It was a normal day in Sylva, North Carolina, but I knew something was different. Sylva was a place where everything was normal. People knew each other, but didn’t crowd people over. It was a nice town then. The trees were green, turned amazing colors in the fall. The rivers and creeks would shimmer under the sun, and the people would accept you as a friend even if they didn’t even know you. When the snow fell it was like heaven on earth. My family lived so high on a mountain that the snow would stay a week or two longer than in town.

I was going through the mountains when I heard a shrill voice that pierced the air like a knife through butter, ”Robert James Smith, you had better come home or else!” Mom. She was a nice woman and I loved her, but sometimes I wonder if I was switched at birth. I ran through the woods and reached our little cabin. It wasn’t huge, but it was tolerable. We never had that much money, but whatever we had we used. It was hand made by my dad and me. We built it when I was 12. It was 2 stories, tile roof, porch with a wooden swing, and then of course the tree house. We had a tree right in the middle of the house, and my dad, rather than cut it down, decided to build around it just for me. My mom complained, but then she realized how magnificent it was.

“Where have you been Robert?”

“First off, I told you, it’s RJ, and I was in the woods.”

“Fine, RJ, but dinner is almost done, and this time please finish it.”

“What is it? Then I’ll promise to.”

“Mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, vegetables, and of course meat.”

“What kind of meat? Please don’t say deer.”

“OK. We are having venison. Come in and eat.”

Deer, or venison as my mom calls it, was all we ate. It wasn’t the fact I didn’t like it, it was that, well, after seeing my dad shoot, skin, and clean the meat, I lost my taste for it. I usually didn’t eat the meat, but then would sneak into the kitchen and get a bedtime snack. Even with this snack I still was skinny as a twig. From running in the woods, and running to school everyday, left me in shape and skinny. I went inside and looked around. When you entered the living room would have a couch, a small TV, and bookshelf with more books than a man should read in his lifetime. Then as you walked you would enter the kitchen and see a table big enough for 3 people, a picture of a mountain, and of course the essentials, stove, refrigerator, and a sink.

My mom was a retired teacher, and after all those years she didn’t let me get away with anything. She was a tall, set woman who looked much older than she was. My mom being 30 was in the stage of denial and said she was 24.

My dad on the other hand was a man who took life to the fullest and never let something slip. He was about 6 foot tall and pretty skinny. He knew what it was like to be in trouble, so he never got mad unless you could have died.

“Sit down Robert.”

“Yes, mam.”

“So, son, what were you doing in the woods today?” My father asked.

“Nothing,” I said truthfully.

“Sounds like fun. Son, is something wrong?”

“No,” I lied.

“Son,”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Well just ignore me. The woman who cooked this food.”

“Sorry honey.” My dad smiled. “RJ and I were talking.”

“I noticed. Don’t call him that. Robert is an excellent name. Why he hates it I will never know. Now eat.” She snapped. “Robert, please eat. You have to eat sometime during the winter. Schools cancelled for a month at least because of this snow and your Christmas vacation. We have only this meat.”

“Whatever.” I replied not touching my food.

“Fine, just starve then.”

“I WILL!” I yelled as I supposedly ran into my room. I decided to linger and see what my folks would talk about. Maybe they would say what my gift was. My birthday was in only 3 days.

“Honey, you really shouldn’t out this pressure on him. His birthday is in a few days, and he deserves to have what he wants to eat. He is at the age of defying authorities.”

“Well, he will have to get over his disgust for deer. It is the only thing we can afford, and the fact that all the places are closed because of snow and Christmas makes it impossible to shop, or work!”

“I know honey, but this will pass. Hopefully RJ, I mean Robert, will become popular at his school.”

“With his gift John, how can he not? That is the most beautiful w…”

“Shhh. We have an eavesdropper. RJ?”

“Gulp. Ya, dad?”

“If you are going to eat then come down, but if not go to your room and find out the scores for basketball will ya?”

“Sure Dad.”

“Thanks son.”

I got off easy then. I was so close though. It started with a w that much I knew. Hmm… Wombat? What am I thinking? Watch? Well best choice so maybe that’s it. That night I went to sleep after getting the scores and woke to the sound of a knock on the door at about 3 AM.

“May I come in John?”

“Course Ridge.”

I assume you know about the, um, person going around?”

“ Yes.”

“ Well sir, I felt right that, well, he was spotted near your house. He’s by the river last time they saw him. I feel that you really should keep Robert from going outside a lot.”

“ Yes, I know Ridge. His mom is taking care of that. He is not allowed out past 4 pm.”

“ Ok John. I just felt to tell ya. Well sorry at bothering ya at so early of a morning. I saw him myself, and I had to warn you again. Good bye, John.”

“ Night Ridge. Well I guess morning. Good bye, Ridge.”

That explained why my mom was being so strict lately. Even more than usual. I wonder what is wrong with the guy running around is? Maybe he is insane. He may be a criminal. He may just be an outcast. Well whoever he is, he sounds dangerous.

I fell asleep wondering.

There are more parts, but I will post em later.

uppin this to be read....

i like that hot man keep it up word

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thanx bro. come on people.....keep readin....

Dopeness...

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