The Adventures of Doc Holliday Hennings

By TK Bethea

In this novel, after a boy and his father adopt a puppy, an adventure begins as the three of them learn to make friends, deal with bullies, and become a family.

Six-year-old Jeffrey Hennings is sad because his mother died not very long ago. Now it’s just him and his dad, Richard, and it has been difficult for them.

One day, after Jeffrey has a fight with another boy at school, he and his dad are walking home when they encounter a small brown-and-black puppy. A cowboy is selling the dog, and Jeffrey and his dad adopt him and call him Doc Holliday. As he settles in, Doc makes friends with a squirrel named Penelope. But one day, after overhearing a conversation that makes him think Jeffrey and his dad don’t actually love him, Doc decides to run away and find his birth family. Out on the streets, he encounters a world of trouble. Only time will tell if Jeffrey and his dad will be able to find Doc and let him know that he really is part of their family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483472720

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 TK Bethea.

Interior Graphics/Art Credit: Corey Wolfe & Carlos Valenti

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-7271-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-7272-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017910798

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.

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.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 07/10/2017

Contents

Chapter 1 Jeffrey, his Dad and Nurse Annie

Chapter 2 Nurse Annie Makes a Move

Chapter 3 It’s A Jungle Out There

Chapter 4 The Streets

Chapter 5 The Back Alley

Chapter 6 The Call of the Night

Chapter 7 The Longest Walks

Chapter 8 The Search Continues

Chapter 9 The Battle Royale/The King’s House

Chapter 10 The Epilogue

Chapter 1

Jeffrey, his Dad and Nurse Annie

I n a place much like the one where we live and a time much like now, there was once a young boy named Jeffrey. Jeffrey was about as smart as any other boy his age could be. He had manners; his mother always taught him manners. Jeffrey was always polite and courteous, but Jeffrey never had any friends. For some reason the other kids in Jeffrey’s class were mean to him. They would knock his lunch out of his hands and onto the floor, or push him down. Nope, he never had any friends, just him, his mother and his father. That was until just recently.

She’s been gone for three months now, since just before my sixth birthday, explained Jeffrey, talking to the school’s nurse as she pinched his nose together to stop the bleeding. She was really sick, Jeffrey said in a squeaky voice from a blocked nose. My dad said that she had c-c-can—something ate away at her and didn’t make her feel good. He said that she was sorry that she couldn’t be there for my birthday, but she was looking down at me. One day, before they took Mama to the doctor, she told me that she had to leave, but that she would be all right because she would be in a paradise and would be watching over us, so I should not worry. Then she told me that I should be a good boy for my daddy and I should take good care of him for her, but….I miss her, Nurse Annie.

I know you do, pumpkin, responded the nurse. Did your nose stop bleeding yet? Almost? She paused, broke an ice pack and passed it to Jeffrey. Here keep this on your head. So how’s your dad been? asked Nurse Annie.

He doesn’t let me see it, but I know he misses Mommy too. When Mommy first left I spent my whole winter recess with my Aunt Nancy, ‘cause Daddy was so sick. He had to lock himself in their room, and at night when I’m supposed to be sleep, but I stay up to watch Conan O’Brien, I hear Daddy talkin’ to the picture of Mommy on our living room mantle and sometimes I hear Daddy crying.

You shouldn’t do that, Nurse Annie interrupted. You know your mother would be so mad.

I know, Jeffrey sadly answered but I heard Daddy tell Mama that he just got laid off from his job and that the house bills are high.

At that moment Jeffrey’s dad rushed in the nurse’s office. Daddy! Jeffrey excitedly exclaimed, leaping into his father’s arms.

Omigod, Jeffrey, are you ok? he asked, holding Jeffrey’s face, looking for bumps and bruises.

Uh-huh, Nurse Annie said I’m tough for my age.

What happened? asked Jeffrey’s dad.

Vincent hit me, Jeffrey groaned.

Nurse Annie explained, Jeffrey was going to the bathroom and Vincent followed him, then he started taunting Jeffrey and hit him in the nose and Jeffrey fell and hit his head. Richard, I mean Rich…umm, Mr. Hennings, can I speak to you one second? Nurse Annie nervously asked Jeffrey’s father.

Sure, he replied, making his way over to a corner near Nurse Annie.

This is the third time this has happened this week. And it’s only Thursday! Don’t you think it’s about time you teach Jeffrey to stand up for himself and fight back?

I do, responded Jeffrey’s father, "but his mother wouldn’t have wanted that. She doesn’t – I mean didn’t – believe in violence. Besides, I couldn’t pay for self-defense classes. I just got a new job, and it doesn’t pay that much so I have to work more hours and days than I would like to. Now I can’t even spend that much time with Jeffrey. I almost got reprimanded for leaving early today. And I need that job; it’s hard enough to pay the bills now."

I know… I mean, I understand, Nurse Annie quickly corrected.

Nurse Annie? Jeffrey’s father turned and asked as he walked away.

Yes, Mr. Hennings, Nurse Annie replied with bright eyes.

If you could find time in your busy day to look after Jeffrey it would help me, and I’d really appreciate it. You don’t have to become his bodyguard or anything like that just— I would, if I could…if I can. I mean if I am able to. Nurse Annie stumbled. You see my landlord is selling the building I live in and if I can’t find a place to live near the school, I’m going to be forced to transfer elsewhere.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Jeffrey’s father said as he helped Jeffrey put on his spring jacket and pack his bag.

I don’t want you to leave, Nurse Annie, Jeffrey said as he hugged her leg goodbye.

A smile grew on her face as Nurse Annie said, I don’t want to leave either, Jeffrey, but we’ll see what happens. Now go on; your dad’s waiting for you.

Bye Nurse Annie! Jeffrey screamed as he left with his father.

Goodbye Jeffrey, goodbye Mr. Hennings. Enjoy the rest of your day.

As they walked home from school hand in hand, Jeffrey’s father asked, Who’s this Vincent kid that hit you today? Has he ever said or done anything like this before?

Vincent Danopolous is the coolest guy in school. He can get any friend he wants, ‘cause he’s rich. He said his dad owns five businesses and he’s a zillionaire. Plus he’s bigger than everybody else so he can take whatever he wants, Jeffrey bragged about Vincent.

Well, Jeffrey’s father began, if this Vincent has so much money, why does he have to take people’s stuff? And if he’s so ‘cool’ and can get any friend he wants, why does he pick on you?

No, that’s just the way Vincent plays, Dad. He’s just strong and maybe I wasn’t big enough to take a hit, but I’m his friend. He thinks I’m cool too, Dad, honest, explained Jeffrey.

Well, I don’t want you to play like that anymore, you hear me? And if you are friends you’ll play nice with each other. Friends don’t bully friends. Got it? Jeffrey’s dad growled.

Yes, spoke Jeffrey in a low voice. Dad, Jeffrey asked, can we try a new way to go home? Maybe through the alley?

No, son, his father replied. Always stick to the main roads. You never can tell what waits for you in a strange place. Remember what your mama used to say? Don’t—

Chase waterfalls. I know, Jeffrey finished. As they continued walking and got about a block from their house, Jeffrey noticed a small brown and black ball rolling toward his feet. It hit and unraveled, but it wasn’t a ball. It was — A doggie! exclaimed Jeffrey, jumping up and down. Wow, where did it come from? Look Daddy, it’s so cute, Jeffrey said, holding the dog up to his father and making smooching kisses "Whose