Stopping a Fight"HoN darc rou!'- hollcrcd Jack.s hc clcnchcd his lisl a.d punchcd Tonr

on hk chcck. caxsi.s him to slfl3ecr bnct$.rds tron thc impad I N chcd inlNrror nhcn I si$ tlrc loot ofsuiplncooTort s anc. DorDh inb a furious glai.Hc $.s undaunrcd b! Jnckt .crions. Rctaliotirg Nitlr r Dnnch ofhk oNn. hc hil,acksquarclJ onhisclc.Immcdiarclt-lackco\$cdhiscl.andbcnro\oihpainDissalisned \nh the result. Ton raised his rigbr fool and rickd rack s sloinach

Rc0cxnch. I ncppcd bchrccn both ol lhcm and ticd to push Tom n\ralHo$c\cr hc \rs roo stong aor nc Shoring m. asidc. hc ldtanccd losards

lack and rrised his n't in rronrofhis r!ce- 0rcarcni.g lo hir hin again. Wi$oulhesnalion.l [elped ]acli to his fcct ard lricd to dng hin anar bul Jick sas nol

10 bc dclcrtcd b,r'sonconc 'rho

\ns snRllcFsircd than hc $as. Ignoins Bc. hc

lunecd ar Tom- cngagihg him Bo$or$cm \crc mt aricnds IhadtosopLncnehl Smndihgibrro.rofjrct.IplcadcdNilhlimlosropnghling

-G.toutofdrrvarl'- hc shoulcd. Iis chcoks flushcd \ hanscr-No!-'I rcbncd. -Sbp n!W\

'rc )ou 6ghting?Wcicrll fricnds!'''Tonisnolmr lricnd!--hcsaidinacoldchilling\oice "Do,\oukno\ \hal

he didl You \ould nol forgn e him ei$crilrouNcrc nc.-'He said in aroice fillcdsit[ so uch cor\icrion lhar I \as curious abour \lEr could [arc n.ppcncd

I rvas aboul to ask a qucsr,on Nh.n Ton rankcd lac* s collar lron bcbi.d.cnusins both Jnck and ne lo lose our balance. Lucli,lr. I caurhl hold of Jacli inlime to slop hnn frorn lalliq Inccnscd b! \rh.t Ton had donc. I pusbcd J.ckasidc drd pnllcd Tom losads'nc

''Listcn. bo$ of)ou! I h6scd. _Wharc\f rbc poblcn is. I n suic thcr.are berchrars b solre rllStop drn fighling beloe ]ou hur rounelf Thenoninptrlsc.l Ba\ecacloft[cmasLp mros lhe lacc.

Mr rclions sccmcd to iolr lhcm our of thcn onacr Ahhoush srill lookins n

litrlcdisgrunrlcd.Oc) aerccdtositdo\nandlalkaboul\hathadhappcncd INasglad lhat I had Nanased lo slop the 6sht.

t',

SmugglersThc lonc boar Nirh rhc hro boatmcn could barclr bc sccn as il driftcd

do\n lhe rnc. TIc onl! sound thal camc fton n \ras lhc chn83ins ol llcnroor. The 6\0 nen \ur. \esb and thli drorrs ThDrc \as b.n sicting out

lronr rhcn pockcls Ncxt to lhcm \rcrc x\o pails nllcd Nilh nsh. Anronc rvho

sr\ rhcn $ould ihncdirtclj $ink lhar tcJ $cic nshcincn on $cn $a!hone arte, ! ie\lrding nshin! rrip. No onc \rould ha\e gue$ed rha! thee Iasa sccrct companrncnt al thc borton oftbc roclir boat.

Thc bort chusged tolvards a clcnring in lhc cmbonkmcnt. Wilh lhc dcnsc

bxshcs surcunding the plrcc- crc4 pdt loolcd $c samc brtrhe borhcn kn.\cMcI! Ih(c to stop SloNing do\h. thc) $roq i6 lhe uchor &d l\ro burly

mcnpullcdlhcboallo\rardsrshonvoodcn\alli\'.Tritrsarcpetol[cpostlosccurc thc boal. lhc t$o mcn €ntcrcd lhc boat .nd nalkcd to\ards thc ccnlrc oa

Llr bo,t Thcrc \ a s no nocd ror plcasantics Each ptrt) sccmcd to kno\ \n,l$cotcr pa$ r ercd Bc.ding do*n to iclc!*, cath. onc ofdc bollnc. opcncd

! sccrcldoor.nd clinrbcd doNn a fishtofshns h.momcnl.hc\asoutigainNifi abor in hs hnds Hrndi.g ir ro rhc t\o mcn. hc \rcnr do\rn for,rolhcr bo\Br thc line hc $6 done.Ihcrc \cre fi\c simil bo\cson$enoo.

Tcaing op.n one of rhc boxes. rlr nicn checlicd rhe conrcnc and mddcd

h appro\al Thc bo\cs \crc 6llcd \rnb prckck oI conaabod cigarcncs anct\ronld lctch. high pricc I{.hding o\cr asuncasc silh rvads of thouend dollar

notes. $e xro men shook hands \nh the boattuen Then $e boxes rvere canied

oll the bo .nd thc boot conlinucd on its journcr as thongn nodins had ktcnplacc E\crlonc Nas conlctrtd. knoNing tnal thc coaslgualds hod not bcc.lippcd

Ho\erer.adistancean r.arouneborNasholdinganrobilephone\hichdrc co.stsuard had sncn nim Hc prcsscd l[c nunbcr for drc dirccllnrc lhat he

had bccn sircn. Thc \oicc on lhc odcr Inrc lislcncd lo him and tou hnn lhat hc

had donc a tsood lob. As thc ncn lcnt on rhcn \6. lhct \cic ua\ arc ol thc

police omce6 $at Nere \ani.g for then nea, lhen lor.r rhere the) planned

to load thc conlraband cigdcrc' A coasrguard \c$cl sls \aitine iusr round a

bcnd. c.nro!,lagcd in tc darkncss. rcad) to srop fic nshing boatoncc il\\as ncar

A Close EncounterThc ctunchins oa dricd lcncs rcsonorcd rhroushour rhc silcnl forcst. Thc

nore \e Nrlkcd- te quietr dd darkcr ( got. Thc sun *as hiddcn b! i blrnkelol clouds rid Nl[r hrlc surlighL rltu sho.c duough rlrs foliag. \.s Aone. Atuored I \allcd closc to cach oficr and sloppcd c\!r] fc\ slcps lo loot dound.Thcn *itholl rvami.g. apairolbrighr rcd cy.s s$nd al !s liom bct$ cc. $c tre.

Aarcn stoppcd in his traclis Thc colou daincd from his fncc. A clill rnn

do\M nt spinc I ft,nblcd \nh fcar and nt lcgs quncad w. s&od our grouhd-

hopirg dar \h,l sc hld sccn \rorlddisappcar Ho$.\ ci. d. prirofcvcabccamc

bisgcr and bdghlcr To our horo. Ne rcali/xd that\halc\crlhcercs bclonged lo\as connB lorv ds ns. As n ad\3nced to$ards us. fic ercs loNcrcd as though

tc crcaurc had suddchlv bccomc sborrc. l rcla\cd a lirlc lor I sas ccnain rhlrA,ronandl$ould bc.blcto o\crconcsuch,small crcaturc Wc hcld our brc,lhas a fuII] o\al-shaped head appcared lrom bex\een thc ttes Il \ras a \ild dos!

Wc \rrc stunncd Thcr. had nc\d bccn sightings oI rvild dogs in tlr forcsl Ilso\ lcd a! us. barins ils sha.p tcctn Saha $as drippnrs arcn thc cor.crofnsnouth Aaron lugsed nl land 'Leltrun!"hcrhispcred.

Tumin8aroud. se ronasfastas \rccould Wc isnorcd tlE rusllinsollca\csas lizdds dld squidcls mo\cd around us Wc did nor c\cnaccl dr nrsr drops ofiain as a stcady dri,,lc bcgan. Wc ran $irhout lumi g back oncc. Finally. out olbreath- r€ stopped and fell to the ground I lumed aronnd. e\pecri.g the dog ro

Doucc on trs bul nsas loncNudgihgAaron. \rho srs panling so hdd.l told hin llrr lbc dog s as gonc

wc dcodcd ro cnd our hiko and l.a\a Oc aoicsr wc did nor \rnl to bu6p inlolhe Nild dog aga,n and lhe 6in \as aho beconing lreaLier As Ne frade our Na)

oul. \rc [card t]r squcals and scrcccncs ordrc crcalurcs in lhc rorcsl. Somclhins

munbchappcningindrclorci PcrnapsficsilddogNasonihcprosla8ain Nor

$anins ro bcconc its Drc\. sc hn d lishl.ing spccd rhc rcsl ofth. \u! honc

n

A SquabbleMr Bhkc hcard a doo. slflm as hc \ras nbour to lc.\c his honsc. Tumin8

to his Ln. hc gl.rcd or thc pcrpctrolo. Shc \ras a ladt in Id mid-ftinics Shc

\.s \.ll-drcssed i omc. suir.nd hccls. SIE $as Mrs Lc\is Mr Bl.tc\ncislbour. Scnsins hs ncighbour lookins m hci shc tumcd aron.d lnd Eorchim an cquallJ hGtilc 8laio. Thcn shc slomcd plsi bin. thocting do*. a por ofbegonias on (he $a) oul

-LIcr!" Mr Blalic shoutcd aner hc. S[c did not bothcr lo tum !rcund as shc

Mlkcd lo\ards lhc lin Hc nn.ftcrbcrandorcrtookhc.Thcn hc stood in lronlof hcr. blocking hcnvrj'

