Chapter 11
Kile’s Late Return
Monday, Mrs. Johansson called her Little Ricky ill for the day. Ricky had not returned from the trolls but neither had Kile. In truth, both mother and son, Robert, were very worried about the troll and Ricky, but of the two, Ricky was likely the most safe. Rob didn’t want to explain to Mom why he felt that way but they were agreed without saying anything and so he left it. Without knowing anymore they decided it would be best if Rob just went to school and they wait it out.
When Robert got home from school his mother was in the kitchen making a snack for him which she brought out to him in the front room immediately.
“Did Kile come back?”
“No, but I found this on the back porch about lunch time.”
Mom handed Robert a rolled up sort of parchment that felt more like flimsy leather than paper, and may actually have been. The tie around it had been removed so the roll flopped loosely. Robert splayed it out on a couch cushion next to him while holding the little PB&J sandwich on his lap, mother sitting down on the third cushion next to it. Black charcoal or a very heavy and broad pencil tip had been used to print out a short message. It read:
Ricky safe.
Kile safe.
Can’t come back yet.
Guards are looking for go
That line had been x’d out and then scribbled across several times but it could still just be made out. A new line started below it.
Guards check to make sure area safe.
Queen says Ricky should stay a couple more weeks.
He is learning a lot and does not want to leave.
I come back in a few hours when guards let me.
-Kile
Beneath Kile’s lines there was a much smaller and more precise pair of lines from Ricky.
Hi Mom! I’m doing fine and will come home in a couple more weeks.
I love you. Oh yeah. Tell Robbie Happy Birthday. I will give him my present later.
Richard Johansson III
Robert was still slowly chewing his first couple bites of sandwich when he finished reading through, and looked at his mom.
“So what does that mean? We just let them keep Ricky?”
“Well,” Mom replied, “I was actually hoping you could tell me what that meant about the guards and making sure everything was safe. Exactly what did you guys do Saturday night? Is there some kind of trouble?”
“No, no,” Robert replied and took another big bite of his sandwich and looked at the floor trying to be casual. “I don’t know what he’s talking about. We didn’t see any problems.”
“Uh, huh,” Mom said sarcastically as she stood. “Well, I say, for the moment, we just wait and see what’s going on. We can talk to Kile about Ricky some more when he gets home. If we have to I’ll march up there with you two and we’ll go get Ricky back ourselves.”
“Oooohhh…” Robert responded. “I’m not too sure that’s a good idea.”
At the archway into the kitchen Mom stopped and turned back to look at Robert as she spoke, “And why is that? Is there something dangerous going on here, Robbie?”
“No, it’s just…well, most of the trolls are a lot bigger than Kile. And…uh…I think one or two of the guards might still be willing to eat humans…you know…if they got surprised.”
“I see,” she nodded slightly. “I thought it was just Bridge Trolls that ate humans.”
“Yes, well, that’s what they said too, but I think some of the older ones might sort of forget sometimes.”
“Hmmmm,” Mom mumbled and returned to the kitchen to put away the sandwich makings.
Troll Brother Page 28
