SIMON, SIMON AND CHARLES

 

By:  Kenda

 

*As with many of my S&S stories, Simon, Simon and Charles is written under the assumption that Jack Simon wasn’t killed until A.J. was approximately ten years old, as alluded to in the aired episode, Revolution Number 91/2, and based on a work of fan fiction entitled Journey Into The Past by Brenda A.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

     Cecilia Simon shut the front door on the departing man - the agoraphobic she had been hiding for her sons, who had just spent the past three days in an upstairs closet eating doughnuts.

 

     Cecilia turned to face her sheepish offspring with hands planted on her hips and her mouth set in a grim line.

 

     A.J. attempted to rectify the situation while making a hasty retreat for the door.  "We owe you one."

 

     "Oh, you owe me more than that," Cecilia informed her son, blocking his path to the door.

 

     "Uh...yeah, we do," A.J. agreed, licking the sticky glaze from a cinnamon doughnut off his fingers.  "We'll go up and clean out the closet right now."

 

     Cecilia stopped her sons' progress toward the stairway.  "Not yet.  Your Aunt Marion called from San Francisco.  She's worried about Elizabeth."

 

     Rick held his hand waist high in remembrance.  "Cute little kid with freckles and pigtails who used to beat the pants off A.J.?"

 

     The indignant A.J. disputed, "She did not!"

 

     "She did so," Rick all-too-willingly pointed out.

 

     Cecilia interrupted her arguing sons.  "She always did look up to you two.  That's why Marion thinks she did it."

 

     "Did what?"  A.J. asked.

 

     "Elizabeth is opening a detective agency.  Marion is beside herself."

 

     "Bet there's no room on the sofa," Rick mumbled in reference to his aunt's ample figure.

 

     A.J. smiled eagerly.  "You want us to go up there and make sure she gets off on the right foot?"

 

     "No," Cecilia shook her head.  "Marion wants you to go up there and make Elizabeth open her eyes and see exactly what kind of a job this is."

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

* The above conversation is from the 5th season aired episode - Reunion at Alcatraz

 

 

S&S     S&S     S&S     S&S     S&S

 

 

     Cecilia Simon stood at her kitchen stove with spatula in hand on this Thursday morning, dishing up scrambled eggs and bacon.  She lifted her cheek for a kiss when her freshly showered and shaved husband walked by with the morning newspaper.

 

     "Smells great, hon," Jack complimented as he took his seat at the table.  He hung his suit coat over the back of his chair, then began scanning the day's headlines. 

 

     "Rick!  A.J.!”  Cecilia yelled in the direction of the stairway.  “Breakfast!”

 

     Running footsteps hailed the arrival of eight-year-old A.J..  The boy was dressed for a day of summer play in shorts, a T-shirt and well-worn Keds.

 

     "Good morning, sweetheart."

 

     "Morning, Mom," A.J. replied with a smile.  He walked by his father, gaining Jack's attention by giving the paper a whack with his palm.

 

     "Morning, tiger," a preoccupied Jack said from behind his newspaper.

 

     "Hi, Dad."

 

     "A.J., please get the juice out and pour a glass for everyone," Cecilia instructed.  “I suppose your brother's still lying up there in bed."

 

     "Yep."

 

     "Rick!  Richard, come on now!” Cecilia called once again. “Breakfast!”

 

     When no footsteps or other movements were heard coming from above, Jack added his voice of authority.  "Richard!  Get a move on right now!  Breakfast is ready!"

 

     In mere seconds Jack and Cecilia heard the bed springs creak from the room above their heads, then the sound of bare feet shuffling across the carpeting.  A tousled and sleepy Rick appeared soon thereafter, dressed yet in pajama bottoms and a white undershirt.

 

     "What time's it?" the bleary eyed thirteen-year-old mumbled through half closed eyes as he groped his way to the table and took his seat.

 

     Annoyed, Cecilia replied, "It's seven thirty. The same time it always is when we eat breakfast in this household."

 

     Rick rubbed a hand through his tangled brown hair.  "That's too early ta' have ta' be up on the first day of summer vacation."

 

     Jack sat his paper aside as a steaming plate of food was put in front of him.  "This is the time we'll expect you up throughout summer vacation.  Just as always, this family eats breakfast and supper together."

