Chapter One: Mr. Turtle's Blues 11/23/06

Every story has a beginning. Indeed, most good stories start off with something quite exciting, but not mine. On the contrary, my story seems to start off with a rather low point. You see I was already seven years old, no longer the young and wild amphibian of my youth, when I realized that, for the most part, I had become the forgotten family pet.

Oh, it bothered me that the boy rarely ever came around anymore. He had so loved me in the earlier days. He held me and talked to me and even brought me to his school classroom one time. It was marvelous to be loved so much! I waited each day for him to come home from school. He would hold my food in his fingers and wait for me to swim up and take it right from his hands. He delighted in feeding me.

The boy would ask his mom to come and see how I would eat from his hands. In the beginning, when his mom tried to feed me, I would just swim away and the boy would say to me, 'Don't be a rude little turtle, where are your manners? Show mom how nice you can be.'�

Soon after that, I would eat from her hands and anyone else's hands, just to see how happy it made the boy. Those were wonderful days.

But the boy grew older and over the years, I saw less and less of him. In fact, his mom was the only one who fed me in the last days and I did appreciate her and the little talks we would have. One day while she was changing the water in my tank she said to me,
'How are you doing today turtle? I know you miss my son. I miss him too. He's just growing up so fast now. Today, he's going to take his driving license test. We won't be seeing much of him after he's driving. I'm afraid there's just no time in his life for you anymore. But I remember how much he wanted you when he was little. You were his favorite! Wouldn't it be nice if another little boy could have you? Yes, I'm sure there is a boy somewhere out there who would love to have you for a pet.'�

When she placed me back into my clean tank, I kept my eyes on her for a long while. I liked the sound of that'� a new boy to play with and to love, who would love me too! It was a nice thought. She went around the corner, and as she closed the front door, I could hear her say, 'You just never know what might happen.'�

The house was quiet once again. Somehow, I just didn't think anything like that would happen. So many long and dull days had passed by so far. I thought to myself, 'It's been a good life and now here I'll sit as the days go by'�growing older and watching the seasons change from this window, where I've spent the last seven years of my life. Goodbye boy, goodbye show and tell, goodbye.'�


Chapter Two: 24 Bradley Road'�Here I come! 01/17/07

Later that same day I was basking in the sun at my window when the Missus came in making quite a commotion. She was moving fast and breathing with excitement. Suddenly, her whole face loomed above me as she plunged a deep bowl down into my tank. Then the bowl pulled out of the water, taking a rather large amount of my tank water with it. As the Missus disappeared out of sight, I realized she was just cleaning my little habitat for me and I liked that. I do not enjoy swimming in a filthy tank; it's quite humiliating in fact. The Missus appeared again, this time saying in a sing-song voice,
'I found a little boy for you and you are going to be loved again! It is amazing, actually. There we were at the DMV, Bobby was next in line to take his drivers license test and the cutest little boy was standing there with a soft toy sea turtle in his arms. He was there with his mother and his uncle, who was also there to take the driving test, and I asked him,
'Do you like turtles?' The boy smiled and said he loved turtles. I knew that was my chance to see if he would like to have you for his own. Bobby was right there with me and he knew what I was thinking, so he said to me,
'Go ahead and ask him, Ma.' I looked at the boy's mother and I kneeled down a little so I could talk to the boy face-to-face. I said to him,
'This is my son, Bobby. He used to be little like you and he loved turtles. We have a beautiful turtle at home, but Bobby is big now and he doesn't have time for the turtle. We are looking for a boy that could love the turtle and take care of him so he doesn't get lonely. Would you like to have our turtle?' The boy's eyes grew big with delight and he turned to his mother and asked,
'Can I have him, Mom?' His mother seemed to be just as excited as the boy and she nodded in reply, saying, 'Yes, yes!'
'So today is a big day for you, turtle. I'm taking you to your new home: 24 Bradley Road, Braintree, Massachusetts. The boy's name is Richard and he's 4 years old.'�

I remember a lot of sloshing and splashing as I was carried out of my home, away from my window, down the front steps and into the backseat of the car. My heart was pounding inside my shell as this was the most exciting time I had had in many years. I was outside and I could taste and smell the fresh air all around me! A new spring leaf blew down from the trees and landed in my tank. Feeling adventurous, I took a nibble of it and it tasted a bitter-tangy flavor. I spit it out, though I was still thrilled. I had never tasted a leaf before. Bobby fastened some sort of belt around my tank, peeked his head down, lowered his hand and with his finger, stroked the underside of my neck, ahhh'�how I missed that.

