Free Freddy Anderson’s Home: Book 1 by John Ricks Page A

Crain.
    “I couldn’t sleep last night, worrying about what their orders were,” I said. “I was worried that they were less than friendly toward the townspeople and, therefore, this household. I had to find out.”
    Mrs. Crain said, “That was very brave of you. Let’s get you something to eat. The other kids will be up soon.”
    As I sat at the table and watched her fix breakfast, Carroll asked, “What did she tell you?”
    I explained what the navy woman had told me and then added, “She was real concerned about the town.”
    “What? Are you sure?”
    “Yes. She did not want me calling the general, as she said it would hurt the town. Apparently, her team likes you guys. She also likes your family and promised that her team would never harm you. She really is very nice; she just has a bad job.”
    Mrs. Crain asked, “She’s not here to kill you?”
    “Not if I don’t try to leave, and I’m not going to try.” I could see Mrs. Crain was thinking hard on this information, and then a light seemed to go off in her head. Her face scrunched up in determination, but there was a little fear deep in her eyes.
    “Carroll, please set another place at the table,” Mrs. Crain said and then went outside. I listened with my mind as she walked up to the woman who was sitting on the bench. “Hello,” said Mrs. Crain.
    “Hello. How can I help you, ma’am?”
    “You’re here to watch over my guest and protect him?”
    “Yes.”
    “Don’t you think you could do a better job if you were inside?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then please join us for breakfast.”
    “I’d be delighted, but that would be against orders.”
    After talking with her for a while, Mrs. Crain returned to the house alone.
    When the younger kids came down for breakfast, everyone seemed highly excited, so I asked them why.
    Becky said, “Daddy comes home today!”
    “I’m sorry; I don’t even know what you father does.”
    “He’s a fisherman,” said Carroll. “I hope he had a good catch.”
    Annabelle said, “If he did, maybe he’ll stay home a little longer this time.”
    Mrs. Crain said, “Don’t count on it, dears. It’s spring, and the salmon are running. He’ll be out most of the time, I expect.”
    Becky said, pouting, “If Daddy had been here when you came, he’d have put a stop to this town nonsense right from the start. He doesn’t put up with nonsense. He’d tell that navy lady where to go too.”
    Mrs. Crain winked, letting me know not to worry. I’d hate to think Captain Crain would try to straighten everything out and cause my babysitter to have to hurt him.
    After breakfast the kids went out to do their chores. I was going to help Becky, but Betty came over to ask if I’d please come over to her diner. Some people wanted to talk with me. It was only eight fifteen, so I said, “Okay, as long as I’m back by nine forty-five. I have an appointment with the admiral at ten o’clock.”
    We walked to Betty’s Diner, and everyone we saw said hello to me and welcomed me to the town. The store owners came out to tell me that I could have anything I needed. Guy Thompson came out and said he had a couple of people who would love to take me camping and to explore my new home. He offered to loan us a couple of horses for our explorations.
    When we reached the diner, the whole place was full. I pulled back, but Betty reassured me that it would be all right and that no one would harm me. Nancy came over to me with a big glass of cold milk and said, “They all want to talk to you.” I spent the next hour or so answering questions about my mother and father, my genealogy, my life, and being in Washington, DC. At one point, the four boys and the ex-mayor came in and apologized. I shook hands with each one, forgave them, and said I would like to be their friend.
    When it was time to go back to the inn, I felt very much at home.

    Green pulled out the tentacle. Everything went blank. “That’s strange.”
    “What’s strange?”