Don't Count To Ten

Copyright Information

Copyright © 2015 by Jeff White. All rights reserved worldwide.No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.

Table of Contents

Moving Day

Getzelman Estates

Home

Attic

Senses

Monday

Saturday

Fishing

Spring Forward Fall Back

Sunday

Toys

Discord and Games

Night Jitters

Clue

Secret Plans

Play Through

Eyes All Around

After School

What You Can See

Truth

Search

About Jeff White

Moving Day

Do you have everything packed away and ready to go? I only want to see you dragging around one toy today. Your father and I already have enough things to worry about right now. We do not have time to be tracking down any lost toys too. So, let’s keep it simple. Okay, you guys?

Yes, Mommy. But I have two wrestlers. Can I count them as one toy, please? The Rock has to fight John Cena on the way there. Nine-year-old, Allan sits in the middle of his now empty room. All of his toys and other belongings are packed away in boxes, waiting to be picked up and moved.

Yes. You can bring both your wrestlers for the ride, but that’s it. Morgan goes down the stairs. She is fidgeting with the keys to the new house in her hand.

Big sis, Marcie, is in the room next door. She is doing what most girls her age of fourteen are doing. Yes, you guessed it. She’s texting her friends. She’s complaining about the move and having to start at a new school after the summer is over. Mom and Dad gave her an iPhone to lessen the pain, and so she could keep in touch with her close friends. Stop making things so difficult, sheesh! She hollers from her bedroom to Allan.

Mind your own business Marcie, Michael chimes in. He takes a second to look up from his iPod. Then back to his apps.

Yah. Marcie! Allan smashes his wrestling figures together.

Dad and the movers are getting the house cleared out fast. Most of the kitchen is packed away, in the van. The family room boxes are in the van also. The rest of the rooms are cleared except for the kid’s bedrooms.

Hey, guys. I’m coming up there to move your stuff out of your rooms now. Why don’t you go and play outside one last time before we leave for good?

Nah nah nah, All three kids answer. Like a trip of goats.

The Markson kids rarely played outside anymore. Sure, they had friends. Most of the time, they spent most of their time inside the house, playing video games. When Michael or Allan ever felt like going outside, their friends were not home or were unable to be outdoors. The boys never played baseball or football with the neighborhood kids. Once in a while, they played freeze tag. When their parents, Lucas and Morgan did send them outside to play though, they almost always ended up being bored.

"All right Allan. Why don’t you go downstairs then? I’m coming up right now to move your stuff out.

When can I play with my toys, again? Allan stands at his bedroom door almost as to block the entrance to his room.

You can pull ‘em out, once we get to the new house. Dad is followed by the moving men. He grabs the boxes, and the movers lift the solid oak dresser up and carry it away to the truck.

Michael is twelve years old and a bundle of nerves. He is a little scared about the move. There are new friends to be made and the old ones to lose touch with. A new school with new classmates waits after the summer break. Michael does not like change at all. He sits on his bedroom floor and taps on it with a couple of pens. His drum set is all packed away. When he gets stressed out about something, he plays his drums and right now he cannot. The iPod music playing in his ear helps keep his mind off of his worry. The tapping becomes louder and more persistent.

Would you stop it? Gosh! Allan shouts. He is worked up too. Allan stands in the hallway outside Michael’s room. Dad, Michael is being annoying.

Michael pulls an earbud out of his ear. Wha-what what am I doing? I’m not doing anything.

Tapping. Stop tapping. You are annoying me.

Allan, go downstairs. Ignore your brother. I do not want to yell at anyone right now. I’m too busy. Michael, your room, is next. Why don’t you go outside, so you are not in our way?

It’s early May, and the weather is warm and humid. The pair of moving men rest their tired backs, in the hall. They lean against the wall in the hallway as they wait for Lucas to stop yelling at the kids. One rolls his eyes to the other one. Sweat rolls off their brows and the drops fall onto the floor. Lucas checks his watch and then looks at the moving men. Luckily all the windows are open to allow a refreshingly cool breeze to blow through the house, or it would be extremely uncomfortable

Let’s take a break guys. I’m thirsty. Would you all like something to drink?

