STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Special Treat ??“ Sharon Bryant

June 7, 2005

I want to wish Sharon??™s husband Jody a very happy birthday from all of us at Storytime Tapestry, and now for Sharon??™s wonderful story.

Banjo,

Sharon Bryant

John was thirteen the summer his parents bought the old house out on Wolcott Road.  Being raised a city boy all his life, John wasn't sure how he would like living in the country.  He had been to the house two times when his parents were considering buying the property.  Being just thirteen and still just a kid, John really had no choice.  He hated the thought of leaving behind all his friends, his classmates and most of all, his best friend, Brian.  John's dad promised John that he could call Brian once a month.  That made John feel somewhat better.

It was a cold day in November when the moving vans made their last trip to the new house.  John was running around checking out all the spacious rooms, running outside to see the woods and surrounding areas.  He found an old tree that he was sure would make a wonderful club house.  He hoped he would make new friends soon.

"I think this room will be nice for you, John," said his mother.  John looked around.  "Yep," he thought, "this is a nice room."

There were two big windows, a big closet, and lots of room for his model cars and planes, his favorite hobby that he and his dad spent hours working on.  "I think it's going to be fun here," said John to himself.  John was an explorer at heart and he was anxious to begin exploring all around the fourteen acres of the property.

John's first day of school went well.  he liked his classes and he thought the teachers were pretty cool.  He also met a lot of new kids that first day and he was welcomed by many of the kids.  He even met a boy his own age that lived half a mile down the road from his own house.  Timmy was the new kids name, and before the day was over, Timmy invited John to his house for supper one day the following week.

John kept busy the first few days after he moved into his new home.  He had clothes to put up, models to hang, and he had a big closet to put his basketball, baseballs, puzzles and all his books.  John loved to read.  He wasn't much for television but would prefer to curl up on his bed with a good book.  He read just about anything but westerns were his favorite.  Just last Christmas his folks had purchased him a whole collection on Mike Splane and Butch Cassidy.  John carefully lined the books on his book shelf.

John did have one old favorite stuffed animal.  It was an old teddy bear and his mom told him it was his first Christmas gift the year he was born.  John loved that old bear.  He named him Banjo when he was old enough to talk.  Through the years, Banjo became ragged looking.  One of his brown eyes was missing and his plush fur was matted with age, but John didn't care.  Banjo had been

his friend for years. 

John used to pretend that Banjo could talk to him and when he was younger, John spent several hours daily talking to old Banjo.

Maybe that's why he couldn't bear to toss Banjo out when he moved into the new house.  Sometimes, no matter how old an old friend gets, you just can't bear to let go of them.  So, that's why Banjo got the position of best seat in the house, sitting on the top shelf of John's book shelf in his new room.

Two weeks to the day after he moved in the house, John was curled up on his bed reading one of the new books his mom had just got him.  It was about John Wayne, another one of John's favorite idols.  Boy, if only HE could be a REAL cowboy, ride a wild horse, chase down criminals, and live in the old days. 

John was engrossed in his new book, so engrossed that at first he didn't see what was going on.  Then out of the corner of his eye, John THOUGHT he saw something.  He thought Banjo moved his brown and white arm and waved to him.

"That's crazy," whispered John to himself.  He looked back to his book, and again, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a movement from the bookshelf.  Banjo was standing on the shelf, waving both arms wildly.  John jumped off the bed and ran to the book shelf.  He knew this was impossible.  After all, he was thirteen, not a little kid anymore and he knew stuffed animals could not moved unless they were battery operated.  Banjo was just a plain old stuffed animal, no batteries, so there was no way he could make any kind of movement.....and yet.........

When John walked up to the book shelf staring at Banjo, he was standing inches from his lifelong friend, Banjo grinned and said, "Hi John."  John jumped back, shocked beyond belief.  "Say something John, don't stand there like you can't hear me," said Banjo.

John stuttered for a moment as he said, "Hooooow caaan yoooou talk?"  "Easy, John," said Banjo.  "I can do a lot of things."

"Yeah, like what?" asked John.  "Well, I can dance, sing, tell secrets, just like you," said Banjo.  "But HOW can you do those things, you're just a stuffed animal," replied John.  "You have lived with me all my life and you never did anything before."

"That was in the old house, John.  This house has magic in it, can't you feel it John?" said Banjo.

"This is crazy," John said, "Stuffed animals do NOT talk, someone is playing a trick on me."

"Oh is that right," said Banjo.  "Ok, go on, ask me some questions, something no one else knows but you."

"Ok," replied John.  "What did me and Brian do last summer that our parents never found out?"

"You caught the backyard on fire over at Mrs. Keller's house and the kids down the street got the blame for it," Banjo said, staring John in the eye.

"How could you know that?" asked John.  "I saw you.  I saw you light the matches and I saw you when the grass caught on fire."

"What if I bring my new friend, Timmy, over, will you talk with him in the room" asked John.

"Oh no, John, only you and I can share this secret," said Banjo.  "But what good is it if only I know you can talk and move," asked John.

