Israelcraft

Chapter 8 Things Go Smoothly for Johannes

Johannes sat in the cuddle corner of the Animal Shelter with Stubbytail in his arms and her head nestled into the crock of his elbow, blocking the light. He considered his options. Perhaps Dr. Cohen could help him. He would need a place to stay. He could sketch portraits with the folio sheets he had left, and with what he earned, buy materials to continue. Johannes was confident. He’d drawn dozens of portraits as an apprentice, and though he’d never sold his work, he was ready.
He couldn’t stay sitting here too long. Stonewall was probably already on his way here.
Volunteers were in conversation about the devastation the storm and flooding had unleashed. Ground floor apartments had been evacuated in low-lying areas and the electricity was out downtown. Laughter erupted as they poked fun at the generator Dr. Cohen had insisted be installed; which was in use for the first time. Apparently the installation of the generator had spawned umpteen witticisms. One and all were entirely amused. None of this made any sense to Johannes, but their enthusiasm was contagious. 
The generator was just one of Dr. Cohen’s ideas in action. He had been planning his version of a community center for some time, and was using the Animal Shelter as a springboard.
In everything cage in the Animal Shelter there was a furry pillow or stuffed animal of some kind. Some were white with black spots, others in various animal tones. A group of parents came once a week with their children to sew and stuff them. That project was such a success that they were already making more colorful versions for the guest rooms.
And the Committee for Joint Hospital Community Projects had requested that a stuffed animal go into the complimentary new mothers gift baskets; one stuffed animal per sibling.
AND the city welcoming committee had requested the same for the families of new residents.
AND ten volunteers were setting up a network for the donation of stuffing and materials.

The expansive back garden of the Animal Shelter overlooked the river, with a path leading down. A stone’s throw away from the river was a lean-to for ducks and geese. On the right of the garden was a covered structure with stalls for goats, sheep and a pony at one end, and a community room with tables and chairs at the other. Children had already started coming after school to care for the animals and prepare their homework.
Behind it was a row of single rooms that shared a community bathroom and shower located at the end of the row. These were the visitor’s accommodations.

From the cuddle corner Johannes had a view all around. One full wall of the office was a bulletin board with photos of animals and volunteers on it. He spotted a shelf in the back area with cages holding little creatures. A small black rabbit occupied one. He would need to get closer to see the others.
A woman walked into the Animal Shelter and sat down at the reception desk next to the cuddle corner. Dr. Cohen stepped into the office with some forms in one hand and the rabbit cage in the other. The woman filled out paperwork; he transferred the rabbit to her carrying cage, and accompanied her to the front door. When he returned Johannes asked him if he might have a word.
Dr. Cohen sat down next to him.
It was a short, congenial conversation.
The outcome was that Dr. Cohen had a volunteer, and Johannes had a room.
Dr. Cohen pointed out the kitchen where there were drinks and sandwiches for the volunteers, gave a key, and departed.

Johannes was ready to eat and what’s more, anxious to get out of sight, as the cuddle corner was directly in line with the front door. So he put Stubbytail back in the cage with the yellow ribbon and headed for the kitchen. It was sparkling clean. He took two sandwiches out of the refrigerator, poured himself a glass of milk, and sat down with a view of the front office through the open kitchen door. When Stonewall came to collect Stubbytail, he would follow them home.
As he was finishing his sandwiches, Stonewall walked into the Animal Shelter carrying a bulging plastic bag. His hoodie was no where to be seen, and the clothes he was wearing were much too big.
You may not remember, but Stonewall had almost drowned during the storm and flooding after the book signing, and ended up in the emergency room. The first thing they did when he got there, was to give him a dry set of clothes. He then waited, and was finally checked over and released with his wet belongings in a plastic bag. At the exit of the emergency room, he saw a poster with Stubbytail’s photo on it and details as to the whereabouts of the Animal Shelter, and he came straight away.

He didn’t notice Stubbytail when he first entered, though she was right there on the intake table. He went straight to the reception desk, introduced himself, filled out a form, and was asked if he had something to carry her home in. 
THIS is when Stonewall found out that Stubbytail was a she.
He took a moment to absorb the news, then replied that he didn’t have anything to carry her in, but that home wasn’t far away and he would manage. Stubbytail was awake by then and meowing to get Stonewall’s attention. The volunteer receptionist brought him over to the intake table, crooning melodically as she approached, for Stubbytail’s benefit. She removed the yellow ribbons, said goodbye to Stubbytail, and returned to her desk. Stonewall, opened the cage door, picked her up protectively, touched his nose to hers, and held her close. He had almost drowned, and thought he had lost her. Stubbytail was purring like a motorbike.
Johannes slipped on his backpack, took the bulging plastic bag in one hand, and Stubbytail in the other, and exited.

