Chapter 1 Feels Like Forever but it s Only an Hour Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Jake the four year old said, as he shook his parents awake kneeling over them. Ok ok,we re up, Jake s mom said as she rolled over to stretch and yawn. Jake s mom has shiny, brown hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. And she always smiles even when she was upset but she never laughed. Jake s dad rolledover and said, Are you ready for a fun day? Yeah, but it will take forever. Jake said starting to feel sad. It feels like forever but it s only an hour. Dad answered. 2
Chapter 2 Not Just Yet Jake s dad has black hair and green eyes. He always finds out one way or another how to get people to laugh not just his wife. As Jake, Mom, and Dad walk downstairs, they are surprised to see little 7 ½ year old, Sandy, sitting there with plates full of food he had made. Oh my little cook. Mom said in a very happy voice. Very quickly Jake started shoving toast into his mouth. Hang on there food monster, dad said pulling Jake s plate that was now filled with toast away from him. It s ok, dad he is just hungry, Sandy said, watching Jake shove even more toast into his mouth. Then they all started eating. Mom and dad had eggs and coffee, but Sandy and Jake had cereal and toast. Ok we re done. Can we go now? Please, please, please mom. Jake and Sandy begged. Not just yet, Mom said as she poured her last cup of coffee. 3
4 Chapter 3 It s Just the Car Mom and dad took their last sips of coffee. Then dad said Okay let s go, what are you waiting for? Nothing! Sandy and Jake yelled at the same time. They all grabbed their suitcases and ran out the door. Aww man, why do we have to drive an hour in the car? Sandy asked. Well, I hope you re not driving, dad answered. Not what I meant, dad, Sandy replied. They all go into the car all with smiles on their faces ready to leave Columbus. Dad began driving. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Sandy and Jake started to sing. Okay, come on now we just got in the car, dad said. Fine, Jake said, annoyed. Hey, I have an idea, mom said, let s play A to Z bingo! What s that? Jake asked.
Oh mom, he doesn t know what auto bingo is, Sandy said. Okay, okay, I ll teach him how to play, mom replied grabbing the cards out of the glove box. So on these cards, there are pictures of things we might see outside and when you see one of these things, you yell it out and cross it off. When you have a bingo, yell bingo. Okay, got it, Jake said. Mom handed Jake and Sandy a board then grabbed one for herself. After that, the car grew silent because everyone except dad, who was driving, was focused on playing bingo. Pig, haystack, barn! Sandy finally yelled as they passed a farm. The farm had many trees all with blooming flowers, because spring had just come. Tractor, cow, horse! Jake yelled. Man, you guys are good, mom said. Oh, I know, 50 speed limit sign, mom said as they passed the speed limit sign. Why does it have to be 50 mile limit? Jake asked. Because that s what s on the picture, mom replied pointing at her bingo board. Does anyone have a fire truck? dad asked as he pulled over to let a fire truck go by. Oh! Oh! Oh! I do! Jake yelled trying to talk over the siren of the truck. 5
Unicorn corn! Jake yelled as they passed a farm that grows corn. Can we please get some corn, dad, can we? Jake begged with Sandy. Jake and Sandy loved going to Unicorn Corn because they could pick their own corn. 6
Chapter 4 Unicorn Corn Fine, we can go, dad said. YAY! Jake and Sandy both yelled. As dad pulled into the rocky driveway to Unicorn Corn, Jake started to sing, Unicorn Corn is a magical place that raspberries can never replace. Hey, someone has heard the commercial, dad said as he found a spot beside the corn field to park. Okay, let s go inside to pay then we can pick some corn, mom said. As they walked inside the brown shack, they saw many bins full of cherries, grapes, mini pumpkins, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, carrots, potatoes, and strawberries. When they got to the cash register, they saw a tall, thin woman with blue eyes and black hair. How much does it cost to pick corn stalks? mom asked pulling out her wallet. Today, you can pick for free, didn t you know it s National 7
Corn Day? the woman replied. Dad whispered to the boys, That s how they say Halloween, and then said aloud, oh yeah, that s right! Well then, let s go! Jake yelled. As Jake and Sandy ran outside, mom and dad walked far behind them, They saw all the bright, yellow corn stalks. Suddenly, Jake and Sandy started running and picking all the corn they could find. After picking corn for almost an hour, the family was tired and it was getting dark. They put all their corn in the trunk of their car and drove away. 8