 

     "But, Dad--" Rick tried to protest as he did at the beginning of every summer vacation.

 

     "No buts, Rick.  I will not have any son of mine sleeping his days away like a lazy hound dog.  There are enough chores and other activities for you to do that warrant you being out of bed by seven-thirty.  Besides, we allow you to sleep late on Saturday and Sunday.  That's enough for one week."

 

     Rick knew further argument would get him nowhere, so grudgingly accepted his parents' rules as he buttered a piece of toast.

 

     His mother smiled brightly.  "We need to get an early start today anyway, boys."

 

     "Why?” Rick asked suspiciously, not sure he wanted his first day of summer vacation planned for him. “What are we doing?”

 

     "You're going to mow the lawn, and A.J.'s going to sweep and hose off the patio."

 

     "Mom!"  Rick exclaimed in protest.

 

     "Mom!"  A.J. echoed.

 

     Cecilia went on, ignoring her sons.  "Then we're going grocery shopping, and you're going to get a hair cut, Rick."

 

     "A hair cut!  On the first day of summer vacation?  No way!"

 

     "Yes way," Cecilia negated firmly.  "We have company arriving this weekend and I want everything in tip top shape.  Including you."

 

     "Company?” Rick asked between mouthfuls of eggs. “Who?”

 

     Cecilia smiled at both her sons.  "Your cousin Elizabeth is coming to stay with us next week."

 

     A.J. coughed up his eggs, while Rick exclaimed, "What!"

 

     "Your cousin Elizabeth is coming to stay--"

 

     "But why?"  Rick asked.  "And what about Marty and Greg?  Are they coming too?"

 

     Marty and Greg were Elizabeth's older brothers.  Marty was a year younger than Rick, Greg a year older than A.J.  Although the Simon brothers didn't see their San Francisco cousins more than twice a year, the four boys were great pals.

 

     "No, Marty and Greg won't be coming along.  They'll both be away at Boy Scout camp next week."

 

     "Then why's Elizabeth coming?"  A.J. wanted to know.

 

     "Because your father and I invited her.  Your Aunt Marion and Uncle Martin have never had a vacation away together without your cousins.  It's their fifteenth wedding anniversary next Wednesday.  Dad and I decided to say happy anniversary by having Elizabeth stay with us."

 

     Under his breath Rick mumbled, "I wish you wouldn't have."

 

     "What was that, Rick?"  Cecilia asked.

 

     "Uh...nothing." 

 

     Cecilia smiled.  "That's what I thought.  Anyway, your aunt and uncle are going to drop Elizabeth off here on Sunday on their way to Arizona.  They'll pick her up the following Saturday on their way home."

 

     "A whole week?” The traumatized A.J. questioned. “Lizzard’s coming for a whole week?”

 

     "Andrew Jackson Simon, you are not to call your cousin Elizabeth, Lizard," Cecilia admonished, though she knew perfectly well where he'd picked that nickname up from.  Rick and Marty had pegged it on the little girl several years back.  "A.J., I'm surprised at you.  That's not like you at all."

 

     "Well, Mom, she deserves it," A.J. defended himself.  "She's always hitting me and--"

 

     "Andrew, I don't want to hear it.  You're always making up stories about Elizabeth.  Why that little girl is so sweet she wouldn't harm a fly.  Really, I don't know what it is that you boys have against Elizabeth," Cecilia shook her head as she began clearing the breakfast table. 

 

     Rick began listing several of his cousin's more annoying virtues.  "She's spoiled, she whines, she follows us everywhere we go and nags us to play with her, she hits A.J.--"

 

     Cecilia turned from the sink, hands on her hips.  "That's quite enough.  Both of you.  While Elizabeth is here she is a guest in our home.  I expect her to be treated as such."

 

     "Fine,” Rick shrugged. “A.J. can play with her next week.  I got things to do."

 

     "No!  No way!"  A.J. protested.  "I'm not going to play with her all by myself."

 

     "You'll both play with her,” Cecilia stated. “And as far as you having things to do goes, Richard, you can cancel your plans.  While Elizabeth is here both you and A.J. will be in charge of keeping her entertained."

