It was Sunday afternoon, and Louis had just come back from town with his family, he had finished all of his chores for the day in the early morning, and was now sitting on the porch swing, with Muncy laid across his lap in a deep slumber. A, icy cold lemonade was quenching his thirst.
"Louis what are ya doin?" asked Chug as he rode his bike in through the front gates of the white picket fence, that surrounds Louis's front yard.
"Aw, nothin Chug. I just got back from town with the family, finished my chores this morning, and was having cool lemonade. Would you like one as well?"
"Sure Louis if it's not too much trouble. Molly and Tessie are coming by in a few minutes. Why don't we go over to the rock quarry, back behind Doc Wellman's house? I'll bet it's full of water, being that its springtime. We can go swing on that old rope hanging over its banks. Maybe we can try and get Molly, and Tessie, all wet and ruin their day."
"That sounds good to me Chug. I was just over there with Molly yesterday. Let me get you that lemonade, we can wait for em here, on the porch here."
Louis nudged Muncy off his lap, waking him Louis quickly disappeared into the house. Chug sat down inside the shade of the patio. He pulled a flower out of a nearby flower box, placing it neatly behind his left ear. He gave Muncy, a big hug and a pat on the head, which Muncy greatly appreciated. Louis returned with Chug's cold drink then sat down next to him on the swing.
"Louis we haven't talked since the other night at Miss Trumble's attic. Are you OK?"
"Yeah, Chug I'm alright, but I'm starting to have some very wild and very strange dreams at night, and during the day for that matter."
"Anything you want to talk about Louis?"
"Nah, not yet, it ain't anything that I can't handle, but thanks for asking. You've got to hear this though. Yesterday I was out in the front yard here, and some strange wind blew in over the farm. Mr. Beamer and my dad felt it as well.
"What do you ya mean a strange wind?"
"I mean like the wind bit me...it was scary."
"Well you better tell me more that don't sound too good...knowing you and all, and all the strange things you dream about all the time."
"I'm telling you Chug, man it was not good. It was something real, unpleasant I tell ya. It was somethin that was after me. Chug I don't know how to say it, but I think another great calling is in order...or my destiny, or something is at work again."
"Not again Louis?"
"Man Chug, it never ends. Then Mr. Beamer, my dad, and I went into Mr. Beamer's barn to get warm. Then Mr. Beamer started talking some strange talk, about evil and strange changes coming, and things like that. It wasn't too good Chug. Not at all, I think something big is brewing again."
"Well Louis if you need me to help ya out again, just let me know. Or I can get Jupiter or Apollo like last time, we will help you out, all you need."
"You're a good friend Chug, but I have a strange feeling that this one is beyond you guys, I'm not sure yet. I think Mr. Beamer is going to get involved this time, maybe Charlie again and who knows...whom else."
"You really think so Louis. That big ugh...?"
"Yep...this one is gonna be real big! I can just feel it now, and especially after that vision of Squint-Eye Pete the other night, in that mirror. That kind of caps it!" said Louis as he took another gulp of his cool lemonade.
Just then, Molly and Tessie rode up to the front yard on their bikes, which ended the conversation.
"How about we go over to that rock quarry again Tom?" asked Louis with a slight smile now appearing on his face.
"Now I told you to knock that off...with that "Tom stuff"...Louis or you gonna get it."
Molly smiled.
"Tessie have you ever noticed that, Molly, is a Tom-Boy?" asked Chug.
"Yeah, I have noticed, big deal. You want to wrestle or something, remember you may be a hero like Louis, but I'm still taller than you, and outweigh you...just like Molly is bigger and stronger than Louis...so you wouldn't have a chance," said Tessie with a narrow smile on her face.
"Man, tough room" said Chug as he looked over at Louis.
"All right, everyone down to the rock quarry. We'll take a swing on that old rope hanging down over the bank," said Louis.
Off they went, down the dirt road about two miles, passing through a wide hole in a large thicket of thorn-bushes, up a low-lying grassy hill, and down to the rock quarry. It was a beautiful spring day with songbirds singing in the trees all about them; this only enlivened everyone's sprits.
Louis was the first to the quarry, and the first to the rope swing; he jumped right on. He swung out over the sparkling blue water, landing on the far-side bank. Chug was next and then Tessie. When Molly jumped on, she didn't notice that she had some dirt on her hands. Off she went, and as she got about half way across, she started to lose her grip.
"Louis! Louis, I'm?slipping...Louis..."
