Young Zachary Finding Sunshine

By Grandpa Casey

Sunshine, the School’s football mascot has gone missing. For their own special reasons, two of Zachary’s friends want his help in finding the mascot. This time Zachary has other interests. When Zachary’s interests intertwine with theirs, against his mother’s expressed wishes he decides to help them. When Zachary’s Uncle Joe comes to town, Zachary, along with his two friends, join forces with the uncle in bringing down a dog-fighting ring that may have kidnapped Sunshine. What happened, when the police raided the dogfight, may surprise you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grandpa Casey
• Release date: Apr 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310606328

Grandpa Casey

I'm a retired Grandfather who likes telling stories to my Grandchildren. Now that they are older I want to share them with everyone. My books are my credentials. A percentage of the profits, from all my books, will go to ZFRF, a nonprofit organization that helps families of people with cancer. For more information on ZFRF visit www.zfrf.net

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Young Zachary

Finding Sunshine

By Grandpa Casey

Copyright Pending

Smashwords Edition

This book is fictional and any depiction of a person or place is purely coincidental

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER ONE 

What’s the answer Mister Zachary? My Social Studies teacher, Mr. Diddlebob, asks. Well, I’m waiting. When I don’t say anything, he looks at the student sitting behind me, Mr. Collin, please tap Mr. Zachary, to make sure he’s alive. Collin gladly follows the teacher’s order, but I don’t stir. Mr. Collin, try it again, this time with a little more gusto.

Startled by Collin’s jab in my back, I stand up and spout out, Magnesium is a light metallic chemical element and is an abundant mineral in the body. It’s present in many foods and sold as a dietary supplement. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the syntheses of DNA, RNA, and antioxidant glutathione.

In a chastising tone, Mr. Diddlebob says, Mr. Zachary that may be correct in your science class, but this is Social Studies. When the class erupts in laughter, Mr. Diddlebob looks around the classroom and says, students, please be quiet. Figuring he’s done with me, I attempt to sit down. No. No. NOO! Mr. Zachary, please remain standing. When the class quiets down, Mr. Diddlebob says, Mr. Zachary, again, I’m going to ask you, what important events happened here in the early 1800’s? When I don’t answer, he looks around the classroom and asks, Does anyone know the answer? When the rest of the class, sheepishly avoids eye contact with Mr. Diddlebob. He smiles and says, Since, it seems, no one has the answer, on Monday, I want a 1,000-word essay on the important events that shaped this town in the early 1800’s. Then he turns to me, Mr. Zachary, NOW you may sit-down and please try to stay awake.

Red faced, I sit down and think. Where did that come from? Why would I blurt out something about Magnesium? I don’t know anything about Magnesium. At least, I didn’t realize I did. I wish he would call me Z like everyone else. And what’s with this Mister stuff. He’s the only teacher who calls everyone Mister. With him it’s Mister this or Miss that. Thankfully, before I can get into more trouble the bell rings. While walking towards the door, I do my best to avoid eye contact with my classmates. It’s the end of the day and I can’t wait to get out of this building.

Stepping outside, after taking a deep breath, I think; compared to the stuffy classroom, the fresh air and cool breeze actually feels refreshing. I wonder how mad at me, the class is? I’m sure I’ll find out Monday. I could try explaining it's not my fault, it’s the teacher's fault for being so boring; oh, why bother.

I stop thinking about my mishap when Larrie comes up behind me and says, Z that was epic, got anything to say about Zinc?

I turn around and look at him, EXCUSE ME! You’re not even in my social Studies Class. How did you learn about what happened in Mr. Diddlebobs class?

Larrie comes alongside me and puts his hand on my shoulder, As you well know, around here rumors of fiascoes spread like wildfire. Whether you like it or not, you my friend, have raised the fiasco bar to a new level. Before I stepped outside, I’ve heard three different versions of what you did.

Looking at Larrie, I say, Great! That’s all I need, I suppose that makes me the new school prankster?

Larrie sits down at one of the tables and motions for me to join him. Yep and it’s about time; Tony’s pooping in the pool was getting old.

Without thinking, I say, That poor guy, for weeks, if he stopped walking, someone would throw an unwrapped ‘Kandy Kake’ behind him.

I take a moment to think about that day, as I passed Tony, to wait for my turn on the diving board, I overheard him tell Coach Slatski, that he needed to use the restroom and fast. The Coach thinking that Tony wanted to hit the showers early, refused to let him go. Just as Tony was about to plead his case, the rear of his swimming trunks expanded and the rest is hist….

Finally, Larrie gets my attention and says, Will you quit showing off, you’re not the only one who knows the Baby Ruth candy bars were originally called Kandy Kakes. Besides acting snobbish doesn’t become you.

Realizing, that I’ve been out snobbed, to change the subject, I ask, Larrie, since our illustrious school board changed the bus routes, aren’t you supposed to take the bus?

Larrie smiles, yeah, then he points to the girl approaching us, it’s Mia, his former girlfriend, we’re back together again. Before he leaves me to join her, he says, I think she came back to me because she couldn’t get a date for the dance, but I don’t care. I must say, it’s kind of nice being back together. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but, until that happens, I’m going to enjoy it. Since Mia is visiting her cousin this weekend, I’ve got nothing planned. Call me if you want to do something this weekend.

I wave Larrie off, I’ll think about it, now go to Mia.

Walking home alone, I think about Mierry. I wonder if I should try to get back together with Mierry, we didn’t exactly part as friends. She felt I was stifling her free spirit; whatever that means. My guess is she was expecting me to fall apart when she told me that we should break-up. I can still see that startled look on her face, she wasn’t expecting me to shake her hand, turn around and walk away. I honestly believe she expected me to get on my knees and beg her not to break-up with me. Then I think. Not this fool; there are too many fish in the sea. I just have to learn how to catch one again. The Spring Dance, which culminates with the last football game of the season, is just a few weeks away and it would be nice strutting into the dance with a female on my arm; or I can stay home and read a book.

Igor, a somewhat friend and self-proclaimed psychic, comes up to me and asks; what are you doing this weekend and don’t tell me you’re reading a book.

Slightly irked, I blurt out; I’m going to spit into the air, catch it and rub my butt with it, okay!

Igor responds, AAA, I see you’ve been listening to Janek’s words of wit. Let’s see, if I’m correct it goes like this, Pluć Złapać I Dupa Drapać. At least I think that’s how he says it. If you want, I can say it in Russian, поймать коса и царапин задницу. Or how about Japanese, キャッチ串とスクラッチ尻。I could be wrong on the translations, but they should be close enough.

Not wanting to hear him showing off anymore, I say; okay, okay, I get it, you’re a linguist.

Igor corrects me, no, no, no, my friend. I’m not a linguist. He grabs the lapels of his duster and lifts his head up slightly. I’m an International Phraseologist.

Yeah, right, whatever, I say. So, Igor, please tell me, why are you interested in what I’m doing this weekend? Igor doesn’t answer he just shrugs his shoulders. For your information, my International Phraseologist, or whatever it is you’re calling yourself today, I have lots to do…

Igor stops me, YEAH, like what?

I quickly respond, "I, uh, I. I can wash my bedroom walls or change the sheets on my bed. Then when I’m done with that, I can cut the grass and wash the car. Then, if I still