 

     "But, Mom--"

 

     Jack stepped in and put an end to Rick's protests.  "That's enough, boys.  You heard your mother.  It's not going to hurt you to entertain your cousin for one week.  Besides, you might even surprise yourselves and find you're having fun if you just give it a chance."

 

     Both boys rolled their eyes.   Sarcastically, Rick agreed, "Yeah, right, Dad."

 

     Jack stood up to leave for work.  He gave his wife a kiss, and tousled the hair of each son.  "Regardless of whether you boys like it or not, believe me, you'll live through it.  After all, Aunt Marion is my younger sister and I lived through her pesky childhood."

 

     "Jack!"  Cecilia admonished as the boys laughed.

 

     Jack knew when he'd overstayed his welcome.  He called goodbye to his family one last time before the front door was heard to shut firmly behind him.

 

     "Rick, go upstairs and get your bed made and your room picked up.  A.J., you can dry dishes for me.  When those chores are finished you can both start on your outside work."

 

     "Jeez, some summer this is gonna be.  First, all there is, is work, then we're stuck spendin' our days entertaining a little girl."

 

     "If you'd quit complaining and get a move on you'd find that you'll have plenty of time left in each day to enjoy doing all the things you like," Cecilia offered wisely to the grumbling back of her retreating teenager.

    

_____________________

 

 

     It was early on Sunday afternoon when Marion Charles and her husband Martin arrived on the Simons' doorstep with seven-year-old Elizabeth in tow.

 

     Jack called the boys to come in from the backyard while Cecilia greeted their houseguest. 

 

     Hugging the blond, pigtailed girl to her, Cecilia exclaimed, "Elizabeth!  My how you've grown since Christmas!  We're so happy to have you here with us for the coming week.  It's all Rick and A.J. have been talking about."

 

     One look at the faces of Rick and A.J., who had just arrived from outside, would have told a close observer that Cecilia was stretching the truth more than just a bit.

 

     Jack gave each of his sons a subtle little shove.  "Boys, say hello to Elizabeth."

 

     "Hi, Elizabeth," Rick mumbled.

 

     Elizabeth smiled brightly, puppy love written clearly on her face for her tall, gangly cousin.  She rested her head on her right shoulder and swayed shyly back and forth. "Hi, Rick."

 

     A poke from Jack prompted A.J. to say a quick, "Hi, Elizabeth."

 

     Elizabeth's puppy love demeanor from the moment before changed.  She walked up to A.J. and punched him in the shoulder.  "Hi ya,’ A.J.!"

 

     "Elizabeth Jane!  Really!" the girl's mother scolded.  "That's no way for a young lady to act.  Now you apologize to A.J. for hitting him like that."

 

     "Sorry, A.J."

 

     Another poke from Jack led to the humiliated A.J. mumbling, "That's okay."

 

     The children stood together as the adults took a few minutes to catch up on the latest family happenings.  Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot in her too tight white patent leather shoes and scratched where the ruffles on her pink organdy dress made her itch. 

 

     The girl interrupted the grownups' conversation. "Please, Mom, can I get changed now?"

 

     "Oh, Elizabeth, can't you stay like that for a little while yet?  Aunt Cecilia likes to see you all dressed up."

 

     "Yes, Elizabeth, you look absolutely lovely," Cecilia smiled.  "Doesn't Elizabeth look lovely boys?"

 

     Once again Jack had to give Rick and A.J. subtle pokes between their shoulder blades. 

 

     "Yeah, you look nice, Elizabeth," Rick managed to say.

 

     "Yeah, you look nice," A.J. echoed in a mumble.

 

     Elizabeth sided up to her oldest cousin.  "Do you really think I look nice, Rick?"

 

     Rick's face reddened.  "Uh...yeah.  Yeah sure."

 

     "Then maybe I'll wear this dress for you again sometime.  But right now I want to get changed."  Elizabeth turned to her mother. "Please, Mom, can I?" 

 

     Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, Marion gave her consent.  "Go on then.  But before you leave let Daddy and me kiss you goodbye.  We'll be on our way in just a few minutes."

 

     Elizabeth skipped over and gave both her parents a hug and a kiss. She received final instructions from her mother to behave herself and act like a lady in the coming week.

 

     "You boys take Elizabeth's suitcases up to the guest room," Jack instructed.  "Then you wait outside on the patio while she changes her clothes.  Don't be wandering off anywhere without her."