Marcie is unfazed by the commotion outside of her room. She sits Indian style on her bedroom floor. She’s texting her friends and searching through old pictures she took down off of her bedroom walls. Yes, she is apprehensive about moving, but she excited about new opportunities to live in a new neighborhood. Allan yelling at Michael is something that she is used to. Her long light brown hair blows in the breeze coming through her window. She can hear the neighbor’s dog bark outside. These things take her mind off of the bickering outside her bedroom door. This will be the last day she will have to listen to that dog. When are you gonna get to my room, Dad? I can’t wait to get out of here. Dad? Mom? Anyone? It’s too quiet now. The footsteps up and down the hall have ceased. She gets up and walks downstairs. Everyone is having drinks.

Do you want a drink too? Morgan is holding a pitcher of pink lemonade.

No thanks, Mom.

When will we be leaving for good? Michael asks after taking a big gulp of his refreshment.

Morgan is irritated now. She puts the pitcher of lemonade down. You’ll know when we’re leaving. It’ll be after all of everyone’s stuff is on the back of that truck out there, and we’re moving down the road towards our new home. Is that simple enough for everyone?

"On that note, we better get back to work guys. Lucas and the moving men make their way back upstairs. They leave their empty lemon aid cups behind on the kitchen counter. Condensation runs down the cups, forming a wet ring around the bottom of the container. The men can be heard walking around upstairs and then back down the stairs. Michael follows them upstairs. With robot-like precision, the movers pick up his dresser and take it down the stairs and out the door. He watches them through the window, loading his furniture onto the truck. Allan’s bedroom is already packed onto the moving truck. After three more trips up and down the stairs, and Michael’s room is all put away. The men have hit their stride, and now they are working faster and faster.

Marcie, your room is next, Lucas yells from Michael’s room. He takes one last glance around.

It’s about time. Marcie had changed her mind and sips from a cup of ice-cold lemonade. She stands at the kitchen sink and looks outside into the back yard. She recalls the old swing set; the one she’s known since she was a very little girl. Marcie closes her eyes and remembers her mom pushing her high up into the air. Now, she realizes that she did not go so high. Michael is there too next to her, screaming with joy as he rises into the air. He can barely hold onto the chains, but they are all having fun and laughing out loud. Now, she can picture both her brothers and she swinging and running around the swing set playing tag in the yard. This was all when they were younger, much younger. As they have grown a little older, the children played less and less outside in the back yard.

Marcie. Marcie. Hey, I’m talking to you. What’s on your mind? Besides the obvious, can you help me pack the last of these dishes? After we’re done, we can put these boxes in the van. Can you grab that marker over there and label the boxes fragile."

Mom. I was just thinking about how we used to play on that old swing set. She turns and reaches for the marker. The marker squeaks as it glides across the box. I hate that sound!

"You’re so helpful Marcie. This box here is ready to go. Can you put this one in the van? Just think, when we’re all set to go, we are only half done. When we get to the new house, we have to unpack all these boxes.

Mom, I’m hungry. Allan strolls into the kitchen. What can I have to eat?

Morgan eyes the clock on the stove top. The clock says it is three thirty. Nothing right now. There is nothing in the refrigerator. The food we had is packed away in the van. We will stop and get something to eat on the way to the new house. You will just have to wait a little while longer. Okay?

Awe. I can’t wait that long!

Well, you’ll have to bud. Morgan tapes up another kitchen box closed. Here, Marcie can you put this in the van too?

Marcie picks up the box from off the floor and walks outside. She meets her dad. He’s walking back up the driveway to the house, from the moving truck. Are we all done yet, Dad?

Lucas is wiping the sweat from his neck. Are you all done in the kitchen because we are all done now, with all the bedrooms?

I think this is the last box.

No, this is the last box. Morgan hands the box to Lucas. Here honey, put this one in the van too, please.

Where’s Michael? The movers are ready to go now. He’s always disappearing.

Right! Allan laughs.

Marcie. Go find your brother. Now he wants to play outside.

All right.

