Pizza, Pasta, and Pickle: The Adventures of Micky, Bessie, and Pickle

By Charles Oakley and Matt Clark

When the lovable canine duo – the childish but brave Micky and the gullible but mature Bessie – rescue a small Italian girl named Nina from drowning, little do they realise that they would trigger a series of events leading them to their greatest adventure. Follow this lovable duo as they protect their new friend Nina from the evil Signora Strega, learn what the word “mafia” means, and make some new friends along the way, all while filling their tummies with food – lots of food! In this light-hearted children’s story, Charles Oakley captures our world through the eyes of man’s best friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728391953

Charles Oakley

Charles Oakley played nineteen seasons in the NBA. He started his professional career in 1985 with the Chicago Bulls, where he became teammate, protector, and close friend to Michael Jordan, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In 1988, he was traded to the New York Knicks, where he formed a starting lineup with fellow NBA All-Stars Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Mark Jackson. The Knicks made the playoffs in each of the ten seasons Oakley was there. Oakley continued his career with three seasons on the Toronto Raptors, and retired in 2004 after playing additional seasons with Chicago, Washington, and Houston. He has given time and support to more than a hundred charities, and today can often be found cooking for people in impoverished and underprivileged communities through his Charles Oakley Foundation, a nonprofit that organizes fundraisers and community-building events. He splits his time between Atlanta, New York, and Cleveland, where he grew up. 

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© 2019 Charles Oakley. All rights reserved.

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 08/31/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-9196-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-9197-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-9195-3 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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

Chapter 1     Drama On The Beach

Chapter 2     Mysterious Girl

Chapter 3     Signora Strega

Chapter 4     Making Plans

Chapter 5     The Airport

Chapter 6     Sicily

Chapter 7     Nonno And Nonna

Chapter 8     It’s Pickle

Chapter 9     Signora Strega Returns

Chapter 10   New Arrivals

Chapter 11   Leaving In A Hurry

Chapter 12   The Tunnel

Chapter 13   The Rendezvous

Chapter 14   Ferragosto

About the Author

This Book is dedicated to Kath, Francesca and the dogs (Micky, Bessie and Pickle)

And

Special thanks to Lucy Diamond for helping me in the early stages of the story

CHAPTER 1

DRAMA ON THE BEACH

Annie Mac paused to appreciate the view of the long stretch of golden sand and the blue sky reflected in the gentle sea. The tide was out, creating much more space for her dogs to play on the wet sand. The fine weather had encouraged more people than usual to come to the beach. The winding path leading from the busy coast road to the beach was fenced off to protect the sand dunes.

Stepping onto the beach, Annie passed a few children who were happily playing on the sand, laughing as the waves chased them up the beach. Annie was out for her daily walk with her dogs. She was absent-mindedly playing fetch with Micky, a blue roan working cocker spaniel, while Bessie, a pure black working cocker spaniel – and Micky’s sister – was around, digging the sand.

Enjoying a rare moment of peace, Annie didn’t realise that Micky had not returned with the ball for over ten minutes. Something on the rocks, at the north end of the beach, had caught Micky’s attention.

Bessie heard something that caused her to stop digging. She raised her sand-covered nose out of the hole and gazed towards the sound. It was Micky, howling by the rocks. Bessie wondered what was wrong; Micky was usually completely engrossed in playing fetch with Annie.

Bessie sprinted to the rocks and joined Micky. He was apprehensively watching the tide come in. He pointed his nose towards a young girl who was exploring one of the many rock pools. She was completely absorbed and had not noticed the water creeping dangerously over the rocks to surround her.

Micky looked around the beach and saw that nobody was close enough to recognise the imminent danger. Bessie, that little girl’s in trouble and there’s no one to help her. Come on, we’ve got to do something, right now!

They both rushed into the water, leaping through the incoming waves to go deeper. They swam to the rocks, barking loudly to warn the young girl about the rising tide. The girl looked up from the rock pool and asked, What’s the matter? She then realised that the tide had covered the rocks and she couldn’t walk back to the beach. I can’t swim, she shuddered.

Micky hurried to the girl and nudged her hand with his head. Panicking, the girl screamed, I don’t know what you want me to do! Gently, Bessie approached the panic-stricken girl and offered her collar for support. Micky copied Bessie’s action and fortunately, the girl understood. She grasped both collars and started to walk into the water with the dogs. Andiamo, she shouted as they moved into the sea.

What did she say? asked Micky.

Sounded foreign to me; maybe she’s from down south, Bessie replied. Let’s just get her back to the beach. She’s getting heavier, and I already feel exhausted.

