No Bear Left Behind

The name is Sir Arthur the Wise Bear. Yes I know it’s a mouthful but my kid Jenny named me when she was like five. So I can’t really hold it against her. And she never changed it so I am Sir Arthur the Wise Bear. And I have been watching Jenny pack up my home.

So when she left to hang out with some friends, I carefully snuck around the house and no other room was being packed up. So what is Jenny up to? Why is she packing up? I look around the room. What clues can I find?

I’m not so young anymore, so I have to get creative to get up on the desk, which is the only space not fully packed. So if I am going to find answers, they would likely be there. The boxes might work but the first box was just a touch too high. So getting creative is a necessity. Jenny’s roller skates are still in her closet, so I do what every clever bear would do. I build up speed with the roller skates and leap up to the box.

Flomp! I land hard. I sit and lean against the next box I need to climb. How did I do this when I was younger? Maybe there was something to that “child play theory" that the old doll had, whom Jenny had inherited from her mom.

I slowly make my way up to the top of the desk. Then I notice it - her laptop is open to a packing list. The summer is over already? How soon is she leaving? Am I going with her? Should I just jump into a box so I could make sure I go with her?

I almost do - but then I stop. What if she doesn’t want me? Maybe you didn’t bring a stuffed animal with you to college. I am in the middle of this debate when the door opens. I drop to the desk. Unfortunately, I don’t calculate where I am on the desk and I fall to the ground. Boy, am I ever grateful for my stuffing.

“Oh dear, that girl.” Her mother laughs, looking at the state of chaos that is Jenny’s room.

I’m not sure what’s happening, but the desk is moving and I am shoved awkwardly under the bed. I can’t really move. And of course, Jenny’s mom doesn’t notice.

I hear her leave, and try to move. I can’t. I know there is no point in calling out for help - I’m the only toy left in the room. I can only hope that Jenny will notice I’m missing from my normal spot, or in the worst case someone will see me when they go to change the sheets.

Jenny doesn’t notice I am missing that night or the next morning. However, somebody moves the bed just enough that I can crawl away from the bedpost. But still no one sees me.

Then a throw pillow lands on me - somehow it falls off the bed. It feels heavy, heavier than it should be. It’s like all the weight of being left behind is literally on top of me. How can I stay here while my kid goes away to college? I am supposed to protect her.

Then I hear it. “Mom! Where is Sir Arthur?” It’s muffled, but she is looking for me!

“The Wise Bear?” Her mom hollers back. “I don’t know, Sweetheart! But if you can’t find him before tomorrow morning, I’ll personally take your room apart looking for him. And have him ready to go to college before you’re here for Thanksgiving!”

I have to get out of here and into a box tonight! I listen to Jenny look everywhere in the room except behind her bed. Maybe she just couldn’t see me trapped under the pillow. She sighs and gives up. The light goes off and I hear her fall asleep.

Through what I figure has to be love for my kid, I push the pillow off of myself and roll away before it lands back on me. I roll through several fields of dust bunnies, then dust myself off and look at the boxes. Not one of them is open. What can I do? I could just appear on the floor in the morning.

But wouldn’t she be filled with the magic of childhood again if I just appeared in her dorm room? The door is slightly ajar. I carefully sneak out and notice an open box at the bottom of the stairs. I recognize a few things that normally sit on the desk… It would likely be the last one she’d open.

I topple down a few stairs and stop slightly above the open box and jump. Flamp! That landing wasn’t great but I am in the box. I wiggle around and get as comfortable as I can and wait.

The next morning, I could hear the trunk of the car open and shut - I am in! I can’t help but be reminded of all the times I sat beside Jenny in the car watching the world go by. Maybe I should have let her find me on the floor. Maybe then I could have done that again. But that’s doubtful. So I just enjoy the hum of the car.

Soon the box is moving and there are so many voices. We’ve arrived! I hear Jenny introduce herself to another girl and listen while they chat and unpack. I also hear her parents say something about going to the hotel and that they will be back later. The girls talk a bit longer, then her roommate says something like that she’d be back in a bit too.

“Finally some peace and quiet.” I hear her let out a heavy sigh and the bed creaks. After a beat - “Well what’s in this box again?” Light fills the box. “Sir Arthur! How? What?” She hugs me close. I’ve missed this. “I’m so glad you're here,” she whispers and plops me on a spot on the bed. “Let's get this done!”

I’m sure if she is talking to me or not, but I am happy to watch. By the time her parents return, she has everything set up. “Hey, looks good, kiddo!” Her dad beams with pride.

“Oh! Sweetheart, you didn’t tell me you found Sir Arthur this morning. Here I was, thinking I was gonna have to take your room apart.” Her mother picks me up.

“Eh! If it isn't Mr. Wise Guy!” Her father laughs.

“I really don't remember packing him… Especially not with my desk stuff.” Jenny takes me from her mom and sets me on the bed.

“Maybe he knew you’d need him,” her mother suggests as the family leaves the room.

I will always find a way to get to her if she needs me. After all, what else are Teddy Bears for?