The house is all packed up and on the moving truck. The movers sit in the truck, resting and waiting. The truck engine starts with a smoky rumble. White smoke billows from the exhaust pipe as the diesel engine idles loudly. Allan gets into the van and buckles his seat belt. Marcie comes running from around the corner of the house. She runs right to the van and jumps in. Michael walks slowly behind. He’s taking in the neighborhood for perhaps the last time. The gears of the moving truck grind as the truck slowly pulls away. More smoke follows. Lucas and Morgan are now inside the van too, still waiting for Michael to arrive. The van is started. Allan’s tolerance in this instance is wearing thin for his brother.

Michael finally strolls up to the overly packed vehicle. Are we leaving now? He sees everyone inside and looks around before he gets in. Hey. The moving truck is gone.

Marcie moves over to the side to let him pass. Get in already.

How long, until we get there? Michael asks.

Morgan cries a little as she gazes at the house and ignores Michael’s question. She wipes away a tear from her eye. Ten years we lived in that house. Two of our babies learned how to walk in there. She wipes a tear away from her eye. I don’t know, Michael. Allan is hungry, so we’re gonna stop and get something to eat.

Can we have McDonald's?

If that’s what everyone wants.

Everyone agrees. Lucas puts the van in gear and pulls out of the driveway.

The children all watch to see the old house disappear around the corner. Their excitement, of eating out, deadens the pain of moving to a new place. Allan is excited just to know he’s going to McDonald's. Marcie and Michael’s friends will always be in their iPods.

To Allan’s delight, they arrive at the restaurant. Everyone eats while the moving men are at the new house moving the heavy furniture out of the truck. When the kids are finished eating. Lucas stands up and gets some food, to take back to the movers. Everyone piles back into the van, for the twenty-minute trip to the new house. Allan falls asleep. Michael is chattering away with excitement. He’s all wound up from all the sugar he just ate. Marcie, as almost always, has her face buried in her iPhone. Lucas and Morgan smile at each other with nervous anticipation. The van pulls into the new neighborhood.

We’re almost there, Lucas says.

Good I have to use the bathroom. Michael interrupts his chatter.

Marcie glances up from her phone. Like, you always have to go the bathroom.

The van turns onto the new street. There are kids playing catch in the street, with a tennis ball. The children stop playing and stare at the strange van as they let it pass by. Lucas is driving slowly now. The kids laugh and follow the van up the street. Allan wakes up, and Marcie has now peeked up from her phone from the sound of the children’s laughter. Marcie stares at the children, and they stare back. Now, all the kids are investigating at each other through the windows of the van.

Where are we? Marcie asks. These are some strange kids around here! Now she appears to be a little concerned. Is this the same place we seen before?

We have arrived in Getzelman Estates. Isn’t it a beautiful place? And there are kids your age to play with. For all of you, it appears. Morgan is smiling and has turned around in her seat to face her children and to watch the pack of kids now jogging behind.

I know where we are. These kids are just not acting normal. Marcie looks back down at her phone.

Getzelman Estates

Nestled in the rolling hills of northern Boone County rests Getzelman Estates. Getzelman Estates is divided into twelve one acre properties with the old farmhouse on a 188-acre plot. Each plot has its own name. The name of the new Markson house is Oakford. The Oakford house sits in the back of the subdivision across from the Getzelman property, between Pinehurst and open farm fields. The house is a Victorian style with dark green siding and white trim. Morgan and Lucas have always wanted to live in a Victorian. A three-car garage with an attached basketball hoop stands behind the house unseen from the street. Fragrant, purple, lilac bushes grow in the front of the house next to the sprawling front porch. Along the back property line, is three giant oak trees. A small swing hangs from a massive low hanging branch. The fields beyond the trees produce corn and beans every other year, and beyond the fields, you can see for miles on a clear day.

