The Magic Fruitcakes

By Stan Friedland and Michael McGregor

If you had one wish to improve the world, what would it be? Melodie Fredette made her wish: Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Others ALL THROUGH THE YEAR! BUT, she didnt know how to make her wish come true. If she could only come up with the right plan, but how?
Come join Melodie and the lovable character she enlists as they try to move her exciting plan from wish to reality. Youre guaranteed to enjoy the ride er read. It will be magical.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491845608

Stan Friedland

Dr. Stan Friedland has had a varied and illustrious career in education, featuring stints as a teacher, guidance counselor, high school principal, college professor and CEO of his own educational consulting firm. He holds a doctoral degree from Columbia University, has written extensively in the field of education, has presented hundreds of workshops and seminars all over the country and, for ten years, has hosted radio and television shows, all dealing with education. This is his fifth non-education book.

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2014 Stan Friedland. All rights reserved.

Art by Michael McGregor

Graphics by Jerry Cohen

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4561-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4560-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013923061

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1.   The Bakery, Mmm, GOOD!

Chapter 2.   Wish For The Wish

Chapter 3.   A Most Special Wish

Chapter 4.   But… How To Do It?

Chapter 5.   Zowie…The Light Bulb Is Lit!

Chapter 6.   A Recipe for Magic!

Chapter 7.   The Magic Begins

Chapter 8.   Was That Really Magic, Annamarie?

Chapter 9.   Andy, The Space Cadet

Chapter 10.   A Secret No Longer

Chapter 11.   The Power of the Press

Chapter 12.   The First Rotten Apple

Chapter 13.   Bubble, Bubble, Rats and Trouble

Chapter 14.   What A Ratten Thing To Do!

Chapter 15.   From Riches To Rags

Chapter 16.   The Plot Thickens

Chapter 17.   Ingrid Holds The Key

Chapter 18.   Justice is Served

Chapter 19.   Will The Bakery Survive?

Chapter 20.   The Press To The Rescue!

Chapter 21.   The Principled Principal

Chapter 22.   Melodie’s Dilemma

Chapter 23.   The First Step is the Toughest One

Chapter 24.   Don’t Mess With Melodie

Chapter 25.   AOK’s Work Their Own Magic

Chapter 26.   A Wise Judgment

Chapter 27.   Surprise, Surprise!

TO THE INDISPENSABLE PEOPLE

IN MY LIFE:

MY WONDERFUL WIFE

AND

MY MAGNIFICENT FAMILY

SF

Acknowledgements

I must start with Tom Serafini, who easily could have been my co-author on this book. Tom is a graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School and was a student there when I served as its Principal (for 12 years). Tom looked me up on the school’s web-site and we’ve been fast Internet friends for many years now. Tom, a Doctor of Chiropractic, lives in New York City and we’ve occasionally had lunch together.

During one of our e-mail exchanges, Tom had mentioned how depressed he often gets at the end of the December holiday season, when people are more cheerful, kinder and more considerate of others. That season of good cheer then is followed by the gloomy month of January, where the reverse is often the case. That exchange led us to consider the prospect of how nice it would be if we could extend the holiday theme and good cheer right into and through the new year. One thing led to another and our book was born.

Tom put some nice work into it in its early stages, but some personal problems arose that were so demanding of his time and attention that he felt compelled to go to the sidelines and discontinue his involvement with the book project.

So, I thank you very much Tom and I’m grateful for your indispensable role in the origin of this book. Hang on to those good writing talents; there’s a future book or more within you.

I am indebted to Jerry Cohen, my good friend and the Graphics Designer of this book. Jerry was so taken with the manuscript that he volunteered to design the book. He has had a long and outstanding career as a graphics designer and his considerable talents have enhanced the attractiveness of the book in every conceivable way. I thank you ever so much, Jerry.

Mike McGregor is making his debut as a book illustrator and I think he has a bright career ahead of him. Your art enhances the book considerably. Thank you, Mike.

I most certainly want to thank Sarah Smith, my Author Coordinator with Author House. Specifically, this meant that Sarah kept me on course and moving forward for the majority of time this book was being written and created. She has been excellent in providing valuable guidance and direction to help me address and overcome the varied problems I encountered. Many thanks and much appreciation Sarah for your patience, calmness and ability to help me move the book forward to its completion.

Thanks as well to my AuthorHouse Design Consultant, Bob DeGroff for his important help, as well.

