This is the second to last chapter! I do not own any of the characters. I added things in this chapter that weren't said, but its fanfiction, so...
Enjoy. To God Be The Glory.
Chapter Thirteen: Lessons in Life
When they came insight of the cabin, Mr. Maypenny stepped out, holding open the door and ushering everyone in. He smiled at Bobby and Trixie then moved over to Dan, who was standing by the wall awkwardly.
"Dan! Are you alright?" Maypenny reached out and led Dan to one of the chairs by the fire, and pushed him in, "Were you able to dissuade him?"
Regan frowned "You knew about Luke?"
The old man nodded, "Well, I didn't know his name, but I knew that someone hit me on the head, and that it wasn't Dan. I also knew that Dan was being threatened to do something."
Regan fell silent, frowning, and Trixie, began jumping in her seat. She explained in great de-tales what had happened, and how Dan had helped her and Bobby. She ended by explaining to Maypenny about Dan helping in the Carnival. "And Dan's going to help us with the carnival, if you can spare him."
Mr. Maypenny laughed, and looked over at Dan, who was staring into the fire, "Guess I can. He's been a great help so far, I think he can take a day off."
Dan blinked, and turned to look at Maypenny, "I'd be glad to stay and help all I can here, but Uncle Bill wants me to go back to the city with him for a day of so and sort of straighten things out with a man there." Maypenny smiled,
"Well, I'd be glad to go with you, I'm sure that Jim, and the others would be glad to help out around here. If you'd like that is. We'll talk later." Dan nodded, and turned back to the fire.
After only a few minuets the Belden's and Regan headed out side, to the stable to saddle their horses. Dan watched as Maypenny snagged his uncle's arm and pulled him aside before he left the cabin "What's this about Dan having to go back to the city now? You're not thinking of letting them put him in that reform school, are you? You know that that school would just cause problems, I have a feeling that if he was sent there, he would come out a shell."
Regan frowned "When I went to the city this week, it was to tell the judge that Dan wasn't doing so well with the folks out here. Things looked pretty bad, you remember-"
Maypenny cut him off, "No I don't remember. What I do remember was that the folk here wasn't doing so well with Dan. There's a big difference."
The younger man looked sheepish, "Yes, well. As soon as I knew that he wasn't all that bad I saw that he was a good kid-"
"That's strange. I didn't seem to have any trouble with seeing him as what he is. A boy who needed love. I didn't need someone who was perfect before I took him in." Mr. Maypenny's voice was sharp.
Regan flushed a bit, "Anyway. The judge said he'd issue papers and send the boy away to the school. I was supposed to turn him over tomorrow."
Maypenny glared, "First of all, 'the boy' has a name. I'd suggest you use it." He looked over, and Dan met his eyes, "I guess I'll have to go along and see that Dan's not sent away."
"How?" Regan almost laughed.
"By getting the papers that entrust Dan to me. Permanently." Dan let a smile flit across his face, as he listened to the conversation. Trixie's voice cut in, and all three occupants of the cabin turned to see her standing in the doorway.
"It's all my fault everybody thought Dan was the thief, I found some clues but they weren't true ones. And I'm awfully sorry."
Regan let out a sigh. "Forget it, Trixie. It wasn't your fault. Dan was pretty unfriendly to everybody when he came here. He gave a bad impression"
Mr. Maypenny smiled a kind smile at Trixie, "Trix. You were partly right. You did cause problems to escalate. And I think you have someone to apologize to. But what you need to remember is that while Dan may have been surly, and unfriendly, he knew of no other way to protect himself." Dan caught Maypenny's glance, then looked away into the fire.
Regan frowned "Sleepyside is one of the most safe places."
"I'm not talking about a physical safeness. Well not entirely. He knew that people wouldn't trust him, that they would look down on him for being different. He's had it happen before. So he acted tough to desguise the hurt he felt from your looks, words, and actions. He thought that the more he acted as if it didn't hurt, the more he wouldn't hurt." He sighed, "That doesn't mean that he wasn't being rude, and I hope he understands that," Dan looked up at him, and nodded, and the old man continued "But you all were being pretty rude to him too."
Both Trixie, and Regan looked down, ashamed, and Maypenny ushered them out, "If you don't mind, it's late." The two moved out the door, and Maypenny shut the door, before turning back to Dan.
Dan slumped in the chair, and lifted a hand to rub at his head. He jumped slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder, but then opened his eyes, looking up into Maypenny's kind eyes.
"What's wrong?" The old man moved to the fire to get it ready for the night, listening for Dan's answer.
"I don't know...I guess I'm a bit upset about how they suddenly act as if I'm their best friend. All I did was help Bobby, and try to protect them from that animal. Before Uncle Regan knew that, I was sure that he was going to break my arm or something, he was that angry. I just don't see how they can do that, I don't see how I can accept that. Uncle Regan said he'd get me new skates, as if he did that all the time." Dan shook his head, "I just don't know."
Maypenny stood up slowly, and moved to put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand. I don't know what to say to that, besides the fact that your reaction is predictable. I think if that happened to anyone they wouldn't know what to do." He smiled "Except sleep that is." Dan felt Maypenny pull him to his feet, and lead him to his room. Dan got into the bed, and smiled as he heard Maypenny's foot steps shuffling towards the kitchen.