 

     "Yes, Dad," Rick acknowledged in a downcast tone as he picked up one suitcase and headed for the stairs, Elizabeth following at his heels.

 

     A.J. picked up the smaller suitcase, also replying, "Yes, Dad," as he fell in line behind his brother and cousin.

 

     "I do hope she's not any trouble for you this week, Cece," Marion stated while the men talked. 

 

     "Oh, she won't be a bit of trouble.  She's such a sweet little girl."

 

     "Now, she can be a handful at times," Marion warned.  "When she was born I thought I was finally getting the dainty little girl I had dreamed of for so long, but she's grown into quite a tomboy.  I always seem to be bandaging her knees and elbows, just like I am the boys.  I just don't know what I'm going to do with her on some days.  It was all I could do to get her to put on that dress this morning."

 

     Cecilia chuckled at Marion's woes.  "I have two older brothers myself, Marion.  I know just what it's like to be a little girl in Elizabeth's shoes.  You're always trying to keep up with the boys, much to the chagrin of your mother.  I'm sure things will go wonderfully this week. so don't you worry at all.  You and Martin go off and have good time. Don't even think about the children."

 

     Martin moved to put his arms around his wife's full waist.  "That's what I've been telling her too, Cece.  This is a week to enjoy without the children.  The boys are safe and happy at camp, and Elizabeth will be safe and happy here with you and Jack."

 

     Cecilia nodded.  "She certainly will be."

 

     The adults said their final goodbyes, Marion called one last goodbye up the stairway to Elizabeth, then she and her husband climbed into their car and headed for the Southwestern United States and their long awaited second honeymoon.

    

 

_____________________

 

 

 

     Rick and A.J. had done as they were told and waited on the patio while Elizabeth changed her clothes.  It didn't take long before the whirlwind appeared, running through the kitchen and throwing open the patio doors. 

 

     "Hi, guys.  What are we gonna do now?" the girl asked, dressed for play in a pair of Greg's castoff jeans, T-shirt, and cowboy boots.

 

     Rick began walking away from the two younger children.  "I don't care what you twerps do, Lizard.  I'm gonna make like a tree and leave.  See you guys later."

 

     "Rick!"  A.J. called in desperation.  "You can't.  Dad said."

 

     "I don't care what Dad said."

 

     Rick was stopped in his tracks by Elizabeth's, "I'll tell Aunt Cecilia if you don't play with me, Rick."

 

     Rick turned around, gauging as to whether or not the girl would make good on her threat. 

 

     Hands on her hips she taunted, "I wiiiiiiiill."  

 

     "Oh, for cryin' out loud! You haven't even been here a half an hour and you're already bein' a pain in my side," Rick grumbled.   With a disgusted wave of his hand he beckoned, "Come on then.  But stay outta my way.  I don't want to spend my summer vacation wipin' the tears of some crybaby girl when she gets hurt playin' with the guys."

 

     Elizabeth and A.J. had to run to catch up with Rick's long strides. 

 

     "I won't get hurt, Rick.  And I'm not a crybaby," Elizabeth emphasized.  "I can keep up with any boy.  Just you watch and see."  With that the girl gave A.J. another firm punch in the same shoulder she had hit earlier.  "Isn't that right, A.J.?"

 

     A.J. reached up, rubbing the tender area that was beginning to bruise.  "Yeah, Elizabeth, that's right," he sighed, already growing weary of his cousin's visit.  Though he was sorely tempted to give her a dose of her own medicine and punch her back, A.J. knew he'd end up in big trouble with his mother if he did.

 

     The Simon boys headed down the sidewalk toward a vacant lot at the end of the street.  Elizabeth followed eagerly, chattering  on about the unfamiliar sights and sounds in her cousins' neighborhood.

 

     Rick leaned over to A.J. whispering, "I wonder if she ever shuts up?"

 

     Whispering back, A.J. agreed, "I know.  What a blabbermouth.  I sure wish Aunt Marion woulda' shipped her off to camp and let Marty and Greg come to visit us instead."

 

     "Me too."

 

     Elizabeth stopped her one-sided monologue.  "What are you guys whispering about?"

 

     "Nothing," A.J. shrugged.

