CHAPTER FOUR
Forest Glade

“Bagels caught dinner?” says Dad.

Mom wants to know what kind of fish it is.

“It has fins and scales,” Dad says, “and it’s fresh. That’s good enough for me.”

I look around the cabin. It doesn’t smell like a forest glade. It smells funky. Also, I was right. There are holes in the roof.

Lucky for us, the forecast says sunshine for the next three days.

“Josh, you and Becky will share a room,” says Mom.

“Bunk beds!” Becky shrieks from our room.

She wants the top bunk. Fine with me.

While Becky unpacks, I head for the kitchen.

Mom and Dad are there. So is Bagels. He’s racing around the kitchen.

Dad’s brewing coffee. “Josh,” he says, “please feed Bagels.”

I find a can of Meaty Delight and put some in Bagels’s bowl. Bagels stops racing and starts eating. By the time I’ve helped Mom put away the groceries, Bagels has licked the bowl all around the kitchen.

“When you’ve unpacked, you kids can take Bagels for a walk in the forest,” says Mom. “Only don’t go too far.”

She looks around the kitchen. Then she opens the window. “What we need in here,” she says, “is some fresh air.”

I’m not sure Mom’s ready to be a pioneer. Dad hands her a coffee.

“Don’t forget to take your mom’s cell phone,” he says.

I go to my room and unpack my suitcase.

I leave the duffel bag in a corner.

“Be prepared,” I say to myself. I grab Mom’s cell phone.