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  The bedroom latched shut behind her final visitor of the night. “If only Daddy weren’t so mean to Mother…” Patti cried, tears staining her freckled cheeks. “You’re my bestest friend, Freddie,” she whispered, hugging her bear. “You’re my only friend. Never-ever-ever go away. Promise you’ll never leave me? Promise me, now. Promise!”

  CHAPTER V

  Around the Rosies

  Danny lugged a small suitcase down the street to Debbie’s house. Soon, his parents would fly off on business. Such trips came up on occasion, and Danny had always been fortunate to join them. This time, however, accommodations were made for him to spend the week at the Strong’s residence. He lumbered to Debbie’s with mixed emotions. His heart yearned to see his girl while his mind yearned to see California.

  The boy skipped along the stone path to Debbie’s door. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks. The front door was ajar, but Danny did not dare step inside. He retracted the screen door and pushed open the front door. He watched the door swing wide. There was no booby trap this time. Relieved, he invited himself into the house and closed the door.

  “Hello?” Danny called. “Anybody home?”

  “Woof! Woof, woof!” A nails-clicking, paws-slipping fur ball stormed across the polished floor. “Woof, woof!” She cornered the boy; his back pinned up against the exit.

  “Misty, no!!!” Debbie dropped a tray of goodies and clapped hands to her cheeks. Splatters of red punch tie-dyed the carpet. “Bad girl!!!” But, even the loose treats could not defuse Misty.

  Danny shut his eyes, exhaled a bone-chilling howl, and dropped on all fours. Debbie could not believe her eyes. Misty stopped charging and approached with caution. Danny pressed his chest to the ground and wagged his behind high in the air. Whining, the ragamuffin canine sniffed Danny’s hair. The dog mirrored the boy’s pose; her fluffy tail danced with delight.

  “Aw, you just wanna play, don’tcha girl?”

  Misty replied with three short yaps of approval, and Danny scratched behind her ears.

  “You made friends with Misty?” Debbie was flabbergasted. “How’d you do that?”

  “I…I don’t know. It all happened so fast.”

  Mrs. Strong was speechless, an armchair witness to the fiasco. “Mitchell! I thought I told you to put the dog out!”

  “I did!” a voice snickered from down the hall. “…Out in the living room!”

  “Get out here and help Debbie clean this mess up.”

  “It’s ok, Ma!” Debbie said. “Danny and I can do it.”

  Never a dull moment, Ma sighed in disgust. “You’re too little. Mitchell will do it.”

  The couple moved into the kitchen. The girl rewarded her hero with well-earned refreshments. “Danna, ya wa sa bwave…” Debbie said, mouth full of cookie.

  “You won’t believe me,” he chattered, “but, I feel this happened before!”

  “Oh, Danny, you say the silliest things!”

  “No, really! I could swear…”

  “Wait until Mitchell hears about Misty!”

  “No, don’t say a word. Maybe we can trick him!”

  “Now, you’re talkin’!” The girl nodded, flashing a devilish grin. “Danny, I’ve been thinking…” Debbie guzzled down the last of her punch. “Let’s help that Weeping Warrior on TV.”

  “You mean the one that wants us to pick up trash?”

  “Yeah. It’s one thing we’re not too little to do.”

  “If we help, I guess he won’t have to cry anymore, huh?”

  “I saw loads of trash stuck in Mr. Bryson’s bushes.”

  “Hey, if we clean it out real good, he might even pay us!”

  “Like, the time we sold rocks on the corner…”

  “Ha! And, you said no one would buy any.”

  “What did I know?” Debbie shrugged. “We were just little kids back then...”

  “But, we’re bigger, so he’s bound to pay us something.”

  “Ma, we’re going outside now!” Anxious to get started, Debbie fetched two garbage bags, and handed one to her friend. “Here you go.”

  “Stay close to the house!” Mrs. Strong said.

  “We will!” her daughter said, heading out the door.

  Unwieldly roses thrived along the edge of the Strong’s yard. The brambles grew, rough-and-tumble, except at the gate where an arched trellis maintained order. Debbie and Danny crouched beside the shrubbery and removed trash from the hedge. Skillfully, they unclenched newspapers, soda cans, snack bags, and cellophane wrappers from the thorns’ grip. Then, there were the bees. Danny did not like bees and panicked at the slightest buzz.

