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
We’ll be home before dark Mom said But we need to get started If there’s only one white eyed vireo in this forest he won’t be easy to find Can’t you stay a few minutes first Ida asked I made sandwiches Tuna fish with olives We packed a lunch Dad said Max loves tuna fish though He’ll gobble it up Yes Ida said He’s a growing boy She patted my shoulder and led me toward the house I watched my parents stomp off into the woods They were out of sight in seconds The house was small and square There was only the kitchen a narrow living room and a bedroom on the ground floor Go on in Ida said pointing to the bedroom I’ll serve your lunch in there You two can get to know each other Two I asked Oh yes Aunt Ida replied Worthington can’t wait to meet you
Chapter 2 Pieces of the Puzzle Woe’s room was small and neat with a bookcase lining one wall The windows looked out on the wooded slope Bins of plastic soldiers and dinosaurs sat near the foot of the bed Puzzles and cards were piled in a corner and small wooden alphabet blocks stood in a neat stack The most interesting item in the room was an old record player A shiny record about the size of a dinner plate sat on the turntable The record’s label said Mairzy Doats by the Merry Macs I knelt down plugged in the player and turned a switch The record began spinning and I set the needle so it would play
