Mrs. Welliver's Hedge


By Marcia K. Leaser

March 10, 2006

 

 

        "If only I hadn't listened to Cody," Josh grumbled as he hurried along the deserted sidewalk.  "Looks as if it's going to rain any minute.  If only I could cut through Mrs. Welliver's yard, he thought. 

        Mrs. Welliver was Josh's neighbor, and often hired Josh to weed her garden or mow her lawn.  She took great care of her yard and her trees were always pruned to bear the best fruit.  But she seemed to get special enjoyment and pleasure from the shoulder-high hedge that stood between her house and his.

        The very next clap of thunder and flash of lightning made up his mind for him, and with a quick glance toward the tiny kitchen window, he sprinted through the yard.

        Darting between trees, he prayed she wouldn't be watching. His heart pounded as the hedge grew closer.  Tiny raindrops were now hitting his glasses.  He knew there was no way he would be able to jump over the hedge, so he closed his eyes and charged right through it.  Not looking back, he ran in the side door at home just as the rain pelted heavily against the window.

        "Whew, just made it," he panted, as he hurried to his room.

        Josh," his mother's voice followed him up the stairway.  "Didn't I tell you to come straight home from school?"

        "Well, mom, you see - Cody..."

        "Don't go blaming Cody.  It's time you learned to accept a little responsibility for your own actions.  I'll expect you home right after school all next week.  Understood?"

        "But, mom!"

        "No buts."

        Heaving a heavy sigh, Josh sank onto the bed.  Hearing the rain against the window reminded him of how glad he was he made it home before the storm hit.  If I hadn't taken the short cut through Mrs. Welliver's yard, he thought, I would never have made it.  Suddenly he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.  Why did I run through the hedge? What if there’s a great big hole in it.  What if...

        "Supper."

        Off he scooted to the kitchen, determined to dismiss the entire hedge incident from his mind.  However, that night his conscience kept it alive.  Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the monstrous hole in the perfectly trimmed hedge. 

        Tomorrow came all too soon, and Josh avoided even looking out the window.  He left early for school and walked a block out of his way so he wouldn’t have to look at what he’d done.

        "It's all Cody's fault," he grumbled as he fell heavily into his desk at school.

        "Hi, Josh," Cody called from two seats over,

        Josh looked at him, but didn't respond.  Cody shrugged his shoulders, with a perplexed look on his face.

        In Science class Josh felt more awful than ever, because they were studying the growth of plants.  About how when damaged, it takes years for them to repair themselves.  He was almost sick when the final bell rang to go home.

        "Hey, Josh, how about a quick game of basketball?  Some of the guys are going to stay,"  Cody called.

        "Just leave me alone!"  Josh snapped.  "You've gotten me in enough trouble already."

        "What are you talking about?"  Cody quizzed.

        "Oh, never mind. I just have to get home is all."

        Again, he went out of his way to avoid seeing the hedge.  He sneaked in the door and started for his room,

        "Josh," his mother called, as he passed the living room, "Is that you?"

        "Yeah, it's me," he answered.

        "Are you all right?" she questioned.

        "Sure, mom," He assured her.  "Just some homework."

        "But today’s Friday.  You have the whole weekend. Are you sure you're all right?"

        "I'm fine," he said in a convincing voice.  But once in his room, he admitted to himself how miserable he really felt.

        Saturday came and went with Josh somehow managing to not glance toward the back of the house.

        Sunday morning in church, the minister talked about guilty feelings and how they can destroy you.  Josh could really relate to that.  He felt like a snakes belly in a four-foot hole.

        Early Monday morning the telephone rang and Josh picked it up.

        "Josh, I'm glad I caught you before you left for school this is Mrs. Welliver."

        He stood statue-like, holding the phone tightly.  SHE KNOWS!!

        "Josh, are you there?"  The voice questioned.

        "Ah, yes, sure I'm here," he responded in a small voice.

        "Well, I need some trimming done around the house and was wondering if you would be available this afternoon after school?"

        "I, ah, no!"  Josh stammered.

        "Oh, Okay then," she said. "Maybe some other time."  She sounded disappointed.

        "Wait! I guess I can come."  Josh managed to say.

        "Fine.  I'll expect you after school then.  Good-bye now."

        "Who was that dear?" his mother asked.

        "Huh? Oh, it was Mrs. Welliver.  She wants me to do some trimming for her after school today."

        "That's nice.  You know, Josh, not many boys your age have jobs where they can earn a little spending money."

        "I suppose." Josh answered in a doubtful tone.

        How can I take her money, after I've ruined her entire hedge?  He was thinking.

        After a miserable day at school, he slowly walked to Mrs. Welliver's front door and rang the bell.

        "Well, Josh, right on time as usual.  Here, let me show you where I want you to start."

        He followed the short little lady around the house thankful it was on the opposite side of the crippled hedge.

        As he carefully pulled weeds and spaded around the tiny yellow mums, his mind ran wild.  He could envision the gaping hole and see himself running through it. 

        "Josh," the voice startled him.  "You've been working for an hour now.  How about some cookies and milk?"

        He spun around, with wide eyes and mind whirling, to face Mrs. Welliver.  He looked into the sparkling blue eyes and stared at the plate of cookies and refreshing glass of cool milk.

        "I did it!" he blurted out.  "It was me.  I didn't mean to, but it was going to rain and Cody said it wouldn't and that mom wouldn't be mad and....Oh, I'm so sorry.  I sure hope it isn't ruined forever,"

        "Josh, whatever are you talking about?"  The gray-haired lady asked anxiously.

        "The hole, the one in your hedge.  I did it."

        "What hole?  I haven't seen any hole."

         Josh's shoulders drooped.  "Come with me.  I'll show you."

        "I don't understand," Mrs. Welliver was saying as she followed the young boy around the house.

        "You'll understand soon enough," Josh sighed.  "It's right here.  I didn't mean to do it, but..."  He stopped short.  "I thought it was here.  I'm sure it was here."  He stood shaking his head in disbelief.  Had he only imagined the hole?

        "Josh, are you telling me you ran through my hedge?"  Mrs. Welliver asked softly.

        "It was Thursday when it was going to rain and I took a short cut through your yard so I wouldn't get wet.  Can you ever forgive me?"

        "Well, Josh, it's plain to see how sorry you are and obviously there’s no harm done.  Of course I forgive you.” I just wish you’d have come to me sooner.  You would have saved yourself a lot of agony.  Running away from things is never the answer."

        I know that now."  Josh replied, suddenly realizing the awful ache he’d carried in the pit of his stomach for four days was gone.

        Mrs. Welliver continued.  "Let's just forget it, Josh.  I think you’ve learned a good lesson.  Now, how about these cookies?"

        Josh grinned a big grin as he took one off the plate and reached for the glass of milk.  "Thanks.  Thanks a lot!"

 

The end

 



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