Last but not least is my favorite Copy-Editor, my wife, Frances. It takes a strong marriage to endure the trials and tribulations that must occur between copy-editor and book author in the creative process. This is especially true when the copy editor is as candid and ruthless as my wife tends to be when editing a book of mine. Frankly, that’s exactly why I wanted her in this role. An author gets too close to his work and often can’t see its deficiencies. But my wife can and did see them far more clearly and used her sharp scalpel to do the necessary surgery. The patient, this book, is much the better because of her dedicated work. I lovingly thank you my dear. You’re the best!

Stan Friedland

December, 2013

CHAPTER 1

The Bakery,

Mmm, GOOD!

M elodie opened her eyes and looked out the window. She was amazed to see how high the sun was in the sky. Gee, I must have slept pretty late this morning, she thought and suddenly she remembered just why.

I was trying to stay up until midnight with my parents to celebrate the New Year. Did I make it or didn’t I? I don’t remember.

Melodie rubbed the sleep from her eyes and swung her feet onto the floor. She smiled when a new thought hit her. Why, today is January 1st and it’s a brand new year! I may not have made it last night, but I can enjoy it just as much now. Happy New Year everyone!

Melodie laughed and bounded out of bed. Her parents owned a bakeshop, which was located just below their large, spacious apartment. She was fourteen years old and because she was an only child, she often helped her parents in the bakery. They worked such long hours, they really needed her help and she was more than glad to do so. They had another full-time person in the shop because their customers needed prompt service since many of them came in before or after work and usually seemed to be in a hurry. But now that Melodie was getting older, she could do more of the regular tasks and she was very proud knowing that she did them quite well. Melodie actually enjoyed talking to many of the nice people who had become regular customers. She knew some by name and they seemed to enjoy speaking with her as well. In fact, her mom had complimented her two or three times already for the smiles she usually received from these people when Melodie would greet them by name.

Melodie, her mom had said; I sometimes think that our regular customers come to the shop as much to see you as to buy our delicious cakes and bread.

Getting up from her bed, Melodie smiled as she thought of that compliment. She washed up and dressed quickly, racing down the stairs and into the cheerful bakeshop. Morning, Mom, she said to her mother, who beamed a smile at her as she waited on a customer. Morning, Mel, her mom replied. Go in and get some breakfast and then we can use you out here. It’s mighty busy this morning.

And it was. Their customers, who had celebrated New Year’s Eve the night before, having slept late themselves, now wanted some fresh baked bread, rolls and pastries for their first breakfast of the New Year. Melodie exchanged greetings with some of the people she knew and went into the back room.

There was her dad, in his white baker’s clothing, taking out the next batch of cakes from the oven. Mr. Fredette was not the main baker, but as the owner, he did just about everything and one important task was to help the main baker, Tom Wentworth, who always was very busy.

Hi Dad, said Melodie as she gave her dad a big hug. His eyes lit up when he saw her, as she was just a joy to him. Hi sweetheart, he said, as they both hugged. Couldn’t stay awake last night, could you? he teased.

Melodie smiled. Maybe next year, Dad. Boy, does that smell good! she said as she picked out two fresh rolls. I’ll make a quick cup of cocoa and then I’ll help in the shop.

Her dad kissed her on the forehead and held her for a moment. Happy new year my love, he said. Now, enjoy your breakfast and go out and help your mom.

Four hours later, after a busy morning, the shop finally had emptied out and Melodie made herself another hot chocolate to have with another hot bun. She was tired after a non-stop morning of waiting on customers. The bakery always had its share of busy periods, followed by sudden lulls after the last customer had left. The morning had started off filled with the same familiar buzz of the holiday season, but, as the shop emptied out, it seemed as if the holiday spirit had gone out with it.

Melodie remembered that tomorrow would be a return to school and would be the first school day of the New Year. She was in the eighth grade of the Gainesville Middle School and coming up before her would be her last semester in this school before she moved up to the high school. That thought made Melodie much less cheerful. She liked being on the top rung in the school and she and her friends were having a fun year. Something else was bugging her too, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She knew it had something to do with the holiday season being over because she always enjoyed it so much that she hated to see it end. But, it was something else that bothered her and she couldn’t put her finger on it. She suddenly felt tired and in need of a nap. So, after kissing her mom, who also was quite weary, Melodie went upstairs and as soon as she lay down on her bed, she fell fast asleep.