You may not remember, but Stonewall had almost drowned during the storm and flooding after the book signing, and ended up in the emergency room. The first thing they did when he got there, was to give him a dry set of clothes. He then waited, and was finally checked over and released with his wet belongings in a plastic bag. At the exit of the emergency room, he saw a poster with Stubbytail’s photo on it with details as to the whereabouts of the Animal Shelter, and he came straight away.

He didn’t notice Stubbytail when he first entered, though she was right there on the intake table. He went straight to the reception desk, introduced himself, filled out a form, and was asked if he had something to carry her home in. 
THIS is when Stonewall found out that Stubbytail was a she.
He took a moment to absorb the news, then replied that he didn’t have anything to carry her in, but that home wasn’t far away and he would manage. Stubbytail was awake by now and meowing to get Stonewall’s attention. The volunteer receptionist brought him over to the intake table, crooning melodically as she approached, for Stubbytail’s benefit. She removed the yellow ribbons, said goodbye to Stubbytail, and returned to her desk. Stonewall, opened the cage door, picked her up protectively, touched his nose to hers, and held her close. He had almost drowned, and thought he had lost her; so feeling emotional was no surprise. Stubbytail was purring like a motorbike.
Stonewall slipped on his backpack, took the bulging plastic bag in one hand, and Stubbytail in the other, and exited.

Johannes was watching all this from the kitchen. When he saw Stonewall leave, he snatched up his shoulder bag and followed. The outside air was invigorating. Johannes had food in his stomach, accomodations, and it was only a matter of time until he would have his sketchbook, all going well.
He hung back and did his best to blend into the background, paying attention to his whereabouts so he would be able to find his way back.

The walk wasn’t far. As they crossed over to a side street and approached a building, Stonewall put Stubbytail down, took out a key, and opened the door. Johannes committed the street name and number to memory.

When he got back to the Animal Shelter he took the side entrance which led to the guest accommodations in the back garden. He found his room and unlocked it. Johannes wasn’t spoiled. He’d had occasion to sleep in barns, and under the stars. He didn’t need much to manage.
The room was small and cozy and more than adequate. The bed was made, and on it, folded in a neat pile, were two white towels, and a bar of soap. Next to the bed was a small table with books between bookends, a bottle of water, and a package of four chocolate sandwich cookies in cellophane wrap. On the window sill, set up imaginatively, was a gaggle of small stuffed animals.

Johannes took a shower, went straight to bed, and slept soundly well into the next morning.

He was awakened to the quacking of squabbling coming from the direction of the lean-to. It was a glorious day. The sun was shining. He washed up and took the back entrance into the kitchen. He helped himself to some wrapped sandwiches from the pile on the plate in the refrigerator, and put them in his shoulder bag. He poured himself a glass of milk, drank it in one long gulp, and left by the back door, taking the path leading to the river.

Two lines of ducklings following their mothers were making their way from the lean-to to the river. Johannes watched the fluffy little creatures plopping into the water from a rocky overhang and swimming off with their miniature wings to be with the others.
The next moment, animated avian chatter filled the air, coming from below a mega tree in the river. A Wood duck swimming under it was urging her baby ducklings to take the leap from their nest inside the tree trunk. With a lot of encouragement, the first one took the plunge, splashed down, and paddled over to its mother. The others weren’t far behind. When they were all tidily arranged by their mother, they swam away in a huge arc, leaving aesthetic ripples in their wake. The cacophony faded as they disappeared round the riverbend. 

The river was expansive. Johannes gathered a handful of flat rocks. He had plenty of practice rock skipping. He aimed low and far. His best throw skipped fifteen times and sank half way across.
He turned left and took the trail. The sun filtered down through the trees above him. Light and shadow played on the ground around him. Beams of light mixed with mist and heat rising off the water created a shimmering in the air.
After a time he came to an open area and a swinging bridge. Geese were hanging around the shore near a bench where a toddler with his mother was eating a sandwich which was ending up as much on the ground as it was in his mouth.
Stone barbeques and picnic tables were scattered about. 
A makeshift sign at the bridge pointing to the other side of the river, announced a free city boat tour exploring the river, which was now at its highest point due to the flooding the previous evening.