Friendship Changed Me

By Meryl S. Brown

Friendship Changed Me is the sequel to Living the Coconut Life. It chronicles the experiences of many citizens of a beach community called Fruitland. Benny Blueberry's superb singing skills transformed Fruitland in Living the Coconut Life, and the sequel begins with the detailed preparations for his vinyl release party. Throughout the sequel, Hilda Honeydew Melon and other characters' lives are altered but none so dramatically as that of Fifi Fig. Beach residents who take the time to care about Benny, Hilda, Fifi, and others' challenges are the friends who change their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meryl S. Brown
• Release date: Feb 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393454298

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

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With just two weeks to go before his big event, Benny seemed engrossed in other thoughts. All of his friends expected him to be joyful; instead, every time they saw him, he had his phone out to look at a CD cover. The Cookie Jar by Doug Gurwell kept his focus. Finally, Peter Pineapple approached Benny.

So, how are the preparations for the vinyl release party coming along, Benny?

Peter, everything is basically wonderful, except... His voice trailed off, and he lowered his head.

Except what, dude? Your Uncle Bert said the party could be at his mall, and he has ordered his fleet of buses to shuttle people there. Sounds great to me!

"It is Peter. It’s just that my Cousin Bennett bought me The Cookie Jar, and I especially love one of the tracks on the CD: ‘Da Coconut, Man!’ I wish I could meet Doug Gurwell, the composer and musician! I dream about writing words to the song."

Maybe Coco and Candace’s Aunt Clarissa or Stanley Squash could help you. They’re both creative business owners. They might know how to locate Doug Gurwell.

That’s a great idea. Cousin Bennett thinks Doug Gurwell lives close to here. It would be cool if he could be at my vinyl release party!

Wait a second, Benny! Maybe we won’t need to talk with adults. We’re creative preteens who’ve both earned the highest grades in Mr. Cantaloupe’s Computer Literacy course. Do you have the CD info with you?

Of course! Let me pull it up on my phone. But why?

Go to the back cover. Is there a web address, Benny?

Benny’s face brightened as he located both a website and what he suspected was an email address. Oh, Peter! It’s on the back. How did I miss that information?

Peter put his arm around Benny’s shoulder. Benny, no problem. So glad to help a friend! Let’s go online to view the website.

While the friends excitedly searched for www.DuoDolphinMusic.com, Benny received a text from his Cousin Bennett. While reading the text, Benny jumped in the air, nearly dropping his phone.

"Peter, my Cousin Bennett just found another Doug Gurwell CD online. He’s ordering Daydreamin’ for me, a 2017 publication."

Wow, that’s so cool! Here’s more info, Benny. Look at the website! Click on his name at the bottom right-hand side.

Benny nearly fainted. He’s based in L.A.! His wife is also a pianist, and she’s Japanese. Did I tell you that my Uncle Brandon...I think you met him... has been commissioned to design a building in Tokyo? Even though it’s not necessary, he and his architectural firm are learning Japanese.

Deciding that a celebration was in order, the friends walked to Teddy’s Tacos, the best taco restaurant in the state. Composing an email to Doug Gurwell would definitely soon be in order.

CHAPTER 2

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Teddy’s Tacos was surprisingly empty, maybe because it was 10:30 in the morning on a gorgeous Saturday. From their seats, Benny and Peter could see the cloudless sky, just as stunning as a painting. Several of their classmates were joyfully running up and down the beach, but Benny and Peter didn’t care! They were on a mission and there would be more beautiful beach days ahead. With just two weeks before the vinyl release party, they needed to devise an email that would grab Doug Gurwell’s attention. Having him attend the party would be spectacular!

Look how many CDs he’s produced! I need to come up with a convincing strategy. He’s probably really busy.

We could offer to sell his CDs, Peter suggested.

Sure, but wait a sec... His website doesn’t show a touring schedule, which might be in our favor, Peter.

Yeah. Come on, let’s order. My stomach is convincing me that it needs fuel.

After each of them scarfed down three tacos, Benny and Peter got to work. Just as Mr. Cantaloupe (Mr. C) had taught them, planning the email’s content was an essential step.

Basically, my goal is to tell him how much I love Da Coconut, Man! and how it would be an honor for him to be a part of my vinyl release party. But, oh no! I just thought of a potential problem! Craig Cantaloupe was in charge of the record sales, and now that he’s moved, I’ll need to replace him.

Benny, I’m sure we can find someone to help us! Let’s deal with that after we send the email.

Good idea, Peter! Okay, back to the email. Mr. C always said to address adults with Mr. or Ms. So, here are my thoughts:

Dear Mr. Gurwell,

I love your music! I listen to Da Coconut, Man! every day and even think about writing words, of course, with your permission.

Just wanted to let you know that I’m a singer and composer. I believe you live in the L.A. area, and I’m hoping you can attend my vinyl release party. It’s my first album!

The party will be held two weeks from today at my uncle’s mall in Malibu. Have you seen the new purple mall? It’s called Blueberry Bonanza. The entire mall will be dedicated to my vinyl release event.

Some of my friends will be selling my album. If you can join us, we’d love to sell your CDs, too.

It would be an honor and a dream come true to meet you, Mr. Gurwell!!

Your biggest fan,

Benny Blueberry

That’s great! Perfect! Send it, Benny!

Okay, Peter! Here goes...Wow, this is exciting.

CHAPTER 3

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The residents of Pineapple Lane shared summer barbecues, fall festivals, and all holidays. Although the families weren’t related, they celebrated each other’s birthdays, graduations, and weddings as a large group. For more than fifty years, the entire block had been filled with camaraderie, peace, and nearly endless joy. Things changed rather abruptly when Mr. Cantaloupe decided that teaching computer classes at the middle school bored him.

Peter overheard his parents and Clarissa Coconut, their neighbor, talk about how Mr. Cantaloupe (lovingly called Mr. C by his students) had recently purchased a red convertible sports car. In a few weeks, he planned to travel to Silicon Valley to see if he could get a gig (his words) with a tech firm.

Unsettling events in the neighborhood started to make sense to Peter. Just last week, Mrs. Connie Cantaloupe, Mr. C’s wife of thirty years, had driven away with her three children. Their SUV was loaded to the brim. A text from Craig Cantaloupe provided Peter with some details of their departure. They had been really close friends