 

     Elizabeth's fist drew back, poised to strike a blow to A.J.'s tender shoulder.  "Come on, tell me.  If you guys are keeping secrets from me I'll tell Aunt Cecilia."

 

     Rick smiled sweetly.  "We're not keeping secrets from you, Lizard.  A.J. and me were just saying how much fun we're having with you already, and how glad we are you came to visit us."

 

     Elizabeth's fist dropped to her side.  A smile slid across her face.  "Really?  You really said that?"

 

     "Sure," Rick acknowledged.

 

     "I'm glad.  'Cause I really wanted to come visit you guys, too.  Mom let me pick who I wanted to stay with this week, and out of all my cousins I picked you."

 

     "Lucky us," A.J. said just loud enough for Rick to hear.

 

     As Elizabeth skipped ahead of her two cousins, Rick and A.J. gave each other a ‘thumbs up’ sign and a smile.  In the ever-constant battle of wits with Elizabeth, they felt like they'd at least won a minor victory.

 

     The remainder of the afternoon was spent playing vacant lot baseball with a group of neighborhood boys.  A few protests were voiced at the presence of the seven-year-old girl, protests that swiftly fell silent when Rick and A.J. told their friends that they couldn't play if Elizabeth wasn't allowed to stay.

 

     Rick tried his best to convince the girl that she wanted to be a sideline cheerleader.  The tomboy would have no part of that. She told her cousin that she was a better ballplayer than any seven-year-old boy there, and just as good as the eight and nine-year-olds.  To emphasize her point, she gave A.J. another whack on the shoulder. 

 

     "Let her play, Rick," A.J. begged, hoping his sore shoulder would allow him to still swing a bat.

 

     Finally it was agreed that Elizabeth would be allowed to play.  Rick and Carlos were named captains and quickly went about choosing their teams, trying to obtain a good mix of teenagers and younger boys.  Elizabeth jumped up and down yelling, "Pick me, Rick!  Pick me!" throughout the entire draft.  By process of elimination Rick ended up with her on his team.  She was the last child left to be chosen and it was his turn to pick.

 

     "Figures," Rick grumbled.  A.J. was on Carlos' team so Rick retrieved his brother's mitt, threw it at Elizabeth and ordered, "Go out in right field."

 

     "Right field!  There's no action there!" 

 

     Rick was surprised that Elizabeth knew this, but maintained his captain's face and waved her out toward the over grown weeds.  "Go on.  That's where I want you."

 

     The girl begrudgingly did as she was told, going to stand in grass and weeds that came up to her waist. 

 

     A competitive game of baseball ensued.  Elizabeth earned a reluctant amount of respect from all the boys when she continuously made it to first base on each of her times at bat.  She also caught two fly balls that came her way, and made an excellent throw to second base, her efforts causing a runner to be tagged out. 

 

     When at one time at bat some of the boys on Carlos' team started chanting, "Lizzy, Lizzy, you make me dizzy," and the catcher gave her a shove toward the plate, Rick stepped in.

 

     "Hey, you guys, cut that out!  That's my cousin you're talking to!  And don't you be shovin' her around, Todd.  She's just a little girl."

 

     Although this treatment wasn't anything different from what she suffered when she played with her brothers' friends, Elizabeth gave Rick a smile she reserved strictly for knights in shining armor.

 

     It wasn't until mothers throughout the neighborhood began to call their sons home for supper that the baseball game broke up early that evening.  Several admiring young lads from A.J.'s crowd even invited Elizabeth back to play again. 

 

     "Yeah.  I'll be back," Elizabeth agreed.  "You guys are fun.  Right, A.J.?" she finished with a punch to A.J.'s shoulder. 

 

     "Yeah, we'll bring her back," the long-suffering A.J. agreed.  And maybe we'll get lucky and she'll get lost and not be able to find her way home again, the eight-year-old hoped.

 

       When the three children arrived back at the Simon house Cecilia was pleased to hear all about their afternoon of fun.  She gave her sons a look that said, ‘See, this isn't so bad now, is it?’