Annie saw her dogs swimming with the little girl and hurried to meet them. Gasping and coughing out the salty water, the dogs were relieved to feel the soft touch of the sand. Annie waded into the water and helped the little girl to her feet. The girl gripped Annie’s hand tightly as they walked towards the growing crowd that had been watching the dramatic rescue.

Annie asked the little girl if she was all right. Almost immediately, the little girl burst into tears and started speaking in a foreign language. Annie smiled and asked the girl her name in the same language, Come ti chiami?

Confused, Bessie nudged Micky. She must definitely be from down south, using those funny words.

Mi chiamo Nina, replied the girl. Annie translated for the gathering crowd, announcing to them that the girl was called Nina and was speaking Italian. She added that Nina was feeling fine despite the dramatic rescue.

Bessie grinned at Micky. Italian, huh? No wonder she couldn’t understand you. Make sure you bark louder and slower next time. That usually works with somebody who doesn’t understand English.

Micky was about to tell Bessie that the girl had spoken English before the rescue, but he thought it best to wait until he could speak to her about it later.

Someone in the crowd had called 999, while another had alerted the lifeguard, who was at his station on the other side of the beach. A young lifeguard quickly arrived on the scene, carrying a large beach towel that he handed to Nina. She gratefully accepted the towel, wrapping it around herself in an attempt to warm up.

Picking up Nina, and followed by Annie, Micky, Bessie and the crowd of onlookers, the lifeguard carried her to a small hut that served as the lifeguard station. Here, Nina was able to dry herself and escape the unwelcome attention.

The lifeguard rummaged around the hut and found some clothes that would fit Nina. He suggested that she would feel better if she changed into them. Annie chased the crowd away from the lifeguard’s hut to give Nina a little privacy to change.

Appreciating the gesture, Nina took the clothes and changed into them before saying Grazie to the young lifeguard. Annie spoke to Nina in Italian, asking her if she was all right. Nina was feeling much better now that she was dry and warm.

The lifeguard informed them, The rip tides are very dangerous at this time of year. We always remind the surfers about them. Nina is very lucky that your dogs were there to help her.

Micky smiled as he listened to the lifeguard’s words and looked at Bessie. Did you hear what that nice young man is telling Annie? You know what that means, don’t you? Treats, and lots of them – if that big smile on Annie’s face is any indication.

Just as Micky was fantasising about the many treats that Annie kept in the tin by the teabags, there was a knock on the door of the hut. A paramedic and police officer had just arrived in response to the 999 call.

Can we help? they asked.

Of course, said Annie, who explained to Nina that they had come to help and just wanted to check if she was all right.

Carefully, the paramedic took out a thermometer from her bag and said to Nina, Hello, my name is Rachel. After Rachel had finished examining Nina, she said to Annie, She’s absolutely fine and a very lucky girl. She won’t need to go to the hospital for any more checks.

Does anyone know who Nina is and where she lives? asked the police officer, who was called Helen.

Annie asked Nina where she lived and if she had a telephone number to contact her parents. Nina started to cry and explained that she was staying with a woman named Signora Strega.

Annie asked Nina if Signora Strega was a friend or a relation. Nina continued with her story avoiding the question. When she had returned home from school, nobody was in the house. She said that Signora Strega would sometimes go out and leave her all alone, but she usually left a window or the garage door open for Nina to get into the house. As she had not done so this time Nina had ended up on the beach, looking at the pretty fish and sea flowers in the rock pools. Annie explained all of this to Officer Helen.

The police officer spoke into her radio and reported the information about Nina to the sergeant back at the police station. After a brief interaction, she informed the group that they would need to find somewhere for Nina to stay while they tried to locate Signora Strega. Annie explained the situation to Nina, who immediately started to sob and could not be comforted.

Feeling distressed, Annie suggested, I live quite close by and also speak Italian. Would it help if I look after her until something can be sorted out?.

After checking with her senior at the local station, the police officer got a response. That’s very kind of you to offer; the sergeant has just said he doesn’t know anyone who speaks Italian. So, I guess it’s the best solution for now.

Annie asked Nina if she would like to stay with Bessie, Micky and her for now.

Si, Nina replied.

Just as Micky began to wonder how they would all get home, Helen offered them a ride in her police car. The group left the lifeguard’s station and walked to the police car.

Annie asked, What about Micky and Bessie? They’re absolutely dripping wet.

Oh, they can jump in the back, Helen replied. Micky and Bessie did not require any further invitation and sprang into the police car.

Grazie, said Nina to the lifeguard who had helped her. She waved and added, Ciao, as the police car pulled away.

I was just about to sleep, said Micky. That hut was nice and warm, and there was plenty of food lying around too.

"Food? Where? And you didn’t