''Wh!rrr.roudoingl lhehbscd It Nas srill early in rhe moming and ndy

"Do rou kno\ rvhal rou iust didl I took a rcdlr lons limc lo sm\ filt pol

ofbcSonias! hc ]cllcd at $c rop orhis \oicc. obhions lo hon his \oicc s.s{hoiig rhrouelDur dc cnrir. Ioor

"Oh.' shc said. lootnrs bact.'l ddn l \troN. Bul anrNav you should nolha\c bn ii thcrc ifn is so imporht. shc rctoncd rs shc ticd to pnsh hnn asidc

Ho\rrcr. Mr Blalic rcfused lo lcthrnsellb.brushedolt Hc dcmandcd lhal

MB Lc\ is par lor Ih pot of bcgonias At 661. shc Octcnded nol lo hear hin ard

lappcd hcr tool im paricnl lt as snc r .ncd aor $c lift HoNc vc r hc r innor ion g!c\as Mr DIalc bcgan accusing her olbci.g nEsponsiblc and odc Shc snappcd at

hih and told h,to $at she had ah\ays lell thil he $as a pe(r man nho krcked up

a fuss o\e! sn.ll marlcrs Hc. \oicc incEascd a notcn fls shc spoke Bclorc shc

could6nish \nat shc \ms sil ing. MrBlakc ranofb\ardshishonsc MG]-cNissnilcdsnuglv. thin*rng dal shc hadlon rh. argutuonr

An.srngsound\rshea.d..dthelifl doosopened MrsLe\is\rasaboullostp ntu &c lin \ hcn Mr Blitc appearcd bcforc hcr Strkins t[c Dor of bcsoniis

ans h in lront ol bcr facc. hc dcn dcd for comFcnsorion Snc sercd al hnn

incrcdulolsl!androldhimdartcplant\asalrcad,\ \ilringbclorcshcrh@tcdinto n.Ther shod there. glaring llercel) arcach oue(

Al thd,noncnl dorhcr ncighbou appcarcd. Sltr \as old M6 Sni$.Sccing Mr Blahc and M6 Lc$is. shc p.6rad.d rncn lo nop arBuihg. Borh ofthcnr lnmcd rcd Nilh cnbamssmcnl Thc! srudsinslr smilcd al c.ch olhcr and

\€nl licir scpamc rvays.

o

A Dangerous ActAndy and Brandon sconrcd lhc snorc. sc chins aor scrslrclk Horyc\ci

tc) loud noting bur pcbblcs Dishcrncncd.tnq ruhcdlosardsagra$rpatchar rhc ropoa.slopc Thcrc \tic a$chl hn8crock$crc

_Cohe onl" shouled Andy. Theie nighr be sohe$ing inleEsrnrg hehrd

Thc hors scEfrblcd up lhc slopc. Thor laces N(c hncd \nh $\eat and

linr \hitc0o\cm\crcsluckon$cnclolhcs.Andr stmdalrhctopollhcslopc-btushine thcn oII Undclctrcd bt thc mcss on nis clofics. Brrndon \rnl on loc$lorc lhc r6ts Whco Andl \rallicd o\cr Bmrdont laoc \as shinnrs \rilhcxcilcrnc Hc nad opcnc d a blac( bag \ h icl hc lad fomd hiddcn p.ni al\ undcr

the roclis. Snall ranspare stoncs spa led in thc anemoon sun."CaU lhc policc! ' Atrdr \ lispcrcd inmcdiatclt. Hc rcmcmbcrcd ryl[t lrc hnd

rad ih lhc ncnspipcB a lcrv dars ago and hc rccogni?cd lhc diatuoids aotu a

picturc in lh. rcpon. An infanbus gang ofrobbcunad slolcn a ladr's diamonds.

The bqs shored the bag back lo rhere ther had found naod hid (behi.d a

clumpofbushes as ther trailed for thepolice to a(nt Ho\rer€r mornents later anEn \lnh bloodsho! er es and a lhicli blact bea.d gror rog aiound his face a(n ed.

Hc \rcmhchind lncrcts. rc achcd u ndcrncat md ht out lhc bagoadiamonds

And,\ iumpcd up loft hn hid,6g placc sirhou, sccond rhoughr and lcapr nr th.,nar Hc r.incd bloMflo bloN otr fic 'ne Tnc ran. N[o Ms nucb lallcr lhmAnd\. punchcd hnn o. tc.oso nn6cdia$l\- blood gushcd oul l.on his.ostrils.ln rctaliaion. he sanli his Ieefi in$ lhe nani am so hard lhat he cried out inp,in Ilo\crci.hcrNo\crcdqxicllt adpurhishahds.roundAndt'shcct Andy\as sasping lor an \hcn drcc ,oliccmcn catuc tuhning lo\ards $cm Onc ofrhcn rlmN a balon.r thc ran $nich hil nnn o. fic hcad Stu.ncd. ihc m.n lcllbacrrvard s. Thc polic c hcn pushcd hin lo thc ground andhandcuaacd hih

And! md Smdon scrc pEiscd b! thc policcmcn tor $cn quict thinkinsHo$e\er Andt \rs also se\erelv reprinanded aor his beha\iou. He had

cndansercdhnlleb) hkingonantan\hoNashuchbigsersi/idlhrnhenas.nrc mor nisnl aho hr\c b.cn cadtibs a scapob Thc policcmcn also lold tnc

bols lnal lhcy nod alrcad_\' apprchcndcd lhc rce of thc sans mcmbcs \rho rcrcndiinE then \ar uD lhe slope. The bors stared open-nouthed al$e &rs. Alin glinB sc n salion s cnl do\ . thc ir s pinc r s lher droushl or the c onsequences it$c resr ol thc men n.d rnrcked rhc,n.

R

A Dangerous JobD.n pickcdnp thc hcorr conlaincrofclcanin8sohtionand placcd ilon thc

so.dola Ukcoueasuc.S.m.\asakcadr \railinsforhin.Thcirhsldrldar sasdirl'clco{ l1o$ rhos. dk dr} usu.llr did As$i on\rslEs.rlrrsue(u llliitcd alon8 lhc glass Nindoss of r high-nsc bnildnrs in a sondol! likc printcrs

olbloc(s olnrE. Ho\c\!r 6ardar. $c gondol, (as goingmuch hiehcr$an ilusually did lor the) \tre going to cleah $c lerrcrs rhar hade up the hahe ola

h\rasmid-d.r' ondlhcsunN,scxccptionnllynoldrald.t. Wilh tlcscorchinghcar bcating do\n on $cn- thc .\o mcn \crc pc(pning profusch cvcn b.foi.$cr rcachcd lhe rop Slspcndcd on fie gondola. $q \rec pu(i.g tun ln.s alisli Thcy c.c[ \orc a safet] hancss lhnt r ould pr$rnl ficn lron fauins s[ouldthc sondoln malfunclion. Horvc\cr lhcrc \ros al\nvs n ch.ncc lhm lhc safclr

hmoss \ onld aril Dd ftct \ ould pcrish $hilc doine lhcn job Tl'd da) . \ nh

tcn sarc! hrihNrs on. ttct sar ahd \uilcd lor Oc gondol! lo rcach $c lop

lnstad ofl6k6g doNn and rcalizing ho\r lar thcr \rcr fton thc grcund. lhcrrook lhcn rind oll rhc l,cighr bt chlting ro crch odE

Ther NeE about to tach the top rvhcn \ithoul \anins. lhcrc \as a loud

clang and thc hn side oflhc gondola did dorvn\ads. Thc mcn scrcamed and

grabbcd o.lo tlc sidcs'l nc cnitu on onc sidc of lnc gohdola had givcn sa,r md$c contraprion sas nos $vot ihg bac( rnd aonh dmgcousll in

'nid.ir Thcrc

rere shouts lrom belon aspeople nolicedNhat \rshrpp.nins. From the topofrhc bniunrg. thcir supcn isor shontcd for rhcm lo lcr so of rhc Bondoh snrcc $cr,'

nod lncn harncsscs on Ho$cyc( thc hro mcn scrc lcluctanr to do so 0s rhc_\' lcnnorc $curcd bcingon rhc gondola.Al$ar tooncnr. rhcorhcrsidc ga\ir!v and

$e gondola \renrcrashing to $e rround People screamedandran oulolthe \\ar.Forhnotclr nooneont[c slrcetbclos \rashu .Altlrush DanlndSrm had lhen

sofc! lmmcscson.rhcr \rcrc sill sNar ins abour dangcnnslr in fic ai. As lbclhad lo barl. \inds thal \$c much stonBcr, lhlt.ltnudc. ir $as dimcuh aor

dem to lorver lhemsel\es

Tho r\o mcn c\cbrurllr rcaclrd fic ground slfclr. Ho\c\er lhc) had

a 6aro\nu c\poi.ncc in fic air For lhc nrer rinc. $ct rcrli/cd tc danecrs

assocdcd $nh rhcnjob

I

Helping a Friend in NeedThc shnll rins oa thc phonc slartlcd Jim. sho N.s rcodinE a mos.zinc.

