Meet Susie Morris
Susie Morris was just like any other 13-year-old girl. She loved hanging out with her friends, going to the movies, and spending time with her family. She lived with her mom and dad in Portland, Oregon, a bustling city full of life and excitement. Susie’s life was simple, yet fulfilling. But all of that was about to change in a way she never saw coming.
One day, Susie’s parents sat her down in the living room. They had serious looks on their faces, and Susie knew something was up.
“Susie,” her mom began, holding her hand gently, “we have something important to talk to you about.”
Her dad chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. “We’re moving, sweetheart!”
Susie was confused. “Moving? You mean like to a different house here in Portland, like my friend Sarah did?”
Her parents exchanged glances. “Not exactly,” her mom said with a small smile. What they said next was something Susie never expected.
A New Adventure
Her dad pulled out his laptop and showed her pictures of a house surrounded by snow-capped mountains, tall trees, and a sparkling lake. “This is our new home,” he said, his eyes full of excitement. “It’s in a village called Mazama, in Washington.”
Mazama? Susie had never heard of it. Her parents explained that they wanted to get away from the city and live closer to nature. They had bought a house in the small village, and soon, they would be moving there for good.
Susie wasn’t sure how to feel. She loved Portland, her friends, her school—everything was perfect. But now, they were going to live in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. She couldn’t help but feel nervous about the big change.
Moving to Mazama
A few months later, after school let out for the summer, the Morris family packed up their things and made the long journey to Mazama. When they arrived, Susie could hardly believe her eyes. The village was so small—nothing like the city she was used to. There were only a few shops, a gas station, and a single restaurant. Their new house, while charming in its own way, needed a lot of work. The walls were peeling, the floorboards creaked, and the whole place smelled like dust and old wood. It felt like something out of a ghost story.
For the first few weeks, Susie’s family camped out in the living room as they worked on fixing up the house. But even as her parents threw themselves into the renovations, Susie couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t belong in this quiet, sleepy town.
The Lonely Summer
As the long summer days stretched on, Susie found herself feeling more and more isolated. Back in Portland, she always had something to do. But here in Mazama, there weren’t many kids her age, and she hadn’t started school yet. Her parents took her hiking and rock climbing on the weekends, but during the week, she was left to her own devices.
Bored and lonely, Susie spent most of her time lying on the couch, flipping through TV channels. She missed her old life—the hustle and bustle of the city, her friends, her favorite spots to hang out. It seemed like this summer would never end, and she would never feel at home in this new place.
A New Discovery
One day, tired of the TV and feeling restless, Susie decided to go out and explore the village. Her dad had given her a compass, bear spray, and a cellphone signal booster just in case she got lost. With these tools in hand, she ventured out into the surrounding woods, following the trails that wound through the mountains and streams.
It was during one of these walks that Susie first noticed the old oak tree near her home. It was tall and gnarled, its thick branches spreading out like a giant umbrella. But what really caught her attention was the scruffy dog lying beneath it.
At first, Susie was hesitant to approach the dog. He looked dirty and a little rough around the edges. But there was something about him—maybe it was the way he wagged his tail hopefully as she neared—that made her feel like he wasn’t dangerous.
Over the next few days, Susie started visiting the tree regularly. Each time, the dog was there, waiting for her. She began to bring him treats—small pieces of her lunch or snacks from home. The dog, who she eventually learned was called Max, quickly became her companion.
The Legend of Max
One afternoon, while Susie was eating at the village restaurant with her parents, she mentioned Max to the waitress. To her surprise, the woman’s eyes widened.
“You mean that old dog that hangs out by the oak tree?” she asked. “That’s Max. He’s a bit of a local legend.”
Susie’s curiosity was piqued. The waitress explained that Max had been seen waiting by the tree for years—four years, to be exact. No one knew exactly who he belonged to, but the villagers believed he was waiting for his owner, who had disappeared long ago.
The story tugged at Susie’s heart. Max had been waiting all this time, hoping his owner would return. But who was his owner? And why had they left?
The Storm
One autumn evening, a huge storm rolled into Mazama. The sky darkened, and rain began to pour down in sheets. Susie and her parents huddled around the fireplace, listening to the wind howling outside. As the storm raged on, there was a sudden flash of lightning, followed by a deafening crack. It sounded like something big had fallen.
The next morning, as soon as the storm had passed, Susie ran outside to check on Max. She found him pacing nervously by the oak tree, but the tree itself was a different story. The once-mighty oak had been struck by lightning and was now split right down the middle. Its once-full crown had collapsed, leaving only the hollowed-out trunk behind.
A Hidden Secret
As Susie approached the ruined tree, she noticed something strange. The trunk, now exposed by the lightning strike, had a large hollow inside. Curious, she peered into the opening and spotted something tucked away in the darkness.
Carefully, she reached inside and pulled out a small, weathered photograph. It was old and tattered, but she could still make out the figures in the picture. There, standing in front of the oak tree, was a young boy and Max, the same scruffy dog she had come to know. On the back of the photo, in faded handwriting, were the words: “Louis and Max, Friends Forever.”
Susie’s heart raced. Could this be Max’s long-lost owner?
Max’s Story
Determined to uncover the truth, Susie showed the photo to her parents and the villagers. No one seemed to recognize the boy in the picture, but Susie wasn’t ready to give up. With her dad’s help, she began researching the village’s archives, looking for any mention of a boy named Louis.
After days of searching, Susie finally found what she was looking for. Louis Pascoe had lived in Mazama with his family about four years ago. He and his mother had moved away after his grandfather passed away, but there was no mention of Max.
Susie realized that Max hadn’t belonged to Louis in the traditional sense. He had been a stray dog, just like he was now. But he and Louis had formed a special bond, one that had clearly left a lasting impression on Max.
A Reunion
With her dad’s help, Susie tracked down Louis, who was now 18 years old and living in Seattle. She sent him an email, attaching the photo and explaining who she was. Days passed without a response, but Susie didn’t lose hope.
Then, one day, as she was walking home from school, Susie spotted a young man standing by the oak tree. He looked familiar, and as soon as Max saw him, the dog went wild with excitement. It was Louis.
Max sprinted towards Louis, barking joyfully and wagging his tail so hard that his whole body shook. The young man knelt down, pulling Max into a tight hug. Tears streamed down his face as he buried his head in the dog’s scruffy fur.
“Thank you,” Louis said, his voice choked with emotion. “You must be Susie. Thank you for finding Max.”
A New Home
That evening, Louis shared his story with Susie and her parents. Just like Susie, he had moved to Mazama from the city when he was younger. Lonely and struggling to adjust to his new life, Louis had found comfort in the stray dog who hung around the village. Max had become his best friend, and they had spent countless hours together under the oak tree.
When Louis’ family moved away after his grandfather’s death, he had been heartbroken to leave Max behind. He had placed the photo in the tree as a way
Originally published on our site penguinmd.com