The Davey Family Stories

By Donald J. Richardson

Bedtime was special when my children were very young. We enjoyed reading aloud and telling stories to each other. Such times were special, to be savored and treasured; out of those times came The Davey Family Stories. Each is an extension of our family at the time, and each embodies a modicum of truth--the way it was and the way we wanted it to remain. This wish is still true.

As with all fiction, this book is a roman a clef, life remembered but couched as fiction. That doesn’t make it any less true; in fact, it may serve to emphasize the truth of being, of existing, of our petty attempts to make a mark on time, an enduring impression which may outlast our lives and memories. At any rate such can I hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665546577

Donald J. Richardson

Although he has long been eligible to retire, Donald J. Richardson continues to (try to) teach English Composition at Phoenix College in Arizona. He defines his life through his teaching, his singing, his volunteering, and his grandchildren.

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© 2022 Donald J. Richardson. 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 12/07/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-4630-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-4631-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-4657-7 (e)

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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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.

For

Ruben and Grant

CONTENTS

Chapter 1     Playing in the Street

Chapter 2     Davey Gets a Dog

Chapter 3     Davey’s Birthday Party

Chapter 4     Davey Goes to the Jumps

Chapter 5     Davey Plants a Pumpkin

Chapter 6     Davey Goes to the Hall of Flame

Chapter 7     Davey’s Graduation

Chapter 8     Davey Goes to the Library

Chapter 9     Davey’s Sixth Birthday

Chapter 10   Davey Goes Hiking

Chapter 11   Davey Gets a New Bike

Chapter 12   Davey’s Birth Day

Chapter 13   China Star

Chapter 14   Davey Goes to College

Chapter 15   Davey’s Box

Chapter 16   Zucchini Cake

Chapter 17   Swimming

Chapter 18   Frisker Lost

Chapter 19   Queenie Found

Chapter 20   Fazoli’s

Chapter 21   The Scottsdale Railroad Park

Chapter 22   Desert Storm Park

Chapter 23   Davey Helps Out

Chapter 24   Thomas the Tank Engine

Chapter 25   Mandy Gets a Kitten

Chapter 26   A Summer Storm

Chapter 27   The Dinosaur Museum

Chapter 28   A New Roof for the Amadors

Chapter 29   The Trashes

Chapter 30   Davey Has a Tantrum

Chapter 31   Davey Climbs a Tree

Chapter 32   A Branch Falls

Chapter 33   Washing the Van

Chapter 34   Cutting the Grass

Chapter 35   The Fort

Chapter 36   Labor Day

Chapter 37   Davey Climbs on the Roof

Chapter 38   The Honey Bees

Chapter 39   The Pencil Box

Chapter 40   Georgia Puff Kitty

Chapter 41   Bedtime

Chapter 42   Games

Chapter 43   Davey Shrinks

Chapter 44   Davey Takes a Bath

Chapter 45   Playing in the Back Yard

Chapter 46   Sweet Tomatoes

Chapter 47   The Stump

Chapter 48   Driving

Chapter 49   Street Sale

Chapter 50   Flags

Chapter 51   Digging in the Garden

Chapter 52   Sunnyslope Picnic

Chapter 53   The Carnival

Chapter 54   Meat Loaf

Chapter 55   Home-Made Ice Cream

Chapter 56   Davey’s Tooth

Chapter 57   Halloween Carnival

Chapter 58   Big Trash

Chapter 59   Lantern Walk

Chapter 60   Thanksgiving

Chapter 61   Christmas Lights

Chapter 62   Letter to Santa

Chapter 63   The Puppet Show

Chapter 64   Zach’s Birthday Party

Chapter 65   Christmas Around the World

Chapter 66   The Christmas Tree

Chapter 67   The Nutcracker

Chapter 68   Glendale Glitters

Chapter 69   Christmas Eve

Chapter 70   Christmas Day

Chapter 71   Christmas Dinner

Chapter 72   The Leaves

Chapter 73   The Pinata

Chapter 74   The Parks

Chapter 75   A Walk in the Park

Chapter 76   Uncle Jim Moves

Chapter 77   Davey Plays Football

Chapter 78   A New Range

Chapter 79   A New Kitchen

Chapter 80   Davey’s Garden

Chapter 81   The Adobe Mountain Railroad Park

Chapter 82   The Easter Party

Chapter 83   Class Christmas Party

Chapter 84   Davey Does Hooked on Phonics

Chapter 85   Ninth Birthday Party

Chapter 86   Fourth of July

Chapter 87   A Visit to Uncle Jim

Chapter 88   The New House

Chapter 89   Davey Counts

Chapter 90   Davey and the Dogs

