His mother repeatedly told him it was a miracle that he survived, that the doctors had given up hope (an exaggeration, according to his father), but Katie insisted her brother survived through sheer pigheadedness. Leave it to Katie to toss in a compliment, he thought wryly. But of course, Bradley Wallace knew the real reason he survived. Or did he? Maybe he’d dreamed the girl’s presence, maybe even at the volcano. His delirium could have been coming on even then. Whilly would know, and he ached to hug that long, scaly neck again. He and the dragon remained in constant mental contact, and that eased Bradley Wallace’s mind, a little, anyway. So far, Whilly had refused to address the matter of the girl and their adventures, claiming he needed to think on these matters for a time. So Bradley Wallace lay there in bed, staring up at the white ceiling without really seeing it, seeing Josette instead, and wondering if he was losing his mind.
On the sixth day, Bradley Wallace insisted upon getting out of bed. Naturally his mother objected strenuously, but his father took the boy’s side, agreeing that Bradley Wallace would never get his strength back by lying around a stuffy hotel room like a vegetable (an unnecessary analogy, Bradley Wallace thought).
Even Katie took his side, a not so unusual event these days since his illness. She’d been extra nice to him, and he decided she must feel
guilty, too. Maybe his “return from the dead” (as Mr. Grogan called it) was a miracle after all - it had certainly improved his relations with his family. Temporarily, at least.
Aided by his father, Bradley Wallace carefully placed both feet on the floor and slowly eased himself to a standing position. He was still weak, and his legs initially felt lifeless and wobbly. But he had stored up sufficient determination these past few boring days to navigate the room a couple of times before returning to bed. Soon he’d be able to go outside. Soon he’d be able to see Whilly. He had so many questions, and not many answers.
He did manage to learn a few things from his parents. Yes, Mauna Kea had threatened to erupt, but had mysteriously iced over and become dormant again. They showed him a photo from the front page of the “Honolulu Advertiser.” So, the boy nodded with satisfaction, that much at least was real. He hurriedly devoured the adjoining article on the volcano and the storm, but there was scant mention of the tidal wave. Just vague reports of a “massive wave” that seemed to suddenly vanish. And his parents knew little about it, either. They must’ve stopped it before anyone realized just how close to death they all had come, Bradley Wallace decided. Or perhaps it was as his parents claimed - perhaps in his delirious condition, he’d simply dreamed it. And then his mother suddenly asked, “Who’s Willie?”
Caught completely by surprise, Bradley Wallace dropped the newspaper and looked suspiciously from one parent to the other. “Why do you want to know?” he asked cautiously.
“You kept calling for him when you were sick,” his father answered, and both gazed down at him, awaiting his answer.
He shrugged and tried for his best matter-of-fact tone. “He’s just a character from ‘Dark Shadows.”’ He watched their reactions closely. Did they know something they weren’t telling? Had he revealed Whilly’s existence in his feverish ranting?
Apparently he hadn’t, as that simple answer seemed to satisfy them both. In fact, Jack even remembered the character from the movie version, and that helped. “And is Josette another fictional character?” his mother asked then, tousling his hair lovingly.
That question really caught him off-guard, because he didn’t actually know the answer. “I don’t know,” he murmured, chewing absently on his lower lip. They left him alone after that, and he dropped off to sleep.
Two days later, Bradley Wallace finally felt strong enough to go outside. He couldn’t stand another minute cooped up in that darkened hotel room, which seemed more drab and claustrophobic every day. It had become his prison cell, and he was determined to break out. The bright sun offered a warm and soothing feeling to his sheet-white face, and at first he had to squint against its harsh glare.
