Part Two

HM sat in the front seat of the car he was so excited. This was his going to be his first big plane ride to the big city. "Grandpa, are we there yet?" he asked his brown eyes showing his excitement.

Grandpa turned to HM for a fraction of a second, and smiled. "Not yet, we'll be there soon though. Have patience."

HM turn back and look out the window soon he repeated his question. "Are we there yet?"

"Soon, HM, soon", said Grandpa. He knew that HM loved planes, and that this was his first big airplane ride. Finally ten minutes later, they turned into the airport's parking lot. Soon they arrived at the airport desk and Jesper brought their tickets and they waited for their plane to be called "Are you ready HM?" asked Grandpa.

His grandson nodded his head. HM fidgeted in the seats, and went over to the big window where he could see the planes coming and going. Soon their plane is called and they head for it.
HM looked around at the interior of the plane. "It's huge, Grandpa", he breathed.

Grandpa nodded his head. "It sure is Howard."

"How are we ever going to find our seats?" asked HM again. "It's too big."

His grandpa held their tickets. "We will that nice lady will tell us where to sit."

HM's mouth turned into a big "O" and he asked, "Really? Wow the things they come up with."

His Grandpa ruffed his hair and they got on the plane.

The flight attendant smiled at HM. "Now who do we have here?"

HM grinned, and he said, "HM Murdock Ma'am."

"First time flier?" she asked glancing at Grandpa.

He smiled "First time for my grandson here."

"Oh I see the stewardess smiled at HM again, and she handed him a pair of pin-on wings. We give these to our entire first time fliers", she said as she directed them towards their seat.

He smiled at her and saluted her and looked at the wings HM sat down at the window seat. He looked out the window, and stared at the clouds. He then started to play with the pin on wings, and he smiled.

"This is going to be so much fun Grandpa", he said to his grandfather.

"Yes it will HM but remember I got a grains meeting first. Okay?"

"Okay Grandpa", said HM. But after the meeting, can we go exploring?" the boy pleaded.

"Sure boy we will. I promise."

"Is that a promise Grandpa?" asked HM. "Do you pinky swear?" he asked again.

His Grandpa place his pinky finger around HM's pinky finger. "I pinky swear."

"Okay, but remember you pinky swore, and nobody goes back on a pinky swear", said HM as he settled into his seat to watch the sights again.

His grandfather nodded his head and closes his eyes for a little nap.

HM still watched the clouds and soon the stewardess came by, to ask if he was comfortable, and if he wanted a drink.

He nodded, and she asked him what kind of drink he wanted.

HM said he like some grape Kool-Aid so the stewardess disappeared for a little bit, and brought him back some grape Kool-Aid. HM smiled gratefully at her, and took the cup from her outstretched hand.

HM thank her then looked over at his Grandpa. "Hey Grandpa wake up, you can sleep at home."

Jesper eyes threw open, "What did you say Howard?"

HM looked innocently at his Grandpa. "I said you can sleep at home. Please wake up. It's way too exciting to just be sleeping on the plane. Look at all the clouds for example", stated HM matter of fact.

Jesper smiled and nodded his head; "Okay yeah then clouds are nice."

"See?" answered HM smiling, "That one looks like an elephant. And that one over there looks like a train".

They watch the clouds as HM pointed out different shapes and sizes, but soon it was time for the plane to land in Chicago.

"Finally", said HM. I thought we'd never get here."

Soon they got off the plane and Jesper hail a taxi and they went to the hotel. HM watch the city as they drove thought it staring at all the huge building. He couldn't believe how huge and big Chicago was. Once at the hotel, HM took stock of his surroundings. This was the biggest hotel he'd ever been at. The ceiling reached clear to the sky.

HM's eyes bugged out, and his mouth opened wide. "Grandpa the ceiling's huge."

His Grandpa smiled "Yeah it sure is. Come on boy let's get to our room."

HM picked up his suitcase and was about to follow Grandpa when all of a sudden, a man in a red uniform and funny hat came up to them. "Here I can take that for you young man."

HM shook his head. "In Texas we do things ourselves." The bellhop nodded, and walked away.

"Who was he Grandpa?" asked HM.

That's been a bellhop. It his job to carried the suitcase," replied Jesper.

"Oh, but it's not that heavy Grandpa", protested HM. "I can do it myself."

"I know." They were soon at their room Jesper turned to his grandson. "Howard I want you to take a nap it was a long plane ride."

"But I'm not even tired", said an excited HM.

"Well I'm tired, answered Grandpa. Now boy you heard me so off to bed. My meeting is in two hours and I want to be rested for it."

"All right", said HM dejectedly. He picked up his suitcase, and he went straight to his bed.

"I promise your grandma I look after you. Now off with you."

Jesper watched as the ten year-old boys went to the bedroom, and shut the door. He smiled and also lay down. Soon the two hours went fast he got up and left for his meeting. But first he made sure HM was fine. Jesper saw that he was sound to sleep and he reach down and kiss him on the forehead. "See you when I get back champ."

HM heard Grandpa leave for his meeting. But he was still too tired, and tried to go back to sleep. But he wasn't having much luck. So he decided to get up and go looked around. Soon HM was out on the street he kept walking and all of the sudden he known he was lost in Chicago?

"Great, I'm lost in Chicago, Grandpa's gonna kill me", moaned HM.

He walked for what seemed like hours, and ended up on a doorstep. He was also hungry. And he could smell a cherry pie. He looked up and saw one on the windowsill. So he reached up to take it.

"Hey leave my mama pie alone you little thief."

Startled HM drew back, and saw a face with a frown on it.

"I'm sorry I'm hungry, and it smelled so good", defended HM.

"Well ain't nobody gonna be takin' my Mama's pie", answered the angry boy.

A woman stuck her head out of the window. "Scooter don't be rude asked the boy in and I will give him something to eat."

The boy stared at HM but nodded his head "Come on in. Mama will feed you."

"Hello Baby, are you hungry?" she asked.

HM looked up at her but he didn't answer her. He was taught not to talk to strangers The lady seemed to understand, and started rummaging around in her kitchen. HM seemed to feel that he could talk to the boy however, and he did so.

"The name's HM Murdock", he said introducing himself. The boy looked at HM and said in a low voice. "My name is none of your business."

Mama frowns at her son as she cut a piece of pie and pours some milk for them. "Scooter tell him your name and don't be so rude. I didn't raise you that way."

The boy grumbled a little under his breath, and finally said, "The name's Bosco. An' that's my mama."

HM looked at the woman .She seen nice so he decided to speak to her. "Thank you for the pie and milk."

The woman smiled encouragingly at him, and introduced herself.

"My name is Mary Baracus. What is your name?"

HM smiled at her. He thought her name was a pretty name. "My name is HM Murdock," he reply.

"My what an unusual name. Come sit down HM, and you're welcome to the pie and milk. Eat as much as you can handle. Scooter eats a lot so I've made plenty."

HM looked at the older kid eating his pie. Scooter stared at him but said nothing. Finally he was done and pick up his glove.

"Mama I'm going to the lot to play sticks ball with Stinky."

"Why don't you take HM with you Baby? I'm sure he'd love to see how you play stick ball."

Scooter looked at his mama. "Mama shouldn't we find out where he lives? I know all the kids in this neighbor and he don't belong here."

Mama nodded her head as she turned to HM. "HM where exactly do you live?

HM look ups and replied. "Texas. I'm from Texas."

End of Part 2