Chapter 91   The Hummingbirds

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CHAPTER ONE

Playing in the Street

O nce upon a time there was a seven-year-old boy named David Grant. He lived with his beautiful mother and his handsome father in a two-story house in Phoenix, Arizona. He had a brother who was three years older than he and a sister who was two years younger. They loved their house, and they had a wonderful family.

His mother called him Davey because she liked to hug and kiss him, and Davey seemed better for hugging and kissing than his other names. His father called him Dave because Dave seemed big and strong. His teacher, Mrs. Holtzmeier, called him David. He liked all three of his names. Sometimes he wondered which name was best, but it didn’t seem to matter much. All three of his names were good.

One day just before his seventh birthday, Davey was playing the street in front of his house with his neighbor Zachary Wollendorf who was called Zach. Usually boys weren’t allowed to play in the street, but Davey and Zach were fortunate in that their houses were on a cul-de-sac, and their mothers allowed them to play in the street so long as they didn’t go out into the busy street which ran past Zach’s house. They were playing baseball with a bat and a white, plastic ball that had slits cut in its side. When the ball was struck with the bat, it flew through the air, but they could catch it with their hands and it didn’t hurt. It also didn’t do any damage if it hit anything. It was Zach’s turn to bat.

Come on, Zach, get a hit, Davey called.

Okay, Davey; throw the ball, Zach answered.

Davey pitched the ball to Zach, and Zach sung forcefully. When he connected with the ball, it flew over Davey’s head, and Zach took off running for the Lis’ mailbox. The Lis were a Chinese family who also lived in the cul-de-sac. Their mailbox was first base. Second base was the Amadors’ mailbox. Davey’s mailbox was third base, and Zach’s was home plate. While Zach ran for first base, Davey chased the ball. When he had it in his hands, he threw it to Zach’s brother, Peter, who was three years younger than Zach, but who liked playing with the older boys. Davey’s older brother, Steve, was also playing with them. Peter missed catching the ball which rolled beside the Wollendorfs’ mailbox.

Steve hollered, Pick it up, Peter. Peter stooped over to get the ball and when he had it looked around. Zach had stopped at second base.

Okay, Steve, your turn to bat, Dave called. Steve picked up the bat and got ready to hit the ball. But when Davey pitched the ball, it went high into the air, and Zach ran to the Grants’ mailbox or third base. He danced around beside the mailbox hollering, I stole third.

Peter threw the ball back to Davey who got ready to pitch again. This time he threw the ball directly to Steve who swung and hit the ball hard into the air. As soon as the ball was hit, Zach took off running and came into home plate, touching the Wollendorf mailbox. Meanwhile Steve had run to third base while Davey was chasing the ball.

Then it was time for Peter to bat. Peter was younger, so the boys had to throw the ball slower to him and help him along. But he enjoyed playing just as much as they did. When he managed to hit the ball and send it dribbling past Davey, he shouted, I hit it, and ran to first base where he stood grinning.

Good job, Peter, Steve called. Okay, Davey, your turn to bat. I’ll pitch now. Davey managed get a hit on the second pitch, and he ran eagerly to the Lis’ mailbox.

After everyone had a chance to hit the ball and to pitch it, the boys decided to change the game. Let’s play basketball, Steve suggested.

Okay, Zach answered, running to get his and Peter’s basketball from the garage. They had a basketball hoop on a stand beside their driveway where they boys played regularly.

The boys took turns shooting the basketball. As one shot, the others offered encouragement by way of cheers. Go, Zach, go, they would call when Zach got the ball. Or, Shoot, Davey, shoot. You can make it, when Davey had the ball. Peter wasn’t quite tall enough to shoot and make a basket, but he still got his turn. Steve was a good shooter, and whenever he got the ball, he usually managed to get it through the basketball hoop. They shouted, Yea, Steve!

Suddenly the boys heard, Steve, Dave, time to come in for dinner. It was their father calling.