Rcaching aor lhcphonc. hc \ns surpri*dlo hcarhhfricndt amntic \oicc.''You \e got ro gcr ord lEic righr asa_\ ! O.h rou car gcr orc our ol r(

mcss!" Jin N.nlcd to ost Pcld nhat hld happcncd bul hc had alrcad! sl.rnmcd

do\ n thc phonc rih rushcdoutofrh. holse- glad thll Pct6ihousc\aso.l!onthe ne\t stieet W]1en he eached lhe hous. he sa\ Pelci Naiting a.\iouslv lor

"Pnrkr is goncl" hc shoulcd

Jim nnalh mdcrslood \h! Pcicrhadcallcdhimo\cr Pint! sashisbrodcr'slarourircpel Ir\asagrc)ishblrckscorpio.thar\rsslighl\ largertannispalnJim line\ that Pclcr's brothcr Nould be ftrioN \rlEn he lound oul. H. ako knc\th Pctcr\as lcrilicd oallE scoDion and sas too alrnid to pick it up rlhc lonnd

n On cnrfting Pctasroon. hc lcantr fron Pcrcrthal hc had accidcnhll! th@tcdinto hisbrolhci srdl conlainihg lhc scorpion Thc mk had ralb. onto lhc 0ooi

ahd Pctcr\as t@ frishrcncd to put n back in placc. Bcforc long.lhc scorpion had

crarvlcd our ol lhc rant Thc rDk Nls nor brotcn md Pcrcr had rcrnmcd ir ro itoiginal placc bul hc ras too alrad lo looli lor ftc crcaurc

Jih took a torch and shonc il undd thc heds and behind thc .trpboards.

HoNcrc( fic scorpion \as noNncrc to bc lound Ancr gong dmugh (llc room

mcliculouslr. Jim cneckcd thc olhs roons Hc c\cn cncckcd tu bilcl Jnn

\nlledcaEtully as he \ras aftaid $atherould slepon thc scorpDh unlnoN,nsl).Hc had bccn *0rchiDg for almo( r\ cn! mnrulcs ud $as aboul ro si\cup\rlrcnhc sa\r a morcncnr undcr drc sofa Bcndnrg do\ n carcfnll( hcpccrcd und$thcsofa. Thc scorpion nas right h rh. cc.lrc oa thc dar*cne^d fl ooi Using lhc cnd olan utobretla. he nudred the scorpion oul froh uMer the sofa Then he caried n

Pctcr shmnk bmk $ncn nc sa\r thc scorpion Hc sincd a scrcam .s Jnn ricdto scarchin b) holdins thc scorpion clos tohiD Pu(in! Uc scoQion carctully

bacL inlo Oe td\. Jin bu4l out laulhing nhen he sar ho\ teriiied Pel*Nas.He \as siuine at $c lai cnd ofhis bod- co\cring his fac. ed lrcmbling.

'Lcl nc hnos ilyo! losc rhc scorpioh again." ,in said nirh a chcc\' gdn

on hs lacc as hc nn\cd,roodb\c lo Pclc.

A FloodCrnlhi! rollcd np hcr lrouscrs and bcnt doNn to scooD norc Natcr fom thc

srcn.d oulsidc hcr housc. Hcr parcnc $crc doin8 $c s.mc a shorl disLncc.\ralTlr.r ll.d.lr.rd] lre.d ar tlE ras\ fol halltu hour TIE nmssi\e do\urpou, dEda! bcforc brd causcd onood oursidc Crnthia-s housc. Dcspitcrhcmanl paih of$atodc) had ancad! $oop.d !p- thc $atcr lc\clrcmaincdtcsahc. iust thcn-

Crnthia lookcd up lo se. ctclist cnsl i o hcrfathc. \rholEd son€ nnhcroutolllrc housc lo tr-r to clclr lhc dcbris lnd \ c!lhcrc.Thccrcl (as ut ins lo a\oidgoingo\olnrcith \\d lloaling in Oc Narcr A. hc s{^ed unsLrdi[ aron !id. loside. hc did not notice Cl ntlia s larher squatd.B ned Uc sidc ol rhc @d Br Ue im c

he sN hin. il \ras re htc. Hc did not c\rD 16€ time to s\cne a\t) tom lin Hc

cnshcd inlo C.\ nlhiai ftlhcr and both of thcm acll lo thc sround. Although ticl \ scnorbad\ bm.lhcndotn s Nsc sortcd dd onc shccl oa&e bictclc na punctued

Cththia ud no moLn$ hclpcd 6cn inro dr housc dd dJcscd Ocn (o@ds

That aftcmoon. lhc \ratcr rcccdcd a ln c Thc ianr had causcd lhc dnslbins

oubidc rhc houscs ro ropplc oYs and robbish \ras no,ri.g crcnlvhcrc C\trrhia

and her mothcr nef ablc lo s\ccp thc rcmainins \ aler and the dcbris out ofhcirlronl _\tud and in|o a dranr Ho\r\rr. pieccs of lissue pape.lcarts and plaslic

baes \ crc siill stuck oD lnc ground Usingahosc.CtntniainoficrsprarcdsalcraL$clitlcrmd$\cpliLourol$clromgalc Whcnlhclomtaldhadnnalh bccn

cleaned. Crnthia helped her ftoder lo clean the house. Astoall area in her hdgroon had also bccn afcctcd b! thc 0ood Thc 0oor$.s nucd\nhblacl{prrliclcsso Crndria had to scrub lhc arc8

Thc ltood had causcd ! lot ofihco.rcnfncc to C)nthia and hci frnrlr Illool a dar olrain lo cEate lhe ness in $e hou$ng estate but Crn$ra and her

famil! look tltrcc drys lo clcatr up Tbcrc $$ .lso pcmnncnt danage lo thc

aoDilri sodcn as rhc flood had dcslrolcd thc snEll planls fial rvcrc srorvinsall arolnd lhc gardcn C)nlhia s norh(rclucrrhllr pullcd olt all rh. pla.ls. Shc

\ouldharelosta(plaoUngner onesaga,o E\e!ooehopedlhatlhererouldnolbc m\ 6orc lloods inftc rrca

My Mischievous BrotherClosinsmr book. I hidilundcrm! pillolrlitclalrvalsdid\hcnllcnmr

r@m It sas. Dc\r book in ,nr foyourile scries 'Mr Midni3hl' Thc book \asespcciall) prccious b rc is rltc iudru liosclf lmd s,Bncd on rbc irs( prgu. iNanlcd to kccp itpislinc so ldid not cr cn d.rc to bcndllrc corcuNhcn I rcnd lhc

b@l I uscd a bootmlil instcadofloldingfic topcomc6ofrhc prCcs.

I spent an houi Natchi.g, docune.uq N(h mt paenb. I could nol \a(to rctum to mv hoo( O. r! \u! upshns. I suddcnl] rcrlizcd lnal n] brclhcr

had not bccn \rilh us Ihc cntirc rnnc Asuddcn scnsc ofpmic o\cnficlmcd mc

{hcnlnoticcdm\ bcdr@ndoorrid lhadlcft ilcloscdsh.nl\cnrdo$nsunsRushing inro 6r roon. I \enl sroieht to n) bcd to rcrric\c m\ prccious book

HoNc\c.lhc beli *as sonc. I turncd o\s t[c piuoN is scll as thc bladiel.lhcbolslcrand thc son toys on r! bcd. Hosc\c.lhc boot \ras no\ hcrc to hc lound.

i could fccl mt cars ahd chcc(s Scting hor as mgcr 6sc snhin mc lr nusr bo

I marchcd |onis roonr. dcnrindins dul hclcll mc Nhcrc hc had pnt nr b@k.

Isxnodi6cdio$cm\ bookhcsidchino.rhcbcd\nhscrcmlplgcsromonrThcrcrcrec\cnshredsollishtbro$npapcron the noor. Mybrothdslardatncrvnn a checN gnn on his lacc.

''Nicc papc("nc said h his nuucrinS\oiccCrabbihe lhc booL aron him.l shooknim hard bt fic shouldcreand shoukd

m his lace I could nolbele\e ho\rmuch drnage a four rearcldcoulddo tonrdrinas Brcoki.! arec from mc. m\ brothcr cra\ lcd lo thc cornu ofhn bcd. curlcd

his lcssundcr him md cricd u nco ntol lablrHcrilng rhc cohmolion- I parcnts 6n i6ro rhc ooh lo nnd out \hat had

happeied Thel \rere about to scold ne lor Lightenins hl botherbu| \rhen lhers!$ $. danrscd book in mr [.nds.llrcr undc6lood \h.l h.d [epcncd.In{c.dofbcnrsansn \ithmc,thcrdragscdmrbrolhcrfromhiscorncmndlorccdhnnto apolos i7c lo ntc Thcnmr morhci promiscd lo but mc a ncs copr olthcbook.I lodded.nd \entbacl lony room niseirblr lnmyhands$ere$et\opieceslron rhc 6isl pagc of rhc boo[ Thar nighr. I spenr a long rinc r^ing ro lapc lhc

tr\oDicccsrvi$ thc a!thor's rirnarurc back in placc.