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CHAPTER 2

Wish For The Wish

M elodie awakened to the delicious smells of her mom’s cooking. She looked at the clock near her bed and was surprised to see that she had slept for more than two hours. That was not like her. When she napped, it was usually for a half hour or so. Still feeling a little blue, she put her shoes on, washed up and came out of her room.

Umm, whatever you’re making, Mom, it smells real good. What is it?

Mrs. Fredette smiled. She enjoyed her daughter very much. I’m making meat-loaf, Melodie, Daddy’s favorite. I figure since today is the first day of our New Year, why not start it off with his favorite dish. Okay with you?

Sure, Mom. There isn’t anything you make that I don’t like. I hope I cook as good as you when I grow up.

Mrs. Fredette laughed. You and Dad are easy to cook for. You’re already a better cook than I was when I was your age. You’ll be just fine.

Melodie smiled, but said nothing. She had been reminded that today was January 1st and that the good cheer season was now over. She sighed. Her mother, knowing her only too well, said, I notice that you slept for a long time, Melodie. Anything bothering you?

Melodie was about to say that she was okay, but she decided to see how her mother felt about the end of the holiday season. She knew that she always could get an interesting answer from her mom.

You know Mom, I’m just surprised by how unhappy I am by the end of the holidays. I usually look forward to going back to school again, but this year, what I think I’ll miss most is just how nice everyone was during the holidays. People seem to take it to heart to have peace on earth and actually do good will toward others.

Mrs. Fredette beamed at her daughter. That’s such a lovely thought, Melodie. You could have said that you miss the gift giving, or the good food or all of the shopping and special activities. But, you picked out one of the most important things that make the holidays so enjoyable to everyone, regardless of their religion. That’s really very mature of you.

But, Mom, why does it have to stop? Why does it just stop when the old year is over and the New Year starts? Everyone just seems to get so serious and busy again. Why couldn’t we all continue to be cheerful and really nice to each other all through the entire year?

Melodie’s mother paused to think through her answer. I suppose that’s what makes it such a nice holiday, Melodie. I guess if we had such good cheer throughout the year, it would become so normal that the holiday season itself would become less special than it is.

Now it was Melodie’s turn to think. Finally, she turned to her mom and said, But, wouldn’t that be just great? ‘Peace on Earth, good will toward others, all through the year? Wouldn’t our world be such a better place that we’d all be happier for it? Then, maybe we could extend Thanksgiving right into the holiday season because we’d all have a lot more to be thankful for?

Mrs. Fredette looked at her daughter in sheer wonderment. How old did you say you are, Melodie; fourteen going on thirty? Wouldn’t that be awesome? Let’s think about that some more, but not on an empty tummy. Come to the table and we’ll get Dad and eat our first dinner of the New Year!

CHAPTER 3

A Most Special Wish

L ater that night, after a very enjoyable dinner with her parents and some cozy TV watching together, Melodie went to her room to get ready for bed and to get her stuff together for her first day of school in the New Year. She noticed it was getting dark out and went to her window right away so that she might catch the first star of the night. And there it was, glowing brightly and seemingly right outside her window!

As she occasionally did upon seeing her first star of the night, Melodie started reciting:

Star-light, star-bright, first star I’ve seen tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. With that, she closed her eyes tightly and whispered, I wish all the kindness and the good cheer would last not just for one month, but all throughout the year. She smiled to herself at the rhyme she just had spoken. She liked it so much she said it one more time. She looked back to the sky and hoped that someone way up there had heard her, but she knew that was most unlikely. Melodie brushed her teeth and her hair, got into her pajamas and tucked herself into bed.

But the night brought strange dreams that made Melodie toss and turn in her bed. She dreamt that she was lying in a lush green field looking up at the night sky through the tree branches. There were bright sparkles of light like fireflies dancing around the trees and floating in the air above her. She extended her arm and thought she felt their warmth like tiny light bulbs. One of the lights floated down to just inches near her face and when she reached out to touch it, it popped with a loud crack that woke her up and made her sit upright in bed. She rubbed her eyes and shook the dream out of her head. Wow, she said, too much meatloaf. Next time, I’ll stick to mostly veggies.

Nothing wrong with a little extra helping of meat loaf, Melodie. The voice was deep and soft and almost musical. Melodie spun in her bed and there, sitting on a chair five feet away, was a little old man in a colorful flowing robe made of shimmery green