Author's note: In my storylines, St. Canard and Duckburg are located in Maine, in the southen part of the state. This is mainly because Maine is the state I am most familiar with.

It was early morning. Reginald Bushroot opened his eyes, not that it mattered. He had gotten very little sleep. He reached over and checked the watch Eric had given him. Despite his feelings, he smiled a bit. Eric's love of timepieces mirrored his own fascination with plants. Bushroot had little use for telling the time, but Eric had thought it would come in handy, since he had nothing else. Unfortunately, his wrist was too slim for the watch, but no matter.

It was almost 8 a.m. Reginald had done a lot of thinking. But now he knew what to do.

He got up and went to the greenhouse door. Spike started to follow him, but Reggie made a gesture for him to stay. "Stay here." he said. "I'll be back soon." Reluctantly, Spike obeyed and lay down to catch some more sleep.

Eric was awakened slowly by the doorbell. He grunted in annoyance and rolled out of bed. Who could it be at this hour? It was only 8:30. He threw on a robe and went to the door.

There stood Reginald, in disguise. Eric was surprised, to say the least. Reggie usually slept later than this. "Hi." said Bushroot. "I'm sorry...I know it's early."

"Come in." said Eric, opening the door wide. "What's going on?"

Bushroot had hardly stepped into the front hall when he looked at Eric. "I have to leave."

Eric was baffled. "Leave? Where?"

"I have to go...home. To my old home."

"Why?"

"Could I sit down? I'm kind of tired. I didn't sleep well."

"Sure." They went into the living room. Eric sat in his usual armchair, Bushroot on the couch, having removed his hat and coat.

"Now..." said Eric. "What's wrong?"

Bushroot began. He told Eric about finding his old wallet, and how the things in it seemingly belonged to a stranger. He explained how he wanted to find something to keep to remember himself as a baby, a child, and a young man.

"My parents lived in the same house all this time." said Reggie. "My father lived there until his heart trouble. He's in a senior's home now, but the house is still his. Everything is still in it."

Eric understood what Reginald intended. "Your old things...old pictures...you think they're there? You want to get them...right?"

Bushroot smiled. "Right. I just want to have something to remind me of my old self."

"What did your father say?"

"I phoned him a little while ago. It's all set. He'll give me the keys."

A thought entered Eric's head. "Reg...how are you going to get to Newport? It's almost 200 miles away."

Bushroot's expression turned sober. "Take a bus, I guess. It's about the only way." He wished there was another way. Even in disguise, he'd be in close quarters with people who might look at him, might notice his green coloring, the foilage on his head...He sighed. "I just have to do this. I just wanted to let you know. Will you check on the greenhouse and look after Spike?"

"Of course." said Eric. "But, Reggie..."

Bushroot held his hands up. "Don't. I've got to do this myself. I'll only be gone a week or so. Okay?"

Eric nodded. "All right. Good luck."

"Thanks." Bushroot got up and showed himself out. Eric watched him walk away, hat and trenchcoat on. Some thoughts began to stir around in his head.

The following morning, Bushroot was ready to leave. He had only a few things in the small valise he planned to take. Now it only remained to go to the bus station and buy a ticket...and then the trip, which he dreaded most. Hopefully he could sit in the back of the bus and be less noticeable. Reginald sighed. It wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary.

He picked up his bag. "Take care of things, Spike." he told his pet. "I hate to leave you behind, but the bus won't allow pets." Especially like you, he thought. Spike whined. Bushroot really did hate to leave him, but there was no alternative. But he got along well with Eric, so at least he wouldn't be totally without someone.

Reginald was starting for the door when he heard a sound outside. A car engine. It was too early for Eric to come-Reggie had told him to stop by around noon. But sure enough, there was the red '65 Mustang. Bushroot watched Eric get out, and hurried outside.

"What are you doing here already?" exclaimed Reginald.

"Simple." said Eric. "You want to get an early start so we can get to Newport in good time, don't you?"

Reggie was bowled over. "Eric...I don't expect you to..."

This time Eric put up his hands. "Not another word. I've got nothing better to do, and I'd like to see your home. Besides, you don't really want to take the bus, do you?"

"No...but..." Bushroot couldn't find words.

"Then hop in. Let's get going. And where's Spike?"

Bushroot called for him, and Spike responded immediately, racing out. He seemed to sense that he was going to get to go along after all. Eric held open the door so he could jump in the back.

"Your turn." he said to Reggie, indicating the front seat. Bushroot was overcome. He wondered what he had ever done to deserve a friend like Eric as he got in the car.