  “They won’t hurt you,” she giggled. “They only want to sniff the flowers.”

  Danny dodged a darting bumblebee. “They scare me!”

  “What’s going on over there?” Mr. Bryson peered through a break in the hedge. Not every kid lived near a celebrity, but Danny and Debbie did. Mr. Bryson was the local pharmacist known for his popular TV commercials. At Christmas, he would illuminate his yard with the most intricate lights and sounds of the season. People would come from miles around to enjoy his decorative display.

  “We’re picking up trash,” Danny said.

  “The Warrior sent us,” Debbie added.

  “A warrior?” Mr. Bryson looked puzzled. “…Told you to pick up trash?”

  “Yeah, you know, on TV,” Debbie continued. “He’s sad no one cleans up.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you care,” Mr. Bryson said.

  “Do you think he’ll even notice?” Danny inquired.

  “Who?” Mr. Bryson asked.

  “The Weeping Warrior, of course!” Danny replied.

  “Oh, sure, he’ll be proud,” Mr. Bryson said. “Every bit helps, and if you kids do a really good job, I’ll give you two dollars each.”

  “Wow, two whole dollars!”

  “Just let me know when you’re finished,” Mr. Bryson called over his shoulder.

  “You bet!”

  Two busy beavers toiled in the sun, clearing unsightly debris trapped in the thicket.

  “Sure is hot today.” Debbie wiped the sweat from her brow. “Not a cloud in the sky.”

  Danny could feel the hedge grow longer by the second. “This’ll take forever! Can’t we take a break?”

  “But, we just started!”

  “It’s hopeless…”

  “We can’t quit now!” Debbie scolded. “The Weeping Warrior and Mr. Bryson need us. Look, that side’s shady. Let’s work over there.”

  “Ok, we’ll clean here later.”

  Danny and Debbie slid the cumbersome trash bags around the roses where the hedge graciously offered shade. The young couple took to their hands and knees and tackled the daunting task once more.

  “Whatcha gonna do with your two dollars?” Debbie asked.

  “Heck, I don’t know. I haven’t had time to think about it.”

  “My Dad’s gonna treat us to the carnival Saturday. You could win me a teddy bear.”

  “I bet I could!”

  “Danny, will you ride the Ferris wheel with me?”

  “Gee, it’s awfully high.”

  “You’re not scared are you?”

  “Who, me? Of course not! It’s just that, well…”

  “Well, what?”

  “But, I’ve never been before, Debbie.”

  “Me neither. Sure looks like fun!”

  “But…what if we get stuck at the top?”

  “Imagine the view!”

  “Wouldn’t you be scared?”

  Debbie held his hand. “We’d be together.”

  “Having you there would be—” Danny tried to kiss her, but shied away.

  “Et-hem, so, there you are! My wife thought you might like a drink.”

  “Terrific!” Debbie piped up. “Whatcha got, Mr. Bryson?”

  “Please, call me Robby.” The strapping man sat in the grass and emptied a pitcher between three glasses. “Ta-da!” he trumpeted. “Ice cold, h
omemade, tart and tangy, lemonade!”

  “Yum!” Danny rubbed his tummy. “My favorite!”

  “So, tell me, why aren’t you two out playing?”

  “It was my idea,” Debbie said. “These things don’t take care of themselves, ya know.”

  “True, but who thinks about the trash?”

  Danny reclined with outstretched arms propped behind. “Only us kids see the heaps of trash. It’s too low for Grumps.”

  “Grumps?”

  “The Grown-ups,” Debbie said. “They think we’re too small for everything.”

  “But, you’re not a Grump, Mr…I mean, Robby,” Danny apologized.

  “Well, that’s comforting to hear.”

  “…Or, a Snake,” Debbie added.

  “Snake?” Robby was stumped again.

  “The big kids who push us around. They’re as bad as the Grumps.”

  “Oh, I see…so, picking up trash might get you noticed.”

  “I don’t think anyone’ll ever notice,” Danny sighed.

  “The Warrior is sad,” Debbie said. “Aren’t the Grumps even listening?”

  “No, Debbie, I am afraid the Grumps don’t listen very well.”

  “But, Moms always nag to clean up!”

  “You see,” Robby explained with a hearty chuckle, “Mom isn’t here to remind them.”

