
"It's pretty chilly out here son," Uncle Ned said as he sat down beside him. "Why don't you come inside and sleep in your bed tonight?"
Morty remained silent as he stared out into the back yard.
"I know that you're hurting, Morty," Uncle Ned said softly. "Losing a parent is a terrible thing for a child to go through."
"I'm NOT a child," Morty blurted out in an angry tone.
Uncle Ned reached out and put his arm around Morty's shoulder. "You're right," he said smiling. "I keep forgetting that you're almost a teenager now."
Uncle Ned could see the tears welling up in Morty's eyes. "Morty, your mother needs you right now. Just as much as you need her. Please don't shut her out. Please go back inside and talk to her. Let her know what you're feeling, son."
Morty Mouse could hardly speak through the tears. "I can't," he sobbed. "I can't go back home!"
"Why, Morty... why can't you go back home?"
"I could have protected him," Morty sobbed. "If I had been there with him, he might still be alive today."
Uncle Ned gently took hold of Morty's chin and moved his face towards his. "The key word here is MIGHT. Maybe you're right, Morty. Maybe your father MIGHT still be alive today if your mother would have let you go along with him that night, but there's also a good chance that you MIGHT be dead right now too.
"Sometimes I wish I were dead too," Morty said, lowering his head.
Uncle Ned put his arms around Morty and held him close. "It wasn't your time, Morty. I guess God still has some plans for you here on earth."
"I just miss him soooooooooo much! Why did God have to take him away from me?"
"I don't know, Morty. But... I think that maybe this is God's way of saying that you and your mother are strong enough to make it on your own now. It might not be a bad time for you to sit down and talk to God. Maybe you could try asking Him what His plans are for you, and then ask Him to guide you to where you're supposed to be."
Uncle Ned and Morty sat together quietly staring up at the evening sky. A river of tears streamed down Morty's face as he wrapped his arms around his knees and slowly began rocking back and forth.
After several minutes, the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of the baby crying in the distance. Morty smiled through his tears as he gazed up at Uncle Ned.
"I think God just answered my prayer," he said wiping away tears. "I think He just told me where I need to be."