Oakford is a perfect fit for a large family. There are three floors of the house to explore. All of the children will have their own room in this home too. The master bedroom is large and has its own luxurious bathroom. There is also an area for an office. Every bedroom has a large walk-in closet. The kitchen is large and boasts a large island topped with granite. Stainless steel appliances make the kitchen shine. A parlor greets guests, and there’s a living room for formal occasions. Ornate molding accents every room. There is a guest room for visitors to stay in when they come over to visit. In the hall at the top of the stairs is a pull-down ladder that leads to the attic. The attic is a very high and naturally lighted space. A doorway under the back staircase leads to a large basement. Except for the cobwebs, the otherwise empty shelves line the basement walls. An old freezer left behind by the past owners sits idly in the middle of the room. A new furnace and water heater are in a closet in the corner of the basement. The Markson kids will enjoy exploring their large new house.

The Miller family that lived in Oakford before have long since moved. The Millers lived there for almost twenty years. They had three children as well. Like all children though, they grew up and moved away. One child after another moved away about one every other year until the house became empty of children’s voices. Mr. and Mrs. Miller found the house was too big for just the two of them and more suited for a family with children. Whether it was the bad economy or Mr. Miller’s ill health, they moved in with their oldest son and his family in Arizona, back in 2009. Each child’s bedroom was never repainted or redecorated after they moved away, so they sat in an unchanged state. The Millers too had two boys and a girl like the new Markson family. Joanne, the Millers’ daughter, and the youngest child begged her parents, not to sell the house. She absolutely loves Oakford still to this day. She has been back a few times to visit, but the only familiar faces left around are those of Mr. Getzelman and his mother from across the street. All of the kids she grew up with and their parents have moved away also, but her feelings for the old house have not changed. This is the same for the other eleven lots in Getzelman Estates.

The only constant around here is the old run down Getzelman house, and it’s inhabitants. The neighborhood goes through periods of renewal about every twenty years. Children’s laughter fills the air. The streets become clogged with kids playing activities and their toys. Then slowly year by year the outside activity wanes. Until once again the cycle is complete, and the people have moved away, to be followed by new families with young and playful children.

Trees are a permanent part of each lot’s landscape. The trees have been around for almost seventy years. Mr. Getzelman as a child loved trees and he planted all the trees in the subdivision before the land was subdivided. G.E., unlike most other subdivisions, has a vast amount of beautiful, healthy, and mature trees. You cannot cut down any of the trees. That is one of the rules you have to live with when you choose to move to G.E. Next to Oakford, is Pinehurst, which is dotted with pine trees. Down the street is Elmway. Around the corner, is Maple Mast and so-on. When the houses are unoccupied Mr. Getzelman takes pleasure in taking care of the empty lots and trees in the neighborhood. The Ash trees on Ashton have been disease-free. The Ash trees in Getzelman Estates have not needed to be cut down due to illness like in other cities. Not one tree was cut down to make way for the new houses. The houses were carefully built into the landscape.

When Mr. Getzelman is not taking care of various properties, he’s taking care of his mother. At first glance, you would think she was his wife. Mrs. Getzelman is nearing her 100th birthday. She has been widowed since 1989. She spends most of her time now paying attention to the children gathering outside with their friends in the neighborhood. There are two children who live at Pine Hurst, Wallace, and Heather. Occasionally, you can observe her sitting there on the other side of the window, smiling while the action goes on outside. Most of the time though, you don’t see her at all. Relatives seldom visit the house, so there are rarely cars in the driveway. Mrs. Getzelman rarely ever socializes with any of the neighbors anymore. It’s not as if she doesn’t like people; it’s just too tiresome to leave the house. The last time she was out to talk to someone was back in ’87 when the Millers were planting the lilac bushes. To the children of G.E., she piques their interest, she is a mysterious person, and to others, she is quite scary.

Home

The whole Markson family has been to Oakford before. They all have been there a couple of times during the buying process. All three times before, it was a little later in the evening, and all of the neighborhood children were inside their homes. The realtor had mentioned to the children that there were many other children in the neighborhood to play with. It’s still a surprise to the Marksons to see the amount of all the children playing outside. They didn’t realize there were so many.

The van carrying the new family pulls into the driveway, and the curious neighborhood children stop following them at the sidewalk. The movers have already started clearing out the moving truck of the heavy furniture. Everyone gets out of the van. Marcie, Michael, and Allan turn to glare at the children staring back up at them from the sidewalk. Lucas goes to take the food to the movers. Morgan goes to the back of the van and lifts up the rear liftgate. She uncovers the microwave from underneath some boxes filled with dishes. Michael notices the audience, and he feels a little uncomfortable.