  The inquisitive children sat in silence, mulling over Robby’s enlightening words. A crow cawed in the distance. Debbie’s bangs flitted in the breeze. She pushed her hair out of her eyes.

  “Well…” Danny collected his thoughts. “Their Moms shouldn’t have to.”

  “From the mouths of babes…” Robby muttered.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said, uhhh…you are very wise for your age.”

  “They’re big enough to know better,” Danny said.

  “We sure won’t be like them when we grow up,” Debbie added.

  “Sounds like you two are off to a fine start.” Robby sipped his lemonade.

  “Robby? Why are the Grumps so…dumb?”

  The man spat his drink into the grass. He removed his baseball cap and stroked his hair. Sequins of sweat lined his brow. “Well, actually, et-hem…” Robby ran the cool glass across his forehead. “You know what I think?”

  “No, what?”

  “I think…I should go get your money, now.”

  CHAPTER VI

  Peekaboo, I’ve Seen You!

  Refreshed, Debbie and Danny resumed litter duty. The sun climbed high into its throne and ruled the land – judge and jury. The air was still, too frightened to stir. One bird chirped in contempt, and the foolhardy cicadas refused to be silenced. The steamy day overruled the children’s objections. The kids threw themselves upon the mercy of the court and lay beside the hedge. This time, the stingy bushes offered little shade.

  “At this rate,” Danny groaned, removing his shirt. “We’ll finish by next year.”

  “It looks better already.” The optimistic girl admired their work. “Look how far we’ve come.”

  The man returned before her partner could respond. “Here ya go, two dollars for each of you,” he said.

  “Thanks, Mr. Bryson,” Debbie said, “But, we haven’t finished.”

  “Still, you’ve certainly earned it. …And, that’s Robby, remember?”

  The boy frowned. “I hoped we’d work the whole block…”

  “Oh, we will!” Debbie’s face was aglow with burgeoning smile. “And, without lifting a finger!”

  “Say, that’s quite a proposition,” Mr. Bryson said. “Do you know magic?”

  “No, but I know those Snakes… Show them what we’ve done, and they’ll outdo us by a mile! They’re always stealin’ our fun.”

  “Debbie? Danny?” Mrs. Strong called across the yard. “…Lunch time!”

  “We better go, mister…I mean, Robby,” the girl pouted, taking her friend’s hand. “C’mon, Danny.”

  “Hurry back for a dip in the pool.”

  “Really? You mean it?”

  “Sure, that is…if it’s ok with your mom.”

  “Wow! Not many kids can say they swam with a TV star!”

  “I bet he’d even put us in one of his commercials!”

  The kids scarfed down lunch and jumped into their swimsuits. Debbie wore a yellow one-piece, and Danny sported a pair of blue trunks. Their clomping flip-flops announced their arrival at Mr. Bryson’s trellised gate.

  “Ahoy!” Robby waved from the comfort of his lounge chair.

  The sparkling pool beckoned. The boy opened the gate for his girl, and they walked along the water’s edge. Suddenly, Danny froze; his gaze transfixed. From the waves popped a boiling image of a girl: his mystery girl, Patti. An icy finger ran up his spine. The boy shivered violently despite the sweltering heat. Dizzy, he belly-flopped into the pool. A tidal wave walloped Debbie. There she stood, drenched, with mouth agape.

  “What’s the matter, silly? …More bees?”

  “No…”

  “Then, quit clowning around!”

  “Th-th-that g-g-girl!” Danny quavered, clambering onto the pool deck. “Didn’t you see her?”

  “I didn’t see anyone.”

  “...In the water?”

  “It’s just your reflection.”

  “Noooooooo!!! Look…” Danny howled. “There!”

  Debbie stared into the water and shrugged. “I see nothing. Just you and me, and…”

  “…And???”

  “The rose bushes.”

  “Those aren’t roses. It’s her long, red hair!” Danny insisted. “She fell in the river, and—”

  “Your brain’s sun-fried, extra-crispy!”

  “I’m fine!” Danny snapped. “There, there she is. …Dead in the water!”

  “Stop it! You’re scaring me! …Is this your idea of a joke?”

  The distraught child was choked-up with tears. “No joke!” he squeaked at last.

  “Whoa, calm down…” Robby approached the bickering children. “What’s all the fuss?”

  “Danny saw something in the water.”