There was a moment of silence between us as we looked at each other, eye-to-eye, and I had the strangest feeling that after this, I would never see my friend Bobby again.
'We had seven great years and now you'll have at least seven more. Trust me, this is the best thing I could do for you now.'�
And with that, Bobby was gone. I dipped into the water and looked out from the tank. My world was changing and I that was okay. When I floated to the top of the water and popped my head up again, I felt as if I were going backwards. I looked up to see Bobby's mother looking behind her and as the car drove on to what would be for me the start of a new life, I heard her say, 'Here we go'�this is going to be a little bumpy for you, so hang in there.'� I braced myself as best as I could and enjoyed all the colors and sounds flashing by me. What ever would happen next? I could only wonder.

Chapter Three: Today, I am Cannonball 3/3/07

The car slowly rolled into a driveway and came to a stop. Doors opened and closed and I found myself and my tank in the arms of Bobby's mom, being carried up some stairs and then I heard a 'knock, knock, knock'- thudding on a door.
As we waited for someone to open the door, I took a moment to think about how I was feeling. It felt sort of strange to be in my tank without any water and I really didn't know what to do with myself. So I stretched my neck out as far as it would go so that I could better look at what was going on around me. There was one thing I knew for sure, everything was suddenly knew to me, and I liked that. I couldn't wait to meet my new boy! If he was anything like Bobby used to be, he would love me and play with me and talk to me and we would spend hours together.
'You ready, turtle? This is it!'� The Missus was looking down into my tank with a big smile on her face. The door opened and we walked into the house.
'Look at that, Buddy, your new turtle. He looks a lot like the one I had when I was a boy. My turtle lived a long time and he got pretty big too. Just a little bigger than this one. Come on and see him.'�
The man talking was called, 'Uncle Gary.' I like him, he made me feel calm and relaxed. He seemed to know a lot about turtles like me. I am a water turtle, some people call us sun turtles, but to be precise, I am a Painter Turtle. I have black and yellow stripes on my neck and even a stripe in my eyes. I also have light yellow spots or circles on the underside of my shell and my colors are brown and different shades of yellow and cream. I've always thought myself to be handsome, you know, exceptional looking- for an amphibian, that is. Of course it has a lot to do with the lifestyle. I must say, I've had a safe and sheltered life so far, and as you know, it had become quite depressing as of late. But- all of that is changing now! In fact, I would go as far to say that I am ready for some adventure, yes, a walk on the wild side. At this moment, I raised my shell up on my legs as high as they would take me, thrust my handsome neck out and slowly looked up into the wild sky above. 'Hear me roar!'� I thought to myself.
'Wow! He's big! Can I hold him?'� Out from nowhere two greedy hands swooped into my tank and lunged towards me!
'AHHH!'� was all I could think. I retreated as far into my shell as I could go, four legs, feet and head. Who was this mad man-child?
'Be careful, Buddy. He probably hasn't been held like that for a while. You got to let him get used to you. This is a big change for him.'� Now that voice was my hero- Uncle Gary! Oh thank you, thank you, I thought to myself. I will need to adjust.
'That is right, Richard. Turtle has not had anyone to play with him in several years. Just take it nice and slow and he will warm up to you.'�
That was Bobby's mother talking. The boy, Richard, brought me up as close to his face as he could. He was trying to see me inside my shell. As he held me up, I got a good look at him: Big brown eyes and short brown curly hair. His skin was brown too, much lighter than mine, but not pale like Bobby and him mom. He was curious and cute. His big eyes squinted as he shut one and tried to see me, as if looking through a telescope.
'Does he have a name?'� the boy asked Bobby's mom.
'We just called him Turtle all this time. You give him a special name, Richard. He belongs to you now. I am gonna get going on my way now.'� The Missus leaned forward to me and Richard and spoke sweetly.
'You have a new home now, turtle and a new boy to love you.'� She reached out her hand and with her index finger, gently rubbed the underside of my shell. I knew this meant she wanted to rub under my neck and I loved that. I slowly poked my nose out and then the rest of my head until I was all the way stretched out.
'WOWWW!'� I heard Richard whisper in amazement. This was the first time I had come out of my shell since he picked me up. Bobby's mother stroked my neck and spoke just to the boy.
'He likes to be rubbed like this. I know you will take good care of him. Goodbye.'� And with that she was gone.

