Here is the last chapter. Hope you enjoy! To God Be The Glory!
Chapter Fourteen: Reconciliation
Two day's later Dan sat in a car, with Mr. Maypenny beside him, and Regan up front with the driver. They were on their way back to Sleepyside after two day's of sitting in a court room. When the judge had first heard that Regan wanted to keep him in Sleepyside instead of what he had said only a few days earlier, he seemed angry. He insisted on hearing what happened from all three of them, in privet. One at a time. After that he had them explain why Maypenny was there, as he was not originally a part of the case. The judge was in agreement that it would be best if Dan continued living at Maypenny's cabin, but that they shouldn't make Maypenny Dan's sole legal guardian unless there was a problem. Regan would have overall control of his nephew, but Maypenny, who would also be a legal guardian, would have as much control as if he was a father, including hospital decisions. The trial was practical done the first day, but the judge said they needed to wait till the next day before they could leave the city, because he needed the papers saying the transfer to the reform school had been cancelled.
As soon as it had come in, the judge said they could leave, and now they were on their way back to Sleepyside.
When they arrived at the Wheeler Manor, they got out, and Maypenny handed a back to Dan, "Here take these. They're a gift for you."
Dan looked at him in confusion, then he shrugged opening the bag, and pulling out a new pair of skates. He looked up, a grin braking over his face, "Thanks!" his smile faded as he looked at his uncle.
Regan gave a small smile, "There from Mr. Maypenny." Dan grinned up at the older man and ran a hand over the smooth blade.
Maypenny smiled back, "Go on. You've got to practice for tonight!" He reached into the car and pulled out a sweater, "Here, this is for you too. That leather jacket won't do much against the cold." He handed over a thick dark brown sweater. Dan took it, eyes shining, "Thank you, sir." Maypenny nodded
"Do you know where the river is?"
"Yes, I've seen it." Dan turned towards the woods, then hesitated, turning back "Thank you too, Uncle Regan."
Dan moved quickly towards the frozen lake, and strapped on the skates. He held his breath as he slowly stood, and stepped onto the ice. It felt right.
Later that day, Trixie and the others began arriving, and started setting up. Dan watched as Bobby, after slipping on he skates, stepped onto the ice, to move towards him. Dan hid a smile as his slightly chubby arms waved around. "You're here!"
Dan carefully knelt and hugged the boy when he reached him, "Yes, I'm here." He took Bobby by the hand, leading him back to the others, "Come on, lets see what we can do."
Later that night, Dan sat on the edge of the dock, watching the skaters, earlier he had recited the rhyme, and the crowd seemed to love it, then he had won the senior dash. He looked up as Trixie, Honey, and Mart made their way over to him. Trixie had her hands behind her back, and a twinkle in her eyes.
"First of all, I truly am sorry about all the trouble I caused, and for hurting you. I guess I need to work on not judging a person by appearances. Can you forgive me?" Trixie's face was serious, and as Dan looked at the other two, he saw that they were just as serious.
Honey nodded "Trixie told us what Mr. Maypenny said to her about how we were partly to blame, I am sorry as well."
"And me." Mart's voice was serious.
Dan shrugged, looking down, "That's fine. I understand." He looked up into Trixie's eyes, "I forgive you."
Trixie grinned, and held out something red, "In that case, here. We'd like you to be a part of our club. You can tell me when I am becoming to judgmental again."
Dan took the object, and shook it out, to reveal a red jacket, with the words B. W. G stitched into the back. Dan fingered the jacket, then nodded, slipping it over the sweater that Maypenny had given him. He stood up, and together with Trixie, Honey, and Mart he skated around the ice. He sighed, his life had been hard, it probably still would be. But at least for now he had friends, and a father figure he could lean on. He smiled as he watched Bobby rushing around on the ice, his young giggles piecing the air.
The End