Twelve Upon A Time.... Edward Galluzzi

      Amanda and Donja went to bed early that night. Their parents chose not to rest to avoid accidentally sleeping through the designated hour. As the girls slept, their parents packed a few mementoes even though they realized nobody would believe their adventure. Meanwhile, Bronto, Screecher and Puffy lay outside the cave entrance not wanting to wander far from their saddened friends.

      As the time approached to leave, their parents awakened Donja and Amanda gently. They only managed to mutter, “It’s time.” The girls gathered their backpacks and headed toward the entrance of the cave. Amanda and Donja hugged Bronto, Screecher and Puffy as they left. Their dinosaur friends followed the girls sensing that they would never again return to the cave.

      Amanda, Donja and their parents arrived safely near the point from which they entered long ago past. Their father spotted the pile of wood and stones left to mark the entryway. It was only five minutes before midnight, but it seemed like an eternity. As their father told everybody to get ready, the girls hugged Bronto, Puffy and Screecher one last time.

      It was now midnight. Amanda’s father searched around for the portal with his outstretched hands. As if a door just opened, the gel-like stuff appeared. Donja and Amanda held on to their parents as they wobbled their way back through the portal.

      Amanda and Donja waved goodbye to their dinosaur friends and then disappeared. Bronto, Screecher and Puffy returned to the cave and lay where they often played with the girls.

      Donja, Amanda and their parents found themselves back in the cave at the children’s museum. As they stepped out of the cave, the museum’s alarms sounded and pierced the once eerie silence.

      Don and Jane stood over their girls who had not awakened to their alarms. “It’s New Years” they shouted as they gently woke Donja and Amanda. The girls rubbed their eyes and asked their parents, “Where are Bronto, Screecher and Puffy?” Their parents looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and asked, “Who?” “Our three dinosaur friends” the girls replied. Their mother asked, “You’ve been dreaming, haven’t you?” “A dream” thought the girls. Was it really only a dream?

February: Surprised by a Secret Admirer

      Sean and Kayla have lived next door to each other, they will tell you, for all their lives. Now, in dog years, that would be a long time. However, in human years, it has not been that many.

      Kayla and Sean are only children but certainly not lonely children. Kayla lives with her mother, Debby, and Sean lives with his father, Brian. As long-life neighbors, they do many things together.

      Sean and Kayla ride their bikes and fly their kites. They attend the same school where learning is first rate and read books into the night until quite late. At the same church they always pray and stay with their families the rest of the day.

      Kayla and Sean share the same friends in the neighborhood and go to summer camp at Fort Hood. They quickly glide down water slides and enjoy bumpy rides on roller coasters that fly!

      Sean and Kayla for Christmas dress like elves and in karate class they defend themselves. They play ball on many teams and then order out their favorite pizza supreme!

      When at home Kayla and Sean on their computers roam for while on the World Wide Web they are often fed. And you may not believe that this is so, but their favorite ice cream is chocolate chip cookie dough! Yes, Sean and Kayla were forever friends from before dusk to after dawn. That is the way it has been for almost all of Sean and Kayla’s years.

      Valentine’s Day was fast approaching. Sean and Kayla have exchanged Valentine cards since the second grade. This year, Sean wanted to do something extra special in appreciation of his friendship with Kayla; but what to do? Sean thought and thought and then thought some more. When he was done thinking he thought even more. How could he surprise Kayla?

      Sean knew that Kayla liked mystery and adventure. He decided to give her both: a mysterious adventure and an adventurous mystery!

      Valentine’s Day was just one week away—7 days. Sean began his quest by leaving Kayla the following message and a map in the knot of the big oak tree that she visited daily:

      If you follow this map

      And find the spot exact;

      You will be pleased to find

      Something rare and divine!

      Kayla smiled and looked for a signature, but she found none. She opened the map and began walking off the directions one-by-one. Kayla stepped 15 paces to the right of the big oak tree. She took 10 giant steps that led her to the backyard of her family home. Kayla completed the directions by walking left 20 teeny steps. She found herself at the birdbath in the backyard. Kayla looked down to find a small box wrapped in aluminum foil. She removed the foil and opened the box. Inside the box was a tiny doll wearing a big red heart. A brief message was also in the box that said to return to the birdbath tomorrow.

      Kayla sat down near the birdbath. She gazed at the doll and wondered who left her such a precious surprise.

      Kayla was determined to find out who left the map and gift. She decided to keep an eye on the birdbath as she could see it clearly out of her bedroom window. As darkness grew, Kayla told herself that she was not going to sleep until she found out who is leaving her the mysterious messages. She looked and watched and watched and looked. Her eyes grew tired and began to close. Kayla shook her head to awaken her eyes but found that they were closing to no surprise.

      Kayla awoke the next morning in her bed; apparently, her mother or father had put her there. She remembered quickly what yesterday’s message had said. She flew out of her room down the stairs saying a quick “hi” to her family as she fled.

      Out the back door to the birdbath Kayla ran and looked down near the flowers to find a message in the sand. She opened it quickly and read what it said:

      By the rose bush near the garage,

      You will find your second surprise.

      There you will uncover no mirage,

      But instead something that’s just your size!

      Kayla ran toward the side of the house where the garage and rose bush were plainly in sight. She searched on the ground here and there, but found nothing anywhere. Kayla reviewed the message once more and looked up at the roses blooming galore. Tied to one rose was a small box covered in newspaper. Kayla removed the ribbon being careful not to prick herself with the thorns of the bush. She removed the old newspaper and opened the box. Inside was a rose encased in a glass snowball. Kayla shook the ball and snow drifted around and around. The rose sparkled as the snow settled to the bottom. There was no signature and no note this time; but Kayla guessed that the next surprise would be here in time.

      Kayla saw Sean later that day. She showed him the messages and gifts that she found. Sean acted surprised and denied leaving the gifts when questioned by his friend. He said, “Really, not me. You know I wouldn’t give a girl gifts!