The latest storm had been following them since leaving Pennsylvania. They managed to stay just ahead of it for several hours, but as soon as the snow flurries started to form, Egan decided that they’d be best off settling down for the evening until the worst was over.

“Looks like we’ll be stopping in Syracuse for the night, mate.” Egan glanced over at the passenger seat to his son who was busy examining a dog eared Thomas Brother’s guide. “See anything interesting?”

Jacob looked over at him with a smiled and Egan felt a swell of pride. Ever since St. Louis, the boy had been opening up more and it seemed that an honest to God bonding between father and son was finally in the making. As Jacob began to realize that his new father was a pretty nice guy, he found it easier to relax and begin behaving like an inquisitive seven-year-old instead of a traumatized, frightened child. He liked how his father listened patiently when he explained how Spiderman was more powerful than Batman, and sat in quiet excitement when Egan told him about his love of animals, promising that as soon as they were properly settled in their new home in Vermont, they’d go to the animal shelter and pick out a dog. But for Egan, the most wonderful moment of all was when Jacob decided that it was okay to address him as Dad.

It happened just outside of Mount Vernon two days after receiving the news of the Aubrey’s devastating loss. They had stopped for lunch at McDonald’s and while Jacob ate his Happy Meal, he couldn’t help but overhear his father’s cell phone conversation with someone by the name of Lachlan. It was a happier conversation than the one from the previous evening, and it made Jacob feel good to see his father smile as he spoke.

“Mate, we haven’t even arrived yet and you’re already settin’ me up with a job?”

Jacob sipped his milk and bit into a french fry as his father chuckled at this Lachlan’s unheard response. “December, eh? You sure didn’t waste any time. And Mitchell and Barrett are living there as well? What does your wife have to say about that? Really? She sounds like a patient woman … far too good for the likes of you.” Another chuckle. “Seriously Lach, I’m happy for the both of you. Jacob? He’s sitting right across from me.”

His father grew quiet as he listened, his expression becoming serious only to smile once more when he spoke again. “You don’t know how much that means to me. I appreciate the chance to start work right away and it’ll set my mind at rest knowing that folks I can trust are looking after Jacob when school’s out.”

The mention of school made Jacob frown.

“We should be there by late afternoon or early evening of the eighth, weather permitting. We’re kinda taking the scenic route. We visited the City Museum in St Louis yesterday and the zoo the day before that. I guess you could say we’re getting better acquainted.”

The conversation grew quiet again as his father listened to the man talking on the other end. Jacob stuffed the last of his cheeseburger into his mouth and watched the restaurant entrance for signs of any kids his age, disappointed when a group of noisy teenagers came in instead.

“Okay, give your wife and the others my best, and tell Riley not to worry. We’re making good time, even if we’re taking it slow.” Another smile as he flipped the cell phone shut and regarded the now empty trays on the table before them.

Jacob gulped down the last of his milk and looked intently at Egan. “Dad, who’s Lachlan?”

Egan’s breath caught in his throat when he realized how his son had just addressed him. It took him a moment to gather his bearings and another moment to give the answer.  “He’s one of your uncles in Vermont. His wife, Jessie, is gonna watch you sometimes after school.”

“Do I hafta go to school?”

Egan picked up a napkin and reached over to wipe a glob of ketchup off Jacob’s cheek. “I’m afraid so. There’re laws about little boys not going to school.”

The social worker in Texas had told Egan that Jacob had missed a lot of school during the past two semesters. Jacob’s being small for his age probably made him a target for bullies, and it seemed his mother’s moving around so much just added to the problem. Egan hoped Jacob would be able to catch up.

But Egan’s concerns over Jacob’s scholastic abilities were quickly replaced by a sense of bemusement. After leaving Mount Vernon it was as if some sort of spell had been lifted; Jacob was a real chatterbox with an impressive vocabulary befitting an older child. It was almost comical, listening to the boy regale his father with stories about his favorite superheroes, using words like diabolical, metamorphosis, or the best word of all, vermillion.

So while he may have had his doubts as to whether or not Jacob could understand how to read a Thomas Brother’s road guide, he wouldn’t have been surprised if he did. Only problem was, he realized that his son was reading the guide upside down.

They stopped for dinner once again at McDonald’s. Egan was about ready to swear off hamburgers forever, but Jacob became horribly upset whenever he suggested they eat somewhere else; he’d actually start shaking and break out in a rash. Egan decided that it was a battle that would have to wait until they got settled in Vermont. Riley had suggested that the matter would probably take care of itself once Jacob was settled in and got started on a more structured regimen. Egan hoped she was right.

When Jacob asked for a large Sprite instead of his usual milk, Egan decided to give in just this one time. Another Happy Meal for the kid and a Quarter Pounder for himself. By the time they checked in to their hotel the snow storm had hit full force, complete with thunder and lightening roaring loud enough to wake the dead. Once settled into their room, they stuck to their usual routine of Jacob taking his bath before changing into his pajamas, then watching cartoons until lights out at eight o’clock. Egan liked to get an early start in the mornings. But that evening Jacob had fallen asleep at seven; snuggled deep into his blankets and happily dreaming of having his very own dog. After yet another long day on the road, Egan was asleep a few minutes later, almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Around ten-thirty he awakened suddenly, sensing that something was amiss. Reaching over for the bedside lamp, he felt a moment of panic when he realized that Jacob wasn’t in his bed. Hearing sounds from the bathroom, he relaxed, but after several minutes and Jacob still didn’t come out, he went to investigate. 

He knocked softly on the door, but there was no answer. He reached for the doorknob, only to find it locked. “Jacob, you okay, mate?”

Still no answer. “Jacob, open this door right now.”

He thought he heard the sound of crying, and when Jacob opened the door Egan’s heart went out to his son. The front of his pajamas were wet and the smell of urine was unmistakable. Jacob had wet the bed.  The look of shame and embarrassment on his son’s face was almost more than Egan could bear.

“Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to let you drink all that soda before bed, eh?”

Jacob sniffled and Egan reached out to give him a hug. “Hey, it happens sometimes. Let’s get you cleaned up and you can sleep with me tonight.”

Jacob couldn’t believe that his father didn’t yell, or worse, spank him. That was usually what happened whenever he wet the bed. What surprised him even more was how his father seemed to understand that it wasn’t something that he could always control.

“Let’s get these sheets off your bed and we’ll put ‘em in the bathtub until the morning for room service to take care of.”

He slipped out of his wet clothes and Egan tossed them into the bathtub as well. A fresh pair of pajamas and trip to the bathroom once more for good measure, he crawled into Egan’s bed, smiling happily when his father took him into his arms and gave him a hug. What felt even better was that he didn’t let him go.

“Would you like me to tell you a story?”

Jacob nodded, feeling his eyes growing heavy as Egan’s rich voice lulled him off to sleep.

“Once there was a man who lived on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but a few horses and a dog named Coolie for company. One day he spotted a beautiful silver brumby and decided that he was going to catch him. Many men had tried to catch this stallion before, but he was smarter than all of them. His name was Thowra, which means ‘Wind’ …”