Chapter 11 #2
I wanted a new friend that lived here so bad. Well, at least I hoped Dempsey did. “Yes, please. Can we, Daddy?”
“I think that can be arranged.” Daddy and Burke exchanged numbers and set it all up.
“Look at all the pretty stones,” Dempsey opened his hand for me to see. “I bet you get some really neat ones too. We can make trades later if you want.”
I wasn’t sure I’d want to give any of mine up, but it would be fun to see all of them together. “Maybe.”
“Sorry, we’re new here and Dempsey’s excited to have a friend,” Dempsey’s Daddy said.
“We’re both fairly new here too. We work in the barn with the horses,” Daddy told him.
“Dempsey works in the cafeteria washing dishes and cleaning tables. I joined the maintenance team. Come on, Dempsey, let’s clean up the table so Sage can use it next. Then we’ll visit the shop and see if we can find a special container for your treasures.”
“I’m gonna get a treasure chest for my booty.” I giggled. “Booty is such a funny word.”
Dempsey giggled too. “That might be fun, then we could play pirates together.” I nodded then Dempsey gave me a big hug. “See you tonight, Sage. Bye, Sage’s Daddy.”
They ran off to clean up so we could have our turn digging. The naughty boy and his Daddy left while we were talking. He didn’t get any treasure cause he was bad.
“Which bucket would you like to try, Sage?” Roman asked.
“Mmm…” There was a red one, a green one, a yellow one and a… “Blue, please. It’s my favorite color.”
Roman put the bucket on the rack beside the water table and handed me a mini shovel. “Take one scoop at a time and put it on the screen then move it back and forth so the water washes away the mud and reveals your treasure. Good luck, Sage.”
“Thanks, Roman,” Daddy said.
“Thank you, Roman,” I hollered after him. Roman waved then went up front to help Dempsey and his Daddy.
“Look, Daddy, look, there’s one!” A shiny blue piece peeked out from the mud.
“Let me grab a jar to put them in until we get your treasure chest.”
We picked out the pieces we could with tweezers and put them in it, then Daddy scooped another shovelful to put on the screen for me to clean.
“This is so much fun!” There were some pretend plastic gems in there too plus some pretty rocks.
“Our jar is full, Sage. Think we should leave the rest for someone else?”
“Good idea, Daddy.” We cleaned up the area then took the jar up front. Dempsey and his Daddy were already gone but Roman was there waiting for us.
“How’d you do, Sage?”
“Look!” I held up the jar. “It’s full of lots of shiny things.”
“It is. That’s one of the biggest jars of booty I’ve ever seen.” Roman winked. “Why don’t you take a look around and pick out your treasure chest. I’ll ring you up when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Roman. Come on, Daddy, I want to see all the pirate stuff.”
“Why do I feel like I’m walking the plank,” Daddy moaned, but he was smiling so I know he was just pretending.
“You’re so silly, Daddy.” There were tons of neat toys, it was hard to decide what to get. “I want the chest for sure.” I grabbed a medium sized one. “Can I get a pirate hat too, Daddy?”
“Absolutely. This is your special day for helping Daddy this week.”
I ran over and hugged him. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Anything else before we leave?”
I wanted one of everything but then that wouldn’t leave anything for next time and I for sure wanted to come back. This place was super cool and Roman was funny.
“This is perfect. Oh, wait, can we get a small chest and a bag of stones for Devon too?”
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
I carried all the goodies up to the register where Roman waited. “Did you have fun, Sage?”
“Yes! I can’t wait to come back again. Thank you for showing me around.” Who knew the mountain we passed every day had all of this inside it.
“Anytime.”
“Oh, wait. Daddy, can I pay for Devon’s stuff?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yup, I want to buy my bestie his prezzies.”
“You’re a very thoughtful boy.”
I split the stuff up. “Roman, I’d like to pay for these, please.”
He smiled. “Absolutely. Go ahead and swipe your card.”
I was Daddy’s big boy today. “All done.”
Daddy handed me the bag with all the treasures in it.
“Thanks, Roman. What’s next, Daddy?”
“We need to stop at the café to pick up an order. Wait here on this bench for Daddy, I’ll be right back.”
I picked through the bag, putting my treasures into the chest while he did that.
Daddy came back carrying a basket.
“What’s that?”
“That’s our second surprise and lunch. Come on.”
I followed Daddy to my favorite tree surrounded by all the soft grass.
“You can open your backpack now.”
I sat the goodie bag down, unzipped my pack and pulled out a fuzzy blanket. “Turtles Daddy!”
“Yes, turtles for my turtle-loving boy. Your own special blankie. Let’s spread it out and use it for lunch. I’ll wash it when we get home, then it’ll be nice and clean for you.”
Spread, spread, spread, it was finally as straight as I could get it.
Daddy opened the picnic basket and took out all the food. “Finger sandwiches, chips, juice box for you and an iced tea for Daddy. Potato salad, and cookies for dessert.”
“You’re the bestest, Daddy,” I hugged him and tipped him over. “Oopsie.”
“I’m glad you like your special date day.”
“I do and tonight I get to play with my new friend. Best day ever!” Almost made me want to work full time so I could earn more days like this.
Almost.