I take a deep breath, focusing my attention on Buzz, and begin climbing the tree one limb at a time, doing my best to ignore the burning in my knee that’s still healing. Luckily, he isn’t too high up, but I still don’t look down. Because if I do, I know I’ll freeze, and then Reid will have to rescue us both.
“Hey, Buzz. My name is Officer Beckett. I need you to focus on everything I’m saying, and together we’ll get you down from here, okay?”
Buzz whimpers but gives me a small nod as he watches me. “Okay.”
“Do you like the movieToy Story?” I ask, using the question as a distraction for the both of us as I balance onto another branch.
“Yes. It’s how I got my nickname.”
“I thought so. Since Woody is an officer?—”
“He’s a sheriff!” Reid shouts up to us.
I push myself up onto another limb until I’m face to face with Buzz. “Asheriffand an officer are similar. So let’s pretend I’m Woody, and you’re Buzz Lightyear.”
“Okay.” Buzz nods a second time, his big blue eyes focused fully on me.
“You know what I love most about Woody and Buzz? They’re both very brave.”
“Buzz also falls with style!” Reid yells, a snicker following.
Buzz’s eyes go wide, and he clings tighter to the limb. “I don’t want to fall.”
“I won’t let that happen. Okay? Do you know who can help give you the kind of bravery Woody and Buzz Lightyear have?”
Buzz shakes his head.
“Jesus can. Would you like me to pray for Jesus to help you be brave so we can get you down from this tree?” I ask, hearing the unsteadiness in my voice.
My knees are shaking, and I tighten my grip on the tree limb. I need the same prayer to make it through this. If someone would have told me that I would wake up and have to deal with Ms. Johnson and have to climb a tree, I would have called in sick. However, had I not been traveling past this road, who would have helped Buzz down from this tree? What if he had been stuck for hours or, worse, fell and got hurt?
“Dear Lord, please help give Buzz the strength, courage, and bravery to make it down this tree safe and sound. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”And send that same stuff my way too, please.“Alright, Buzz, Andy needs us to make it back into his bedroom. How about we get out of this tree together?”
“Okay, Woody.” Buzz gives me an approving nod, determination replacing the fear in his eyes, and he reaches a hand out toward mine.
I guide Buzz’s foot down to the nearest branch, instructing him where to place his hands as we make our way down. “Hey, Buzz, do you know where Hamm went to school?” I ask, attempting to distract him as we move down to the next branch.
“Where?” There’s a slight tremble in his voice, and I make sure to place a hand on his back for support.
“Hogwarts,” I reply, but I don’t get a laugh from Buzz. Reid, however, snorts down below us.
“That was one of those horrible dad jokes.”
“Oh yeah? Can you do any better?” I ask as I guide Buzz’s foot.
“Yeah, of course. What did Rex say to Woody after he ate atoy?” Reid says, his voice getting louder as we reach the base of the tree. I peek down this time, seeing that we’re only one limb away from being at the bottom of the tree.
“What’s that?” I ask, hopping down onto the grass and reaching up to grab Buzz.
“You got a friend in me.” Reid snorts.
I grin, a laugh on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t tell if the joy is from his corny joke or the fact that Buzz and I survived. I lift him from the tree and place him down onto the ground. As soon as his feet hit the ground, Buzz smiles brightly and crashes into me with a tight hug.
“Thanks, Woody.”
I return the hug and say to him, “Thank Jesus. He’s the one that made sure you were brave and safe.”
He nods, and it’s moments like this that remind me of why I love my job. That is, until Reid announces, “Okay, now we need you to go rescue that cat.”
