A great blast of wind washed out Ihaan’s words. All I heard was “Soaring on the Wind.” I didn’t hear the other name. I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t. It was still a little early to bring it in. I know that’s what he said, though, because Ihaan told me later on. The leaf whistle was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my entire life. My mind couldn’t leave it. Thanks to “Soaring on the Wind,” I calmed down. I thought about it on the way back to the island. It was a fairly quiet ride. The water was extremely calm, and Ihaan almost made no sound with his paddle. He mostly just let the current and breeze push us in.
Ro led the way back. With every wing beat, she looked like a goddess. That was how graceful she flew.
When we were about three quarters of the way in, I finally decided to speak, and guess what, I asked a couple more questions. It’s just, I had to learn more about Ihaan. As I mentioned before, I decided to ask him about the name “Dempsey” and the flowers I wore. Turning to him, I took a deep breath and said, “Ihaan, lately, I’ve been confused about something.”
“The Ghost of Ontario?” he asked. With his boot, he pushed his bow forward a bit.
I shook my head and answered, “No. Well, maybe a little, but mainly, I’ve heard you mention the name ‘Dempsey’ a few times. So, I guess what I’m trying to ask is, well, who’s Dempsey? Is he like your pet eagle there?” I pointed at soaring Ro.
“She’s not a pet, Little Red.” Ihaan said in a slightly annoyed voice. “Don’t say that. She’s a friend, my friend, and her name is Ro.”
I waved my hand and snootily said, “Whatever. What I’m trying to say, Ihaan, is this Dempsey your ‘friend?’”
“He is. Both Ro and Dempsey, Little Red, come from dreams I have. When I was much younger, I always dreamed about eventually having special animal friends. Or, at least, I think I did. Hm.” He confusingly tapped his beardless chin. “Did I?”
I stared at him.
Ihaan continued to tap his chin. Then, he smiled at me and said, “I call them Dreams of Nature, Little Red. Everyone in the world dreams of befriending animals at least once in their lives. Trust me, I know.”
“What kind of animal is Dempsey, Ihaan?” I asked. “I mean, Ro is an eagle. What is he?”
However, before Ihaan could answer, from the sky, Ro called to us.
Ihaan stuck his paddle in the water and stopped us. “What do you see, Ro?” he called.
I gripped the edges of the canoe and focused my attention on the eagle.
Seeming to smile, she peered over her shoulder at us and pointed her claws at the island.
“What’s wrong with her?” I asked mysterious Ihaan. I noticed that we had just hit the shallow water of the lake, and we were heading towards the small beach where Ihaan dropped me off after he rescued me from the water. Glancing back at him, I noticed that he was chuckling.
“Oh, Ro,” he said, “You never change. I don’t want you to worry, Little Red. Ro is just saying that she has found the island where you belong. She is trying to get attention. I promised her that if she finds your island, then I will get her another fish later.”
“Can’t she do it herself?”
“She can, but you see, she’s been doing all the hunting lately, so it’s time I gave her a break. I was sick not so long ago, so she hunted for me.”
“Sick? Are you better?”
“Oh, I’m terrific. It was just the common cold. I get it about twice a spring, summer, fall, and winter. No big deal.”
I slowly nodded. Wow, Ihaan and Ro were closer than I thought.
He and I spent about another minute or two on the lake, and then we hit the sand.
Once we did, and Ihaan was no longer able to paddle, he and I hopped out of the canoe, and he pulled it up onto shore.
I peered forward and very faintly saw the tents of Camp Juniper’s campground. It was still as quiet as ever. No one was awake. I mean, it was about five or six in the morning. Who would be up at that time besides old people? I sighed and yawned. I was exhausted. Half asleep, I carefully climbed the hill into the campground and slumped over to the picnic table. I plopped down on the bench and yawned. Hungry mosquitoes whined by my head, but I shooed them away.
After a bit, Ihaan appeared in the campground, and he approached me.
Ro, whom had followed him there, landed on the picnic table and folded her wings.
Since everybody in Camp Juniper was still sleeping, we stayed quiet. I remember Ihaan had his hands full with his bear costume, quiver of arrows, bow, and pouch. The pouch was slipping. Soon, he whispered, “Little Red, do you think you can hold onto my pouch for a second while I get these things all squared away?”
“Sure.” I tiredly whispered back. I slowly got up from the picnic table and took Ihaan’s pouch, hugging it to my chest. I watched as Ihaan slipped his bear costume over him and let his mask hang behind his neck. Next, he put his bow and quiver of arrows on his back.
Once he made sure his bear costume was secure, he offered Ro his arm and asked, “Do you want me to catch you another fish, Ro?”