A RescueGrcs a.d An$ont N?ndcrcd to\rards lnc monsoon dEin Thc rain hodjml

subsidcdand llrc monsoon dr.in \.s almosl fillcd \rith satcr Gre3 and Androny

dscid.d ro go lor a n\ir. Tln \!arc, lootcd crurrn.l) caLn Snnnmbg ir dENnlcr\onld bc a brcczc

As rhc! cnrci.d tc icc-cold \alor lhc bots shi\c(d. Cr.g sohdcicd ifil\as a good idea bul he did not ndtAnlhon) to crll him ! co\!id. He decided

lo eo alcad \rit[ thc sin Ho\erei lhcv had on\' gonc a shon distecc \ hcn

a suddcn cumnr srvcDt thc bols fonrard Crcs tricd to snb onro thc sidc ofthcdmin bu!his nne(s slid along ii as hc \as lnablc to find an)Lhing lo hold on to

Anhon)- $c seall.j4d one.llo.led do\n rhc drain ar such a spced Oal ne Nas

sootr oul ofsight. Crg nailcd his arhs abour. nrusgling to 6nd a N4 to slo$

hinsclldoNn nEt llcn. hc fclt $mcthing lussins on thc bact ofhisTihin Hc

srugglcd b lrcc himsclabur hc lrcard \oiccs shouting ro rcll nim b nop no\i.gLooking !p. Grcg rcrliTcd tlDr r lcN mcr hld spoucd hin i. dr drrin Th$ $ crc

loldinsont a sfick rvith a hoot al onc cnd to pull Crcs oul ofthc dhin.h did nor bhc long for GrA ro bc rcscucd Jur \hcn hc

'c,chcd dr grass

palch.a ladr oamc running to\ ads then ltum $colhcrcndofthe drain Bc[rccnbreaths.slesaid alaroungbol$asscetrnoadnsdo\nlhcdrain. IlheNasmlrcscucd soon.hc\ould bc rvasncd inlolhcrncr Bt lhcn- hc

'nighrdb\rn E\cn

$ough hcMs cxhausLcd and siill in sbock.6rcg ran $ith tllc rhrcc mcn as $cr-'

rushed lo fie other end hdidnoltnte$e long lo spot Anthony. Foduatel). he

$as holdi.son lo scrcnl prolrusions on thc rou8h \aUs. Ho\rNc. hc rvas losin8

nisgrip HcNassotircdtlmthcdidnolcrcnha\cdrcsrrcnghtosloutforhclp Ifhc had nol bccnrcaring hn b.ghroiangcT{htn. no onc}ould har. spotlcd him.

lustnhenhereleasedhissrip-he\ashauledupb) lhe$reetren.Anlhoo] ed GrcB \rcrc smtcful lo lhc pas*rbr Nho nad hclpcd lo sayc

lhcrn Thq nod bamlalcssotr fiomlhcnnam\ cscapc Thcr haddi$o\lrcd thar

cvcn though thc \atcr in rhcnoisoond{i. sccmcd caln. it\.sactMIl) nol Il\as \ err dangerous aM no ole should s\io in (.

Helping the PoiiceDanicl siarcd \ristaully

"l thc policc oiiccB in lhc policc slation Sonc oa

dEnr scE busr aucnding ro pcoplc nt rbe courtc^ Somc \rcrc talkins on lhc

plDnu.n\o uldMrlmdjus{,rtuncd.ddncr. gcniig ou{oadE policcc.,. Daricl\'.nlcd to bc likc thcn His nmbition Nas lo bc . policc omcc. Hc inrsincd ho\inpicssnc hc &!ld loo( hallin8 a ciininal blck lo lhc policc skrion Thihkine

aboul \hat hld h.ppcned errlici. hc \as plcased \ilh h6 perform!.cc He \asabonl to coDlinuc on hn \ar to lhc Iood cenlrc N[cn hc [ead a cn for lrclp.

Tunringaronnd. Danicl s.\r r m.n in a bhctT-shirt ind $hilcjcans nnnins a\a\Irom anold lady Thc old la/y r\as scicamingduihcr pu6c had bccn srolcn

Ddicl sprinted inlo acrio. As hc (n.\r Oe &c! \cll. hc knc\ Oal thcre

was a s[on ctrl lcaditrs lo t[c placc \rhcE lhe thicfras headcd Running to apath bchind thc policc stnlion. Danicl jumpcd orcr obsbclcs srch as bushcs.

\idc drains dld bck a p.rk unril hc rcachcd thc m,i. r@d Thcn dashin!

lcoss rhc nainroad lnd runn,e imoasidc ro!d. hc \us acrulll\ jusrbcliM $cdrict Hc cillcd for hclp \hilc kccpmg a safc dislancc bchnd $c lhict Thc area

rvas dcscncd ,nd rlrc thicl hd nor spou.d hnn tci Danicl ran as qnicrlt rs hc

could.hopingnotlorrouscthcnantsuspicions Oncc lhcmanonpastarc$oIab.ndoncd slolhouscs. heleant againslarall. outofbEa$. L@liins around. hc

didnorsccrtrto.c Tncr nc srl on dr Cmund lo go lhrough lllc puisc Th.t\.srvhcn Danicl pouccd o. hifr.

The man $d caughl br suDise. He \as $ stunned that he did nol e\sslru88lc shcn Daniclsnatncd $c purc Irom hin Ho\rc\ci hc sasmuch tallcr

dr Danicl Alfiough Danicl rricd lo hoB hnn doNn undl nch nncd t[c m.n

srcsrcd aicc lrotr Danicland shacd tonnrng. Fonunarlr. Dnn,cl \ras onc ollhcbesl tunneB in h6 school athletcs leao It did .o! hlie hito lons to oulfon lhe

man. Hc slrusglcd rith lhc m fora shilc Lrrorc policc ofllccB ooncd.Dmicl \ras glad th lhc policc of6cc6 r@k o\.r Thc! Ncrc rnrch stron8cr

than Dahicl Oncof$cmhandclifcdtcthicl\hilcdothcrloldDaniclloaollo\rhen backlolhepol,cesraronro g6!hissrarenenr Daniel \renrinrorhe policecar

\irl his h.rd hcu nigh. Hc could nor bcli.rc lh,l h. ras ofhclp to lnc policc.

A Birthday CetebrationI conld nor bclic\c

'nr crcs \ncn I sa\r Pctcrond Frcd sln8slins undcr thc

\cishroflb. husc catc T\rchr orm8c 0,,ncs niclcrcd.borc il. sninslhc roonr

a ml urious glon. E\s\onc bcllcd otrr rhc Undtdrr song. l.l4p.d m) hmds

Nilhdclishl. Mr binhdar had 6n.ll! mircdThc da! sDncd olt lik. !.) odci oidinu dar. Ho\c\cr. aor nc. it \as

direre.t lt \as h! bnthda) and I \ras xrehe )ears old. UnliLe o\ pie\iolsbinldar cclebmtions. dns timc lhcrc tronld nol bc n [oncnadc btlhdny c.lic lilicin lhc past. Ncithcr $onld tlE c bc a kblc ofhol catcrcd lood in sincr nc.mcrsThcrc \onld nor bc any childish padr gane. cnhcr This \e!r I $as ha\ ing apul) !rachaletinstad B.loiotheprnlstaacd.Icouldhctam\riadorsounds

Thc firc had ahc.dr bccn shncd on lhc srill oulsidc and platcs olchickcnsings.srus,gcsmdpm\rns$cic$.ninebbccoolcd Soncormt frichdsscrcancadr c@ting Oc l@d Thc pany \ a. goihg lo bc a ei.al onc Al thal moncm-

lhc runrblins olthundci could bc lurd in tne distance and a flash of lightninsshrkcd across rhc skl Al ,.cd. crcryonc nshcd ro h\c rhc food brck into lnc

Thcre \as a dhslic chansc in the $cather as $c s\ bccamc oreran Iscrcdindisma!rsbigdropsofr.inpcncddoNnohlhcnoo..,un\rhcnldougnrn] panr Nas tu1ncd. lhc cuaaiG \{fc suddcnlt dd\r n and out oa lhc cornf ofn:rere.lsarrano,anseglo\ The huge birhda) cate cahe as a pleasa surprise

for I donght that nr flic.ds \crc burnrs mc onc $ai \as nuch smalld Ancr drc

binhdal song.l closcd mr ctcsand nudc a \ris[Il Nas onc oalhc bc$ bnrhdar cclcbrations I had c\dhnd. Thcrain sloppcd

afte, a $hile and \re Nere able to resuhe ourbarbeue. Allhough ne did nol pla)

sancs. $c spent a lol oftimc I'lHns lo onc anoftcr nnd lcllins iokcs To$ards

rhc cnd of lhc pan!. I oDcncd mr prcsctra Whilc somc of lhcm munchcd on

tc lcto\q barb.clcd aood and othea plalcd \id tc brlloons. I iippcd opcn

one i.teresang present rlter another dd lhanlied ny lriends lor tlreir thoughtlul

A House.warming PartylTobr lookcd rrcund his ncN housc \ ilh plcNrc Il \usspick and spon.ncr

hc b.d sD.nl lhe snoh.i8ht clconi.B ir His prrcnls n.rc rnatin8 he-minxrcp,.pr.rto.s. E\uirrbnrg nas readr lor dE! housc{\dtrtilg p.nr Tobr rould

nor \rail ro shoN off hn nc\r housc ro his fricnds.

Hcaiine $c suddcn shrill nng oarh. d@rbcll. Tobt spcd lo tc fio.l dooi.

hoping lhd hn friends had ontred. Ho\ger lhe guests Nere his prients lriends.

