Chapter 2: Buster Tries Hotdog Patties

The next morning, Arthur is walking to school with his best pal Buster talking to him about the amazing dinner he had the night before.

"Hotdog patties?" Buster asks.

"Yep," says Arthur, "that's what Dad made us for dinner last night.

"I think I've heard of them," says Buster, "but never really had one. But wow. Was it good?"

"It really was as a matter of fact," says Arthur. "And since you like food, I'm thinking you would like it."

"I'm sure I would," says Buster. "I do like hotdogs. So maybe hotdog patties won't be so bad."

"My dad is going to cook this again next week," says Arthur. "And I asked my parents if you could come over and have some and they said yes."

"Really?!" says Arthur, excited, "I can't wait. Oh Arthur, you're a real friend."

"Eh," says Arthur, "I figured you'd like this and you're my best friend and a real eating machine and I just couldn't not let you in on this."

"Thanks, Arthur," says Buster. "I'll ask my mother if I can go to your house for dinner next week."

"Cool," says Arthur.

So the following week, Buster is at his best friend's house. It is now time for dinner and everyone is at the dinner table. This time, instead of potato chips, David decided to make curly fries. Baked beans are still served with this. There are also the ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and relish bottles and jars.

"So Buster," says David, "ready to try hotdog patties?"

"Am I ever, Mr. Read!" says Buster excited.

"Help yourself," says David.

The hotdog patties and hamburger buns are passed to Buster and he is given permission to take his first bite before everyone else starts eating, which he does.

"This is amazing!" exclaims Buster.

"I knew you'd like it," says Arthur.

"I think we all did," says Jane.

"Like it?" says Buster, "I don't like it!"

Everyone gasps.

"What?" says David, Jane, and Arthur.

"I love it!" he says.

Everyone sighs with relief.

"Wow, Buster," says David, "you kind of scared me for a moment."

"Yeah," says Arthur, "I was a bit shocked."

"Gotcha!" says Buster.

Everyone chuckles a bit and then starts having their dinner.

After Buster finishes his sandwich, he says "may I have another one please? Except I'd like to try it with cheese if it's alright."

"Cheese," asks Arthur.

"That's actually a good idea," says David, "I didn't even think of that."

"Yeah me neither," says Arthur.

"Neither did I," says Jane.

"Or me," says D.W.

"I think I'd like to try it too," says Arthur.

David walks up to the refrigerator and brings the cheese to the table.

"Is American cheese all right, Buster," asks David, "because this is all we have right now."

"It's more than all right," says Buster, "I'd eat this with bleu cheese, or that smelly French cheese." (A/N What's that cheese called again?)

No one says anything. David hands Buster a slice of cheese.

"Here you go, Buster," he says to him.

"Thanks, Mr. Read, "he says back and then removing the cheese from the wrapper and putting it on his next sandwich and he bites into it.

"It tastes even better with cheese on it!" Buster says.

"I'm going to try it now," says Arthur.

Arthur takes a slice of cheese and puts it on his next sandwich. David and Jane do the same but D.W. is a bit reluctant, she being a picky eater.

"Wow," says Arthur, "I like it too!"

"So do I," says Jane.

"So do I," says David.

"How about you D.W.?" asks Buster.

"I don't know," says D.W., "I like it without cheese, but I don't know if I'm ready for this."

"Try it D.W.," says David, "you might like it.

"Come on," says Jane, "give it a chance."

"Alright," says D.W.

She takes a piece of cheese and puts it in her sandwich and takes a bite and chews it. Everyone is watching her.

"Well," she starts out without smiling.

"Well what?" everyone else asks her.

"This sandwich," she says without a smile but sounding like she's getting ready to say something mean about it.

Everyone braces themselves.

D.W. finishes, "Is amazing! I like it!"

"I thought for sure you wouldn't by the way you were talking," says Jane.

"I didn't think I was going to like it," says D.W., "but it is one of the best things I've tasted!"

"See D.W.," says David, "like we've told you, 'you never know until you try it."

"I'm glad I did," says D.W. Then turning to Buster, she says to him, "and I'm glad you suggested it."

"So am I," Arthur says, "I'm glad we invited you."

"Ah it was nothing," says Buster. "But you know how else I'd like to try this?"

"How?" asks Arthur.

"Barbequed," answers Buster.

David thinks for a moment.

"Buster that's an excellent idea!" says David. "I think that's what I'm going to try doing. Thanks Buster."

"No problem," he says.

"And thank you, Arthur, for inviting Buster," David says to him. "We have a food genius in our midst."

"No problem, Dad," says Arthur.

"How about a week from Saturday," David says, "we have a barbeque? And I have a few people I want to invite. Buster?"

"Yes, Mr. Read?" answer's Buster.

"Could you ask your mother if she can come to the Barbeque on that day?" David asks him.

"I sure will," says Buster.

Stay tuned for chapter 3. See who gets invited to the Barbeque.

A/N: This was supposed to be the original last chapter, but I decided to add one more chapter to this story. This was also supposed to be a short chapter but I somehow managed to make this chapter longer, but it's still good. Well, I'll let you readers be the judge of that. Anyway, see how the next chapter plays out and who other than Buster and his mother are invited. Some of them will be characters I've never included in my stories before.