by Karen Jones
“What’s the meaning of pushing my sister, you rat?” Lance insisted. “She could have been hurt. Seriously hurt. As is, you scared her plenty.”
“Yeah,” added Arty, “and what are you doing in our mother’s garden? You don’t belong here.”
Dwayne, suddenly realizing he can’t blackmail for wrongdoing he himself was also doing wrong, felt the fight leave his nerve. “I only gave her a swing, is all. She wanted to.” He stuck out his chin in defiance to emphasize the point.
Lance was growing tired of this foolishness. “How could she want you to push her if she didn’t even know you were there? And why’d you run away into the bushes after? Huh?”
Dwayne had no reply to this interrogation and made like he was about to run. Lance quickly placed himself on the path leading to the gate and demanded again, “Why would you push Gwen? She’s done nothing to you.”
“I was only having a bit of fun,” mumbled Dwayne, finding his shoes the most fascinating objects he’d seen in years.
Lance drew himself up to his full height, at least three inches shorter than Dwayne, and adopted his most commanding voice, his knightly voice. “You must apologize,” he said calmly, and knightly.
Dwayne looked up in surprise, but upon seeing the look on Lance’s face, he realized arguing was only going to lead to fighting. His father would “tan him good” if he got into a fight. He didn’t know if good tanning was better than bad tanning, but he decided he didn’t want to be tanned at all. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
His feeble apology wasn’t good enough for Lance. “You scared my sister and that’s the best you can do?”
Dwayne looked at Gwen. She was a little thing. Bright and cheerful and sweet. Now he did feel sorry. And it showed when he apologized the second time.
Gwen, who had been taking in all the defense of her honor with an ever-growing sense of feeling truly protected, smiled at Dwayne and replied, “Good Night Dwayne, I accept your apology.” And then she curtsied. Lance rolled his eyes.
Not wanting this opportunity to make a new friend to pass by, Arty suggested, “Why don’t you join us, Dwayne? We can use another knight in Camel Lot.” Dwayne nodded his acceptance of this great appointment and the four of them set out on a grand adventure among the Dogwoods and rosebushes until suppertime.
After bidding Dwayne farewell and planning the next day’s schemes, the three garden trespassers followed Marlin to the house.
“We need to tell Mom we played in the garden today,” said Lance.
Arty looked at him in alarm. Gwen put her hand in Lance’s and said, “Of course, Good Night. It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t.”
“You’re right, Lance,” admitted Arty, “honesty is the most important quality of the knights of the kingdom of Camel Lot.”
The End
About the Author
I live with my husband, daughter and a four-pound Chihuaciraptor named Dixie. She’s actually a Chihuahua, but you’d understand if you met her.
My family is a constant source of inspiration. I’ve written numerous poems, stories and funny lyrics to entertain them. I’ve spent most nights making up bedtime stories for my daughter and giving her dreams – something fun and creative for her mind to ponder while she drifts off to sleep.
I want to share my creativity with everyone. So I wrote a book. I hope you enjoy it.
I’m at KarenJones.us and Twitter @TheKarenJones
Table of Contents
Title page
Copyright
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
About the Author