Unfortunately, the family was due to depart the islands the next day, which meant Bradley Wallace had to meet with Whilly sometime before nightfall. But that wouldn’t be as simple as it sounded. He’d already been severely reprimanded by both parents for being atop the seawall during such a violent storm (they thought he’d been knocked into the ocean by a big wave and caught in the undertow - at least they were right about the wave part), and now his mother feared to even let him out of her sight. “He’s always been too curious and reckless” he overheard her telling the Grogans a few days back, and now that he was outside again, she insisted he remain in her line of sight while she sunbathed on the beach with the Grogans and the Clovars. Lisa, in her own bland way, had seemed relieved that he was alright, and insisted they play War, a card game, while the adults talked. Naturally, Mrs. Clovar was “deeelighted” to see Bradley Wallace “looking so strong and healthy” and insisted the two kids go to the snack bar for ice cream cones - her treat. Bradley Wallace enjoyed the ice cream, but Lisa was still boring, and he was still within sight of his eagle-eyed mother. He had to think of something, and fast.
By afternoon still no opportunity for escape had presented itself, and he began to get desperate. And if he played one more card game with boring old Lisa, he’d go nuts for sure. Josette was much more interesting, even if she was infuriating. He wondered what Mr. O’Conner would do in this situation, and suddenly got an idea. He always bought some kind of souvenir for Mr. O’Conner, and today was his last chance this trip. He pleaded with his mother to let him walk down the street to the International Market Place (a large tourist trap-shopping area of multileveled thatched huts that Bradley Wallace loved and his mother hated) to buy something for the old man. She hesitated at first, insisting that if he went, Katie would have to go with him. But he continued to protest, insisting he’d stay out of trouble, and Mr. Grogan spoke up in his defense, remarking that the boy had been cooped up too long inside, and boys needed lots of fresh air and more than a little freedom. Bradley Wallace had always liked this older man, and the feeling was mutual. They exchanged a secret smile that excluded the women, and reluctantly Marge agreed.
Like a prisoner just out on parole, Bradley Wallace offered quick, sincere thanks to her and practically ran down the path past the paddle tennis court. As usual, it was deserted (the way his luck had been going lately, the beach boys - Wendell and his buddies - would’ve picked today to stage a tournament - fortunately, they hadn’t). Scanning the surrounding cottages and finding them devoid of life, and bearing in mind the hazards of broad daylight (but not having any other options), he summoned Whilly.
Almost immediately, as if the dragon had been circling above the hotel, Bradley Wallace heard the distinct sound of invisible, flapping wings, and his heart leapt with barely contained joy. Whilly landed on-the hot asphalt of the court, and Bradley Wallace heard an excited I thought you’d never call me enter his mind. He smiled and hurriedly climbed aboard. Within minutes, and unseen by anyone, the two friends were winging out toward the ocean. As they passed over the House Without a Key Bradley Wallace could see the cracked and shattered stonework patio adjacent to the seawall, which itself had been severely battered by the storm. The tide was out, and huge chunks of the algae-covered concrete wall lay imbedded in the sand below.
Neither of them spoke specific thoughts. They simply relished each other’s company, so happy to be together once again. Having almost died together, they were content just to be, to enjoy the sun and the sea and the refreshing breeze as they drifted lazily out toward Diamond Head. Everything looked so new and so beautiful to Bradley Wallace, and he thought how close he’d come to never seeing any of it again.
And yet, despite his joy at being with Whilly again, and his newfound awareness of his surroundings, the boy’s mind remained troubled, and his multitude of questions percolated their way to the surface, along with his doubts. They were resting in Whilly’s secret cavern within Diamond Head, and the
dragon shared his friend’s uncertainty.
I don’t know for certain that the girl was real, Whilly admitted
truthfully, because if your fever had already begun at the volcano, then I would have been affected, too. Perhaps we both imagined it, though I did not think such was possible for a dragon. I am confused.
And Bradley Wallace could tell Whilly disliked that feeling of being confused. “But what about your increase in power?” the boy persisted, determined not to let such an important matter go unquestioned. “You do have a lot more power now. Doesn’t that prove she was real?”
Perhaps, was all the dragon answered, and it was obvious to Bradley Wallace that Whilly was keeping something from him, something he either knew or suspected or feared, and it hurt the boy that his friend withheld those thoughts. But he chose not to speak his suspicions to the dragon, as he did not want to start a fight. Hopefully Whilly would tell him in time.
I think we should learn patience, Bradley Wallace, the dragon suddenly interrupted his thoughts, and the boy flushed red with embarrassment. He hoped Whilly didn’t know what he’d been thinking, just in case his suspicions were wrong. I think time will answer all of our questions.
