I can’t remember what triggered this but I was thinking about when you’re a kid and you fantasize about running away from home.
Don’t all kids think about this when they’re little? You’ll show them.
I know I did. You had to put your belongings in a handkerchief and put it on a stick. Then I would bring Kitty and Monkey (stuffed animals) and something to eat. I don’t think it occurred to me to take money or a change of clothes.
When I was pretty young I wrote a story about some kids that ran away from home. They went into the hills where there were lots of apple trees so they had plenty to eat. They made a fire and put the apples on sticks and cooked them over the fire.
I wish I still had this manuscript. I had no idea what was going to happen next. I think the idea was a sort-of The Incredible Journey with kids. But I’m not sure where I thought they would end up. All living together in a great apartment in Haight-Ashbury?
When I was older and had visions of running away it usually involved driving to Mexico. These visions included all my money and clothes. But I always knew it would never work and then I would have to go home and have no money. This is all a big joke because I am the most boring predictable person alive. I would never run away. Even “what-if-ing” gives me anxiety.
I tired to get my brother to run away instead. He said he wanted to, but I was the one who helped him pack and suggested train schedules.