"There's more to it than just talking.  I can do things for you, but you have to make a promise to never, NEVER tell anyone that I can talk."  "Well, what if I promise then I don't keep the promise," asked John.  "What will happen?"

"No one would believe you John, you should know that, and whatever you do, I will always know," replied Banjo.  "I can make things happen." said Banjo.

"What kind of things?" asked John.  "Well, you always wanted to be a cowboy, didn't you?  I can make that happen." Banjo replied.  "That's impossible," John stated.  "You thought me talking was impossible too, didn't you?" asked Banjo.  "Just always keep our secret, never tell anyone, and life will be magic for you from now on." replied Banjo.

Life was never the same for John after that day.  He became obsessed with his room.  His parents noticed how he rarely sat down in the living room with them anymore.  He'd run to his room the minute he got home from school and spent hours there talking to Banjo.  They would discuss how John's day went at school, and Banjo told him one day he wanted to go to school with him.  John told him NO, that was impossible.  Banjo replied, "With me, John, like I told you, nothing is impossible.  It's you and me forever."

John ran home from school one day and was not in a good mood.  Banjo asked him what was wrong and John told him he missed his old friend back home, Brian.  "I wish I could call Brian today, but it's not the week dad lets me," said John.  "Go on, call him anyway," said Banjo.  "I can't, dad will get mad.  It costs too much to call long distance," John replied.

"Call him anyway, the call won't show up on the phone bill." replied Banjo.  "How's that?" asked John.

"Magic John.  I told you this house is magic.  When the phone bill comes in, the phone call will not be there, go on, call Brian."

From that day on, John called Brian all the time, and just like Banjo said, the calls never showed up on the phone Bill.  Brian even questioned John one day how he could call so often and John told him he was given a big allowance weekly.

Timmy, the new friend began making visits to John's house often.  Every time Timmy was over, John watched Banjo, watching for any kind of movement from him, the blink of the one old eye, a slight movement in an arm or a leg, but Banjo never moved.  John was nervous when Timmy came over, always wondering if Banjo was going to do something.  Secretly, he wanted so much to tell Timmy about Banjo, and one time, he nearly did.  He took one glance at Banjo and saw that one narrowed staring at him and he changed his mind.

One day Timmy was in the room looking at all the models and things on John's book shelf.  Timmy reached over to pick Banjo up.  John nearly screamed at him when he yelled, "Don't touch that bear!"  "Sorry," replied Timmy.  "Must be a special bear, huh?" asked Timmy.  "Yeah, I've had it a long time and he's getting old.  I'm just afraid if he's handled too much, his stuffing will fall out or his fur will loosen up more." said John.

"I used to have an old bear but my mom threw it out a couple years ago," said Timmy.  "I'd NEVER throw old Banjo out." said John.  "I'm going to keep him all my life," replied John.  "All your life?  That's crazy.  What about when you grow up and go to college or get married?  What will you do with him then?" asked Timmy.  "I'm taking him with me.  Where I go, Banjo goes," stated John.  Timmy looked at his new friend and thought him a little odd at that moment, but what the heck. It was his bear and if he thought he wanted to keep him forever, that was up to him.

Through the years, John kept talking to Banjo, having the time of his life.  Banjo liked to talk about school, books, anything John wanted to talk about.  And then something happened the year John was seventeen.  John met a girl at school named Patti.  She was cute, petite, funny, and John had a big crush on her.  So did a lot of guys at school.  John asked her out the second week she started school and Patti accepted.  John was excited when he came home from school that day and told Banjo about Patti.

Banjo, however, stood on the book shelf, waving his arms, very upset.  "What about me John?  What about me?  You're going to be spending time with this girl and you're going to forget about me." Banjo said.

"That's not true Banjo and you know it," John told him.  "I'll always have time for you."

But John couldn't keep his promise to Banjo.  He was never home much anymore until late.  Patti and he were seeing each other just about daily.  John loved the way she ice skated and taught him how to do a figure eight.  He loved how her long hair flew in the wind as she whirled around, smiling at him.  They went to movies, dances, and John's life was wonderful.

Banjo didn't like that.  He wanted John to talk to him more, spend more time with him.  He wanted Patti out of the picture so he could have his old John back the way it used to be.

One night John was getting ready for a date with Patti.  Banjo sat on the shelf watching.  "How come you never stay home anymore, John?" he asked.  "Oh, Banjo, you know you're my best friend and always will be.  But Patti is a human, a great girl and she and I do a lot of things that you can't do.  And we have so much fun together."

"I can do anything she can do and much more John.  Don't tell me there's nothing I can do," said Banjo.

"Well, we're going to a dance tonight, how could you go?" asked John.

"You could take me along, let me ride in the car take me into the gym with you." Banjo said as he stared at John.

"Oh sure, and half the school would think I'd lost my mind if I took my old stuffed animal with me Banjo.  I can't do that.  They'd laugh at me and Patti." John said as he looked back at his old buddy.

"If you don't take me with you tonight John, I promise you, I'll be there." Banjo told him.  "How, how are you going to get there?" asked John.  "Just leave me here alone and you'll see," said Banjo.

