Dreams and Shadows

chapter TWENTY-FOUR

THE LAST MINUTES OF CHILDHOOD

It was after dark and the only light was a nearby flickering streetlamp that buzzed like a bug zapper every time it went out. Yashar, Colby, and Ewan stood on the steps of the children’s shelter, Ewan dressed like a Dickensian urchin, a note from an imaginary mother pinned to his clothes. The details were cruel, involving all manner of drugs and abuse, but the story was necessary in case Ewan ever slipped up and mentioned monsters or fairies or his time in the woods; child psychiatrists were fond of metaphor and archetypes.

“Why can’t I come with you?” asked Ewan.

Yashar looked coldly at Colby and nodded. Colby nodded back. “Yashar says where we’re going, you won’t be welcome.”

“Because I’m a fairy?”

“Yeah.”

“What about you?”

“They’re not so picky about wizards.”

“Oh.” Ewan frowned. “I’ve never been alone before.”

“I know, but I’ll come back and visit you every chance I get.”

Ewan looked down at the ground, scuffing his feet. Colby looked at Yashar, neither knowing what to say. Then Colby smiled. “You won’t be alone.” He stripped off his backpack, unzipping the flap, and pulled out Mr. Bearston. The bear was even more of a mess now than when it had first gone on the journey—dirty, frayed, and a bit worn down. But there was a look in his remaining eye, as if he’d seen something. Something wonderful. Something frightening. Something to believe in. At least, that’s how Mr. Bearston looked to Colby. He didn’t need him anymore; Ewan did.

Colby looked down at the bear in his arms, speaking plainly to it. “You have a very important job to do, Mr. Bearston. Our friend Ewan needs you to watch out for him. Can you do that for me?” With a single hand he made the bear nod. “Very good, sir. Go to work.” He handed the bear to Ewan, who took it in both arms with an immediate hug. “He’ll look after you now.”

“Thank you.” Ewan stepped forward, throwing his arms around Colby’s neck, Mr. Bearston still dangling from one hand.

“You’ll come back for me?”

“I always do.”

“Bye, Colby.”

“Good-bye, Ewan.”

With that, Colby pulled away, nodded to Yashar, and gave a quick wave before walking off. Ewan stood sadly on the steps, watching his friend disappear around the building. Then he turned and made his own way into the shelter, ready to tell the lie that Yashar had prepared for him.

“SO WILL HE remember anything?” asked Colby.

“Only music,” said Yashar.

“Why music?”

“No one knows.”

“Will he remember me?”

“If you keep your promise to visit him, though he probably won’t remember where you met.”

“Oh,” said Colby, letting out a deep sigh.

“You will keep your promise, won’t you?” asked Yashar.

“Of course I will!” he said excitedly. “Ewan and I will be best friends forever.”

“I know you will. You’re a good friend.”

The two walked in silence for a moment. Then Colby spoke up again. “Yashar?”

“Yes?”

“Are we going home now?”

“Why would we go home, Colby? You haven’t seen everything yet.”

“Oh,” he said. “Do I have to?”

Yashar nodded as if there was no debate. “It was your wish,” he said, “and you made me promise. So yes.”

“Would you hold my hand?”

“The whole way,” said Yashar. “The whole way.”

Yashar took Colby’s hand in his, and the two walked into the night, away from the first of their many adventures together. And while they did, in fact, go on many more adventures—taking them to many other great and terrible places—this was not where this adventure truly ended for Colby Stevens; for just as all little boys must grow bigger, so too must their problems.