Crecl s lhen polilclr. Tobr sho\cd lhcn inlo th€ housc and caUcd l s molhcrHc spcnl lhc rcst oarhc rimc trltins lo thc sucsts .nd s$ ing lbcn dinks Jusr

den- hc hctd tu d@ibcll ring rgrinTobr rhiorr opcntedoor rosechis rr\o beslfiie.ds sffding in fro.r ofhin

Bclrvccn t[d Nas a hugc bighl rcd h.anbag thc exact one lhal Tobr had bccn

cycins for lhc post month lumping \rilh cxcitcmcnt. Tobr thankcd his fricnds forLhc prosem and l@t rhom to his rcon On dc 6nd 0oo( Tobt lcd rhcm to nhcrchis rooh $rs SundingouNido- hc opcncd ir Niln a lolrish. His fiicnds erspcdnr amazcmcnt for the roortr lookcd is lhotrsn n Nas foating in outr spacc. Thc

\2lls dccrli.S\rcrcprinrcd nart btuc5nd rhcrc\cr srrcand pl crsprinr.d

on lhe ceiling. Tobr's bed Nas shapcd like a space shullle and his $nting dcst

N"s in a sMll cnclarc dul loolied lile a i e rachinc Hisfriends sp.nt such a

Iong limc rdrning nis roo,n thar al'nos all ihc food \as gonc bt lhc lnnc lhct

Aner n qurt real. Tob) look th€$ on a bur ofhn nelr house. The huse

ch.ndclicr aborc hisdinin8 tablc snvc lhc placc. rc8al lool Thclilcbcn l@hcd

litc onc of tnosc lrom a cm(ing sl[$ Whar capturcd lhc borf axcnrioo thc

toosl \as a roon on thc sccond floor Il containcd lhicc conputc{ dar \.ic allconnecrcd to fte Inte,ner. Ther conld nol belie\i hoN luctr Tob) \as - lE had

hk o\n inlcmct cafa in his houscj Tob! clullcd ud lold lhcm lhd lher \rcrc

\clcoDc.n!rimc to pla! onlinc g ncs

Thc housc{.ming part! laslcd rhoughout lhc nisht. Bt thc linc thc lasr

gucsl hnd let. Toby and his pare. ts \ ere e\hausted. Massaging her achiog neck.

Tob} s norh{sal in drc amchanas shc \athcd Tob! and ht fa$cropcning domant picscnts tat had bccn plac.d in apilc on $c n@r Thcrc \wc bo\s and

box cs of hou schold itcms Shc rvondcrcd \rh.l shc \ms soins to do rvnh tum.

A Welcome Party''Has fie food atrned retl Where are the paper plales:' Brcnda. don l blon

$c balloons so big or lhcr sill bust!' Miclt. lhc cl.$ nonilor \cnt around ficclassroom. Na\nrgsuredDt.rcrllhnrgrasirordcr TlrcpargNasabodtonarl.I[rasa \rclcomc pait for thcn f!\ouritc English t.chcr Ms Bcll. Shc had bccn

abscnl fiom scnoolaor hrll. rc.r.ncr shc mct \rnh a I -and-run.ccidcm Just

lhen. soneonc herrd the clacl,ing oaheels on $e landing and inmcdiatel) the

lighls$rc rumcdoll Thc clasyooto Nas thro\ni.dar(n.ss."What hnppcncdl" crmc M6 Bcll s ftmilior dccp throatv \oicc Thc Bnls

\ c rc bcsidc lhensc hrs \ i lh cxci tcmcnl Tbcv cou Id b!'dll \rnir for Mm Bcl I lorumon de lights so tat lhcr couldiunpoutdd suipiise her At that nomcnl. 1\ro

clicts N$c hcad rnd $c nuorcsccnl ligh$ abo\c blinhcd r$icc bclo( nooding

lhccntncchssroom\ritlrbrishrlight Jcsie\aslhcfi uttorumpup Shcnnntcd

lo reU surprise bul she tipped and atnosl tnoclicd o\cr a chair in fie proccs.

E\c,_\onc bursr our lauehihg dd canc out ol rcn hidine placcs Mrs Bcll $as

shihrg lrom carto car Lootins donnd allhc bightlr dccoritcd classooD. shc

bc,ncd at hcr srndcnk Shc had misscd thc,n dnriDg hcrabscncc Shccouldnor

bclic\crhat rhel had putinsonruch cflon to $clconrc her bact

The gnh ushered M6 Bcll to a chan h $c ccntft oflhc classoom Thcn

cro\dirg aronnd hcr drl.ll bad c.rds and gifis for hcr lo rvclcomc ncr b.ck bschool Mantol rcn scrc conccmcd abour hn ihjudcs.nd \rcrc mlic\cd onlr,,

rhen she told them rhd sne Nas in tip lopcondrlion. The gnhodecd IIB Belllo icnanr d hcrscat rvhrlc thc,r'scncd hcr food and dink Thcr trcarcd h*litc

"Wc misscd tou,' Susic. ftc nan8hricst Birl in lhc closs said_You

did a sid Ms B.ll in suAns. IdoughtIouharedneforbeinssostem'Susic lookcd bashfullv ar h.r tcr.lrci Nho 6.ccrcllcd at hf c(n d8 lor

"Withoul lou shoudr8 ,r mc. I \ as nor ablc lo do nr \rcrl.E\e+one\as inst'lches Nhenlher heard dral ErenM4Bell

Th tnr8 c\ cNonc for lhc pa(y. Mx Bcll mldc hcr \rar lo rhc fronl of dE

classr@nandonccagrin. h(thund$ousau$onhln.loicc.shcroldc\cryonc$!l il\astm.roclean up tne place and betin the lesson

A Special Chinese New Year"The chaacter -fu- should be huns upside dorn. Ben told his rounset

sislci Jcnnr h \r.s LIE c\c ofclincsc Nc\ Yc.r.nd lhcr $.rc hclpins Gcirpa'cnts to dccolalc llE lDusc fo' llE occasion. Il Nas goi'rglo bc a spccial nclr

lcar lor thcm bcconsclhcirsnndnroduMs goinslo b. disclDrgcd lrorn nospil.l.nd rhcr \ouldbcablclospcndlhcncNIcar$iLIhc! aor 0s lon8 as lhcy could

emenber fien gondoother had bee. going in a.d out orhospnrl dd \rhen

she nas al honc. shc Nas oltcn bcdriddc.. Bcn a.d lc.n\ \(c dccodting dchousc csp(ialll for hcr as drc rv$ finah \rcll cnoush lo mo\. around in a

Ancr hnch. thc childrcn \e.t to tc hospihl \ilh $en paients to lclch

rhcir grandnoth( 6om. Shc \ra looting chiQicr $an !s!al and shc \qs 3llsmilcsas shc snt Nailins aor thcn rt lhccdgc ollhc bcd Oncc ficr lrcrc homc.

slE rcquested to bc pus[ed aror.d lhe house lo .drnc dE beaulilul dccontions

tnar rhc childrcn hld puiup Shc praiscd ficn for $c l.nrcrns $,l thc! hrdmadc

thchslrcs.Thataftcrnoon. Bcnand Jcnntspcnlnoslofthctinrcl.llinglothcngEndmorhcr Shc Nas srill pcrlv dnd shc lcpr up rn inrcrc ingnonologuc abou!

rvhalChinese Nes Yea, ras lilic in hcrchrldhood. Her\nnklcd finscG $crc aho

nihblc cnougn10fold $in red strint into intricatc Chinese Nc\rYeardecorations.

Thc childrcn scrc dclightcd rhcr lad trcrcr sccn such dccorarions bcforc Tnctnn around l}lc honsc. hrnging lhc dccorations e\cq\rncrc

,usl belore rhe stan ol the reunDn dinner. the resl ol the relatr\€s besnn

trooping m. Wnh Grandnothcratuund. lhc aftospherc Nas lNclicr and 6.q onc

Ns in hig! spirit Gmndmolhcr did not narc lo car tlc spccial bmln thal shc

had bc.n c.lin8 in lhc p.st In$ead. sl[ \ras .blc b cat poEidsc and nos ofthe lood thal eyer.vone else \as ealin!. Ben and Jennr sal on eider side ofthengrandoolhci. scnrg hcr aood and constanllr asliing hc, iashc Nas lccling allrisnt Thar nishl. c\crlonc \ras smiling fron car ro car as dE! lalkcd among

drcrnschcs Cmndmolh.r herscll\ras bc.nins as shs sal bact in hcr shcslcbnn.

enjoJing the buoyln t am osphere.

Thar"ishr bcforc Bctr and Jcnnr Ncnrrobcd.rhq \rcnfiothcnsmodnorncr\@fr ro ray goodnight to h* Shc $as still fcclinB chcorul. Thc childrcn Ncrc

elad toh.re lheir rrandnother aound

An tmpromptu Birthday CelebntionJoson and Mnric \crc caminsa pilc olcxcEisc b@ts lo thc stailr@m aor

tcn Enelish lcachcr. M6 Shc.s ,ason sas abou to slidc M$ Shcde accc$c.rd i.ro i slor ro opcn thc door shcn hc noric.d hcr d.rc oabidh

_He]l-hesaidexcnedlr loMarie _h'sIr^Slea*-bnddaytodayl'

Snatcbing the card from hson. Marie rcld lhc dalc in smau bl.c( trumbers'4l5/l970 Win\ogar Jason. Mane lold hrn about h.r plan

Thc childrcn haslily pur lhc books in lhc srall rcom Thc! rhc\ rcMncdlo Bcn chssroon. As thc nc\t rcachcr hrd no! ariLcd. tur an.ounccd to tcnclasshilcs drat il \ras M^ Shears binhday. Thcrc Ncrc shour ofjor and \ hoops

''Let'slhro\rhcrasurpnseparlrl saidMaieexciledh E\eDoncnoddcdinagrccNcnt. Th.t dal.lhc childrcn spc.l $cnrcccss buynr8 sn.cks lor thc pa lThcr boughlsa.dNichcs. biscullsandpackctdi,nks Thc) also bouelta &n phlcs

ofnoodlcs Thcr had to oblain pcmnsion to l*c lhc food to lhc classoom. Whcn

fienpiincipalloundoulnhalrher Nantedtodo-she laughedandallo\edOenlodoso She e*n conlribul€d by buring more drinlis for lhe par! The childre.also pooled their6oner to buy a pcsenl fo, theirkachei from the b@hshop The

class nonitor madc 0 birlnd.y cad and Ncqonc signcd on itAiorcccss. thc childich tidgctcd through tcn Scicncc pcriod Thq $cr.

