Tippy, Chapter 13

By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist

Well, Penelope was a gem I had not planned on finding. We had fun running through the woods and out in the field that was next to the woods.  

After a couple of days, she said, “Want to go down to Dodson Creek? There is a dead groundhog down there upon which we can feast.”  

Penelope was sophisticated, she did not say “we can feast on” which is incorrect grammar.

Penelope led the way. We found the groundhog (looked like it had been dead about four or five days) and the creek. After we had eaten our fill, we laid down by the creek and started talking.  

Penelope had been on her own for a long time. She had run away from some humans who treated her poorly.  

When it came to my turn, I told her about my life up to this point and my plans going forward. 

“You plan on leaving me?” she said anxiously.

“Look, five days ago I didn’t even know you existed.”

She got up and ran. I tried to keep up, but she knew the area better than I did.  

I finally gave up and went back to the scrap metal pile and fell asleep. {D (dreaming) Jim, Pete and I were in the front yard at home and Jim was reading from the black book again. He was reading the Book of Ruth and talking about how Ruth committed herself to her mother-in-law Naomi. D}  

I woke up and decided Penelope was no Ruth. After all, I did not say I would not take Penelope with me. Penelope just assumed I would not before we even discussed it. I was very sad. I liked Penelope.

The next morning, I went out to the meadow next to the woods. I laid on my back with my four feet up in the air.

Nothing happened. I did this the next day and the day after that.

Finally, the old chicken showed up.

“Where have you been?”

“You said you needed some rest, so I went over and visited some of my family near Lynchburg.  What is going on?”

“Nothing.”  I decided not to bring up Penelope. “Have you got a plan for me?”

“Nothing firm yet. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

To be continued…

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.