  “Some one!” he corrected. “That girl with red hair – dead in the water!”

  “Oooh, I wish you’d stop saying that,” Debbie said. “It gives me the willies.”

  “…At least, I think she’s dead,” Danny added.

  “Well now, this sounds serious,” Robby said. “Let me take a look.”

  The three stared at the waves. The pool filter chattered, and a light breeze stirred the water. Suddenly, the sun was masked by the only cloud in the sky.

  The man took a knee and eyed the water. “I don’t see anything.”

  “She’s gone again…”

  “Told ya!” Debbie scolded. “…Why are you crying?”

  “She’s…she’s choking me!”

  “What do you mean? Who is she?”

  “I don’t know!” Danny held his face in his hands.

  “How’d ya meet her?”

  “I can’t remember! I mean, I haven’t…well, not really…not yet.”

  “You’re wacky!”

  “Stop laughing at me!”

  “But, I didn’t …”

  “Not you! …YOU!” Danny shouted at the pool, bug-eyed. “She’s not dead, you know,” Danny sighed. “She’s just fooling around.”

  “And, so are you!” Debbie was unnerved. “C’mon. Let’s go swimming!”

  Relaxed in his deck chair, Mr. Bryson watched the kids frolic in the pool. The twosome pretended to be dolphins and played tag. The leisurely afternoon washed away the sweat and the tears of the day.

  “Deb-bie! Time to come home!”

  “I think your Mom’s calling…” Robby said.

  “Com-ing!” The children exited the pool area, wrapped in beach towels.

  “Thanks for everything, Robby!” Danny shouted, grabbing his flip-flops. Mr. Bryson waved goodbye and watched the pair disappear under the arched trellis.

  “Race ya!” Danny sa
id.

  “You’re on!” And, Debbie ran off with his towel.

  * * *

  The children dashed into the kitchen shadowed by Misty. Her fluffy tail bobbed above the furnishings like plumage in a lady’s hat. “Whoa, slow down!” Mrs. Strong ordered, eyes glued to her cookbook. She dumped chopped greens into a steaming pot and seasoned to taste. “Phone’s for you, Danny.” Mrs. Strong pointed with her knife.

  The receiver rested on the counter, strangled by its cord. The boy rescued the phone. “Hello?” The cord coiled around his neck.

  “You sound hoarse,” his father said. “Catching cold?”

  “No, I…”

  “Wait–here’s your mother. …Aggie? Aggie!”

  Danny held the line and strained to decipher snatches of a distant conversation.

  “Whatcha makin’?” Debbie asked.

  “A mess,” Mrs. Strong sighed. “This new dish is a recipe for disaster.”

  “Ew! Gross!”

  “Hurry, Aggie!” his father blasted into the phone. “This call’s costing a fortune!”

  “Denny? How’s me love?” Mum asked at last. “Been worried somethin’ fierce…”

  “Who…me?” The pool fiasco flashed through Danny’s mind. “No fears, Mummy.”

  “What’s this talk of a cold, I hear?

  The boy rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, Mummy!”

  “’Tis a good time yea be havin’?”

  “Me ‘n’ Debbie, we swum—”

  “Swam, lad…”

  “At Robby’s, and...”

  “Robby? Surely yea mean Mr. Bryson,” Mum scolded. “Mind yer manners, child.”

  “Mummy? How was your flight?”

  “Funny yea ask,” Mum began. “The plane…”

  “The plane?” Danny interrupted. “Oh, it had to take a different course.”

  “Aye, the mountains stole me breath!” Mum gushed. “Like giant…”

  “Gumdrops?”

  “Indeed!”

  “I know. Dad said the mountains looked like gumdrops, and…”

  “Sakes! Yea father already told yea now, did he?”

  “No, I mean…”

  “Ah, how I wish yea could see it fir yerself.”

  “Oh, I did see it!” Danny cheered. “I saw it, Mummy!”

  “See what?” Debbie yanked the phone away from his ear. “What did you see?”

  “Sh!” Danny grappled for the receiver. “I’ll tell you later.”

  “That’s me Denny,” Mum chuckled. “Always got me leg...”

  “I’m not kidding!” Danny insisted. “I saw the mountains in a dream before you left.”

  “Bless me soul!” Mum gasped, clenching the phone to her chest. “Al? Al, come quick!”