Forming New Friendships

By Meryl S. Brown

Benny Blueberry enlists the help of his friends to throw a surprise party for Hilda Honeydew Melon's birthday. When Nick Nectarine's Aunt Nancy becomes Benny's new nanny, the party planning process gets complicated. Although Nick and Benny are now friends, everyone still remembers how Nick treated Hilda when she first moved to Fruitland. Unexpected circumstances present Benny and the Nectarines with opportunities to grow and step into new roles as the party approaches. Forming New Friendships is the third book in the Fruitland Series. Join Benny Blueberry, Nick Nectarine, and his Aunt Nancy as they excitedly build new relationships in their small beach community.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meryl S. Brown
• Release date: Jan 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393825586

Book preview

Dedication

In late August of 2020, deep into the COVID-19 Pandemic, a friend suggested that I get a Twitter account so I could gain tutoring clients. Hesitantly, I devised a Twitter handle and attempted to connect with potential tutees, but I was unable to locate any. What I did find was an unexpected linkage with a wonderful writing group: #WritingCommunity. After connecting virtually with more than ten professionals in September of 2020, I was inspired to write this, the third book in the Fruitland series. Just like Benny Blueberry, Nick Nectarine, and his Aunt Nancy, I started to form new friendships.

Planning to Surprise Hilda

Benny Blueberry yawned while slowly stretching. He peeked out the window and saw an exquisite fall morning with bright sun, cool weather: two of his favorites. While viewing next month’s events on his phone, he yelled, Thanksgiving, yeah! No one responded. Only Nanny Nancy was there, and she seldom paid attention to him.

Thinking about Nanny Nancy made him remember that she definitely seemed better than Nanny Nashi. At first, Nanny Nashi appeared responsible. She drove Benny to his appointments, prepared good meals, and kept the house very clean. Yet, after three months, some jewelry disappeared from his parents’ room. Benny didn’t understand why his mother forgot to store those valuables in the safe. After his mother’s favorite earrings vanished from her unlocked jewelry box, Mr. Blueberry set up a secret camera in their bedroom. Not long after that, the recording clearly showed Nanny Nashi stealing Mrs. Blueberry’s new diamond necklace. A brief phone call alerted the Fruitland Police Department, and two female police officers handcuffed Nanny Nashi and transported her to the local jail.

For many days, Benny’s parents and his brother paused their travel schedule and stayed home until another potential nanny could be located, interviewed, and hired. Mr. Blueberry and Mr. Nectarine, a neighbor, traveled a lot and shared the same financial advisor, Mr. Ramon Raisin. When Mr. Blueberry notified him that a nanny was needed immediately, Mr. Raisin made a list of the qualities necessary for a reliable nanny and shared it with both men.

In the meantime, Mr. Nectarine learned that Fruitland Furniture had been forced to close all of their stores, and his sister Nancy’s position as Fruitland Furniture’s Marketing Manager would therefore end. Although she had never served as a nanny, her customer service skills were excellent. Rather quickly, Mr. Raisin interviewed her and recommended that Mr. Blueberry hire Nancy Nectarine. He did just that, and shortly afterward, the Blueberry Family, minus Benny, left for Europe.

Maybe because she had lost her job, there were some days when Nanny Nancy appeared miserable. But, on other days, after she had gone three doors away to visit her favorite nephew, Nick, she returned rejuvenated. Benny and Nick had become friends a while ago, so he felt grateful that visiting Nick had revitalized his nanny. Since his parents basically rejected him, Benny needed Nanny Nancy’s assistance. He didn’t need a depressed adult in the home.

Benny anticipated spending turkey day at one of his uncle’s homes. As always, his parents planned to go on vacation. They never asked him to join them; everything revolved around his older brother, Barry, Jr. A few years ago, that would’ve upset Benny. Fortunately, thanks to Peter Pineapple’s friendship, Benny gained many friends, some his age, some older, and several of them planned to be a part of his Thanksgiving celebration this year.

When Benny examined all of his November events, he remembered that Hilda Honeydew Melon’s birthday fell on November 30th. Her help before and during his vinyl release party definitely made it a success. At the end of the event, she and Peter sold Friendship Changed Me T-shirts, and she insisted on paying for hers. Doing something special for her suddenly took center stage.

Benny was a middle schooler and now had a list of special friends! During the day, Arty Apricot, Candace Coconut, and Fifi Fig attended Fruitland