vcit cxcncd abour llE p&t! t[c] had plmcd wlrcn il \ras nnill\ l[c lnslishpcriod agiin. $c childicn snul 6c doo4 and oaranecd tc dcsls .nd cnans

Mrs Shears r as puzzled rvhen she neared lhe claseooh The lights\ere s$nchedofand lhc dooB scrc closcd Horvcrcr. oncc shc ptrshcd opcn thc doo6. tn.lightcam.on and c\er.yonc shoutcd. ^H.pp\ Bnthda!l

Mrs Sncrs sas so shockcd ln.r shc droppcd hcr rhings on tlc 8oo. Sllclookcd aound $c classr@n i. ana hcnt. Thcc Nas rood on Oc dcsks. Ahugcbinhdar card \vas placed in the middlc Mu Shc.tr chppcd hcr hmds i. dclisblhso. prescnled her $it tc giar. il\!s a red pen lron Lhe school bookshop

Mrs Shea6 Nas sohaprr thar she husged c\err on. of lhem. Shc rhan\ed theh

Thc imprcmptu p.rq bol{ up dr Nholc Englkn pcriod Thc cnil{Lcn hrd lodo tuore hotoe\.rli inskad 1o nate up the Nort ther did not do Ho\ er er. $eydid notmind Ther adorcd ME S[earand lher_ scre slad thal thc] Ncrc ablc locclcbrarc hcr birrhd.\ loi hcr

HonestyJosiua trudBcd homc Hc conld not Nait to na\c o hot borh and takca nrp

tlo\vc\c( hn drou8hc nevs bn fte nc\ nobil. pho.clnatbisfiicnd had brou8ht

b sclDol. h lrd iU r[.likn leatues.nd aancs. H. n (hed lE could bu] one bu{

hk parcnh\rould nc\ssirc him thc monc!.s il lras onc oflhccosllicstphoncs

on thc marlcr. Hc hadiusl slcppcd in& tc \oid dccl $hcn hc noticcd soncthine

fall foh Oerocketofrhe nan in aiontorhim

Obhious lo r$!t had h.pp€ncd. i[c man Naured on. Joshna callcd oul lohim bul thcn hc noliccd thc DairofcrrDhoncs llugscd in hisca6. Joshurtushcd

lonvard lo pict up rhc wlllcr bu! shcn hc lootcd lround. d. nan sas gon.

He sas lbout to hud Oc \allcr o\cr lo th. police \hcn hc noriccd de 6tr-dollar .otes sticking our of n. Opcning lhc \rallcl. lE san ninr nl\'{ollar .otcs

insidcrs\rcllas.hundrcd{oll.rnolc Hnlacclnupinrncdintcl} Athoushlrvas

bcginning b rom in hb hcrd.nd his bodt ringlcd \nhcxcncncmashc rhouehi

olshar hc colld do snh Uc monq.Rctrating to a comcr ofdr \oid dccli. Joshua lootcd around 10 nrkc surc

Gar hc \2s lloDc Thc. hc bcgr. counting thc roncy Hc rus nlhbcrgrncd bfind oul that lhc man had bccn carq insa lhousand dolla.s{ith hn. Joshuacould

bur lhc mobilc pnonc sirh Ihc monc) Sho\ tug the troner into his p@kct. loshua

\?s aboul ro tos thc N.Udntutu dustbin rvhcn hc hcdd voiccs tucpingassliu.shccould. hc lntncd as a cDupl. hlkd in Noriicd roncs

"Are rou sure rou dropp€d -\ our $allet herc? Sofreone nrust ha\t takn nb! nos Thcrc \s so nuch monq in it. No onc is 8oi.e to rclum it io \ox." said

"Lcl slccp scaiching. caec thcnr. sro'c.. _Irrcdo. rdndn.I\rnlnorbe able lopat for Crandnui sta) nr lhe nusinghome hn nonth '

Josiu.'s crcs \idcncd md hnias drcpp.d. Hc immediolcly \nc\ trn he

hadro do Punnu rhc nonq b.cl{ inlo fic \ alld hc canc out from fic comcr d

approachcd tccouplo IsUistour\allcl'l h. aslcd mcekll

Thenanhearedasighofrelierand lrshed roshua a broad grin. He \anted lognc.rchua a rcNard bulJoshua dcclincd lnd hutricd hoh.. Hc \.s too ashamcd

ro rh'n\ of nhlr hc hrd (rnlcd ro do s rd rhc mon.\ cdllcr.

FriendshipChccrs rcson.dcd in thc sLdiun d bi8 colourlnl b.nncu \crc flrins

ctcrtrhc( Il \as thc 32nd wcsl zohc School Sporrs Mccr Si(ing on tu floorryil]l hcr lcgs staigh oul. Samotla rcachcd orcr od touchcd fic lips ol hcr

shocs \ill hc! finscre TIE cxcrcisc $as clTorllcss to Sam.ntho as shc prcparcd

lor dr 400-ncm hcc. Shc qas dakd lo lalc hohc lhc lrophr asar $is rcar Ifrhc \o.. sh. \ould narrc hislon as lhc nr$ sudcnr lo Nin rhc 100-nc1rc.200-

mclrc and.l0omclrc c\cnls for lhrcc conscculnc \caBAnahnou,c.ncnt \.s mad. Wnh a spring in ncr srcp- SrmDln, m.dc hcr

Nn) lo thc lmct Al oncc. shc Nas orcNhclnEd bv Ihc enlnc shdium scrcaming

her oanc. Shc \ras lhe fa\ounte As she bcnt fohrard alld readied lrrsell for the

signal. snc rorn.d b ncr lcar a.d grinn.d al hcr bcst lricnd. Shccnr Shccna had

becn in lhc samc crcnk as hcr for thc past thrcc ]cns and drc an\ars c ncjmlsccond ahcr Sm.ntha l hct' \ crc dr bcs runncG nr dr school Shccna g.rcSana ha a thurnbs up sign alld $q bolh lookcd fon ad as lhcr \railed for tlEsignal A1$c sound ol Oc hon. thc enh sprintd loNard Ther casilt ouranrhc rcsofrhc conp. ors E\cn bcforc rhc h.lf\rar rn,r( rhcrc Nis. nugc eapbcl\ ccr fien rnd ft otncu.l,sr $cn. Srna,d, neald i c'_1 olp.in Thc $holcs[diun Nas silenl Gta.cing behiod her Safranlha sar her lriend lunblinsaorrv.rd on tu trac( md lallnrg in a hcap

Without hcslation. Surorha ror back to her lricnd and h.nt doNn lo hclp lM''Coon! Sheena loldher'Lea\e nealone!'Hosc\cL Sananlbarcfuscd. Whcn Shccnalricd LosLndup. S.m.nd. ncld

"Wc ll 6.is[ lhc racc toscllrcr." shc sid to ncrWith her am amund Sheena. Samantha \rallied alonsside as her friend

nobbicdalong Thcnnisnihglincsccncdsolara\a\ bulShcora\16dctcinihcdlo

'nal,c il and SoDart[a $as cqn ly dcicmincd to hclp hcr fricnd

The ofier runneB caught up easil) as the lrvo lrie ds slassered along the

loct. E\cr]onc /.omcd past lhcn but thc hro aricnds rcnrnincd u a7.d As lhc!\.llcd., ch.cr b.c.n hnilding up frofr rhc cror.d Rb $nic clipping bcs.h as

cvcrl onc chanted lhe nadcs ol bo$ gnls. As thc) approachcd thc nnishi.s line.

$c) noriccd $c ofi$ conpcriloB chc.ri.B lhcn on.s Mll That rrs de nrsr

limc Samanth! hnd losl an crcnt bnt shc rc.lizcd thrhrinnin8 \ms nor imponanl

I:ricndships\crc\n miltcred

The Bu yShn pudEd mc 4ainstlhc$all. prcssing his cmirc \rcishtdo\n on mc Hc

placcd hi! hugc coa^c ha.don h\ neck as 6oush hc \ras about lo suansle hc.I A.sprd loi br.dl .nd Li.d (o ptrsh lln. i$.r \ nI rr htuds Dur hc \s nnrclr

''I \rhr all Oc noncv rhar you ha\c in )oui \tallct." Srd go\rl.d."Ll mc so aM I U snc I ou lhc moncy. l said nccklrShn's clcs n rcNcd into slils. Hc slaEd al mc lor n \rhilc.nd \ hispcred.

''You hld bc(lcl noi rw to nrn.\ay'Uc r.lcrscdhis grip on n\ riehr hahd lor mc ro gcr n! \alld Thc minuc

I handed it lo him. hc snatchcd n lrom mc and loo( oul lhc lirc-dollI notc lhrtI [ad insidc. Tossing tlt $allel on lhe grcu.d. [c laushcd at mc and s.\. ]nc a

'You rc usclcss." hc snccred You cahi c\.n dcacnd yoxtsclf Ho\ long

aE ]ou going lo lel me do lhn to ,you, I-ll be richl' he snarled at ne as he

I s.rcd aftcr hiE I Nas consuEcd \rnh noftd. I \as so shakcn lia! m)'

hands had tumcdclamn). Hor$tr nhcn I thoughtofnhat Ihadplanned. asnrilc

crcsscd m! lacc. Making surc dral Slan h.d kn. I salkcd o\cr to lhc ba\csaclrir I [rd lcn on r '[an Hrddcn h rhc brg. ra'ing rhc opcn zrp Ms m\ nc\

toobilc pho.cNith rhc latcslrccordrg rcchnolo$ Taking oul rhc nobllc phonc.

