Dragons for Kris

By Galand A. Nuchols

Fearing to make a sound that would attract attention and perhaps prevent his escape, Kris sits in the dark on the edge of his perfectly made bed. It is 4:25 AM. His most precious possessions have been secretly stored down the street with friends. Grandpa finally arrived yesterday, driving King Arthur, an eighteen-wheeler truck.

What will he tell Grandpa? Will Grandpa believe Kris's own uncle means him harm? Will Kris's secret plan to leave his uncle's home and live with his grandparents, work? These agonizing questions swirl in Kris's head until he hears a soft sound in the hall and then watches the doorknob slowly, silently turn. Who is coming into his room? Is it his grandpa or his uncle? Is it too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 10, 2005
• ISBN: 9780595796892

Galand A. Nuchols

After teaching for twenty-three years, eighteen of them in elementary classrooms, Galand Nuchols retired to write adventure stories for children. Ms. Nuchols and her husband live in East Texas. Besides writing, she enjoys visiting their children, traveling, her church, reading, and working with her husband on Habitat for Humanity projects.

Book preview

Copyright © 2005 by Galand Nuchols

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any

means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the

written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations

embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

2021 Pine Lake Road, Suite 100

Lincoln, NE 68512

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-34978-4 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-79689-2 (ebk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-34978-1 (pbk)

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

Acknowledgments

Image8108.PNG

Many friends and relatives have had a part in the birth of Dragons for Kris. Without the support and encouragement of family and friends, the story would never have been finished. My love and appreciation is sent to all of you:

To our children, Marie sue, scott, and Peter for your encouragement, editing, suggestions and computer mishap rescues.

To Jo for your editing and attention to details, as well as for your artwork.

To Jean, Jim, and sara Cay for patiently listening to me prattle on and on about Dragons for Kris and giving me positive encouragement.

To Jim Robertson, for your courage to lead me and show me the way on this publishing venture, and for gently but persistently urging me to risk the unknown and publish Dragons for Kris.

To Jim Callan, Georgia Henson, Jean Pamplin, Pat Hamilton, Helen Thompson, Allan Smith, and the entire Northeast Texas Writers organization for their monthly critiques and encouragement.

To the Coffee Cup Gang: Jory and Charlotte Sherman, Jim and Earlene Callan, Bernice Vestal, Ted Rankin, Skip and Lynne Hughes, Allan and Floy Smith, Georgia Henson, Jean Pamplin, and others. I learn a great deal just listening to your ideas and problem-solving over Tuesday lunches. I truly appreciate all your help.

To friends and neighbors Anita Crain, Frances Reid, Barbara Bland, and so many others who just showed an interest and gave encouragement.

I also want to thank Kristin Oomen, Dan Silvia, unnamed editors, and others at iUniverse for their timely and patient response to all my many questions.

Most of all I owe a great deal of thanks to Tom Nuchols, my patient husband, who supported this effort in so many, many ways. I love you.

CHAPTER 1

8945.pngImage8114.PNG

Kris looked at the clock once again: 4:25. Except for the lighted clock, the room was dark. only moonlight and a streetlight that shone in the room made it possible for Kris to see the packed suitcase that waited by the door.

Kris looked around the room, searching for anything he may have forgotten to pack. His mother’s picture was safely tucked among his clothes. With the help of his two best friends, his baseball cards, his stamp collection, and other important stuff had been secretly moved earlier. It was all down the street, waiting to be picked up when he and his grandfather left town.

Kris looked at the clock again: 4:32. Will this night ever end? he wondered. Fully dressed and fearful of making a noise, Kris sat on the edge of his perfectly-made bed. Waiting was hard.

Planning, then taking action, had gotten him this far, but now he had to wait. Wait and pray nothing went wrong or slowed them down. He adjusted his cap and looked at the bedside clock again: 4:35.

Grandpa had come yesterday. Kris had almost given up. But yesterday afternoon, the big eighteen-wheeler had pulled up to the curb in front of his aunt and uncle’s house. Grandpa was here at last. Everything was going to be OK now.

A noise in the hall—the soft click of a door latch—sounded like an explosion to Kris’s ears. Holding his breath, he stared at the door to his room, listening for clues telling him who was moving around in the hall.

Maybe it’s Grandpa coming to wake me. Kris watched the doorknob. Maybe it’s Aunt Katherine going to the bathroom. Let it be Grandpa or Aunt Katherine, not Uncle Stan, Kris prayed silently. Before, he had always pretended to be asleep when his uncle prowled around in his room. He couldn’t do that this time. He was fully dressed. Kris stared at the brass doorknob, shining in a strip of moonlight. It was turning. It was slowly, silently turning.

I can’t hide. Kris’s mind searched for a possible course of action. He knows I’m here. If he decides I’ve done something wrong, he won’t let me leave with Grandpa.

Kris quickly scanned the room. His catcher’s mitt and ball lay on top of the dresser. Kris leapt to his feet, snatching the glove and ball up as the