Chapter 5 The Big Dinosaur As the family was driving, Jake looked out the window and saw a huge dinosaur park with a metal dinosaur in the middle. Oh, look! Jake yelled. The big dinosaur! yelled Sandy. I remember when we used to go there, dad said quickly looking over and then looked back at the road because he didn t want another car to hit him. Can we please go? Sandy begged. Not right now, honey. It s getting late, but maybe on the way back, mom said. Since it s getting late, we need to hurry if you guys want to see you Aunt Emily at Kelley s Island, dad said. Okay. Fine, Jake and Sandy replied as they crossed their arms and sunk down into their seats. 9
10 Chapter 6 The Boat They all sat silently the rest of the ride, until they finally got to the boat dock. They drove their car up to the booth where they got their boat tickets. Then, they got to the line of boats and parked their car. Hey dad, can mom and I got to go to the restroom area to stretch and use the restroom? Jake asked. Yeah, you guys go. I ll stay here with Sandy, dad said, Then when you guys get back, we will go. Jake and mom walked to a small building that was all white with one orange stripe running across it. As they walked in, Jake saw a toy machine that said, One Toy for 25 Cents. He always got a toy, but he knew they were going to do lots of fun things, so he didn t bother to ask. When Jake and mom were both finished, they saw a ticket on the ground. Oh, sweet, free ride across, mom said. Now we will only have to pay for one ride on the way back! mom added. Wait, I thought we needed four tickets, since there are four of us? Jake asked. No,you and Sandy can ride free, only dad and I need tick-
ets, mom replied as they walked back outside. Oh, okay, Jake said. They told dad and Sandy, and they were excited too. When Sandy and dad were done using the restroom, they saw another ticket on the ground. Oh, yeah! Now we can ride back completely free! Sandy said. Well, mom and I will, you already ride free, dad said. Hey, we found another ticket! dad said. Nice! Jake said as he high-fived dad. By this time, the boat was docked and they were ready to get on. As the cars pulled up oneby-one, Jake was bouncing in his seat because he was ready to park the car and go sit on the seats at the top of the boat. Let s go! Let s go! Let s go! Jake yelled as everyone unbuckled their seatbelts and dad parked the car. Jake and Sandy ran up the stairs to the top. They quickly went to the edge of the top to where there was a fence sort of thing to keep people from falling. Hey Sandy, make sure Jake is being careful, mom said as she sat on the metal bench and dad wrapped his arm around her. Everything was nice until they hear someone say, 11
Hey kids, you want to meet the captain? in sort of mean voice. 12
13 Chapter 7 Meeting the Captain Everyone looked at the open door to a small booth at the top of the boat, next to where they were standing. Standing in the open doorway was a man wearing, what looked like, something that a captain would wear as a hat. Yeah, Jake said as he hurried over to the doorway. Wait up, Jake! Sandy yelled after him. I guess we re meeting the captain, dad said as he and mom stood up. So come here, so you can meet her, said the man who had shaggy, dark hair, tan skin, and a crooked tooth. I thought you were the captain, Sandy said looking around the small room. No, I m not the captain, I- the man began to say. I am, interrupted a voice. Jake and Sandy stared wide-eyed as they watched a black chair turn around. To their surprise, there was a woman with blonde hair, green eyes, and was wearing an even bet-
ter captain hat. Meet the captain, the man said. I m the captain, she repeated. Cool, Jake said as he ran over to her to look at her hat. I m her first mate, the man said. Cool, what s your name? Jake asked the woman. My name is Elizabeth Tracy, but you can call me, Tracy, she said. Okay, Tracy, Sandy said. What s your name? Sandy asked the man. My name is Samuel T. Paul but please just call me Samuel, said the man. What does the T stand for? Jake asked. Trenovor, said Samuel. Oh okay, well I m Jake and he s Sandy, Jake said. Well, I don t mean to interrupt the introductions, but Miss Tracy, you might want to watch the dock, Samuel said. 14
Oh, yes, Tracy said turning around and grabbing the steering wheel as fast as she could. Eeerrr! the boat made an unusual sound when it docked, because the dock was old and rusty. Well, here we are, Kelley s Island! Tracy said. Thank you for letting us come in! dad said. Anytime! Tracy answered. They then walked out of the small room downstairs, and into their car. Then, dad drove off the boat. 15
Chapter 8 The Fudge Shop As they drove further and further away from the boat, they passed downtown. In the middle of town, there was a very small play set. On that same land, but further away, there was a statue of an anchor. It always reminded mom of her sister who lived there. Sandy quickly looked to the side to see the fudge shop. The Fudge Shop! he yelled. In the window, there were many types of candies. Next to all of the candies, was a plastic girl statue, who was stirring a bowl of fudge. Everytime she stirred the fudge one whole way around, she winked. This reminded Sandy of when he used to go to Aunt Emily s bakery and get a chocolate doughnut. 16