Immediately they turned to Zach and Peter. Steve said, We have to go in now. Bye.

The boys said good-bye to each other, and Zach and Peter also turned to go into their house for dinner. It had been a fine afternoon of playing with friends.

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CHAPTER TWO

Davey Gets a Dog

O ne day when Davey was accompanying his mother shopping, they saw a woman leading a small dog on a leash. Oh, look at the pretty white dog, his mother said.

I wish I had a dog, Davey said.

Well, a dog takes a lot of work, you know, she responded. You have to remember to feed him, and keep him clean, and make sure he doesn’t get hurt.

Oh, I’d do all of that, Davey said. Couldn’t I get a dog?

Well, perhaps we should have a family meeting, she suggested.

That night as they were eating dinner, Davey said, I call for a family meeting.

Very well, Davey’s father said. Steve, you take attendance.

Steve sat up importantly. Dad?

Here, their father answered.

Mom?

Here.

Mandy? Amanda was Steve and Davey’s sister who was five and getting ready to start kindergarten. Everyone called her Mandy.

Here.

Davey?

Here.

And I’m here. Everyone present and accounted for, Sir, he reported.

Okay, Davey. Everyone is here. What did you want to call a family meeting for?

Well, Davey said. Today Mom and I saw a dog, and I got to thinking that we need a dog. I would like to have a dog. He could be a friend and a playmate, and he could guard our house when we are not home.

Very quickly it was decided that it would be okay for Davey to get a dog from the Humane Society. Everyone had an idea of what type of dog would be best, but Davey’s father said, Dave gets to choose. However, everyone can give him advice. We’ll go to the Human Society tomorrow.

The next day was Saturday, and when the Humane Society opened at ten o’clock, the whole Grant family was there to look at the dogs in the cages. As the attendant let them in, she said, When you find a dog you want, just pull the card from the front of the cage and bring it up to the front desk. If there’s no card, that means someone else has already chosen that dog.

The first building after the office was lined with dog cages. It smelled like dogs, and it sounded like dogs. Dogs barked and whined very loud, and it was hard to hear each other talk. There were Great Danes, Bouviers, Collies, and Water Spaniels. There was every type of dog imaginable from dogs with red coats to little Chihuahuas with white fur. Many were purebred dogs, but many were just mixtures of several types. Some of the dogs lay in their cages and refused to stand up for people to look at them. Davey’s father said they were depressed, but they needed a home just as much as the other dogs did.

In the second building of cages, Davey’s father and Steve stopped at a cage where a medium-sized dog with a mixture of black and white fur was staring out at them. Steve said, Here’s a nice-looking dog. Let’s get him, Davey.

Davey liked that dog, but he wasn’t sure that he was the dog for him. Well, maybe, he said. Let’s keep looking.

Dave had been aware of a distinctive bark for a few seconds before he came to the cage of a dog that was standing and looking out of his cage, barking eagerly and excitedly. This dog was very energetic and seemed to be saying, Take me home, and I’ll be your friend. This was the dog Davey liked. He called to his father and Steve. Come look at this one!

They both liked this dog. Their father pulled the card out of the slot and read it aloud. His name is Frisker, and he is a Beagle. See the distinctive red, black, and white spots on him. And look at the way his tail curves over his back. Those are both signs of a Beagle. And look at his eyes; he looks very intelligent. He is one year old, and it says he is good with children.

This is the dog I want, Dave said. Soon their mother and Mandy joined them. They had been looking at the kittens in the building reserved for cats. Everyone in the family liked Frisker.

So they took the card to the office where they presented it to the attendant. She said, These people were looking for that card, and pointed to an older couple.

Well, you told us to pull the card, and that’s what we did, Davey’s father said.

Yes, but these people were here yesterday, and they had to wait until today to come back, she answered.

What should we do? Davey’s mother asked.

Why don’t we have a drawing? the attendant asked.

A drawing? For a dog? Steve asked.

Yes, the attendant said. I’ll put two tickets into a hat, one with Frisker’s name on it and one without, and each of you will draw a ticket out of the hat. The one who gets the ticket with Frisker’s name gets him.

Davey was worried. Dad, does that mean we might not get Frisker?

Yes, his father answered. But we might. We’ll have to see.

