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  “So, tell us…” Mr. Bryson spread his arms across the children’s shoulders. “How does it feel to receive such an honor?”

  “Groovy!”

  “There you have it folks,” Tonya concluded. “Small heroes doing monumental deeds.”

  “So…we’re gonna be on TV? When?”

  “Well…yes, yes you are…but not until next week. You see…”

  “We film it first, of course.” Lou spoke up, rescuing his colleague. “Then, there’s the editing… and the scheduling…”

  The children scratched their heads; their sagging brows suddenly elevated in excitement. The signature rhythm of jingling bells cut the air. “Ice cream!”

  “Dad, can we have money for ice cream? …Please?”

  Mr. Strong smiled down at his daughter. “I guess you two heroes deserve it.”

  Debbie and Danny thanked their guests again and bolted out the door. “Keep watching Channel 6 news!” Tonya shouted after them.

  The children scampered over the stone path like rabbits. Danny waved to flag down the ice cream man. “What’ll it be, kids?” the driver asked, hopping off his truck.

  “I’ll have an Almond Smash…”

  “One crushed nut. That’ll be 35 cents.”

  “Wait, we’re together.” Danny directed in a mature manner. “She’ll be glad to pay you.”

  “I’d like a Chocolate Rocket, please…”

  “One pop and mop.” The driver handed the girl a fudge popsicle wrapped in a napkin.

  Glancing down, something in the grass caught Danny’s eye. He knelt down and grabbed it while Debbie paid the ice cream man for his wares. The boy slipped the object into his shirt pocket. The man climbed back into the driver’s seat and returned to his daily route. Those entrancing bells sang their merry tune and faded into the distance.

  “Let’s go play under the willow,” Debbie suggested. “I’ll race ya!” Danny chased after Debbie. They ran across the lush lawn and down a gentle slope along the side of the house. Misty stood guard at the patio glass door when the kids jetted into the backyard. The dog barked incessantly, longing to play. Danny took the lead and broke through the willow like a sprinter crossing the finish line.

  “I coulda beat ya,” Debbie bragged. “...If I really wanted to.”

  “No way!” Danny protested, unwrapping his ice cream. “I had ya beat by a mile.” Debbie did not continue to argue. She was too busy licking drips running off her fudge pop.

  The weeping willow’s rugged branches spidered outward from its burly trunk. It was one of a few veteran trees from a forgotten forest. The pair loved to escape under the protection of its dense, drooping foliage. Its shade provided a magical haven where childhood dreams thrived. Here, the rascals were free – liberated from the Grump’s world.

  “Look, Debbie! There’s a daisy!”

  “Yeah, they grow wild in the yard…”

  “Daisies can tell the future, ya know.”

  “You’re crazy! …A crazy daisy!”

  “Here, I’ll show you…” The boy sat on the cool ground. Danny held his girl on his lap with one hand curled around her waist, and he held the flower with the other. The wide-eyed girl remained riveted; her curiosity piqued. “She loves me, she loves me not,” he muttered. “She loves me, she loves me not…”

  “Well?” Debbie cried, impatiently awaiting the results of this crucial opinion poll.

  Danny let the final pedal fall to the ground, overflowing with joy. “Hey!” he trumpeted. “It says she loves me!”

  “That’s because I do love you,” Debbie smiled. “And, daisies are too pretty to lie. But, Danny…I’m worried about you,” Debbie said, somberly. “You haven’t been yourself.”

  “Huh? What do you mean by that?”

  The girl took to her feet. “You’ve sure been acting weird lately. Are you sure you’re ok?”

  “I feel fine.” Danny arose and brushed away some dirt. “Why do you ask?”

  “First, you see that girl in the swimming pool, and last night…”

  “Last night?” Danny shouted. “What about last night?”

  “That girl…Patti? She was hurting you. I was frightened stiff!”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t you remember? You woke the entire house!”

  “No, I didn’t!”

  “…Except for Mitchell,” she laughed. “That lump could sleep through an earthquake.”

  “Maybe you were dreaming.”

  “You were yelling at Patti. She was choking you, and…”

  “What an imagin—”

  “You scared us half to death! Go ask my parents…”

  “Did I?” he chuckled, nervously. “Musta slept through it.”

  “You mean, you don’t recall a thing? …Not even Patti?” Danny flashed his girl a smile and shied away. A stiff breeze swayed the branches. “Patti’s the one, isn’t she? …The one you saw yesterday? …The one in the pool?”