They headed up the I-95. The trip was uneventful, and the stopped only once to get something to eat at the HoJo's in Bangor.

As they sat down to eat, Eric remarked, "I haven't eaten here for years."

"You've been here before?" asked Reggie.

"Sure. We used to take trips here all the time. Bangor, Portland, and we used to stay at some cabins by the sea in Milbridge. I always wanted to live either in New Brunswick or here."

Reggie nodded. He had never really been anywhere except his hometown and St. Canard. He then and there made up his mind to see more of his state.

At length they finished thier lunch. Eric had a plate of clams, and Reggie a hamburger and fries. They also got a doggy bag for Spike, who had to be left in the car, hidden under a blanket for security reasons.

Finally they reached Newport, about 10 miles from the Canadian border. Thier first stop was the retirement home where Andrew Bushroot was living.

Bushroot and Eric entered his room. It was quite nice-more like a small apartment. It had a living room, bedroom, bathroom, a storage area and a small kitchenette. Andrew was sitting in the living room.

"Hello, Dad." said Reggie. They shook hands.

"Good to see you, son." said Andrew. "And you, too." He nodded at Eric, who smiled and gave a small nod.

"So...you want these?" Andrew handed Reginald two keys on a chain. "The house is still as I left it. But we put all your old things away. You'll have to hunt for them."

"That's okay." replied Reggie. "Dad...I hope you understand why I have to do this."

"I guess so. They're your things, you're entitled to them. I hope you get what you wanted...reminders of you as a kid."

"As a child and a teenager. I just want a link to my past life that I can keep. It's that simple."

Andrew nodded. "Okay. Just leave the house as you find it. The dirt and junk you brought into the house when you were fooling with the plants was bad enough."

Bushroot looked at his father, unsure if he was joking or not.

"See you later, Dad. We'll have a longer visit before we go back."

"Right." nodded Andrew. "I just want to talk to Eric for a second."

"Oh...okay." said Reggie, a bit surprised. He looked at Eric. "I'll be outside."

"Okay." said Eric. He was as surprised as Bushroot. "I'll be out in a minute."

After Reginald had left, Andrew turned to look at Eric. "What did you want, Mr. Bushroot?" asked Eric.

"I just wanted to thank you for being a good friend of Reginald's. He never had too many as a kid, mostly because of those plants. I guess he needs somebody, more than ever because of the...way he is."

Eric shook his head. "Reggie saved my life. That's not the only reason I'm his friend, but it made me realize like maybe no one else what he's really like. It's an honor to be his friend."

Andrew nodded. "I understand." He looked at Eric for a long moment. "Thanks for giving me a chance to get to know him again...and for helping save my life."

Eric smiled. "It was my pleasure to do it...for both of you."

They shook hands warmly.

The Mustang moved through the streets of Newport, towards a quiet residential section. "What was the street name again?" asked Eric.

"Lansdowne." replied Bushroot. "We're almost there."

They turned into a street lined with old homes, many of them very large. Elm trees were everywhere, covering the area with shade. The car turned into one particular driveway, and stopped. Eric heard Reggie suck his breath in at the sight of the house he hadn't seen in 18 years.

They got out of the car, and let Spike out. The house was a two-story structure, painted white. There was a screened-in porch in front, and a large garage to the side, attached to the house. A yard could be seen in back which seemed to go back quite far.

"Shall we go in?" asked Eric. Bushroot nodded. They entered an area which seemed to be a type of closed-in porch. There they saw the large back yard fully, including Mr. Bushroot's garden, and three pine trees in a row. But the third was shorter than the others.

"Why is that tree smaller?" asked Eric.

"I don't know." said Reginald. "I know that sounds funny coming from me, but it just never grew like the others."

"Can't you make it grow?"

Bushroot was quiet for a moment. "I'd rather go inside and look around first." Eric nodded. He imagined this was a solemn moment for Reginald. Among other things, this was where he had last seen his mother alive. They went in.

The house was large and spacious inside, which suited Spike perfectly. He immediately began running from room to room, eager to explore. "Spike..." Bushroot called once, then let him go. He put down his valise in the kitchen and found Eric in the front hallway, looking up a flight of stairs.

"I guess what you're looking for is up there." he said.

"Yes." replied Reginald. "Let's go up." He started up the stairway, to find his past.

END OF PART 2

Reginald Bushroot, Spike, St. Canard and Duckburg are the property of Disney. Eric Smith and Andrew Bushroot are the property of the author. This work was created for non-profit entertainment purposes only. (C)2000 Eric Smith.
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