The Crossroads

Zack’s father didn’t come home until nine p.m. on Monday, his first day commuting to his office in the city.

Judy propped open the lid on a cardboard pizza box.

“Sorry it’s cold.”

“I’m sorry I had to work so late. It’s this meeting next week in Malaysia.”

“Well,” said Judy, “if you’re traveling halfway around the world, it’s probably smart to do your homework before you leave home.”

“Guess how long I’ll be on airplanes?”

“As long as you’ll be in Malaysia?”

“Close. The meeting lasts two days. The flight takes nineteen hours—each way.”

“Ouch. Better pack a good book.”

“I think I’d better pack the whole library.”

Zack sat on his stool, hoping his father and Judy wouldn’t start yelling at each other like his father and his real mother always used to do whenever his father worked late. Those arguments would start over long hours at the office and eventually lead back to Zack.

“You’re the one who wanted children!” his mother would scream. In fact, his mother had managed to work that particular line into any argument, no matter what it was about: “You don’t like how I spend money? Fine! You’re the one who wanted children!”

Zack worried that Judy might start feeling the same way. She might end up hating Zack because she was the one stuck in Connecticut taking care of him and he wasn’t even her real kid!

He had to do something. Fast. He had to change the subject before the newlyweds tumbled into their first argument and figured out who the real problem was: Him!

“We started building a tree house today!” he blurted out. “Me and Davy.”

Judy and his father stared at him.

“Who’s Davy?” his father asked.

“A neat guy who lives on a farm across the highway.”

“Can’t wait to meet him,” his father said, balancing a limp piece of soggy pizza.

“Me too,” Judy added.

Zipper crawled out from under the table, sat back on his haunches, and raised his front paws.

“Hmmm,” said Zack’s father, “looks like somebody else around here likes cold pizza. You know, in law school, we used to eat cold pizza for breakfast and—”

“What was that?” said Judy. “Did you see that?”

“What?” Zack climbed off his stool.

“I saw a light. It went swinging by the window.”

“Could be a car,” George said, his mouth full of chewy cheese. “Down on the highway with its headlights aimed wrong.” He peeled off a pepperoni and presented it to Zipper, who wasn’t interested anymore. The dog scampered over to the window.

“There it is!” Judy said. “See? In the trees? Looks like a flashlight. Come on—let’s go investigate.”

“Might be dangerous,” said Zack.

“Might be fun!” his father said. “C’mon, Zack. Bring Zipper. He’ll protect us.” He got up and pulled a flashlight out of its recharging cradle near the back door. Judy grabbed her jean jacket. Zipper barked.

Zack had no choice.

He had to journey once again into the evil woods fringing his backyard. And this time, he’d have to do it in the dark.

Great.

But then he realized something: This time, he wouldn’t be alone. This time, his whole family was coming with him.

“You’re right, Dad. Let’s go see who’s out there!”