  “Do you believe me now?”

  “I guess I shouldn’t doubt what goes on inside that head of yours!”

  “Forget it, will ya?” Danny whispered. “I gotta show you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “Open your hand and close your eyes,” Danny chanted. “And, you will get a big surprise.” He waited for Debbie to follow his instructions. Carefully, he slipped the delicate item from his shirt pocket into Debbie’s palm and closed her hand around it.

  “Wow! A four leaf clover!” Debbie cried. “Where’d you get it?”

  “I found it when you were paying for the ice cream.”

  “That’s great! It’ll bring you good luck all day.”

  “That’s why I want you to have it.”

  “Oh no, Danny…I couldn’t!”

  The love struck boy ignored her objection, placing her left hand in his. He looped the clover stem around her ring finger and wound the excess under until it held fast.

  The girl’s heart swelled with delight. “My very own ring!” A smile pinched Debbie’s reddened cheeks. She held up her hand and admired the heart-shaped leaves encircling her finger. The pair fidgeted unsure what to do next. A spotlight of sun stroked her blond hair.

  “Debbie, I love you,” Danny said, hypnotized by her radiant beauty. “Will you marry me?”

  “Oh, Danny!” she shrieked with joy.

  “Promise? …With whipped cream and a cherry on top?”

  “Of course, silly! ...And, here’s something for you, too!”

  “What is it?”

  “It’s a secret. Come closer…”

  Danny brushed against Debbie’s cheek. She turned and surprised the unsuspecting boy with a smack on the mouth. Her soft lips felt warm and inviting. They held hands, took a step back, gazed into each other’s eyes, and giggled. Danny clasped the girl’s waist and drew her near. Debbie draped her arms over his shoulders. Under the sanctuary of the willow, the smitten couple embraced–never wishing to release each other. Their heads rested on each other’s shoulders resembling two swans. He caressed her hair with gentle strokes, and she reciprocated. Again, their lips met, united in a timeless kiss. Two hearts burst with unimaginable bliss: thrilling, mysterious, and new. Locked in each other’s arms, they swayed to their own sweet music. The newlyweds floated in a dream when Misty burst their bubble, knocking the children to earth.

  “Ready? FIRE!!!”

  Bone-chilling water sprayed through the foliage. “MITCHELL!!!” The drenched duo bolted from under the willow, howling.

  “My, my, Vinnie…” a voice snickered. “Do I see a pair of love birds?”

  “I didn’t know love birds were water fowl!” Vinnie snickered.

  “Snakes…” Danny shook his head in disgust. “Can’t they ever leave us alone?”

  “Danny and Debbie sitting in a tree,” the teens shouted in unison. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

  “First comes love…then comes marriage…”

  “Aw, cut it out!” the
tots protested. “C’mon now!”

  But the teens would not cease and desist. “Hey Vinnie, I heard we’re gonna barbecue tonight.”

  “Looks like things are heating up already…ha-ha-ha!”

  “Quit it, Mitchell!” Debbie shouted. “Just ignore them, Danny…”

  “What’s the matter?” Mitchell prodded. “Didn’t you like your wedding shower?”

  “Always remember,” added Vinnie. “It’s the thought that counts!”

  “Were you dumb-dumbs snoopin’?”

  “Vincent, ole chap, if the early bird catches the worm, what does the early worm catch?”

  “The bouquet! …Ain’t that sick?”

  “So funny I forgot to laugh,” Debbie said, kicking Mitchell’s shin. “That’s for snooping!”

  “OW! Hey, I wasn’t snoopin’…”

  “You were, too!”

  “Actually, he wasn’t,” Vinnie smirked. “…We both were!”

  “Good!” Debbie whacked his brother’s friend in the knee. “Wouldn’t want ya to feel left out!”

  “Mom told me to go see what you two were doing…so, I just had to see!”

  “C’mon, Danny,” Debbie tossed her nose in the air. “Better go get changed.” Soaking wet, the couple ran hand-in-hand towards the house with Misty close on their heels.

  “Hey, wait a minute!” Vinnie shouted after them. “Will there be a honeymoon?”