"Molly careful..." yelled out Tessie.
Down she went with a loud splash, into the pond, soaking her from head to toe. Louis and Chug could not help themselves. They started to burst out laughing. Tessie didn't think it was too funny; she motioned for Molly to swim towards them.
"Molly, you OK? Oh, this is terrible. Just terrible" said Tessie.
"What's so terrible? She's just doin her laundry while she still wearing it, that's all" said Chug which again got Chug laughing hysterically.
"Oh, you're right Tessie, we shouldn't be laughing Chug. Molly come here and give, me a big hug. I will dry you off and give you my coat," said Louis as he extended his arms with open hands.
Molly swam over with a look on her face that just said, "Beware Louis, you're pushing it again".
Louis helped her to the bank, took of his coat, and gave it to Molly. She used it to try to get warm, the best she could when she spoke up again.
"Man I'm freezing, that water was cold."
"Look Chug a Crimson Passion flavored, Tom-sickle."
"Now, are you really gonna be this immature your whole life Louis?
"I don't know Molly. It's just kind of fun being a kid. Except for these darned, visions I have been having again."
"Have you been having those strange daydreams again Louis?"
"Yeah, Molly I have them...day and night..."
"Well that vision, or whatever it was that you had the other night in Miss Trumble's attic, well that look on your face just said it all. Now you being real scared the other night; that was funnier than me falling in the water just now. I bet you're still worried about that image in the mirror aren't you?" asked Molly.
"Well actually Molly something else has happened. I'm going to have a meeting with Mr. Beamer in a few days. Seems trouble has come back to Centerville. I think that I am involved again. It's like when went to the North Pole last year. You see I saw Squint-Eye Pete in that mirror then a horrible, evil wind chilled me down to my spine the other day in my front yard. Mr. Beamer said some very scary things to me in his barn about that same wind. Molly I'm getting a little concerned again."
"Well Louis I have an instant cure for your worries, remember like I told you yesterday," said Molly with a sly smile on her face. She turned to gave Tessie a little wink, that neither Chug nor Louis saw.
"I don't want to really marry you Molly, I guess I shouldn't have offered, but let's see what kind of cure you have for my daydreaming and recent worries."
"Now about those worries of yours Louis come over here closer to me, and let me look at you; it's just all in your head..."
"Molly you're so nice to me. I'm sorry I called you a Tom-Sickle earlier. I'm just not too good with some of my jokes, and I guess I should not have laughed, at you getting all wet too. Now as for my worries, how can you cure that?"
Molly had a very serious look on her face; all the while hiding a smirk out of the corners of her mouth. She took off Lo
uis's coat, shook off some of the cold, clinched her right hand into a tight fist, and reared back.
Louis eyes suddenly opened wide.
With one quick blow, she punched Louis in the stomach, just as hard as she could.
It landed squarely in the middle of his empty stomach. It was a well-placed blow.
Louis lost his breath, stumbled backwards, rolling over sideways, falling into the tall spring grass. Chug and Tessie thought that was the funniest thing that they ever saw, and immediately began to laugh as loud as they could, falling to the ground as they pointed at Louis who was now about five yards away, grabbing his aching stomach.
"You're....soooo....cured! Now you're not worried, anymore. Now you're, mad as heck" said Molly as she smiled as wide as a Sunday school-preacher looking at a full collection plate, during a Sunday morning sermon.
Louis immediately checked his belly, to see if he was OK. He rose to his feet, still grabbing his stomach in pain saying, "Well Doctor Tom I guess you cured me alright. I guess I deserved that. But I don't think I will ever be ringing you for a house-call...anytime soon."
Molly began to laugh as well; she headed for Louis with her arms wide open. Louis was a little hesitant at first, but he began to laugh along with the others as soon as the pain, started to subside.
"House calls! Louis, you slay me sometimes. You really do," said Molly as she gave him another big hug.
"Now you always remember that punch Louis, and if you're ever in a bind, and you're worried or scare to no-end, just remember how to be cured, or how to cure a friend or enemy of the same woe. Use that cure, and you will immediately be in a better frame of mind...after the pain wears off of course..."
"Of course" said Louis.
Everyone rather had enough of the rock quarry for the day after Molly's, attitude adjustment of Louis. They all made their way around to the far bank, jumped on their bikes, and rode towards Louis's house again.
