Part Eight - Final Part

HM glanced at Chris Milligan's gang surrounding him, and decided his best bet was to bluff his way through. He straightened as much as he could, and tried looking Chris in the eye.

He said, "You'd better be careful who you're messing with Milligan. I come from Texas, and everything's bigger in Texas. I might look like a normal ten year old to you, but really I may surprise you."

Chris folded his arms, and said, "Show us, what you're made of short stuff."

HM looked at the other boys. "Hmm I wouldn't waste my time on you." He pushed his way past one of the boy. "Back in Texas you are what we called small potatoes."

"Oh yeah?", leered Chris.

"Yeah", said HM. "I've taken down bigger guys then you. Why you should've seen the look I got when I beat down Danny McGregor and his gang. They didn't bother me anymore after that you guys are no different In fact you others aren't anything but puppets, following some fool's lead." HM's voice trailed off and he eyed the gang again. They looked very unsure of themselves,
even Chris.

One of the boys glared at Chris. "Hey Chris? Why are we here? I mean if he such a runt as you say he is then you don't need us. I am out of here. Whose with me?"

The others nodded their heads and disbursed leaving Chris and HM alone. HM held up his fist. "Okay Milligan it's just me and you"
Chris Milligan was shaking right down to his sneakers he said, "One day I'll get you HM, and you'll pay, you'll pay severely." He ran off, and HM smiled. He'd beaten a bully and hadn't even thrown a punch. Gramma would've been so proud of him. He then went on with the mission at hand. To try and find Bosco to tell him they were riding a train instead of a plane. He smiled, Bosco would be happy, of this he was sure.

Bosco suddenly step out from behind a tree. "That was really clever how you got out of that."

"Hey were you there all the time?":

"Yeah I was. I was going to help but you looked like you didn't need it."

HM smiled lightly. "Well yeah I didn't. It was a good thing he back off." HM showed Bosco his fists. "These baby are dangerous weapons no telling what I might had done. Oh by the way we are taking a train not flying."

"We what?", asked Bosco in disbelief.

"We're taking a train, we're not flying answered HM. "Well since you don't wanna fly, I thought maybe a train would be fun. You know I've never been on a train before."

Bosco was still dumbfounded "A train, and Mama an' your grandparents agreed to it?"

HM happier nodded his head.

Bosco glanced at HM. "You have never been on a train. Boy you don't know what you are missing. On a train you can see the countryside which you can't on a dumb plane. It is the biggest thrill you could ever want. Thanks."

HM smiled at Bosco but he thought to himself 'no way a plane is the biggest thrill I could ever want

He didn't voice the thought out loud though, and he and Bosco went back to the picnic. The grownups were still chatting away, and stopped once the boys came into view. "Where have you two been?" asked Jesper.

HM's eyes lit up, as he recounted his adventure

"I'm proud of you HM", commented Jassa.

"So am I", said Mary. They soon gathered the remains of their picnic, and started back for Mary and Bosco's place.

Soon it was time to go to the train station. Everyone got their tickets and got into their seats. HM looked nerves.

"Are you okay sweetum?"

"Yes Gramma I'm fine. How long is this ride going to be?"

Mary smiled at HM. "At least two days or more baby." HM suddenly got up and ran to the bathroom where he got sick. The train ride was making him sicker then a dog.

"What's wrong with me?", gasped HM as he got sick again. "A plane ride I can handle, but trains making me sick?" He rinsed out his mouth, and tried to look calmer. But his stomach was still queasy. How was he going to make it through two days like this? He sighed and cupped his face in his hands.

"Baby! Are you all right?"

"No Gramma I'm sick, real sick. I think I'm going to die."

Jassa open the door of the bathroom and took HM in her arms. "Its okay baby. You are not going to die. I got something that will make you feel better." She took him to the place where he could laid down and gave him some medicine. HM soon fell asleep and she stays with him.

She rubbed his head, and was mothering him. Something she didn't think he'd mind. Soon, Jesper, Bosco, and Mary went to see what the problem was.

"He got sick because of the train", sighed Jassa. Trying to explain what had just happened. "I hope his stomach settles down a little, and that it's not ongoing for the rest of the trip", Jassa finished.

Jesper examine his wife. "Jassa who does that remind you of?"

Jassa smiled with tears in her eyes. "It reminds me of our son HM's father. He couldn't take trains either."

"Harold" said Jesper with a sigh.

