Rooftop Clubhouse

By Eduardo Calcines

pirate island was the place títan, beca, nene and luigie called home. They were in fact cousins but preferred to call themselves friends. títan was ten years of age and the oldest of the group. beca was eight and second in age but first in attitude, always wanting to do everything the boys did even though she loved to wear a dress. nene was seven, very athletic and good hearted, and then there was luigi, who at only five was the youngest of the bunch but the most enthusiastic. he loved his older cousins almost as much as he loved his food. each of the cousins had their own personality; they loved each other and got along well. they also knew the value of friendship and because their families were very poor, they depended on each other to survive. the friends made a promise to always be honest with one another and never let adult problems separate them.
although they were part of a large loving family, life on pirate island had never been tougher, with little work or food to spare. ever since the old pirate stories about the mysterious bay had resurfaced in the news and spread throughout the world, the tourists that once flocked to the island paradise became fearful and did not visit anymore. The news of ships disappearing in the bay spread throughout the world and the tourists became fearful of the island. yet life remained filled with adventure for the four friends who loved being kids and doing kid things. they were determined to help their families as well as the rest of the people on the island become happy again.
life for the rooftop clubhouse friends on Pirate island is full of experiences that teach all kids great life lessons as they learn about character building virtues such as love, honesty, fairness, kindness, compassion, empathy and more. each chapter highlights one or more of the virtues that help the friends overcome difficulties in their own lives. “Rooftop clubhouse” is a tribute to the spirit of love and friendship that endures and remains alive with children everywhere. above all, it is about what the redemptive love of god can do in us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eduardo Calcines
• Release date: Feb 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301499304

Eduardo Calcines

Inspired to write by his life experience, love for his own children and years of experience as youth mentor, Eduardo Calcines knows what the power of love can do in the lives of those who hunger for it with open arms. Born in the fall of 1955, in the barrio known as Glorytown in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Calcines was born into a loving family whose heart and soul were his maternal Abuelo’s [Grandparents]. His childhood was regrettably interrupted by the Communist revolution and he grew up fast during the first ten years of the Castro regime. This experience inspired Calcines to share his story and write his first book, the memoir Leaving Glorytown: One Boy’s Struggle under Castro. http://www.eduardocalcines.com. The author now embarks upon what he considers to be his most enjoyable writing to date with this story related to his childhood. Rooftop Clubhouse is the first in a series of children books that promote character building virtues such as honesty, kindness, empathy, compassion, respect and above all, love. Rooftop Clubhouse follows the adventures of four friends who chose to enjoy their childhood and not to let adult problems interfere with their friendship. The adventurist friends set out to uncover generational mysteries of the mysterious Bay in their hometown known as Pirate Island.

Book preview

Rooftop Clubhouse

A Children’s Adventure Book of Character-Building Virtues

A work by

Eduardo F Calcines

Intellectual property of Eduardo Calcines

Copyright 2013 by Eduardo F. Calcines

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

I give all praise and honor to almighty God. And to those of you who have blessed me with your friendships of a lifetime, I ‘am a better person because of you!

To the main characters in the story, our son’s Christian (Títan) and Gabriel, (Nene) our niece Rebecca (Beca) and nephew Luis (Luigi.) Thank you for the memories; your childhood remains engraved in the depths of my heart. To my wife Mercy; thank you for your love and support.

May you enjoy this work as much as I have enjoyed writing it

Introduction

Long ago and far away, hidden in the shadows of soaring green mountains and tall coconut trees, there was an island in the Caribbean called IXOYE, better known to the locals as Isla de Piratas or Pirate Island. Legend told that when pirates ruled the waters of the Caribbean, they would enter the island’s waterways through its large southern Bay while seeking refuge from tropical storms. Only to mysteriously disappear a short time later in the shark-infested waters of the Haunted Bay. As time passed, the locals simply called it Bahía Misteriosa, or Mysterious Bay.

~~~

Pirate Island was the place Títan, Beca, Nene and Luigie called home. They were in fact cousins but preferred to call themselves friends. Títan was ten years of age and the oldest of the group. Beca was eight and second in age but first in attitude, always wanting to do everything the boys did even though she loved to wear a dress. Nene was seven, very athletic and good-hearted, and then there was Luigi, who at only five was the youngest of the bunch but the most enthusiastic. He loved his older cousins almost as much as he loved his food. Each of the cousins had their own personality; they loved each other and got along well. They also knew the value of friendship and because their families were very poor, they depended on each other to survive. The friends made a promise to always be honest with one another and never let adult problems separate them.

Although they were part of a large loving family, life on Pirate Island had never been tougher, with little work or food to spare. Ever since the old pirate stories about the Mysterious Bay had resurfaced in the news and spread throughout the world, the tourists that once flocked to the island paradise became fearful and did not visit anymore. The news of ships disappearing in the bay spread throughout the world and the tourists became fearful of the island. Yet life remained filled with adventure for the four friends who loved being kids and doing kid things. They were determined to help their families as well as the rest of the people on the island become happy again.

Life for the Rooftop Clubhouse friends on Pirate Island is full of experiences that teach all kids great life lessons as they learn about character building virtues such as love, honesty, fairness, kindness, compassion, empathy and more. Each chapter highlights one or more of the virtues that help the friends overcome difficulties in their own lives. Rooftop Clubhouse is a tribute to the spirit of love and friendship that endures and remains alive with children everywhere. Above all, it is about what the redemptive love of God can do in us all.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Rooftop Clubhouse

Chapter 2 The Seaport Adventure

Chapter 3 Peg Leg the Pirate

Chapter 4 Ernest and the Shark

Chapter 5 Adventures on the Mysterious Bay

Chapter 6 The Haunted Castle treasure

About the Author

***

Chapter 1

The Rooftop Clubhouse

Times were tough for Títan, Beca, Nene and Luigi. The four cousins lived in Glorytown, a small town that sat on Ixoye’s southern coast bordering the Mysterious Bay. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much glory left. Their parents were sad and depressed. Many lost their jobs after the tourist stopped visiting and their families did not have enough food to eat. However, the four friends were determined not to let the adult problems keep them from being kids and having fun.

The Navidad season, or Christmas time, had arrived in Glorytown. This was traditionally a time of festivities and good cheer. However, the Navidad season was drastically different this year because times were hard. Regardless, the friends were ecstatic to be free from school and on vacation. Although the friends didn’t plan on receiving any holiday gifts, they were happy because they had each other. After all, the friends were taught that they already had the greatest gift of all—God’s love.

The four friends were eager to begin their winter vacation. One early December morning, the four of them met and decided to visit their Grandparents home. On this day however, they had an unusual proposition for their Grandparents.

Good morning Grandma, said the friends, walking into Grandma’s kitchen.

Good morning kids, responded Grandma. What brings you out so early in the morning?

"Nothing, said Beca, We just thought that you…"

Oh, I know, said Grandma, You are here because you smelled my pumpernickel bread.

Well, yes! That is part of it but the real reason we are here is that we wanted to ask you and Grandpa for permission to build a clubhouse on the roof of your home, explained Beca.

Grandma’s eyes opened wide and scratching her head, she said, I don’t know about that young lady! But let me ask Grandpa before I say no.

A few minutes later Grandpa walked into the kitchen