Louis rode through the open front wood gate of his farmhouse. Jumping off his bike, he headed directly towards the front door. Muncy came running towards him with his tongue hanging out and with his tail wagging. Tessie, Molly, and Chug stopped for a moment to say goodbye then turned to head back down the road, off in the other direction.
"You're a real doctor now Louis?don't you forget it. You can cure someone's worries or cure someone's out of control ego...you know someone who thinks they are too big for their shoes..., which you sometimes are Louis..., remember with just one punch. It's all about attitude Louis."
"Yeah...it's all in your attitude Molly."
"Now don't you ever forget this lesson today Louis...someday you might need it" said Molly as she waved goodbye to Louis; showing that big smile of hers.
"Yep...I won't forget it either," said a smiling Chug.
As Louis came bounding in through his front door with Muncy at his heels he saw his dad coming down the stairs from his bedroom. Jeremy had a worried look on his face.
"Dad what's up? You look worried. Heck dad I was just worried as well, but I got cured real quick...by Doc Molly."
Louis thought better of punching his dad in the stomach (to cure him of his worries).
"Louis this is serious. Mr. Beamer has called a meeting in his barn; it is to be held two days from now at midnight. It will be an invitation only meeting, and from what he said to me earlier this afternoon, when I saw him at Marvin Waterwick's office downtown, was that we all must absolutely attend. You remember Marvin, he's the Fire Chief."
"Yeah, I know him dad, but what's he got to do with this evil-wind stuff and future-troubles?"
"I don't know Louis. I am sure Mr. Beamer knows what he's doing. Also from what he told me...Doc Wellman and Turk the Blacksmith are going to be there as well."
"Sounds real serious dad..."
Jeremy motioned for Louis to sit down with him in the front living room.
"Louis we need to talk for a moment."
"About what..."
"I talked with your mom for quite sometime the other day about you. Now as you know I have talked with you, but not as much as I would have liked to, about your past adventures and travels around the world, while I was gone for all those years. Louis I had no idea how really brave and famous you are. If all that Hattie May said about you are true, then you are truly a very, very brave little boy, and have lived quite the life, in the last two years.
Louis just listened intently, as his dad continued on.
"First off I am glad your hair is finally returning back to its normal, beautiful color of bright red, and that crazy white hair has almost faded. Louis when I first saw you last Christmas Eve, at that square dance when you rode in on that Christmas sleigh, your white hair kind of scared me a bit...not to mention that Santa suit. Secondly, from what I understand, you are a Santa Claus in training, and that you really did save Christmas last year.
"Well yes, I guess I did, and I am a Santa in training...I guess...dad."
"And now after thinking about your travels, and your involvement in all this mess, with Black Jack Tilly and Squint-Eye Pete, I guess I should tell you something that you did not know about yourself Louis."
Jeremy moved closed to Louis who was sitting down on the couch next to him. After placing a hand on his shoulder, he continued speaking.
"Louis I don't really know how to tell you this, but you come from a very famous, and distinguished family-tree. Did you know that?"
"What are you talking about dad a very famous family-tree? Or do you mean someone we know is famous?"
"No Louis that's not quite right. Where do I start?at the beginning I guess? Louis our bloodline comes from that of: adventurers, noblemen, great and very brave Egyptian Pharos, fierce warriors and war heroes, dignified kings and other famous fighters to say the least."
"You've got to be kidding me dad, this sounds like something Mr. Beamer would tell a story about on his back porch, or something that Charlie would make up in his barn when he was bored, and trying to cheer me up or something..."
"No Louis now listen...what I am about to tell you is the absolute truth."
"Continue on dad...I'm getting real use to this type of stuff..."
"Louis, be serious...now your great-great-great-great grandmother was a warrior-queen named Boudicca. She was a tall and very terrifying queen in Roman times, who ruled with an iron-fist. She had the largest mass of red hair you ever saw. Then there was a very old and famous ruler named, King David. He had red hair and cobalt blue eyes just like yours; are you getting this Louis? Do you ever remember reading about him Louis?"
"Why sure I do dad. I read about him in a few of those books that Mr. Beamer gave me...the ones from his attic. Go on dad, this is getting interesting."
"Well Louis there was Napoleon Bonaparte. He had red hair; he was a great leader of men. He was from France. Then there was that flaming redhead, Queen Elizabeth. There was Thomas Jefferson, Richard the Lion heart, General George A. Custer, Eric the Red and of course, the most important person of all whom you are related to...Ramesses the Great from ancient Egypt. He was also known as Ozymandias."