When the attendant had the hat ready, Mandy drew the ticket out of the hat. Then the older woman drew out the other ticket. Mandy held her ticket out to the attendant, who said, You got it. You get Frisker. Davey was relieved as he hadn’t wanted to lose Frisker.

After all of Frisker’s shots were taken care of and Davey’s father had paid the attendant, they got to take Frisker home. Davey and Steve played with him all afternoon, running and yelling and barking. It was wonderful to have a dog. They had put food and water out for Frisker, but he was too excited to eat and he drank only a few laps of water before playing some more.

Finally it was time for dinner, so Davey and Steve left Frisker alone while they went in to eat.

At dinner, Davey called another family meeting. When everyone was ready, he said, I just want to thank everyone for letting me get Frisker. He is the best dog in the whole world, and I promise I will always take good care of him.

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CHAPTER THREE

Davey’s Birthday Party

D avey’s seventh birthday party had taken a long time in coming. For months he had been asking about it, but it was always a long time away. Then it was six weeks. Then it was only two weeks. Then it was only a few days.

His mother planned to give a birthday party for Davey at the Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics Center and invited all of his friends. Davey was very excited. When his father asked Davey what flavor cake Davey wanted, he said, Cupcakes!

The day of the birthday party, Davey’s father woke him up by singing him a song he had made up:

Birthday boy, birthday boy,

Now you’re seven and filled with joy;

No longer six or even five,

Now you’re seven, heavens alive!

Then Davey’s father made cupcakes. First he baked the vanilla cupcakes. Then he added chocolate to the mix to bake the chocolate cupcakes. After they had been taken out of the oven and allowed to cool, Davey’s father put frosting on them.

Can I put sprinkles on them? Davey asked.

Well, of course, his father answered. He showed Davey how to hold a teaspoon of sprinkles above a cupcake and jiggle it with his finger so only a few sprinkles fell onto the cupcakes.

The day seemed to drag until it was time to leave for the party, but finally it was time. Steve, Davey, Amanda, their mother, and their father climbed into the van and loaded all the cupcakes and the Capri Sun drinks.

When they got to Arizona Sunrays, they found that several other boys and girls were already there. The person in charge had to rearrange the room for the table and chairs for the party. Then she spread a pretty green paper over the table and tied individual balloons to each chair.

While the room was being set up, Davey and his friends watched two teenaged gymnasts do their routines. They were very fluid and smooth, running and jumping, doing cartwheels, handstands, somersaults, and bouncing on the trampoline.

When it was time for the birthday children, the gymnasts left the big workout room, turning it over to Michelle, the leader of the kids. Michelle led all of the boys and girls out, with Davey first.

The children got to do all sorts of exercises on the mats. First they walked around the perimeter of the mats. Then they skipped, and they hopped. Then they turned somersaults from one end to the other.

After the mats, they got to bounce on the trampolines. Each got a turn, but always Davey was first because it was his birthday. After that they got to swing on the rope which hung over the pit. They all loved diving into the pit because there were soft cushions on the bottom, and they knew it was safe. They pretended to be Tarzan swinging on a vine in the jungle.

The last thing they got to do was to run and jump onto a small trampoline which sent them flying through the air.

When they were finished in the exercise room, Michelle led them all back to the office and the birthday table with the balloons tied to the chairs. First everyone got to choose a cupcake, either chocolate or vanilla. Then each got a Capri Sun. After the cupcakes were gone, Davey opened his presents.

He received several wooden puzzles, a dinosaur that growled, a drawing board with colored pencils which could be erased and re-used, a set of connecting building blocks, and two books. Then each person was given a party bag. In the bag were toys and other things. Each bag had a small top which the children tried to see who could spin the longest.

Finally, the party was over. After telling everyone good-bye, Davey and his family climbed into the van for the drive home. On the way, Davey announced, This was my best birthday party ever. But I can hardly wait for my next one!

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CHAPTER FOUR

Davey Goes to the Jumps

O ne morning just after Davey’s birthday, while everyone was eating breakfast, Steve asked, Dad, could we go for a bike ride before it gets too hot?

Mr. Grant who was home from work that day, didn’t like to take the boys for a bike ride during the day after it got too hot which it does very quickly in Phoenix.

Dave, would you like to go? he asked.

Dave was eating his cream of wheat, so he just nodded.

