Welcome, Luke!

Harlin Hopscotch loved routine. He wasn’t one much for change, and he stuck to the timely manner of things. He never got tired of drinking the same type of coffee every night, or the country path from his house to work at the Toy Shop. With this, he was always one to notice slight changes, like the tree that had grown up over the years on his way to work.

His wife was also of this same attitude, so she seemed to make a big fuss about everything new. The phone call she received today was no exception. The phone rang mightily and relentlessly, signalling urgency.

“Hello, this is Heidi Choch Rabbit,” Heidi greeted promptly.

The voice, a rather squeaky confident one, came from Savannah Acorn Chipmunk, the wife of John Hazelnut Chipmunk.

“Hi, Heidi. This is Savannah.”

“Why, Savannah, how nice of you to call. Didn’t my husband see you at the store just last week?” Heidi greeted, while referring to the Monday grocery trip her husband took last week.

“Yes, he did! I was just calling to give you some notice of my son, Luke. I’m sure you would understand, as a mother so versed in traditions. Us chipmunks have our traditions, too. Every chipmunk must spend a year and a half alone in a tree, foraging and becoming independent. Our Dominic and Sarah did their year and a half when they were younger, too,” Savannah explained, and referred to her older children.

Heidi, always polite, answered, “I respect everyone’s routines, Savannah. But, what does this have to do with me? Do you need any help?”

“Why, no. Just that he will be in the countryside. We chose a nice solid tree right next to the Toy Shop. Equipped with a slide, a sleeping mat, and wooden furniture.”

“How nice! Will he need any food?” Heidi expressed with concern. Although she was understanding and respectful, she didn’t know what to make of Savannah’s calm assurance that Luke would be fine on his own for 18 months.

“Well, I’m sure he wouldn’t have a problem gathering food, but from time to time if you could drop some food off that would be great. He can let your little ones play in his treehouse home in exchange. I’m sure they’ll love the swing!”

“Of course, Savannah, thank you.”

Heidi hung up her phone, and talked all about the conversation with her husband in bed when the kids had been put to bed.

Really, she was trying to admit that she disagreed with Savannah and her family’s ways.

“I just don’t know what gave them this idea, dear. It seems… what’s the word… preposterous that Savannah would think it okay. Isn’t Luke only six or seven?” Heidi ranted.

“He’s six, darling,” Harlin answered.

“Exactly! A six year old all alone. I know he has his own treehouse and his family has probably prepared him for this, but still! Savannah says it’s all about fostering independence and a sense of self, but why not wait a while?” Heidi went on.

“Why, dear. You know how important it is for character to be developed at a young age.” Harlin fought back, opening up his large empathetic nonjudgmental heart.

“Are you on her side?” Heidi angrily questioned. It was true that she and Harlin almost never argued, but Heidi was very defensive about being as loving and caring a mother as possible. Savannah’s ways were almost the opposite of how she stuffed her children with home cooked meals and spent all her time with them in the house.

“No, I’m a mediator. I’m just saying that the chipmunks have done this for generations, and they grow up all fine. Besides, you can take it upon yourself to see that Luke is taken care of during his stay in the countryside.”

When Heidi seemed indifferent, Harlin added for good measure, “Just think of how much he’ll like your soups!”

Heidi, happy to hear the compliment, gushed, “Why, thank you! That’s just what I am going to do. Soups and meals for the poor thing.”

Heidi and Harlin both went to bed reassured that the matter was solved, and ready for a relaxing weekend. By Tuesday, Harlin made his way to work as always. As he passed by the little tree next to it, he realized that changes had been made over the course of the past few days. Walking over to see it in detail, Harlin was impressed. “That door was definitely not there,” Harlin remarked, as he realized a huge hole had been carved into the tree.

Deciding it was best not to invade the privacy of the chipmunks, he was on his way to entering the store when a young chipmunk popped out of the little tree and hurried up the leaves energetically.

Nothing seemed concerning. It was just a young child playing about. Harlin proceeded with his day’s work in an attempt to not get nosy.

The day’s work was easy, and before long Harlin planned on driving the 20 minute car ride from work to home for lunch. Before he got into his large car, the young Luke Hazelnut Squirrel was in his sight again. Out of the corners of his small mouth, there was a faint smile.

Harlin, with a generous heart, kindly asked, “Luke, would you like to come over for lunch with my family? I’m sure everyone would enjoy getting to meet you, and your mother asked us to all give you a warm meal once in a while.”

