Kennelly - The Island of Two Trees

T he night it happened the children sensed something was different, or at least the girls did. The air was still and heavy as they left their grandparents house, where they had just enjoyed a delicious dinner and dessert cooked and baked by their Mumsie.

Youre right, no wind at all, Maggie told Lucy as they hooked their seatbelts.

So there was no wind? So what? their older brother, Connor, mocked from the backseat of the van. You always look too much into things.

Youre just saying that because thats what Daddy says to Mommy, Lucy said. Their mother and father, eavesdropping from the front, glanced at each other and smiled. Besides, it wasnt just the wind, or, I mean, how there wasnt any wind. Something was strange all day.

Thats true, Maggie agreed. Remember those animals watching us play?

What animals? Connor asked.

His mother turned and shushed him. Baby Mary had finally dosed off to sleep in her car seat.

What animals? Connor whispered, and the childrens conversation from here took place with such whispers so as to not wake their sleeping sister.

Yeah, thats right, Lucy said. When we were out back in the woods, Maggie and I saw two little chipmunks watching us from beneath the fallen leaves, and that giant hawk on the tree limb above us, he was watching us too.

And dont forget about the tiny squirrel who was so curious about us, Maggie added.

Connor thought back to their escapades in the wooded area behind their home, before they had gone over to their grandparents house for dinner. He didnt recall any critters taking an interest in them, or any giant hawk.

I still think you two are crazy, he said with a chuckle.

But it was then that Connor glanced out the window and noticed something that was indeed strange. Each street lamp they passed flickered and turned off at the precise moment they drove beneath it, then flipped back on just seconds later. The last lamp they passed, a large birdperhaps the hawk? landed on top just as it turned back on. Connor furrowed his brow, wondering what would cause the lights to do this. And was that the hawk the girls had been referring to?

Once home, Mommy put Mary in her crib and the rest of the family went through their normal routine. After brushing their teeth and saying their prayers, Mommy lay down with the girls in their room while Daddy went to say goodnight to Connor and lie down with him. He was twelve now, probably too old for this bedtime ritual, but he slept better when his father lay down beside him at the end of the day. It eased his mind as they rested and talked in the dark.

Good day, buddy?

Yes, sir.

Did you stay out of trouble?

Connor nodded.

What was all that talk of strange things happening?

Probably nothing. Those girls are always thinking stuff is a bigger deal than it really is.

Daddy smiled.

I dont know, buddy, something is in the air. Do you see that moon out there?

Connor turned toward the window. The moon was full, brightening the night sky and the land beneath it and the rows of homes falling down their street.

They say strange things happen when the moon is full, and I dont know if Ive ever seen it as full as it is now, not in all my life.

What sort of strange things? Connor asked.

Well, let me ask you something, son. Have you ever heard of the Giggle Monster?

Connor rolled his eyes. Dad, stop. Im too old for this. He turned toward the wall and pulled the covers up over his shoulders.

Hes a ghastly beast that feasts on the giggles of little children, Daddy went on, undeterred by his sons cynicism. His voice grew deeper as he slowly rose from the pillow. He roams from room to room, waiting for a young child to let lose just one little giggle

He raised his hands like claws, as if he were an animal about to rip into his prey.

The only problem is hes blind. He can only find the children if they giggle. The Giggle Monster could starve if he doesnt find fun-loving children.

Connor did feel too old for this nonsense, nonetheless, he found himself choking down laughter. When his father got down on all fours, stomping around the room, Connor let lose a slight giggle. The Giggle Monster snapped to attention as Connor slammed his hand over his mouth, trying to hold his laughter prisoner. The Giggle Monster crawled quickly back to the bed, sniffing it up and down.

I think the Giggle Monster heard something a moment ago. It came from this region

When Daddy began to sniff Connors face, he burst out laughing. The Giggle Monster roared and began to eat all the giggles that filled the room and the boy they erupted from.

But as they romped on the bed, Daddy grabbed his head. Ah!

What is it, Dad? Is it your head again?

No, Im fine, he said, rubbing his temples. You go to sleep now, okay buddy?

Daddy ruffled the top of Connors shaggy hair and smiled before rising from the bed and leaving the room, heading down the hallway toward the girls room. Connor, meanwhile, turned over toward the window and the moonlight cascading into his room. He was worried about his father. He had been getting a lot of headaches lately. Mommy had been urging him to go see a doctor but he didnt want to. Connor heard these conversations when his parents didnt think he was listening.

The sound of his sisters giggling found his ears from down the hallway. He knew Daddy had gone next door to hug them goodnight and morphed into the Giggle Monster again. Unlike Connor, it only took the girls about two seconds to start laughing when Daddy got down on all fours. Maggie was only ten and Lucy eight, ages more prone to childish games.

The door cracked open, pouring the hallway light into his room.

Gnight, my little Connor, his mother said, approaching his bedside. Sleep tight, okay?

She leaned in and kissed him on the forehead.

Im not little anymore, ya know?

I know. Dont remind me. I dont want you to grow upbe a child forever.

Before leaving, she blew him a kiss from the doorway. He pretended to catch it and slap it on his cheek. They both smiled.

Connor stared at his ceiling and thought about lots of different things, but mostly his fathers headaches. He wasnt sure how much time had passed (since time becomes a rather tricky thing to measure when youre drifting off to sleep) when his door cracked open again. This time, the hallway light did not creep in. In the darkness, he saw two little figures scurry into his room.