  CHAPTER IX

  The Queens of Hearts

  Reclining in the living room, Mrs. Strong read her book when she spied an unidentified furry object from the corner of her eye. “Misty? …Oh, no!” The woman jumped to her feet and inspected the scene. Muddy paw prints covered the tile. “Not my clean floor! …Shoo, Shoo!” The canine stood amidst the muck and cocked her head as if trying to solve some complex riddle. “Bad dog!” Misty merely yawned. Drool dripped from her tongue. “Get out, stupid dog!”

  No sooner had she cleaned up the mess when Debbie and Danny tromped across the kitchen, dripping wet. “Goodness!” Mrs. Strong cried, dropping her mop. “What happened to you two?”

  “Mitchell happened, that’s what!”

  “Well, move along!” Mrs. Strong said, pushing the mop at their feet. “Hop into some dry clothes. Gracious…” The woman attempted to mop the floor once more. “I’ll never get my cleaning done!”

  “…Listen, Vinnie. I’m shootin’ ya straight,” Mitchell said, traipsing mud across the kitchen. “Want a snack? I think there’s some pie…”

  “What do you think you’re doing?” His mother slammed down the mop, lunged across the room, and shut the refrigerator door in his face.

  “Sheesh, Ma! I’m grabbin’ a bite…why?”

  “Just look at my nice, clean floor!”

  The teens glanced around, confused. “…Where?” her son said at last.

  “They’ll be no pie until you clean up this mess! How many times have I told you to wipe your feet, Mitch?”

  “Gee, I don’t know. Hundreds…why?”

  “And, what’s this?” Mrs. Strong tapped her foot. “Your filthy mitts – all over my fridge!”

  The teens studied the handprints. “Hey, you can’t prove those are mine!” the accused said in his own defense.

  “Au contraire, mon frere!” Vinnie said. “I do believe she can.”

  “Don’t listen to him…” her son pleaded. “He’s a hostile witness.”

  “Mitchell, this place was spotless, and that’s how it’s gonna stay – understand?”

  “Sorry, Ma. Tell ya what…” Mitchell snickered, seeing double. “The Bobsy twins will be glad to tidy up.” The youths returned to the scene of the grime, donning their matching birdie shirts. “Maybe they’ll win another award!”

  Mrs. Strong stretched her aching back. “Instead of swiping a snack,” she said, slapping a rag in Mitchell’s hand. “Try wiping away your hunger! …Here. Give him a hand, Vincent.”

  “Gee, all I wanted was pie…”

  “C’mon Danny…” Debbie took Danny’s hand in hers, and they headed towards the door.

  “We’ll be eating soon, so don’t wander off.”

  “Ok, Ma. We won’t.”

  “Actually, Debbie, you can set the picnic table for dinner.”

  “Aw, Ma…”

  “And, Danny? Remind Mr. Strong it’s time to light the grill.”

  Armed with barbecue tools, Mr. Strong tamed the pot-bellied beast while fiery tongues licked its chops–steaks and patties, that is to say. Mrs. Strong served corn on the cob and dished out potato salad, patiently awaiting the bounties of her husband’s labor.

  Danny’s eyes swelled. “Everything looks yummy!”

  “Dig in, kid…don’t be shy.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about him, Ma. He could out-eat an army!”

  “Deborah, mind your P’s and Q’s.”

  “Sorry, Ma…” The girl corrected her posture and removed her elbows from the table. Her mother’s tone could straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

  Mitchell and Vinnie rushed to the table and pounced upon their seats. “And, where have you beach bums been?” Mrs. Strong pointed her fork at her son like a bayonet, jabbing the air. “Didn’t I tell you to stick around?”

  “You could have reminded us, Ma!”

  “I told you once.”

  “You could have hollered…”

  “I shouldn’t have to.”

  “Hey, we cleaned the kitchen. What more do ya want?”

  “Punctuality. You were late.”

  “Give me a break, will ya? We were right out front admiring Vinnie’s car.” Mitchell emitted a low whistle. “That hot rod’s a real rocket!”

  “Glad you could join us,” his father shouted over the sizzling grill. “You’ll eat last.”

  Debbie stuck out her tongue, and Mitchell mirrored the endearing gesture.

  “Go wash, boys,” Mrs. Strong ordered. “Pass the cole slaw, Deb, please...”