 

     The boys chose to ignore their mother's smile, heading upstairs to wash and change their clothes as they had been instructed.  Elizabeth was sent upstairs to wash as well, then coaxed into a dress by her Aunt Cecilia.  Cecilia took great pleasure in combing out Elizabeth's pigtails, French braiding her hair, then tying a fresh ribbon in it.  Jack piled the whole family in the car, treating them to dinner out and a late movie.  

 

     Much later that evening when the Simon household had retired to their respective bedrooms, Jack and Cecilia agreed that Elizabeth's first afternoon with them had gone well.  Right before he reached up to shut out the bedside lamp Jack remarked,  "For all their moaning and groaning about Elizabeth's visit, I do believe the boys are having a good time with her."

 

     Cecilia smiled.  "So do I.  The three of them seemed to play well together this afternoon.  And we only had to breakup two arguments during dinner.  That wasn't so bad."

 

     Down the hall in the privacy of their own room, Rick and A.J. conversed about their visitor as well.

 

     "Man, this is gonna be a long week," A.J. groaned when he accidentally rolled over onto his sore shoulder. 

 

     "No kiddin'," Rick agreed.  "But I've got an idea."

 

     A.J. hiked himself up on one elbow.  "What?"

 

     "We're gonna dump Lizard somewhere tomorrow."

 

     "Dump her?  What do you mean?"

 

     "Lose her.  Say adios.  Sionara.  Arevaderche.  So long.  Bon Voyage."

 

     "How are we gonna do that?  Mom will get really mad if we run off without her."

 

     "We're not gonna run off without her," Rick assured.  "We're just gonna occupy her attention with something else and then sneak away.  Don't worry, I've got a plan."

 

     "Okay," the tired A.J. agreed.  He fell asleep and dreamt of hoards of pigtailed little girls who derived great pleasure from punching innocent blond boys in the shoulder.   

 

 

_____________________

 

 

 

     After morning chores were done the next day the boys tried to unsuccessfully sneak off, leaving Elizabeth playing with their equally annoying eight-year-old neighbor Mavis.

 

     This was not to be, however, as their cousin caught a glimpse of them slinking through the back hedges in Mavis' yard. 

 

     "Hey, where are you guys goin’?"  Elizabeth called.  She quickly said goodbye to Mavis, then ran to catch up with Rick and A.J.

 

     "You guys better not be goin' somewhere without me or I'll tell--"

 

     "Aunt Cecilia," Rick finished with disgust.  "Yeah, yeah, I know.  We've heard it before."

     "So, where are you goin?"

 

     "Nowhere exciting," Rick replied.  "We're just walkin' to the store for our mom to get some milk.  You can go back and play with Mavis.  We'll pick you up later."

 

     "Huh, uh.  You guys will leave me there.  I know you will.  Marty and Greg are always sneakin' off and leavin' me places."

 

     "I can understand why," A.J. mumbled.

 

     The boy was immediately rewarded with a punch to the shoulder.  "What was that, A.J.?  I didn't hear you."

 

     The youngster rolled his eyes, rubbing the sore appendage.  "Nothing.  I didn't say anything."

 

     The three children walked toward the corner market, the boys doing their best to completely ignore their cousin.  Rick stopped abruptly when they came upon a cardboard sign nailed to a telephone pole.

 

     "Reward," he read out loud.  "Lost tabby kitten.  Answers to the name of Latisha.  See Mrs. Cole.  20087 Palm Street.  $25 dollar reward."

 

     "Wow!"  Rick exclaimed.  "Did you guys hear that?  Twenty- five dollars for a stupid kitten!  I'm gonna find that cat."

 

     "And we can help you," Elizabeth declared.

 

     "Yeah, Rick, we'll help," A.J. nodded eagerly.

 

     "No, I don't need your help.  We'll get the milk for Mom, then you guys can go play baseball, or do whatever you want to.  I'll do this by myself."

 

     A.J. wasn’t about to be left out of the fun. "But, Rick, I want to help.  Why can't I help?"

 

     "Because you're just a kid and you'll get in the way.  Besides, whoever heard of a detective with a side kick?  That's only cowboys."

 

     "We can help, Rick," Elizabeth added her two cents worth. For once, she and A.J. were on the same side.  "Besides, if you don't let us help I'll tell Aunt Cecilia that you're having fun without me and A.J."