Chapter 9 Ice Cream Right after passing the fudge shop, there was an ice cream hut that was white with pictures of ice cream all over it. In the front, there was a huge window so you could look at all of the flavors of ice cream and see what type of cone you can order it in. As soon as they passed the ice cream hut, Jake immediately yelled, Ice cream! That ice cream hut reminded him of eating triple chocolate fudge ice cream and trying to see how fast he could get it to drip from his lips to his chin. 17
Chapter 10 Mini Golf As they were driving, dad quickly turned his head to the side to see the mini golf set. Hey dad, look! Jake said. I know, dad said turning his head, mini golf, he said trying not to smile though he couldn t resist. That mini golf set was built almost eight years ago, just before Sandy was born. It reminded dad of when he used to come here with mom before the boys were born. 18
Chapter 11 We All Have Memories I love that anchor, mom said as it reminded of her of coming here to see her sister. That fudge shop reminds me of Aunt Emily s famous chocolate doughnuts, said Sandy. That ice cream reminds me of when I get triple chocolate fudge ice cream, Jake said licking his lips. Oh, and that old mini golf set reminds me of when we came here all the time before the boys were born, dad finally admitted. Well, it looks like we all have memories, said mom. 19
Chapter 12 Welcome Back After passing all of those sights that brought back memories, they were all ready to see Aunt Emily. Soon they pulled the car into a driveway full of small pebbles. Weee rrreee hhheeerreee! Jake tried to say as his voice sounded bumpy as they went over the pebbles with the car. As they parked the car, unloaded their stuff, and began to head inside, Emily never came out. Well, that s strange. Emily usually comes out to say hi, mom said. Well maybe she didn t hear us pull in, dad said as they stepped inside. Welcome back! Aunt Emily yelled as dad turned on the lights. Aunt Emily! Jake yelled running over to her to give her a hug. Sandy quickly followed him and gave her an even bigger hug. 20
21 Chapter 13 Let s Go Swimming Okay, I know you guys just got here, but we need to go swimming today. It has been so cloudy lately, but today the sun is really bright! said Aunt Emily. The family agreed, but they unpacked first. They drove to the beach on Aunt Emily s golf cart. When they got there, they stepped onto the sand, and it felt very hot on their feet. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Sandy said. That s a good thing it hasn t felt like this in days, Sandy continued to say. As they set their stuff down, Jake and Sandy raced toward the water. Wait! Come back! You two need sunscreen! Dad yelled from under the yellow and red sun umbrella they had put up. Okay, race you back? Jake yelled as he started running back. I m going to win, Sandy said. He did, he was very fast. Dad put sunscreen on them and then they went running back to the water. They played, splashed, caught fish with
their small nets, and dunked each other until it was dark out. Okay, we have had enough fun for one day. Plus we should get ready for tomorrow, said dad. Sandy and Jake wanted to argue, but they were getting too tired. They drove home, ate dinner, watched a movie, and went to sleep. 22
23 Chapter 14 Marooned Dad, mom, Jake, and Aunt Emily had to wake Sandy up early, because he always liked to sleep in. They were already running late and Sandy wasn t doing anything. He ate his breakfast as slowly as he could, got dressed like he had never worn clothes before. He was so slow putting his stuff into the car, and didn t buckle his seatbelt until they were halfway pulled out of the driveway. Hey, I don t know if we ll make it, dad said. We have to! This boat only runs once a year! mom yelled nervously. Our boat leaves at 9:00, it s 8:59! Sandy yelled looking at dad s watch. Hey, stop watching the time, dad said laughing. Mom didn t laugh, because she only ever just smiles. Not funny, Jake said. By this time, it was 9:00! They were passing town and still had a little ways to go before getting to the boat. They passed the ice cream hut, the mini golf stand, the fudge shop, and the statue of the metal anchor. Now they were driving as fast as
the car could go! They finally got there but dad s watch said 9:02. They looked out at the water. They boat had already left the dock and was kind of far away, because it was a fast boat. Sandy hugged Jake as they watched the boat sail away. The knew that they were marooned. 24