Wallace and Heather stare out the window of their house at Pinehurst to all the activity outside at the new next-door neighbors.

Marcie and her brothers go down to the end of the driveway to talk to their new neighbors.

Morgan turns and searches for help, but it’s not there, her children are talking to the other children. The kids laugh out loud as they chat. Morgan is happy to see the children socializing, but she is still a little annoyed. A little help here, please. Guys where are you? Hey!

Lucas is just about to make his way around the corner of the house. He turns back to look, and he points to himself. Are you talking to me?

Allan has heard his mom’s plea for help. He nudges Marcie’s side. Marcie, Mom needs your help.

Like, what about you. And you too Michael.

What? What did I do? Michael is confused.

Why do I always have to help? Let’s go, boys. We gotta go help Mom and Dad. Marcie turns her attention to the kids. OKAY, guys we are gonna go now and like help our p’s. We’ll see you later. Marcie turns and heads towards the van, followed by her brothers.

The other kids shout their goodbyes and scatter. They go back to their games down the street.

The Pine Hurst kids, Wallace, and Heather, finally come out of their house, too late though, to an empty sidewalk. They run over to the yard nearest the Marksons’ driveway.

Marcie and her brothers have boxes in their hands as they walk up to the back door. Marcie holds the door open for her brothers. The light from the setting sun shines through the front window, casting a shadow on the hardwood floor. The kids set their heavy boxes down on the kitchen counter. The movers are taking a break and while waiting to eat dinner. Lucas is setting up the microwave so they can heat up their food. Morgan comes in last with a box of more dishes.

Is there anything left to bring in? Allan asks.

Yes, there are three more boxes left, in the van, one for each of you. There is a whole bunch more in the moving van too.

When are we going to be done? Michael is already tired.

All three kids walk back out the door. Wallace and Heather are still standing outside, on their side of the property line. Marcie and her brothers grab another box from the van.

Wallace yells. Hey. What’s your name?

Like, who are you talking to? Michael puts down his box on the ground. He is eager for a break.

Marcie is now looking down.

Wallace appears to be her age, and she thinks he’s cute.

All of you. I should have like said. What are your names? Haha. This here is my little sister, Heather. Wallace pats her on the head. My name is Wallace."

Michael reaches up and tries to pat Marcie’s head. This is Marcie. I’m Michael. He grabs Allan. And this is like Allan. Haha.

Allan wants to put his box away and is very short with Wallace. I don’t want to talk right now. I have to put this heavy box down! You are annoying me. Allan turns around and continues to walk towards the door.

That was kinda rude. Wallace pulls Heather closer. As if, to protect her from Allan’s rudeness.

Don’t mind him. I always annoy him, Michael laughs.

Marcie smiles nervously at the pair and follows Allan.

Don’t mind her; she’s just acting shy ‘cause she thinks you're cute.

Shut up Michael! Marcie screams. Marcie’s walking pace towards the house is a little quicker now.

Heather smiles and asks, Do you think Allan will come back out to play?

Marcie follows Allan into the kitchen. They put down their boxes on the counter. The moving men are still eating their dinner at the kitchen island. Allan is amazed by how much food they are eating. The movers are thankful for the food. Soon, they will be fueled up again and ready to get back to work.

Morgan asks Allan. Did you get your wrestlers out of the van?

"No, Mom. I think they are still in there. I’m gonna go get them out.

Where’s Michael? Morgan asks.

He’s outside, talking to the neighbors, Marcie whines. He’s like embarrassing me already.

Talking to what neighbors? She asks.

He’s talking to Wallace and Heather, the kids that live next door.

Oh, okay, go tell him to bring that last box inside. I need to unpack it.

Like, do I have to? He is like so embarrassing, Mom. Marcie whines more as she walks back outside.

Michael is standing there with a box down on the ground next to his feet, talking to Wallace and Heather. Allan is there too. He’s talking with them too, now. Allan is showing them his action figures. Marcie comes around the corner, and all the talking stops.