Bradley Wallace nodded, sighing heavily. Patience wasn’t his strong suit, but he realized he had very little choice in the matter. He’d not learn anything more until the girl chose to appear again, if she ever did. Josette. Could the name be such an incredible coincidence?
It didn’t seem likely, and certainly leant credence to the argument in favor of his imagining her entire presence. And yet, that volcano had frozen over, somehow. That much, at least, was fact. It was all so confusing, like something out of a book or a movie. Stuff like this didn’t happen to kids in real life, did it?
“Some vacation, huh, Whilly?” he finally offered with another sigh and a wry smile, laying back against an outcropping of rock and stretching his ghostly white legs out under the warm sunlight. He noticed for the first time how much fuzzy hair he’d sprouted on his legs, and for some reason that bothered him. Another sign of growing up, he supposed. Everything was so confusing these days.
It has been an adventure, Bradley Wallace, Whilly concurred,
mimicking the boy’s position as much as his bulky reptilian shape would permit, stretching his long tail out beside the boy’s legs and absorbing the blazing sunshine delightedly.
“An adventure,” the boy repeated thoughtfully. Well, he’d always wished for adventures, and he sure got them. Maybe a few too many. And yet, in a daring, reckless sort of way, it had all been fun.
As if echoing his thoughts, Whilly added, I’m sorry we have to return home.
Bradley Wallace suddenly experienced a deep sadness. Home was boring, and restricting, and not always terribly pleasant. Here he and Whilly had found freedom and excitement, and Bradley Wallace felt truly worthwhile for the first time in his life. They’d done a lot of good here, and it really had been fun. Of course, the really frustrating part was not being able to brag about what they’d done. Not that he was a braggart, but it would be nice to be able to say you did something big and exciting. Oh well, after tomorrow it won’t matter anyway, he thought sadly, because they’d be back home and everything would be routine again. Boring and lifeless. How depressing.
After making plans with Whilly for the return flight home, Bradley Wallace had the dragon drop him off back at the hotel. As he moved languidly along the pathway toward his room, the exhausted boy suddenly remembered the gift for Mr. O’Conner. His mother would demand to see it, and he had to have something or she’d become suspicious. Besides, he always got some small trinket for Mr. O’Conner. His legs felt like lead, but Bradley Wallace forced one foot in front of the other and crossed the parking lot to the street. He ended up in Woolworth’s a few blocks away, and bought a key chain from which dangled the Hawaiian god of fertility, carved, appropriately, he thought, out of lava. He thought the old man might get a kick out of this.
He must’ve looked even more exhausted and drained than he felt because the checkout lady asked if he was feeling all right. He said he was (even though he wasn’t) and dragged his feet ever so slowly back to the hotel. By the time he arrived, even his chest had begun hurting. He decided he’d better take it real easy for the next few days as he lay down in the cool refuge of his hotel room and fell instantly asleep.
Dinner that final night took place in the Coral Lanai area overlooking the calm, glassy sea, and all their friends joined the Murphy’s for dinner. Bradley Wallace had a good time, but, as always, he missed Whilly. His parents even allowed him his first taste of champagne, and Mr. Grogan toasted the boy’s continued “good health.” The champagne tasted good, but the bubbles frothed up and out of his nose, irritating him. But he tried not to let it show since he was for once actually being included in a group, almost the center of attention. So much so that he impulsively offered to make a toast.
He was given the floor, and rose awkwardly from his seat. The champagne had made him feel giddy, and he giggled before quoting the toast from the book The Hobbit: “May the hair on your toes never fall out.” Everyone roared with laughter, even his parents (probably too much champagne, he thought).
But Mr. Murray, bellowing laughter like a big bull, vowed to remember that toast, and Mrs. Grogan observed how much Bradley Wallace had grown up since last year. He didn’t even mind Mrs. Clovar’s usually aggravating fawning, deciding to enjoy the attention while it lasted, which he knew wouldn’t be long. Being sick did have certain advantages after all.
