"Stoker's Gift"

A Short Story, by C.J. Heck

Stoker's Gift
A Short Story
by C.J. Heck

Growing up, Stoker always felt surrounded by love, but this new feeling was awful. Now he felt alone and frightened. He was freezing cold and he missed Mama. It was dark where he was, and bouncing up and down so badly it was hard for him to sit still.

There were huge tears trailing down both cheeks. He was thankful he had his warm coat, because the tear trails were freezing up and it made his face feel funny when he moved. He didn’t like this place and he wanted to go home. He wanted Mama, but all he could do was sit here and remember. Remembering was sad. Remembering hurt ...

Yesterday …

The snowstorm began right after dinner. It was the most frightening thing Stoker had ever seen. He remembered being so afraid that his fear was like a real thing he could reach out and hold. The wind had been terrible and loud and it wouldn’t stop. Even the snow wasn’t like snow he knew before. This snow came sideways and anywhere it touched felt like fingers burning him with fire.

He was thankful Mama was with him. She coaxed him down into the place where they hid from the storm. She held him tightly in a hug and he almost felt safe. When he remembered the warm feel of her love, new tears slid down his cheeks.

During the long scary night, the storm showed no signs of stopping. Even his friend, the moon, hid from the wind and snow. Usually, Stoker could see it peeking at him between the branches of the trees over their home.

The wind sounded like a whole lot of someones screaming and moaning in agony. Stoker sat huddled with Mama that long night in what was left of their home. Now there was nothing. Home buckled under the weight of the heavy snow. He could hear parts of it being tossed by the angry wind.

Above them, he remembered seeing one large part of home that fell. Now it was leaning against something, and below it is where they were huddled together. Each time he thought about how frightened he was, more tears sneaked out of his eyes, following the others on their trip to his chin.

“Mama, I’m scared! Hold me tighter!” Stoker cried. “When will it stop?”

“I know, Stoker, I‘m frightened, too.” Mama answered with the wind carrying her words in other directions. He had to focus to hear what she said. “I don’t know when it will stop, son. We’ll be all right if we stay together. Don’t move from here, no matter what happens, little Stoker. Promise me.”

Although Stoker had no way to know why she would ask for his promise, he agreed. “Okay, Mama. I’ll stay right here, I promise.”

All night the wind raged and snow came at them sideways. Mama tucked Stoker tightly to her to keep him safe and warm. Whenever he cried out, she did her best to comfort him. “Hush little Stoker, try to sleep. Mama’s here, and I love you, little man.”

Just before dawn, there was an enormous crash. Stoker suddenly felt something heavy on him.  It was so heavy he could hardly breathe. He called out to Mama, “Mama! Where are you?” But all Stoker heard was the screaming wind. “Mama, what was that noise?” Again, the only answer came from the wind and the pounding of his heart.

Stoker wanted to run, but he remembered his promise He would not move from this spot, no matter what. He didn’t try to get out from under this heavy thing. He sat quietly, listening for Mama. He was afraid, but he stayed and knew Mama would be proud.

Stoker didn’t know how long he waited -- he even fell asleep for a while. He did know he couldn’t feel the sideways snow anymore and he was warm. All of a sudden, he heard voices. They were loud and he heard them above the wind which was now only a whistle.

The voices frightened him and with his eyes shut tight, he called his mother again. “Mama! I’m where you told me to stay! Please, Mama! I'm scared!” He waited, listening for her answer. When it didn’t come, he started all over again, calling and pleading.

“Over here, Johnny! It’s coming from under this dead tree! Help me attach the cable and we‘ll lift the tree off.”

“You got it, Mike!”

Stoker continued to call Mama. He could hear sounds coming from above. Some were sounds of feet crunching in the snow. Some were mechanical, like big machines, and that made him call louder. Stoker was terrified, but he kept his promise. He didn’t move.

“Okay, Johnny. Now, pull!” The winch screeched into gear and the heavy wire cable did its job. Slowly, the huge weight was lifted and Stoker could feel the cold again. He was still too frightened to open his eyes and he continued calling Mama.

“What have you got there, Mike?” Johnny called. “Can you see what’s making the noise?”

“Aw, Johnny, come over here! You’ve got to see this.” Mike answered, above Stoker‘s cries for Mama. “C’mere, and hurry!“

Johnny ran to where Mike stood looking down into the hollowed out area. Mike glanced over at Johnny. “Well, I’ll be ... never saw anything like it. We’d better call Frank up at the Ranger Station. You have a cell phone in the truck, don't you?”

Johnny said he had one right there in his pocket and he handed it over. Mike dialed the number for the Ranger Station. Like Mike, his eyes never left the hollowed out area where the tree rested minutes before.

Stoker continued to call for Mama. Where was she? Why didn’t she answer? He was still too afraid to open his eyes.

With a series of beeps, Johnny got through on the cell phone. “Hey Frank. John here. Well, sir, what we’ve got here is the dangedest thing. We have a mother bear and her cub. No, sir, the mother bear is dead -- crushed by a huge tree which we removed. No sir. Cub’s okay. She shielded the cub. He was tucked in under her. Frank, she still has her arms, er ... paws wrapped around him, and he’s bawling! It’s like she knew.”

There was a pause, then Johnny continued. “Can you get the Animal Control people out here right away -- maybe make some arrangements for a new home for the little guy? Yeah, I agree. Yeah, for sure, thanks, Frank.” With that, Johnny pushed the button and ended the call.

“Johnny? What’d Frank say?” Mike asked, since he could only hear Johnny’s side of the conversation.

Johnny wiped his face with his shirt sleeve. “He's going to make some calls, Mike, and in the meantime, he'll get a truck up here with a cage to transport him. This little guy will be sad for a while, but he'll be okay.

Frank said what you and I have only been thinking. This little bear cub received the ultimate gift of a mother‘s love.”

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
CJ’s World is reader supported.
If you enjoy reading my work, please,
be a paid subscriber so I can continue 
writing.  Thank you!