"He couldn't even take the kiddies' train ride at the carnival either", said Jassa.

The two were locked in a look of memories, and Mary silently led Bosco out of the room, so as not to disturb the family. Mary sat down in one of the seats, and tried to get Bosco interested in the sights. Bosco was excited. It'd been awhile since he'd been on a train.
Bosco suddenly looked across at his mama. "Mama I got an idea."

"What that baby?"

Bosco leaned over and whisper in her ears.

Mary hugged her son. "Oh Scooter that is a wonderful idea come on let's tell them."

Mary took Bosco to the Murdocks. Mary knocked on the door and Jesper answer it.

"Jassa, Jesper. Scooter came up with a good idea. Go ahead baby tell them."

Bosco swallowed before he said anything. "The next stop is in one hour. Why don't HM and his Grandpa get off there and take a plane the rest of the way and we will meet you there? Mrs. Murdock can stay with us to show us the way to your house."

Jester turned to his wife. "What do you say Jassa?"

I think that's a wonderful idea Bosco", smiled Jassa. "Jesper, you take HM, in an hour. He's sleeping now, but once he wakes up, and finds himself on a plane, explain that it was Bosco's idea."

Jesper nodded, and waited for the stop to come up. Once it did, Jesper gathered his and HM's small things, and got off.

"Jesper!" called back his wife. "Don't forget HM."

Jesper glared at his wife. "I wasn't going to forget him woman." He came back and took the sleeping child in his arms and headed inside to buy a plane ticket. HM opens his eyes.

"Grandpa where are we?"

"Going to get on a plane boy."

"Oh replied the sleepy child. "Can I fly it?"

Jesper was about to answer when HM fell back to sleep. He smiled at his grandson.

"You sleep little nipper. When you wake up you will be home."

He bought the tickets, and waited for the plane to arrive. An hour and a half later, the passengers were called, and Jesper took HM in his arms again. He put HM in his seat, and buckled HM in as well. Soon Jesper was buckled in as well, and he waited for the plane to taxi off. HM stirred but didn't fully wake up, until they were on the ground in Texas.

"Hey little nipper we are home." HM looked around then looked at his Grandpa. "Grandpa we aren't home. We don't live at the airport. Hey how we get here?"

"Bosco thought you would like a plane ride better."

"Oh cool he is so nice."

"Yeah he is come on boy let's go home and get things ready."

The two made their way out of the airport, and got into a taxi. They arrived at their home a few minutes later, and Jesper unlocked the door. It felt good to be home, and Jesper and HM set their bags down. HM picked up his bags though, and ran to his room. Jesper did the same.

Soon Jesper had supper on the table. "Howard! Supper is ready."

HM came out of his room and looked at the supper beans and franks. "Grandpa when is Grandma coming home?"

"I think tomorrow."

"Oh good because I sure am tired of beans and franks."

"Hey it's only been one meal"
"Yeah but it the only thing you know how to cook."

"Hey boy nothing wrong with beans and franks it sticks to your guts."

HM thought to himself. Yeah it also make me stink.

Jesper noticed HM look and frowned. "Well eat up boy. It'll fill you up."

HM sighed, when his gran'pa was insistent the only thing was for him to do what his grandfather said, "okay Grandpa", sighed HM. He sat down, and grabbed a fork. He chewed in silence, and couldn't wait for his grandma to come home and for Bosco and Mary to see his house.

Bosco watched the scenery he saw cows and horses and lot of different things. "Ma'am does HM have any pets?"

Jassa nodded her head, "Yes HM has four pets his horse named Gallop. A German Shepherd named Roscoe. A cat named Butter free and a nanny goat named Mrs. Greta."

Bosco's eyes got really big, and his mouth was made into an "O" shape. "I've never seen a goat before..." His voice trailed off as the two women exchanged glances and smiles. Jassa sighed. It was going to be good to get home. Chicago had been nice,
but being back in Texas was going to be a welcome sight, and she'd missed the farm terribly.
Soon the train arrived in Austin. They got off the train where Jesper and HM were waiting . HM flew into his Grandma arms. "Oh Gramma I miss you so much."

Jassa took her grandson in her arms.

"I miss you to pumpkin," she said as she gave him a kiss.

HM pulled away "Grandma not in front of Bosco and his mama."

She giggled a little, "Sorry wasn't thinking."

"That's okay." HM turned to Bosco and his mom. "Bosco and Mrs. Baracus welcome to Texas."

The End