Who’s Here?

•May 28, 2025•

by Janet Roney

First, it was one dog; then two; then three more. Soon, every dog in town was barking. I guess hikers don’t often walk through Allenville. 

We were a curious sight as our family trudged along the old Charleston Road on our hike to Mat-toon. Our backpacks, topped with sleeping bags and a tent, towered over our heads; canteens clat-tered at the kids’ sides; and a stuffed animal peered out of a pocket in Cynthia’s pack. 

A dozen men and boys were milling about or leaning on a car in a yard ahead of us. More were draped over the fenders, peering under the hood. All held an open beverage can except for the man who was actually working on the engine with a wrench. When we got even with them, they spotted us. Their banter and laughter stopped.

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