Michael, Mom wants you to take that box inside now. So she can like unpack it.

Wallace smiles at the ground and then looks up at Marcie. Hey. You’re back. Your brother has a lot of nice things to say about you.

Lucas comes out from the house. Hey kids, time to come in we have a lot of belongings to unpack, and your mom and I need your help.

The movers follow Lucas out of the house, and they all go into the back of the truck. Out comes the massive oak furniture of the master bedroom. The movers have been working hard and fast at getting the moving truck cleared out. The rooms of Oakford quickly fill up with furniture and brown cardboard boxes. The children have been diligent in getting their rooms organized. After a few hours, the moving truck is empty, and all the furniture has been placed about the house. The movers are back in their truck, with payment in hand and on their way down the driveway.

Michael can hear the truck pull away outside, from his window. He is too busy though to look and watch it leave. Then he hears another truck drive up and it piques his interest. He walks over from his dresser and puts his face against the window, to take a peek. He strains to get a view; it’s the appliance truck. The truck is late, and it has the washer and dryer on it. Michael goes back to setting up his new room. He got his radio set up and turned on. Now his bedroom feels cozier with his favorite music playing in the background while he puts the rest of his belongings away.

Allan is in his bedroom; which is next to Michael’s. He had seen and heard the trucks too. He has been sitting and staring out the bedroom window. Allan can observe the children from the neighborhood running around the front yard of the Pine Hurst house. Allan witnesses Wallace, Heather and eight other kids running around, laughing and having a good time. He can’t tell what game they are playing. The neighbor kids run to the other side of the house, and the laughter is no longer heard; only silence. Allan waits and scans the view. He anticipates they will soon be running back to the front yard. He sees no one. The sun is just starting to go down behind the Getzelman house, and the street lights begin their muted buzz as they begrudgingly light up. A light goes on in the front window of the Getzelman house. Allan stares into the window of the mysterious house across the street. He can see there’s someone sitting there, in the window, watching the kids as well. Allan wonders who it could be. The other onlooker does not move from their seat. Allan wonders if the person is glaring at him also and gets a little creeped out. He ducks down quickly beneath the window frame, out of sight from anyone else’s view.

Marcie is giving her room a fresh coat of paint before she moves in all of her stuff. Ever since she was told the family was moving, Marcie has been just dying to try a different color in her room, than the one she had in the old house. She has picked a lite purple color to paint her bedroom walls. Her radio is on and connected to her iPhone, which supplies the music to keep her motivated. Her window is open to let in a small breeze of fresh air into her room. Now and then she can hear the laughter and scream of the kid playing outside, next door. Marcie tries not to let it distract her. She would like to be out there too. After all, it is a Saturday night. They sound like they are having a lot of fun. Marcie knows she has a lot of work to do though, and her boxes of belongings are stacked in the hallway. She can’t begin to move her stuff in until she gets another coat of paint down and it dries. She’s almost done with the first coat, and she is eager to find out what the other kids are playing outside.

Wallace and Heather play with their friends in their yard tonight. Everyone wants to be noticed by the new people next door. They are loud and obnoxious on purpose. They want Marcie, Michael, and Allan to come out and see what’s going on.

The game of Hide and Seek is the game of the night tonight. Sometimes the children play Capture the Flag when many of them are able to play outside, at once. Not everyone is out this evening, so the kids are playing Hide and Seek. They chase each other around while laughing and screaming with joy. There’s not a cell phone or mp3 player anywhere to be found, and the kids still have fun.

Lucas and Morgan are busy getting the kitchen and laundry room together. Morgan is washing and then putting away the dishes that were wrapped inside the newspaper. The appliance delivery guys are installing a new washer and dryer. The little bit of food brought over to the new house is back in the new refrigerator. Lucas is putting together the kitchen table in the middle of the kitchen floor. Morgan and Lucas discuss how lucky they were to get a good deal on a new house. Empty boxes are piled up next to the kitchen sink. A reminder of how much has been done already.

It does not take long for the delivery guys to get the washer and dryer installed. Morgan signs for the appliances and then the delivery men are out the