  Her husband abandoned his culinary duties and wiped his hands on his chef’s apron. “Steaks coming up, hon…” He plopped his weary body down, jarring his fellow benchmates. The man fixed burgers for the young ones. But, the instant food touched his own lips, the kettle seethed like a cauldron-cooking witch’s brew. “There she blows, right on time!” Mr. Strong said, dropping his fork. “Remember, Danny. There are no starving artists…just starving chefs.”

  Stuffed faces kept the table absent of conversation – minus one mouth. “RawOOwl!” Misty sang for her supper, tempted by the smorgasbord of aromas. “Woof, woof!”

  The teens returned, snickering amongst themselves. “Well, if it isn’t me and my shadow.”

  “Mommy!” Debbie cried. “Mitchell’s teasing me!”

  “Mitt…” His mother choked down a bite of her meal. “Stop teasing your sister.”

  “Woof!”

  “Good heavens!” Mrs. Strong declared. “I forgot to feed Misty!”

  “I’ll feed her!” Danny volunteered.

  “Nice try, peewee,” Mitchell joked. “But, Misty doesn’t like shrimp!”

  “Ain’t no meat on your bones, anyway…” Vinnie slapped his friend a high-five. “She’d die of hunger!”

  “Yuk it up, boys,” Mrs. Strong said. “Go ahead, Danny. Show them...”

  “Don’t go away.” The boy excused himself from the table and rushed to the house.

  Mitchell nudged his friend. “Gee, I didn’t know this is a dinner theatre!”

  Danny received a round of applause upon his return. He crossed the lawn with the skill of a tight-rope walker, ever-mindful not to cause a spill. Everyone held their breath as he approached the beast.

  “Woof! Woof, woof!” The starved animal lunged at the boy with tail-wagging approval.

  “I can’t watch!” Mitchell said, covering Vinnie’s eyes. “Tell me when it’s over.”

  “Wook, Misty!” Danny set down the dog dish and stroked her thick coat. “Wook what I have for woo!” Misty tore into her food, and Danny retur
ned to the table unscathed. The crowd went wild. That is to say all but Mitchell and Vinnie. They were dumbfounded.

  “Who’s laughing now?” Debbie beamed. “Suck eggs, ya eggheads!”

  “I never thought…” Vinnie stuttered. “Who’d believe…?”

  The fire was burning low, and the table was barren. “Honey?” Mrs. Strong called to her husband. “Help me collect the trash.”

  “Darn,” Mitchell sighed. “There goes our entertainment for the evening.”

  “Don’t despair. I brought the entertainment.” Mrs. Strong produced a deck of cards from her pocket and tossed it on the table. “I thought you’d enjoy a quiet game before dessert.”

  “How soon’s dessert?” Mitchell frowned.

  “Soon.”

  “How soon?”

  “Soon as you play one game with your sister.”

  “Not soon enough. I got company here.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Vinnie’s not company,” Mom scowled. “He’s family…like Danny.”

  “Close enough…” Mitchell elbowed his friend and winked. “Danny’s practically movin’ in!”

  “What did you say?”

  “Et-hem, I said, uhhhh…let the gamin’ begin!”

  “What should we play?” Danny asked.

  “How about Poker?” Vinnie snickered. Mrs. Strong scowled at the youth. “I was only funnin’,” he blushed. “How ‘bout Fifty-Two Pick Up?”

  Danny was intrigued. “How do you play that?”

  “You don’t wanna know.” Debbie rolled her eyes. “How about Old Maid?”

  “Old Maid?” Vinnie chuckled. “That’s a little baby’s game.”

  “Takes one to know one!”

  “Not again! We play that every time, Debbie!” Her brother groaned, holding his head. “Can’t we play something else for once?”

  “Do it for your sister, will ya?” Mrs. Strong said, wiping the tablecloth.

  “Ma…you’re not helping. You should be defending your only son.

  “Then…do it for dessert.”

  “Depends. What are we having?”

  “Blueberry pie,” Mrs. Strong said. “But, you’ll have nothing unless you play with your sister!”

  “Ok, ok…” Mitchell shuffled the cards, forming a double bridge. “You girls know how to play this game, right?” The cards snapped into a single pile.

  “No, duuh!” Debbie sneered at her sibling

  Mitchell spread the deck. “Pick a card, Ma, any card.”

  “Let’s see…” Mrs. Strong stared at the strewn pile. “Here you are…the Queen of

  Diamonds,” she said, placing the card face up.

  “That means one queen has no match,” Vinnie clarified. “That’ll be the Old Maid.”