Okay. We’ll go right after breakfast.

Since Amanda and their mother didn’t go, it was their father, Steve, and Davey who put on their bicycle helmets and got their bicycles ready. All right, let’s go, but be sure to stay together, their father called as they set out.

Davey led the way since it was his turn to lead. Steve followed, and their father was last. They rode out of their cul-de-sac and turned east for the rest of the block. Then they turned north on Third Avenue which led to the Arizona Canal. As they rode, they stayed on the sidewalk unless there was a car parked on the sidewalk and they had to swerve into the street. Along the way there were stop signs that they had to stop for to check for traffic. Usually there were only a few cars or pickups.

Their father rode a bicycle which had a wire basket on the front. He had put a cardboard box into it, and as they rode along, he filled the box with trash they picked up from the street. Steve and Davey watched for trash and stopped to pick it up if they saw it soon enough. If they didn’t, their father would pick it up and put it into the box.

Soon they came to the big church on the west side of the street. Usually there was no one there as the people came to the church only on the weekends. Dad, may we ride around the church? Steve asked.

The parking lot extended all around the church, and the boys liked to ride their bikes around it as a type of adventure. Sometimes their father said no, but that was when there were people or cars there. Today he said, Yes, you may. He waited for Steve and Davey as they took off. They had to stay on the driveway or on the sidewalk without going into the church campus. They might be considered trespassing, and if someone saw them they might not be permitted to ride around there again.

After they came out from the church, the group continued north to the Arizona Canal. To get to it, they had to ride up a small rise or levee where they came out on top of a path and road which ran beside the canal. The canals had been built centuries before by native Americans, and only later had white men used the canals for water. Sometimes the canal was dry with no water, but usually it had water running in it with ducks swimming atop the water.

As they came up the rise, they saw there was water in it. Look, there’s a grocery cart, Dad, Steve called. The grocery cart lay on its side in the water and mud.

Why would someone put a grocery cart into the canal? Davey asked.

I don’t know, Dave, his father answered. Maybe it was an accident.

They all rode along the canal for a few hundred yards each way. Then the boys rode down the levee into a deserted lot where there were several holes and piles of dirt beside the holes. These they called the jumps because when they rode over them fast, their bikes jumped up and down. It was exciting to ride fast and to try to do wheelies.

As Davey came down the levee, he was going too fast, and he lost control of his bicycle. He fell down and skidded a bit in the dirt. But he wasn’t hurt, so he got up and rode off to try it again.

While their father waited for them to ride the jumps, he picked up trash from the end of the street. When it was time to go, he squeezed the horn on his bicycle to signal to them it was time to leave. The box on the front of his bicycle was overflowing by now.

Both boys re-joined their father, and they all started home. Steve and Dave got to ride around the church again when they came to it while their father waited. Then they continued on their way.

When they got to within a block of their house, Steve said, Let’s race. He took off riding as fast as he could with Davey pedaling rapidly right behind him. Because his bicycle was smaller, Davey had to pedal faster to keep up. Their father’s bicycle was largest, so he could pedal slowest of all.

Steve came in first, riding up to the garage door and touching it. Then Davey touched it, and last was their father. He unloaded all of the trash from the box in the basket and put the aluminum cans into recycling.

Steve said, That was fun, Dad; can we go again?

Davey agreed. Yes, I want to go again.

Their father smiled and said, Maybe tomorrow, boys.

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CHAPTER FIVE

Davey Plants a Pumpkin

T he Halloween after Davey was six the family got a pumpkin for carving into a jack-o-lantern. It was golden and plump, just right. But this time, instead of carving it, they simply painted a face onto it with magic markers. After Halloween, Davey didn’t want to throw it away, so he left it out on the back patio to remember Halloween by.

In a few weeks the pumpkin began to sink and cave in. Soon it was reduced to a pile of rind and seeds. Then Davey and his friend, Billy, whose mother often left Billy at Davey’s house while she kept business appointments, decided they should grow a pumpkin of their own.

Billy suggested, Why don’t we plant the seeds?

That’s a good idea, Davey agreed.

So they boys picked up all the pumpkin seeds they could find and planted them in various places in Davey’s father’s garden. But they still had many pumpkin seeds left over, so they planted them all over the yard. Then they forgot about them.

That winter no one thought