Luke, although shy in his new environment, followed Harlin into the car and out to the house. Heidi swung the wide door open for them. “Everyone, this is Luke. He’ll be staying in the countryside for a while, and we should all show him that country spirit!” As if knowing their cue, the children swept Luke into the dining room, where quantities of food were already laid out. (They had already been told of Luke’s situation over the weekend).

“Let me pour you a cup of coffee, Dad,” Bell said to her father, as he walked to their living room. Heidi, already recognizing her new guest, whispered to Harlin, “Is that Luke?”

“Yes, and quit the whispering. We’re supposed to be welcoming.”

“When did he get here?”

“I have no idea. I just saw one Baby Tree House all finished this morning complete with a swing, door, and trimmed leaves.”

Heidi decided to call Savannah, who answered immediately with a, “Hello.”

“Hi, Savannah. Heidi Choch here. I wanted to ask you if your Luke has already arrived.”

“Yes, we dropped him off last weekend. Quite a hard moment for me as a mother, but happens every time,” she chuckled. Savannah’s explanation would explain it. The Hopscotch Rabbits and the residents of their large house had not seen the tree over the weekend, as it was a 20 minute drive away. Whatever construction or finishing touches that had to be done also couldn’t have been heard from such distances.

“Oh, I see. My husband just saw him in a Baby Tree House this morning, and we have already offered him lunch!” Heidi informed Savannah.

“That’s so nice of all of you. I’m sure your babies would love to check the Baby Tree House out this afternoon.” With that, the mothers said their parting words and both hung up.

As Heidi had been on the phone, her daughters Bell and Bellia, trained to be hospitable hostesses, had been stuffing Luke with much food.

“Have another glass of water. Here let me pour it for you,” Bell forced.

“I hope you like boiled four. Mother always has a batch going on,” Bellia pushed.

“No, no, no. Bellia, what are you doing? He needs to eat baked squash now.”

“That’s preposterous. Biscuits it will be!”

But before the two could get down to the bottom of it, Luke had already gobbled up both his share of squash, biscuits, and drank all the water in his cup. For his small size, he had a big stomach.

“Oh, he’s so cute. Have a slice of pound cake for dessert,” Bellia said as she made her way to the kitchen to cut a slice.

But when Luke took the very last bite of the pound cake, he absolutely could not fit any more food in him.

Tipsy, he stumbled away from the dining room.

The girls followed, and decided to introduce Luke to all the babies in the Nightlight Nursery.

“Luke, meet Grace, Honey, Hopper, Henry. Grace, Honey, Hopper, Henry meet Luke.”

The babies all eked out a small hi, with Luke only giving a small wave. Nonetheless, the girls left Luke with the babies to clean up the lunch plates.

It was only a small matter of time before the babies ended up having a great time together. Honey and Hopper offered Luke their precious teddy bears, while the others ended up showing Luke all corners of the room. Eventually, Harlin finished up his meal, consisting of boiled flour with a stewed carrot, and prepared to leave. Beforehand, both he and Luke utilized the bathroom.

The babies all wailed when Luke had to go home, catching a ride with Harlin who drove back to work until dinner time.

Before Harlin could walk him and Luke out the majestic door, the babies crowded around him.

Harlin, noticing, said aloud, “Do you babies want to come visit Luke’s home?” They nodded, so Harlin politely asked Luke, “Luke, would that be okay with you?” Very excitedly, Luke jumped up and down with pure glee.

“Kids, could a few of you free up the afternoon to watch the babies at Luke’s home? They’re having a playdate!” David and Karen volunteered. Together, Harlin drove David, Karen, Luke, Honey, Hopper, Grace, Henry, and himself to the tree.

“Now, everyone be good, I’ll finish up work soon and drive you all home.”

The babies rushed themselves towards the tree with Luke’s lead. He first showed them how to use the swing, followed by a fun slide down the slide, and showed off his great climbing skills. Honey took the swing with Karen pushing her at a safe height and speed.

Henry relaxed in the cool shade of the tree with Luke’s wooden chair, while Grace and Luke climbed up the leaves.

Although Grace was inexperienced and less nimble, she still managed to keep up just behind Luke’s speed.

Before the babies knew it, they were exhausted as the sun was setting. Harlin promptly finished up, and seated everyone in the car.

“Luke, thank you for giving us this opportunity to meet you and play in your home. If you ever want another hot meal, our door is always open!” Harlin said before driving off.

Very soon, Luke found himself growing with tiredness. He curled up on the hammock in the tree and fell asleep.

The cold never bothered him with his chipmunk naturality. He knew the countryside experience would be a pleasurable one indeed.