It was getting late and John had to leave.  His dad was letting him borrow the car tonight.  He wanted the night to be perfect.  He had bought Patti a corsage to wear.  John was a happy teenager as he pulled out of his yard and drove to Patti's house.  He stepped inside a minute to say hi to her folks.  Patti's folks liked John.  Patti's mom hoped that one day the two of them would one day marry and have the grandchildren she always dreamed about.

John opened the door of the car to let Patti in. There sat Banjo on the front seat.  John stared.  Banjo glared at him with his one eye then winked at him.  Patti didn't see it.  But it was that moment John realized Banjo COULD do anything he said he could.

Patti took one look at the old ragged bear and said, "John, what's this?  One of your old toys?  He looks like he's a hundred years old or more."  John's stomach churned.  Even though it upset him that Banjo had somehow got into the car, he didn't like the remark Patti made about his old friend.

"Oh, I was cleaning out my room and was going to give it to the kid down the street," he told Patti.

"You should give it to the trash man," Patti said.

Banjo listened.  He did not like this girl.  He knew for sure now that she had to get out of John's life.  He wanted his old John back.  He wanted things the way it used to be when it was just he and John alone, talking, laughing, having fun.  This girl had to go.

John glanced at Banjo when Patti made the remark.  For the life of him, he didn't know what came over him but a thought popped into his head, maybe Patti was right.  He knew he couldn't have a stuffed bear rule his life.  "Maybe you're right," he told Patti, "Maybe it's time for me to get rid of the bear.  That's what I'll do tonight," he said.

John went inside with Patti to the dance but he was not himself.  His mind kept drifting to the old bear which he left on the seat of the car.  Patti noticed John's attitude was different.  The night was not as fun as both of them expected it to be.  When they returned to the car, Patti saw Banjo sitting on the front seat where they had left him.  Before John could blink an eye, she picked Banjo up for a moment as John drove, and she tossed Banjo out the window on the road.  John nearly died of shock when she did that.  Even though he said he may get rid of Banjo, in is heart, he knew it would be hard to do.

"That bear is weird, John, or else you're weird.  I'm sorry but I don't feel comfortable riding with you with a stuffed bear sitting between us." she said.

John was choking back emotions when he said, "Forget it, he's gone." 

John dropped Patti off at her house then headed for his home.  His folks were already in bed when he let himself in through the front door.  He bounded up the stairs to his room, opened his door, and there stood Banjo in the middle of John's bed, his one eye glaring, his mouth open, his arms and legs flying in anger.  "YOU, John, how could you let that girl throw me out the window?  Take me to the dump, eh, John?  No way, old buddy, you and I are for keeps.  You can't get rid of me.  I won't let you!"

John stared at Banjo.  He had no idea how the bear got in the house, what means of transportation he used.  It was beyond that now.  A million questions filled John's head.

"What is this Banjo?  Why are you so sore at me?  I can't live my whole life just for you.  I need humans, people, real living things in my life.  I can't let you dictate to me, choose my lifestyle and rule my whole life."

"You can't get rid of me John.  I'm never going to let you go.  I told you long ago I'm magic.  You can't kill me.  I won't die.  And if you EVER try and get rid of me again, you watch and see what happens John.  I promise you, you'll be sorry." replied Banjo.

John was sick to his stomach.  He was torn inside.  At that moment, he wanted to cut Banjo's head off, chop it up into a hundred pieces, set fire to his furry body and watch until it was a pile of ashes.  But something told him, something deep down inside told him Banjo would never cease to exist.

"What was it Banjo, was it just the house?" asked John.  "Is that how you came to life?  Or was it always there, and you waited until a certain time in my life to show me what you were capable of?  Tell me, Banjo, what, why, and how do I go on and have a normal life?" asked John.

"You can't John.  I want you all to myself, just like in the old days.  The days when you and I were the only ones.  When you used to play with me, talk to me and we laughed and had so much fun.  The days before Brian and Timmy and Patti.  I hate Patti.  She's trying to steal you from me.  She wants you all to herself.  She wants me out of your life.  I can't allow that to happen.  And if you try it one more time, John, I swear to you, I'll harm her."

"You are insane." replied John.  You're sick with jealousy.  I can have Patti and you can't stop that.  What do you think I'm supposed to do, go through my whole life never dating, never marrying, never doing anything but sitting with you every day.

Just because you think someone is going to take me away from you?  What do you want me to do with my life?  Stay at home forever?  Sit here in this room talking to you?  Is that what you really want Banjo?  I'd not be happy and you should know that by now.  You want me unhappy, don't you? asked John.

"No, John, I never want you unhappy, but I know you were happy for many years with just me.  And now.....you have no time for me." Banjo said.  John hung his head down.  He put his head in his hands and sat on the bed, torn, his heart bleeding inside.

To be continued..............

Sharon Bryant

1946 @bellsouth.net

About Me:

 I am Sharon Bryant, 59 years old and reside in Alabama.

I lost my child in 1977 when he was five and I write
articles on bereavement often.

I am a chocolate/candy maker and also a wood crafter and knitter.

I am married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children, a daughter 25,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 22.

My main goal in life is to help those who
have lost a child. My website is: www.angelsremembered.tk