Ro vigorously nodded, and she hopped onto his shoulder. She playfully nipped at his hair. It looked adorable.
I sighed dreamily and asked young, handsome Ihaan, “Are you sure you don’t want to meet my parents, Ihaan?” I took it a bit easier on him this time. I didn’t try to kidnap him again.
Ihaan nervously smiled and whispered, “Let me clarify something, Little Red. I’d prefer not to. I hope you understand. Although, I want to thank you for seeing the star canopy with me.”
“No problem. I had a lot of fun. Thank you for adding some fun into this trip.” I gulped. “Will we ever see each other again?”
With hair hanging in front of his eye, Ihaan nodded and spoke, “I have a pretty good feeling about it.”
I chuckled flirtingly. Oh, he had such a beautiful voice and face! Next glancing at Ro, I nodded, and she nodded back. “Now, Ro,” I told her, “you make sure you take good care of Ihaan, okay?”
Ro nodded again and ruffled her feathers.
“What’d she say?” I asked Ihaan.
The hermit chuckled and scratched the eagle under the bill, saying, “She said she will. Don’t worry about me, Little Red. I’ll be fine.”
I still worried about him and his foot. Remember, his foot was injured. He had a gimpy walk. Sigh, well at least I finally met another teenager. Besides, Ihaan was very talented.
Just before he could leave, he asked me, “Are you sure you’d rather not come with me? There is so much I can show you in the Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park, Little Red.”
How much I wanted to stay with him for forever, but I didn’t want to worry my family, especially my parents. “I don’t want to worry my family, Ihaan.” I answered.
Ihaan nodded his head and said, “Okay, okay.” He lifted his hand and reached behind his back, adding with, “Here. Take this.” From his back, he pulled out and offered me a handmade, wooden flute. Another one of his talents was that he crafted things. He made the flute.
Ihaan blew a few, short notes into it, and I took a step back, continuing to smile. Once he finished his song, he offered me the flute again and said, “You know, just so you’ll never forget me.”
Reaching forward, I took the flute, and Ihaan smiled at me. My smile turned into a grin. It was unbelievable. Ihaan had given me a flute!
Since he was such a sweet boy, he decided to give me one more gift that night. He told me, “Oh yeah, I want you to have this as well.” This time, from his back, he pulled out a headband that had a few eagle feathers standing up from the back. Ihaan put it over my head and said, “You and me, kid, we’re friends now.”
I almost wanted to cry. Ihaan had not only given me a flute, he had also given me a headband! I actually still have the headband. It’s currently in a very safe place at home. I wanted to thank him, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak because I was so tired. I instead watched as Ihaan turned on his heel and started to limp away. I nervously gulped.
Ro soon tapped him on the ear, and Ihaan seemed to jump. Returning to me, he whispered, “Excuse me.” He took his pouch away from my hand. He wrapped the straps around his waist like a belt.
I jumped. Oh goodness, I forgot all about the pouch.
Ihaan did one last thing before he left. He acted out another awkward bow and said, “Goodbye, Little Red. Take good care of the headband and flute, okay?” With that, he put his bear mask back over his head, stood up straight, and marched on down the hill.
I heard Ro screech goodbye from the bottom of it. I was left behind. Ihaan left me alone with just adults once again. Why couldn’t he stay? He was the answer to all my questions. I was too tired to think. I was out all night. I peered down on the wooden flute and yawned a nice, long yawn. I then slipped it in my pocket and slumped towards my tent.
When I finally reached it, my arms were dragging on the ground. I kicked off my shoes and fell to my knees in front of the Velcro. I yawned again. I hoped that I would have dreams about Ihaan the Hermit. I wasn’t done looking at that beautiful face of his. If only he wasn’t so shy. With my eyes only in slits, I undid the Velcro of my tent and stuck half my body under it. Mm, I could feel my sleeping bag already! Unfortunately, just when I unzipped my tent and started to crawl in, I heard the voice of Uncle Bart behind me.
“Whoa, Kylie!” he said, “You’re up early!”
I groaned and patted my sleeping bag, saying, “Yes, of course, Uncle Bart. I’ve been up for hours.” Dang it, I forgot Uncle Bart got up early! He probably went to use the restroom, and he saw me on his way back.
“Well perfect!” he said. “You can help me make breakfast!”
“Yay.” I mumbled. I listened as his feet hustled away. Ugh, and I was so ready to feel that sleeping bag! I plopped down on my front in the tent and mumbled again. I then turned my head and looked around it. In a low voice, I whispered, “Ihaan,” and I gripped Uncle Bart’s whistle. Taking off the headband, I set it down next to me and started to stroke the feathers. “Ihaan,” I again repeated, “please come back,” and I closed my eyes.
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