I was ready to go bolting back into my shell when I heard the gentlest voice whisper to me, 'You don't have to be afraid, turtle. I won't hurt you, I promise. I'm going to take care of you and love you and you are going to be mine.'� I swallowed and exhaled and I let the boy rub my neck. I believed him. He would love me and take care of me. My heart swelled with emotions. Oh, how great it was to know I would be loved again!
'That's it, Buddy, nice and slow. He's warming up to you already. He's a good looking turtle, too. You're really lucky. People pay a lot of money for turtles like that. But my turtle was a gift too. Your mom caught him for me one summer day. I was about your age, five years old, it was right before the divorce. I was already living with my dad. Your mom stayed with grandma. I really missed your mom. Then when she caught that turtle for me, it was really special. From then on, I always had something that reminded me of my sister.'� Uncle Gary was rubbing my neck too at this time, I didn't mind a bit. Then the boy said,
'Your parents got divorced too, Uncle Gary? Just like mine. And you got a turtle and so do I.'� Uncle Gary didn't say anything and we all just stayed quiet for a moment. But it was nice kind of quiet, a quiet filled with peace and affection. Then Richard exclaimed, 'I got to give him a name! I wonder what it will be?'�
'First, we have to fill his tank back up with water and let his swim around. Then, I'm sure he will do something that will help you figure out what to name him.'�

I felt myself being lowered back into my tank and then carried into a kitchen, near the sink. Water began pouring into my tank and I welcomed the cool and refreshing waterfalls. I was so happy! As the water grew higher and higher, I swam faster and faster. I felt like the turtle of my youth- full of energy and ready to jump and splash, plunge and swim.
Uncle Gary plugged in my filter and set up my loft; I was feeling more and more at home by the minute! The familiar humming sound of the filter was like music to my ears. Finally, my tank was filled. I swam up to my loft, it's like a log; I like to sun myself up there and then jump onto the water to cool off. There I was on my platform and Uncle Gary and Richard were watching me the whole time. Oh, to be loved again! I walked to the edge and took a deep breath. With a lift off, I jumped into the water.
'WOW!!! Uncle Gary did you see that? Turtle just dived into the water, like a Cannonball! Like in the summer time when we are at the pool.'� Richard was blown away by my abilities and inside my heart I beamed with pride.
'That's his name.'� Richard declared.
'What is?'� Uncle Gary asked.
'Cannonball. That's his name, because he does a cannonball off his platform and into the water.'� Richard leaned his head over and spoke just to me.
'That was amazing, Cannonball. You're so cool.'� He turned to Uncle Gary and said,
'I can't wait to show Mom. I love you Uncle Gary.'�
'She will be really excited. I love you too, Buddy.'�

And so my new boy, Richard, gave me a new name, a real name. Cannonball. Hmm, I liked the sound of that. It was bold and adventurous. I wondered if I was really as adventurous as all that.
Richard and Uncle Gary left me in the kitchen and as I rested in the contentment of the moment I thought about the adventure I had already had today. I had learned so much in just one day: I used to have a great family and in my memories and moments with them, they will always remain a part of me. That family loved me enough to give me a new family. My new family is wonderful. Richard is a sweet boy and I know he and I will share many wonderful moments together. Uncle Gary is kind and calm and he used to have a turtle too. Whatever 'divorce' is, it seems to be a bad thing, a sad thing, that breaks families apart and both Uncle Gary and Richard have shared this same experience. In such experiences, turtles seemed to have brought some joy and happiness. That's me! So I bring Richard the same thing he brings me; happiness and love. Wow, life is quite interesting. I know I am a special sort of turtle, not every turtle gets to have what I have- a chance to be a part of a great adventure, a journey of a lifetime. I get to be in and out of human lives and experience love and matters of the heart, because I have a heart that longs to be loved. Today, I am Cannonball of 24 Bradley Rd, Braintree, Massachusetts and I am loved by a boy named Richard.

Chapter Four: The Adventure Continues: From Braintree to Quincy

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