Free The Kidnapped King by Ron Roy Page A

Rose.
    Dink’s mother drove him and Sammi home to Woody Street. Sammi was quiet in the car. He kept turningaround and looking out the rear window.
    “Ms. Klinker said she’d bring your luggage over in a little while,” Dink’s mother told Sammi. “Dink will help you get settled, then I’ll make you both a snack.”
    “Thank you very much, Mrs. Duncan,” Sammi said as Dink’s mom pulled into the driveway on Woody Street.
    Dink climbed out of the car with his book bag clunking against his shoulders.
    “Your room is next to mine,” he told Sammi, leading the way upstairs.
    Dink took Sammi into the guest room. There was a bed, a dresser, and a braided rug on the floor. A reading lamp stood on the table next to the bed.
    Sammi looked at the room quietly. “This is very nice,” he said.
    “Come on, I’ll show you my room,” Dink said. He and Sammi passed through the bathroom. On the other side was Dink’s bedroom.
    As soon as Dink stepped into his room, Loretta began squeaking and running around in her cage.
    “What is
that?
” Sammi shouted, hiding behind Dink.
    “Just my guinea pig,” Dink said. “Loretta’s real friendly. You want to hold her?”
    “I am allergic to fur!” Sammi said, peering into the cage. “Don’t let it out!”
    “Okay, I won’t,” Dink said.
    “Dink!” his mother called from downstairs. “Are you and Sammi ready for a snack?”
    “Are you hungry?” Dink asked Sammi.
    Sammi wrinkled his nose. “What are we having?”
    Dink pretended to think, then said,“Just the usual—rats’ ears on crackers.”
    Sammi stared at Dink. “You are joking?”
    “Yeah, I’m joking,” Dink said. “Come on downstairs.”
    Dink’s mother put a plate of peanut butter cookies and a quart of milk on the counter. Sammi inspected the cookies, then selected one.
    “You’re not allergic to cookies, are you?” Dink asked.
    Sammi shook his head and took a small bite.
    The doorbell rang, and Dink opened the door. Josh and Ruth Rose stood on the steps. Pal, Josh’s basset hound, sat at their feet.
    “We came to see if you and Sammi want to come out and play,” Ruth Rose said. She held a purple Nerf football in her hand. The ball matched her purple jeans and sweatshirt.
    “Hi, guys. Come on in,” Dink said.

    Josh made a beeline for the plate of cookies. Pal padded along behind him. His long pink tongue hung out of his mouth.
    Sammi jumped onto a chair. “Keep it away!” he yelled. “I am allergic!”
    Dink’s mother put her hand on Sammi’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Sammi.Josh, can Pal wait on the porch?”
    “Sure, Mrs. D. Come on, boy,” Josh said as he led Pal out of the room.
    “Help yourselves, kids,” Dink’s mom said, pouring four glasses of milk.
    Josh came back and grabbed two cookies. “Why’re you wearing your bathrobe?” he asked Sammi.
    “It is what we wear in my country,” Sammi said, sipping his milk.
    “I think it’s beautiful,” Ruth Rose said. “I wish I had one.”
    The doorbell rang again. This time it was Joan Klinker, Sammi’s tutor. She had come in a taxi with Sammi’s suitcases.Dink helped the driver carry them into the hallway.
    “Hi, Sammi,” she said. “How do you like this house?”
    “There are animals here!” Sammi said. “I am allergic, you know.”
    “I’m afraid we have a guinea pig,” Dink’s mother said.
    “Yes, and I saw the dog on the porch,” Joan Klinker said. “I hope Sammi’s allergies won’t be too much trouble.”
    Dink’s mother smiled. “I’m sure we’ll make out fine,” she said. “Dink, why don’t you kids take Sammi’s luggage up to his room before you go out to play?”
    “May I come, too?” Joan Klinker asked. “I’d like to look at the room where Sammi will stay. Do you mind?”
    “Not at all. Dink will show you the way.”
    Dink and Josh lugged the suitcases up the stairs, then plopped them down on Sammi’s bed. Ruth Rose followed, with Sammi and his tutor right behind.
    Joan Klinker walked