I rieN€d $hnl I had secrelly recorded There. \rith a shshllr sra,nl mrse. bul

mnetclcss slill clce. $as Slan conlronlins nc at thc $all Er€4 \rord tbat hc

said could bc clc.,l! hcrd Inad pl.ccd drc phonc alju$ tfu rignt spor lo capturc

Slansfaccclcarll.Il\asunnishLablcih hc \ras dor.g !o nc. Non: I had thc

Amed $ilh llE e\idcn€c in n! mobilc phonc. I iroopcd do$n to lhe

princip,li omcc to rcll hcr sbar Sl0n nod bccn doins to mc I nod Na.rd ro

lodgc a complainl aor a long rimc butdid nol ha\c $c.ridcncc Slan clcn bdb.drvnncscsnollo tcllon hin.No\. hc \rotrld not bc.blc lo dcnr his lclions.

The HunterCrouchins bchind o thick buslr Jocl. a huntc. Nailcd in onticipalio. aor

$c husc aurt crcaluc to cmc'8c. Hc nclrd a disht rustlin8 of Lhc lca\cs and

soai8lc".d up. r,.i ng b scc L\h\Lu rlN rhic( loli4u. A sq ui(.I sc.rr pcled

p.slhin lt \us o fnkc rlnrn. Hc hrd bccn sqna$nrs for ascs and il did cros his

m'rdlhalhc.hould,ldonnbulh.dldnol\anllomJlcJn\unvnching his reet inside his rell-nom lerther boots. he {itrhped hn nngers

againsl his lhisls as lrc \ aited for lhc cEatMe

Jac}i did not hlrc IoNril lons fo!.jnsl bclorc noo". hc hc.rd hcan stomping

and$ccrmchingollc,\.s Tatingachancc.hc6is.dhimscllali crndpc$cdorcr do lop ol6e busL H. \arrighrTheblac(bear\rs amblinglo\ards hi6It Nas much bisgd {tn lacl lad thotrslt. The iltomr.lion hc had sadrercd fronthc Intcmct ccn.nrf did not prcpnrc hnn lor such a big crcaturc hct ss lcss

dehalanssi/. Thc bcd loolcd around andtr\rncd. bding ns tcclh Irlookcdafriehful siehtbulhcktncs $ hc*ould bc ablc lo incapacirllc ir si$.i!sr onc

oltn tahquillircr bnllcrs. Thc bcar Nas nol mo\ins \cr Lst so it Nould nor bc

dimculr rohtcdshor Hc \r,rchcdasrhc bcar proddcd i.,bnshrsrhough ir \r,ssearchinglorfood Iflhebearloolcdinthcbush$hereracl ras.hcknc\ lhathe

\ould bccoDe lhc bcaas ftcil for $c dar. He hid to makc his mo\c.Wilh tcNblnrg nonds. Jact pictcd up nis tequillizcr gun |ron bcsidc him

I'lc \rishcd drrL hc $onld slop rrcmbling Dcspnc nis cann dcmcanou. hc \ras

actualh beside hnnsell\ith e\cnement. He had been huntins for a decade bul

lhis sas tlrc 6d timc hc h.d lod ach.ncc ro hu.l a bcar h \ras aho lhc fiisl rimc

nc hod poochcd Hc\.sinaprotcclcdarca No nuling \'.s oUo\rd Hosc\c(hc h.cN that lhc bcai s oislhs had tocdici.al purposcs dd \ould acth a hrgh

Jack stared at lhc be Hn sun \as Doirrins dircclly ar n AU ne nad lo do

\as slmol HoNcrc.jusl s nc \ras about lo pull lhc Eissc( hc hcrrd a Bruntinsnoisc and alnosr imm.dialclJ_. a cub craslcd lorrrds ns no0(and thc no$crbear allored n lo nesde agaiost ns body. Jacli loNered his lun. He could nol bear

tc tougbr of thc cub losing ils ho$cr warching ttun. hc dccided nor to shool

The Old LadyOld Mrs Perc_\ sat alnosl hotionless on her bug-inlesled matlless.

Occasio..llt.shc\rouldr $bcrhandlos\vataccblr olaflr.t]o$c\c(drcsoonga\c up for rhcrc slrc.iusl too

'nanr ofdrcnl.'ll,c lcliorcr lood otr hcr labh nad

bccn ficrc for morc lhm hro dalsMB Pcrcr \ .s aboul ro s\ .i ar molhcr 0r shcn thcic s.s a slwptnoct on

hcrdoor She igored n lor she did nol hr\i Oe srenglh to stand up. The $ound

in hci l.g. Nhich nas badlv inlcclcd. Nas Baring 6cr.r no\cncnt painaul. Thc

-Go a\a!!" sbc s[oulcd !t \hoevcr \ns bchird lne d@. Hcr \!icc \0ssurpris'ngh loud for,omconcshorr.sonrrl Hosc\c'.he' \r, or \rspc6rronr.nd.ohrinlcd rapping on rhcdoor wilh a sigh- Mrs P$ct plllcd h.$clf up lrcm

hcr bcd. Nincing at lhc sharp pain lhm scarcd through hcr rishl lcs. Mutlcring

unlappil] lo hemcr. sle s[umed lo thc door and opcned il $il[ thc chain loctsill on rc scc \ho il\as Ahanddr ladr drcsscd inoi'cc.ltc \crc sla.ding

bclorchcrdoo, Tl'c' rcrcholdirsplJslic bJssoldrGcrics"Go arv!t!' Mrs Pcrcr- said "I don-t nccd r charitt.'shc conrinncd

lierccl) Hor$c( thc couplc rnsislcd on cnlerins lEr house. Flashins idenlity

cards trom a seial scnice ccnlre. $cy told M* Pcrcr rhat thc] Ncrc actns on

calls bI hcr ncignboure sno scrc \roricd drt sondhnE had happcncd lo hc.Too incd lo arguc \ith ftcm. MB Pcrct IcL lhcm in Thc l.d! gaspcd in sh@t

\rhen she sa$ $e ftess and the nan \rinlled his nose at rhe smell Ther n ere

slunncd by drc d,lapidatcd slatc ofMB Pcrri flar.lr \asccnarnlr not fit lor anv

hDtr.. bcing lo lnc in Thc conplc bad brclt slcppcd orcr drc lnrcshold sncnLn* iold Mre Pcrc\ thar rh$ \ ould lca\ c rlrc xroccrics $ilh hcr md conc bacl\rnh help Snonin!. MB Perc! told thenr dat ir \asall right Thanliins then forrhc groccics. shc pur rhctr on hci nuurcss sccon& larr. bugs *cic (a\rlinE

into tbc plasric bags Ir \ros a rcroltin8 sishr Ho\cycr M6 Pcrcr \ras obhioustothccrcc$ crcaiurcs $ar had nadc lhcnhomc in hcrsmallonc{oom flal

Retumng to he, place oh the auesr. M6 Perc) ignored Oe plastic bags

and sal on bcr bcd. fannins ncrsclt Slaring drc brotcn-do\n lclcrisioD sct in

fionlorhcr shc so.dcrcd ilit$as sill$orking Forcing hcacla olI $c nanrc$agrin- she ieached lor Be ss itch ro luo ir on

A New Lease ol LiJeMikc slmd bcloE fic prison omccr an nou bclorc hn rcbnsc His old

clolhcs \crc rclurncd lo him and n vas auos cd to clEnsc Thcn. back in bisosnclorlEs. lr colleurL'd drc LrlooAin8s rld hc lDd n itl hi[ on dre da] h. lDd b.cd!rcstcd Takinscrcqlhins. Milc b c farc\cll lo lhc offrco od slcppcd otrlof$c pnson inlo thc blarngs!n. Hc \asnll.d $ith apprchchsion abourhis tuturc

He had been in pdson for so long. He\ondered illile outside badchangcd.in.e

hc cntcrcd. Hc sondcrcd ifhc \onld bc ablc io snppon hnnsclt T.king a dccp

brcath. hc snrilcdnnd \\n\cd lonncldcrlr conplc ryriting b1 n car

Milc $rs nnallv rclcas.d lroh prison aar.i bcihg in.jail aor rcn t.r( Hispuc.B loo(ed 6!ch older fian \rllen he lasl sa\ Ocn on r isiling dar Ru.ning lothcn. Mikc cn\ cloped tlrcn in a bcartug. Patring his son on fic bac\. Mr Darbt.

Mikc-s anthcr lold hinr rhlr hc should pur hn pnst bchnrd him lnd morr on \rilhhis lilc A\r\! oaoptinism s$cpr olcr him Hc s,s glad rhrl his prrcn6 bad

rorgncn him. Hc hld bcc, cohictcd olrobboD a.d ,ncd 4srulr shcn hc $as

onll nvcnll Ho\ $tr. as hc sal in thc car and lootcd ar dr sccncry flasling pasl

hnn- hc Msdcrcmincd rosbrrfc Ha\ing trincdnndcrrhc pison.hca. M'tc\as\ell-prcpaled to E'coter nomal lilc.