The Murphys departed the Halekulani early the next morning amid a multitude of hugs, kisses, and heartfelt “Aloha’s.” The Grogans again supplied the pungent plumeria leis, and the ladies all gave Bradley Wallace crushing hugs, hurting his chest, and good-naturedly making him promise to stay out of trouble till next year. He shook hands with Lisa, and felt more awkward with her than ever before, probably because he felt certain Mrs. Clovar wanted him to kiss the girl goodbye and hovered over them like a vulture. He hurriedly ducked into the taxi before the woman actually suggested it, followed by the rest of the family.
As the cab pulled out of the circular driveway and the Halekulani became smaller and smaller, Bradley Wallace suddenly felt a chill, as though a crow had just walked across his grave. That was an expression he’d heard from Mr. O’Conner. But why did he suddenly have the feeling he would never see this place again? Did it mean the hotel wouldn’t be here anymore? Or was it he who wouldn’t be?
The plane flight home was uneventful. Whilly signalled Bradley Wallace when the 747 passed him up, but fortunately didn’t try anything cute. The boy finally finished the “Dark Shadows” book he’d started on the way over, and replaced it in his flight bag. Ordinarily, he’d read a number of different books on vacation, but this time he was too busy stuffing volcanoes with ice cubes. Smiling at the memory, and still weak with fatigue, Bradley Wallace drifted into a soothing, dreamless sleep.
He woke to the gentle bumping of the plane wheels touching down onto the runway of San Francisco International Airport, and mutely, stifling yawn after yawn, followed his parents and Katie off the plane. They weaved their way through the crowded, multi-corridored terminal and down an escalator to the baggage claim area. Bradley Wallace couldn’t understand why he still felt so drained, but tried to hide his weakness from his mother. Fortunately, she refused to allow him to carry anything heavy, and thus Katie had to help Jack retrieve their suitcases from the revolving conveyer belt. She flashed Bradley Wallace a dirty look, and he realized with a silent sigh that things were getting back to normal. Unfortunately.
Soon they were all in Uncle Joshua’s car speeding up Highway 101 into the city and heading for the Golden Gate Bridge, listening as Marge gave a detailed account of their trip. Bradley Wallace fell asleep as she was getting to his illness and slumbered all the rest of the way. He felt acutely embarrassed when Uncle Joshua woke him up, and didn’t even protest when his mother insisted he go straight to
bed. His batteries were running on empty, and he hoped a good night’s sleep would recharge them. Sensing Whilly’s presence safe and secure within the water tower, Bradley Wallace slept easily and deeply through the entire night.
He slept soundly until 10:30 AM the next morning, and wasn’t even berated by his mother for staying in bed all day “like a lazy bum.” He took a shower first thing, and the warm, soothing water cascading off his pale skin invigorated and refreshed him. The wear and tear of the past two weeks seemed to run right out of his body and disappear down the drain amidst a swirl of soapsuds.
After a hearty breakfast - two bowls of Lucky Charms and a large glass of orange juice (his appetite was returning to normal) - Bradley Wallace ducked his mother before she could tell him to stay in all day. Out in the hot, July afternoon, he hurried as fast as he could up the street toward the old water tower. The warm sunlight felt so different this day as it soaked right through the pores of his skin like water through the stomata of a dried plant leaf, heating his blood and energizing his spirit. His entire being felt renewed, and his sensibilities had become heightened to previously unrealized levels. Was this rejuvenation the result of his sickness? Or was it due to something else? The girl’s crystal, perhaps? That is, assuming she hadn’t been a dream. And what was it about that crystal which tugged annoyingly at his memory but refused to come into focus? He must ask Whilly, he decided.
But Whilly wasn’t there. The water tower stood aloof and deserted, surrounded by the stark and mocking hillside. Bradley Wallace frowned, stretching his mind out and around as far as he was able, but felt no trace of the dragon’s presence. Either Whilly was out of range, or the dragon was blocking the boy’s mind probe. But why would he do that? Could it have something to do with what Bradley Wallace thought Whilly was hiding from him in Hawaii? Or was it something else entirely?
A Boy and His Dragon Page 32
