We followed Route 101 for about fifteen more minutes Nobody said anything but I was thinking hard Did Worthington die in that room I finally asked No Dad said No no no What happened to him They glanced at each other again Then Dad turned onto a narrow dirt road beside a lake He fell Mom said He fell He fell off a cliff A long time ago Dad added Before I was born Mom repeated I could see a small white house up ahead It was barely visible in the thick pine trees and the shadow of Butcher Mountain The mountain rose to a flat peak It was the highest mountain in the area though it wasn’t huge How old was he I asked
A year or so younger than you are now Mom said He was ten And when did he die About fifty years ago Mom lowered her window Listen she said Maybe we’ll hear the vireo The bird they’d be seeking was a white-eyed vireo It’s supposed to be rare this far north in New England but not unheard of Neither of my parents had ever seen one The car was loaded with their backpacks binoculars hiking boots and cameras What does it sound like I asked I didn’t care much about birds but I didn’t have much else to do this weekend Chip-a-whee Mom said Chip-a-wheeeee The car bounced to a stop under a giant white pine tree The air smelled damp like kicked-up mud The house was entirely in the shade Aunt Ida’s house was the last one on the dead end road and there were no others in sight The side
door was open I could see the kitchen through the screen The April birding season is so exciting Mom said You can still join us if you want Max I shook my head I’d take my chances with Aunt Ida I had a couple of books with me and my parents had promised there were lots of old toys at Ida’s house Just don’t stay out in the woods too late I said This place looks like it’ll be creepy after dark Mom laughed Dad did too but his laugh didn’t sound convincing Aunt Ida swung open the screen door and stepped out She had her arms wide and a big grin on her face Welcome Ida said Such a pleasure to see you She hugged me with those bony arms then tugged my ear Mom and Dad were already putting on their backpacks and floppy hats