"Ozymandias who...?"
"He was one of the greatest Pharaohs of all time. Louis he had the same color of bright red hair, and exactly the same strange color of blue eyes that you and I have. Louis these are our direct ancestors. These are our people."
"Wow dad...you're not foolin are you? Are you telling me I'm related to, all those past great heroes and warriors?"
"Yes you are Louis."
"I didn't know that dad. I'm shocked..."
"Also Louis has it ever occurred to you that your good ole dad was a war hero as well?"
"Yeah dad of course, I know you're a real hero, I'm so very proud of you. Hey it runs in the family remember; don't forget about me."
"Well thank you Louis. Someday you mi
ght be even more famous than all of your past family members, and I combined."
"Man it's just hard to really imagine that all those famous people are really related to us in some way, ugh dad? Man...oh...man! Now about you, again dad, I have read many stories in the newspaper about you, after you came back from the war, but I had no idea that you were, really that brave. They said you saved a whole bunch of people from danger...saved their lives and everything...and in a few other countries they even gave you a bunch of war medals."
"Why yes Louis, I did do all of that. I will go over the stories with you about what happened to me in the war when you are older. I will show you all the medals I have someday but for now though, let's get back to you; please listen Louis...listen, this is very important now."
"Ok..."
"What I am trying to get at Louis is that, I really believe that you are destined for more greatness than you could ever conceive of, or could dream about. Did you know that only two other people who have ever lived on this earth have the exact same color of cobalt blue eyes as you have? One would be me your father and the...other was...Ozymandias the Great. He was the great Pharaoh who built one of the largest and greatest pyramids on earth, during the Nineteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt.
"Heck dad. I had no idea about all this. I'm really related to kings, queens, generals, presidents and great warriors. I just thought I was pretty darn funny and amusing; a little skinny for my age had comical red hair, and strange colored eyeballs. Well this is getting better all the time. I can't wait to tell Ole Hot Tamale Molly, I mean Ole Popsicle-Tom, about this one."
"Louis I am being serious here..."
"Believe me dad...inside I'm just as serious as well..."
"I really believe that what Mr. Beamer is saying and feeling to be true, and that you will have to go on another great quest, but this one will be even greater, than your one last year, to the North Pole."
"Well dad let's go to that meeting in a few days with Mr. Beamer, to find out what's really happening. If I have to go on another great and noble quest, then so be it. It will be nice to know that destiny has called on me again to do something great for Mankind. Great deeds make great men".
"Yes they do Louis."
"Even though I am only a kid, I will try and do my best with whatever, my future may be" said Louis as he gave his dad a long earnest hug.
"That is the right attitude Louis. I will go with you to that meeting. Hattie May and I will support you all we can Louis. Be strong again."
"I will dad and thanks, it's good to know that you are both going to be behind me on this one. Last time I had to go off, you weren't here. That made it so much tougher."
"Again Louis I am here to support you in your time of need."
Louis got up off the couch; he looked down at Muncy who was sitting on the floor. Muncy had a look of complete disbelief, at what he had just heard. My Louis is a hero and destined for greatness, thought Muncy. Muncy jumped up in Louis's arms, giving him a big lick on the face.
"Muncy stop licking my face already. I haven't even done anything yet."
"Well dad we can talk about this later, at the meeting with Mr. Beamer, till then I am just going to keep on being a kid. By the way, can I sleep over at Chug's house the next two days? I have been keeping up on my homework, and doing my chores as Hattie May asked me to. Can I go over there after school, and just stay for a bit. His mom has been cooking a lot of apple and cherry pies lately. Seems some PTA meeting is coming up. I would rather be over there than here, if there are fresh baked pies involved."
"Sure Louis you can stay with Chug for the next two days. Do not eat too many pies, and just check in everyday so I know you are all right. Talk with you later son. I have to go find your mom."
Louis left the house to go find Chug, not really knowing what to think about what his dad had just told him. He started to get a little worried again about the upcoming meeting with Mr. Beamer.
As he got on his bike, he stopped for a minute to think, rubbing his still sore stomach, where Molly had punched him earlier in the day. That darned Molly, thought Louis, punching me like that in the belly. If she wasn't a girl, house with Muncy tagging along.
Louis The Reluctant Hero...with a sore belly...went looking for an afternoon snack of: freshly baked hot so big and weighed more than I weigh, I would have punched her right back. Louis took off towards Chug's apple and cherry pie.