 

     Rick turned away, stomping off in the direction of the store.  "You know, Elizabeth, you're startin' to sound like a broken record with that 'I'll tell Aunt Cecilia' shit."

 

     "Richard Lawrence Simon!  I'll tell Aunt Cecilia you said a bad word and she'll wash your mouth out with Ivory soap, and probably paddle your behind too!"

 

     Rick turned around, giving the little girl his best glare.  He knew he had just lost another battle to his cousin.  He had no doubt his mother would do just what Elizabeth had said if she told on him.

 

     "Okay, okay.  You twerps can help me. But I'm in charge of this investigation. Do you understand me?  What I say goes."

 

     The younger children nodded their heads in agreement, just happy to be allowed in on Rick's fun.

 

     The milk was quickly bought and delivered back home.  A.J. was sent upstairs by Rick to retrieve a small note pad and a pencil, then the three children rushed out the door with barely a goodbye to Cecilia.  She smiled after them; happy to see they were having such a good time together.

 

     The children walked several blocks west until they came to Palm Street, then watched carefully for the number 20087.  A pretty Mediterranean style bungalow was nestled back in a manicured front yard full of flower gardens.  Rick rang the doorbell while A.J. and Elizabeth stood on either side of him. 

 

     It took a few minutes for the elderly Mrs. Cole to come to the door.  She opened it, smiling when she saw that it was children on her stoop.

 

     "Hello, children.  And what can I do for you today?  I bet you're selling something for school or Boy Scouts, is that it?"

 

     "No, ma'am," Rick negated.  "I'm Rick Simon.  This is my brother, A.J.  And this is our cousin, Elizabeth Charles."

 

     Mrs. Cole chuckled a bit at Rick's politeness.  "Hello, Rick Simon.  And A.J. And Miss Elizabeth Charles.  What is it that I can do for you?"

 

     "Well, ma'am, me and A.J. and Elizabeth would like to look for your missing kitten."

 

     Mrs. Cole's expression changed to one of sadness.  "Oh, my Latisha.  Such a tiny little thing.  I'm so afraid she won't be able to take care of herself.  She's just a young one, you know."

 

     "Yes, ma'am, we know," Rick acknowledged.  "That's why we want to look for her.  Could you tell us about her?  What she looks like and stuff like that?"

 

     Mrs. Cole opened the door wider.  "I most certainly can.  Come on inside, children."

 

     The elderly lady led the way through a cozy living room and into a pretty blue kitchen.  She invited the children to sit down, then filled a plate with cookies. 

 

     She soon joined them at the table, putting the plate of treats in the center.  "Go on, boys, Miss Elizabeth, have yourselves a little snack.  These cookies are favorites of my grandchildren.  I hope you like them, too."

 

     The children each took a cookie, thanking Mrs. Cole as they did so.  Rick then motioned for A.J. to pull the note pad and pencil out of his shirt pocket. 

 

     In his best Perry Mason voice Rick began to question, "Now, Mrs. Cole, when was the last time you saw Latisha?" 

 

     "Three days ago.  No...it was four days ago.  Friday afternoon it was."

 

     A.J. quickly erased the number three on his paper, replacing it with a four and scribbling Friday Afternon next to it.

 

     "I let Latisha out into the backyard with her mother.  She's always stayed right with Maya before.  She's never run off like this.  But when I went to let them back in a short time later, Latisha was gone."

 

     "Do you think someone might have stolen her?"  A.J. asked, hoping for a really big adventure.

 

     "Oh no, sweetheart, I don't think so.  Surely not.  I can't think of anyone who would.  This is such a quiet neighborhood.  No one ever causes trouble here."

 

     "Well, we'll have to check out all the possibilities," Rick mused out loud.  "Someone could have stolen her."

 

     "I suppose they could have.  But more than likely she just wandered off," Mrs. Cole said.  "Regardless of what happened, I'd just like her back.  I miss her, and so does her mother."

 

     "What does Latisha look like, Mrs. Cole?"  Rick asked.  "Do you have a picture we can show to people?"

 

     "Why, yes, I do.  You're quite a smart boy, Rick Simon." 

 

     Rick beamed with pride.

 

     "As a matter of fact, why don't you all come into the bedroom with me.  I can get you a picture of Latisha, and introduce you to her mother as well.  Latisha looks just like Maya."