HoN$tL lindns ajob \is trot casr'. Nol nianr emplorcB \rcre li.co on

nirng nnn \hc. lhcr found our fid nc nad . criniin.l rccord ll \as onlr \hcn$c Ycllo\r Ribbon Proicctbcgah did Mik nnd it crsicrro gcr a.iob llc \orkcdas a kainee in acald Mosl oflhe stail lheE had c.nn,nal Ecords. Er en $e o\ ner

ollhc cali had sonc b jail bclorc The c.ra \as. placc shcrccx-prisoncrscouldgcl a nc\ lcrsc of litc and stan carning an hoDcsl Iniog lo supporl ficnschcsand thctr fanilics. Dcspnc lhc backgiound of thc stalf. pcoplc fiockcd to rhc cafilor the rood food dd sen ice. Milie ras so busr thal he Nas on his feet de \rhole

dar Hc \rorkcd six dars. \cck.Milc Nas sl.d rh.t hc \as ablc lo slarl o\cr Hc pul trp \rith thc slrcs of

$orlingin abusJ kithcn and bccanc nuch hunbl$and lcss hor-tcnpcicd $anheNasbelore. He\asca.ingandaflentne|otheneedsolhis.usloqers. HeNasdclcmincd b lcnd a bcrcr Iirc

A Loyal DogPolicc brohc doNn thc dooroaahouscald.\rn Nhcn ncishbouscomploincd

of lhcsncllolrouin8 flcsbcomin8 aro]n it Thc pulidsmclloldcc.r'o\cN[clmcdrlED \rlrn rlE) opcdcd lhc door rd dq [.d ro pur on drsts bDforc cnrLaing rbc

honsc oslin In lhc darkcncd housc. thq sa\ ancldc l man lrinsf.ccdonnonOc ,loor i. Uc lnine oon. His Nhcclchan \zs.carbJ It $as obrious $ar $c(d had lallcn lior his \rheel.han rnd no one had b!e. ablc lohelphih. Ne\r lo

l n. occasionallr licking lh€ old nant hands loyinsly Nis a smau Nlilc dos.

Aslhc mant hodr Nas t*cn a\nr. thc dos \ras also lcd orm! br lhc policc.

Ilrcfuscdlono\esonhad!obccani.d Ilsriugglcdloarcctuclarndrhch.\ciil

lumpod od ofOe omceis!ms. it \rould rush bact inlo $c nolsc E\en \hcn irwas in lh. policc c.r n stulgl a conlinuons high-pitchcd relp lhaldid not stop aU

thc nar lo tIc policc slalion. E\ cn onc thousht that il N?s pinins aor its or$cr and

loot pnt on n At dc a,ioh. sonc omcc6 oocr.d n food md \atr bur ns.snor lppcrscd. lr cohrin8d lo Nhihc and claN ar Oc cridborrd bor t.t it had bccipul in.As thc da) \oE on. nsNhincsludedrobarks. Thq \rcrc so disruprirc dddnoyinS Ho\ c\cr no onc knc\ $har rodo

,ust thcn. one ollhcomocrs sugscsted taliins the dos bacli lo lhc housc. Hcrincredulous suggestion \as shot dorvn nn cdialelr but Nhcn Ihc barkidg did nor

srop. n *cmcd d.r a lrip bact ro fic housc \ras tlc onlt choicc lhc of6ccn had

Whcn lhct drn cd- tnc nonc *oppcd Inl.ct.lhcdogs6eB.dnstailcohlinuouslyandjunpedaboutallhesit€.ba ing lohe ler in. When oneolrhe omced opened

drc salc and latcr t[c door. Gc dog pushcd lhc door opcn and d.shcd in Throxsh

tu opcn door dr oficcn s,\ it scanpcr up lhc (ans. Lcss lh.n a minurc latcr itappcarcd nt lhc dooragain ln ns frouthn6abedioon slippci

E\e^o.e fi.all) undeGtood \h\ de dog had been crearins a runpus lhe

cnlnc d.r Itrcolizcd llur ils o\rner \r.s dcad but n nisscd nir so nuch ll[r il\?nlcd somcthins tnor Nould rcmnd n ofils oNncr Whcn it Nrs pl.ccd boct

in thc cardboid bo\ al thc slarion. ir sat th(c. lapping \ratcr Ni$ lhc bcdroon

sliDper rrhly beNeen its pars

Earning a LivingI Nas in $e nnddle of mr brcaklast \hetr I heard someone shour,ns oul

in irrilalion nmins. I saM sroup ol bols r ellins !l m old lad! for lonchnrs

lhc drn,ks on drcir bblc. Thc ol'l ladv 'aiscd

hcr land ir apologr ald slumcd.rv._\' Sic \as dmsainBa hugc plNlic b.g in hcrhand th Nos har-nUcd $ith

Culpi.g do\n lhe est ol m] ddnk- 1 rushed up lo hei rnd tapped her o.tc shouldcr Whcn I garc h( thc aluminiun can. snc smilcd apprcciatn.llmd tha*cd mc in dialcct. Takins pin on hci I dccidcd lo hclp ho collcd thc

cans Lookins around.I rc.li7.d tlmt lhc custoncG fror *rcr.ll$leshad lcft.Inuriedlr \rlk.do\cilo tale thc aluminium ca.s rron $cntables Wncn I g.\ctcn lo hc( shc rhankcd hc pioflsclr again Thcn shc ghbbcd n) haid aidshook lrcr hcad. Shc spokc tonrc in lhc saDc dirlccl \rhich I did nol undcGland

bur I line\ tlEl she did nol \rmt rr hclp. Sluugsill8. I lei her alone nnd rerumed

And y brc.tfast. I $cnl to lhc pro\ision shop 10 buy sornc etuccrics.Whcn I prslcd rn allcy. I sr\ rhc old hdI scabd on rhc ground. pushing lnc

alunrinrum cans i.lo lhc bas Tlcn shc ticd lhe bas and put il asidc Irasaboullo \alk or rvhcn I sarv hei pick,rs up thrcc huge cardboad bo\cs ftom bcside

ncr Tnct Ncrc cumbc omc and nncn biggcr rlEn shc sas brt slc mamgcd loaold lhcm Thcn shc i.d thcm \rnn $ing Aaraid orbcihg soldcd 6t ncr. I hid

behi.d a \nll and pee.ed out ar her A le$ minutes laler. a lo,o stopped al lhe

cntancclo$callcr Atoanjunpcdotrralldcollccl.dthcplaslicba!ofcansandlhc cardbo.rd lroh thc old ladr Hcthcngarc[crafc$doll sinrctun

Fom mr posilion.l \raGncd as tlr old ldr \rallcd lo Lnc cofcc shop TIrcrc

\as a sprins in her slep. She loolied much happ,er lhan she Nas earlier U$nssoncofrhchon.) lbarshchrdcamcd.shcboughlhc.scllaboNlor.oodlcsanda cup of tc! I \u s full oladmnoion for lhc old lad! Dcspi& hcr.sc. shc \us\illins to slo8 to c.m u honcl lnins I \ondcrcd ifl nould bc ablc lo do Lnc

saDe ill \eie in hei posnion

The Latchkey ChildAnllonr lnrncd lnc kcr in ihc kctholc Hc could trolhclp sishinB as hc

dDushl or$c munda.c ancrnoon lhal lat olrc.d. Thcrc \ould not bc anyonc allDnr.. His si cr. $I[ nrs alre.d) or s€condrq scliool. \oultl oo\ I'c lDrc rtscrcn o'clockand nisp cnls ofic. rctumcd homcancrdinncr Anlho.! Nas lcn

alonc ar homc$c,) a0cmooh

Aner uring a balh Anrhon\ seuled in his roon to do his \ork. Hc could

[cr his ncishbonG phrnrs al lhc pla] sround don nshns bur A,lhonr Nas not

alloNcd lo so do\rnstoirs on nk o\r.. Hc ras cxpcctcd lo spcnd tbc .ncm@nsudling whcn nc nnish.d his \ort. hc \(ould bc ablc lo phy conporcr gancs

Somernncs. Anthonr \anredloplar conpu$i goncsthc \holcaflonoo. bul he

hc\r lhal [c $ould nol be ablc lo as lis parenls had a lock on lhe srstem lhalpr$cnlcd him lronr spcnding morc than.n hour on rhc conputcr Houschold

chorcs \orc ako lci in Anfiont s hands as fic rdtril! had no maid Anthon)_

clcancd $c llooi and \rindo\ s thrcc dncs a Nccl. Hc aGo had ro prcparc dn$c.Allnorsh hcmadc simplcdshcs. hc sliu foundcooking achorc

Ho\tvcr. no mrucr hoN mnch andDnr hd to do. hc Dadc surc hc spcnt

some tinc al hn kithen \indo* in he latc afiemoon It\as thdc thalhc madc

cotrhcl \i$ hn spccial fricnd fron fie blek adoss. Hn lricndt nare \asLa{rcncc. snicn Arlnont found od aftq going dmngh sisn Ianguagc b@tsLa\rcncc \ras ncding-impancd md nc s,s also lear ar homc.lonc ancr scnool

erer_r da). Anrhonr sa\ him one day \hen he \as cleanrns the hchen rn $eancrnoon Hc drtrlcd across but lhe bor sis.cd back WhcnAn$onr tound out

dd tnc bor could nol hce. hc lc.mr sign lmeuagc so that hc could communicrlc

\rnh $c boI. Sincc rhc kirchcn \indo\s rrrc so closc. thcy had no problchs

toaliing oul \hat each olher Nas slgning

Anlhon] t crnoons brishlcncd up\rhcnc\erhc sas ablc tocommunic.te

rvnn L.srcrcc Whcn La\rrcncc \as ill. A.lhonr \ras borcd sidrs in his r@m.

rcading tc cnlia aftcmoon. Apa( lron LiNicncc. Anthon\ scldoh spokc lo his

classnatesorerthe phone lorhh pacnts limned Ue phone calh he could ftalie.Anfion\ Nas glad thll hc 6ad La\rcnco as his lricnd