Chapter Five! I still dont own the charactors. 4OurTime was right when she said that the Trixie Beldens show the realness in people.
Untill this story is done I will be putting up at least ine chapter a day. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Five: Spiced Apples
The next few days past by, and Dan didn't feel any more comfortable than the first day. During the school period, Dan walked to the school, arriving just befor the bell rang, and left right after. He noticed after a couple of days, that another boy was added to the group that Mart hung out with. A tall, red headed boy, who seemed friendly enough. Dan didn't try and find out for himself though, he just stayed away from that group of people. After school he hiked back to Mr. Maypenny's house and did his chores then went inside to have supper and to do his homework. The day after his acedent with the horse, he came home to the new that in a few weeks, his uncle was going to teach him how to ride. He was going to get a horse to ride while working the trails, and he was to start working on a stall to stable the horse.
About a week later, Dan was fixing up a stall for Sparten, the horse that he was to learn how to ride. He was whistling, as he hammered, completely relaxed. Suddenly he heard the sound of horses, and he straightened, glaring at them, "Maypenny ain't here. He's out checking the feeding stations."
He sighed as Trixie smiled "Oh! We thought that was you we saw out there a few minutes ago in the oke grove."
Dan shook his head, eyes narrow "I've been here all day." He saw the disbelieving look in Trixie's eyes as she scoffed
"It didn't look like Mr. Maypenny."
He felt a wave of anger rise up, "Meaning you think I'm lying?" As much as he tried to distance himself from these people, they always came across him, accusing him of things. He hated to admit it, but it hurt that they wouldn't trust him.
The sweet girl suddenly glared, and Dan had to fight a smile at the sudden fiercely of the girl. "Trixie didn't mean any such thing, she meant that whoever it was that we saw was wearing a black jacket and cap. We know that Mr. Maypenny always wears a turtleneck sweater and funny-looking wool knickers and a red cap and looks quaint."
Dan's heart jumped as the words that Honey spoke sunk in. "You saw some one wearing a black jacket and a cap?" He had a feeling that he knew who the two girls were talking about, but he hoped he was wrong. Trixie answered impatiently, confirming Dan's fears.
"Of course we did, and you saw us, too. You were looking right at us when we waved. And I don't know why you're trying to say it wasn't you."
Dan almost laughed at the statement, "Perhaps I am saying that because it wasn't!" He shook his head, anger filling his voice "Either it was old Maypenny you saw of some tramp." He watched as the two girls moved off to the house, leaving a container on the porch before they mounted their horses, and left the clearing without looking at him.
About a hour later, Maypenny came home, and together, Dan, and his guardian moved into the house. Dan started the fire, warming the cabin, while Maypenny moved about the kition, fixing up supper. Dan looked over at him as he put in another log into the fire.
"You see any more tracks?"
The old man nodded, his face grim, "Yes. We really need to catch that catamount before he causes problems." He nodded to the table, "Food's ready." Together the old man, and teen aged boy sat at the table, hastily eating the steaming stew. When they were done, Maypenny pulled out the container that Trixie and Honey had left on the porch.
"You're in for a real treat with these spiced crabapples. Mrs. Belden makes them the best, and since I don't have a crab apple tree on my land, it's a treat to get some."
Dan watched as he spooned some onto a plate and handed it over. Dan frowned in suspicion as he stared the small apples. He looked up at Maypenny as he speared one on a fork, and bit into it, closing his eyes in delete. The boy looked back at his own serving, and bit his lip. He never had like apples, but it was something his Mom had made, while his Dad was still alive. His eyes pricked with un-shed tears, and he ran a hand roughly over his face.
He sat at the table, staring into the distance, not noticing when Mr. Maypenny silently took his plate, putting the treat away for later. The older man silently moved about the kitchen, glancing worriedly at Dan every few minuets. The next few minuets, Dan stayed stock still, a few tears leaking from his eyes. Finely he reached up, wiping his eyes, looking around to see Maypenny sitting in a chair by the fire, with the kitchen cleaned up.
The boy sighed and stood up, moving towards the fire, sitting next to it, "Sorry. I should have helped."
Mr. Maypenny shrugged, looking hard at Dan, "It's perfectly all right. You looked like you wouldn't want to be disturbed." He sat in silence watching the boy as he stared into the fire. "Do you want to talk?"
"I don't- no. I just was thinking." Dan hesitated, looking towards Mr. Maypenny.
The older man just shrugged, "When ever you're ready I'm here." The older man studied the boy for a moment, before he looked away, worry in his eyes.
When Dan was heading to the room that Maypenny had given him, for the night, the old man called to his retreating back "Even if tomorrow is Sunday, we need to get up at the same time so we can start on our chores. Dan turned and nodded once, looking at his guardian.
To God Be The Glory Forever.