Chapter 3

Sarah is sitting on her bed with a note pad and pencil writing away, when her father walks in and sits down by her trying to get a peek at what she is writing.

Hugging the paper to her chest, "Dad, you know I don't like showing my work till it is complete."

"You can't condemn a man for trying." Leaning back on the bed, "you have been writing today. What is the story about this time? Toby's, Goblins."

How could he ask a question and answer it correctly. "You know I like writing about the fantasy world." Putting her paper down, "I wanted to tell you, when I got home last night. But you were getting ready for that party. I sent in a story of mine to a Publishes, and they are going to print it."

Her father grabs her in a big bear hug. "Sweetheart that is great." Pulling back from her, "We will have to through you a party when the book comes out."

Sarah kneels by her bed and brings a box out from under, placing it on the bed. "This is my original copy of the book, if you would like to see it."

"Sarah I would love to see it and anything else you would ever want to show me." Standing he goes around the bed and hugs her close. "I love you sweetheart. You are so like your mother and I loved her with all my heart."

She reaches down and opens the box. A very creative drawing is on top of a castle in the middle of a maze. It is titled 'Tyler's Adventure'.

"Did you draw the pictures?" she nods as he reaches into the box and picks up the picture to get a closer look. "Sarah you are so talented and I know you didn't get that from me." Glancing down at the next image, that looks like Toby as a baby. "This looks like a story that Toby has been telling me. Are there Goblins?"

Shaking her head yes, "Toby probably told you a story just like this, because I have told it to him."

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he starts to read some of the story. "Sarah this is so special." Looking up at her, "would you read this to the family?"

Taking the pages from her father and putting them back in the box and shoving it under her bed. "Can you wait and let this be our secret? It still doesn't feel real to me, not until I get an actual book."

"I don't know why you want to keep this a secret, but for you I will."

Hearing a car pulling in and stop, and a slamming door and Toby's excited yelling, "Sarah! I GOT YOU A SURPRIZE!"

Her father Stands up and offers his hands to help her up. "Better hurry because if he sees you down there, it won't be long and he will be looking under there."

Laughing they both get to the stairs, just as Toby is running up them.

"Daddy!" Toby runs into his father, "Your home early!" Glancing up at Sarah, "Me and mommy found something for you." Grabbing her hand he tugs her down the stairs.

Placing some sacks on the table, "I'm glad your home, there is more in the car." Both Sarah and her father head towards the car to start unloading it.

Inside the house Sarah could hear Toby, "But mommy can't we give it to her now?" she couldn't hear his mother's response.

After all was done:

Toby grabs Sarah's hand and leads her into the living room. "I picked something out for you at the store." Sarah sees a large gift bag on the coffee table. "She doesn't understand what it means," in a whisper "but you will."

Sarah looks at her step mother then glances down at Toby as he hands her the sack. "What is this for? It's not my birthday, or any holiday for that matter." Opening the top of the bag slowly, she peeks in and looks startled.

"Doesn't it look just like the Goblin King when he is an owl?" Inside the bag is a large stuffed snow owl, with large eyes staring up at her.

"I see that Sarah was right about you Toby, you have an imagination just like she did." Their father laughs as he pats Toby on the head.

"Dad it's not imaginary." Toby looks up at his father with wide serious eyes.

Sarah wraps her arm around Toby's shoulders and pulls him to her side. "Why don't we take the Goblin King to my room and find a good home for him." Holding the bag and steering Toby to the stairs.

"We should put him by the window, he loves coming in and out of the windows at night and maybe he will see the owl that we got that looks like him." Toby shots up the stairs in front of her.

Oh why does Toby have to insist on the goblin King to stay so vivid in her memory? What will he think of the book when it finally arrives?