Chapter 15 Hey, It s Okay Hey, it s okay, dad said joining Jake and Sandy s hug. Mom joined too. Well, we ll have to stay with Emily for Halloween, Jake said like he was happy, but he was really sad. Halloween was tomorrow, and he was going to go trick-ortreating with his best friends, but now he had to spend Halloween at his Aunt s house. They all went home, but surprisingly, Emily had all the Halloween decorations up. Wow, you decorate fast, mom said opening the door. Ahh! Emily screamed, Oh, sorry you scared me. What are you doing here? I thought your boat left? Well, we missed our boat, said Jake as he plopped himself onto the couch. Well, since you will be here for a while, why don t we have an adventure? asked Emily. 25
Chapter 16 Look in the Cave Well since we re here, we might as well, dad said as they got in the car, and Aunt Emily drove them somewhere they didn t recognize. Where are we? Jake asked. A place no one knows about. I haven t even told my friends about it place, Emily replied. Well, what is it? Jake asked anxiously. A cave, Emily replied in a mysterious voice. No one said anything after that because they thought she was joking. She wasn t. When she parked the car, she opened the trunk and pulled out flashlights and handed them to mom, dad, Jake, and Sandy. Then she grabbed one for herself. They looked and in front of the car, was a giant cave. Go ahead, Aunt Emily said, Look in the cave. 26
Chapter 17 Gems Jake and Sandy quickly hugged mom and dad, scared. Oh it s okay, I ve gone in here plenty of times, Emily said walking inside. Everyone followed as she told them to turn on their flashlights. They were amazed to see that when their flashlights hit the walls of the cave, the cave sparkled! This is just the beginning, Aunt Emily said. She took them farther back into the cave. Woah, you decorated for Halloween? Sandy said shocked. Emily said, Well that isn t all of it, as she pulled back a curtain that was blocking a passageway. What is- woah! Jake said stopping in the middle of his sentence. Gems! dad yelled. 27
Chapter 18 Let s Eat! What? Huh? How? mom said. I know it s strange, but isn t it cool? Emily asked. Uh, it s super cool! Sandy joined in. They saw purple, green, blue, pink, and yellow gems all sticking out from the wall. They spent hours in the cave looking at the gems and awing at them, but also messing around in the Halloween decorated part of the cave. After a while, they were all getting hungry for lunch. However, they still didn t leave, they stayed and had tons of fun. It was finally dark outside and they realized how hungry they really were. Let s go eat, Sandy said as they hopped into the car. 28
29 Chapter 19 Food They quickly jumped out of the car, ran inside and started shoving food into their mouths. The table was filled with food that they made before they left thinking that cave adventure wouldn t last long. They were wrong, of course. The food was cold, but they were so hungry that they didn t care, they ate it anyway. Okay, okay, said Emily, let s go to bed, I think we ve had enough food. Sandy and Jake did not stop eating and eating. Finally they were ready to go to bed, but then they saw the pumpkin pie sitting on the counter. It had a little bat on a stick sitting in the middle of the pie for Halloween. Mine, Hey, I called it, no fair, Jake and Sandy called out back and forth. Okay, no one gets it, Come on mom! Hey, you didn t let me finish, You can eat it for breakfast
tomorrow, mom said back to the boys. Yeah, you guys ate a lot, dad chimed in. Fine, said Jake as he ran to the bedroom. 30
Chapter 20 A Big Announcement Okay, I have a big announcement! said Aunt Emily as she sat down to breakfast that Sandy had made. Everyone else had started eating, but she was busy fixing the Halloween decorations that got messed up. So I got a text last night during dinner, and yes, this is why I packed all of your bags and why they are sitting in the living room, she continued to say as she motioned her hand toward the suitcases. Anyway, the text said that one more boat will be running today because apparently many other people missed the boat too, Emily said. Why didn t you tell us last night? You should have told us, we would have packed! mom yelled at Aunt Emily. Okay, calm down, Emily yelled back, everyone was eating and no one heard my phone go off. Everyone was now silent; they didn t want to be yelled at again. Emily began talking again, Your boat leaves at 9:00. 31
Chapter 21 We re Finally Home As the time came and everyone was ready, it almost seemed sad. No one wanted to leave Aunt Emily, but they had to. They said their goodbyes and hugged, and then they were off. They passed the ice cream hut, the mini golf course, the anchor, and the fudge shop. They got on the boat, crossed Lake Erie, and then drove towards home. They passed the huge dinosaur statue, then Unicorn Corn which they had forgotten about, and the corn was still in the trunk. Now everything around was decorated for Halloween, which was the next day. They passed the farms where they had played auto bingo. They had seen some of the same sights. Finally, after hours of driving, they were home at their house in Columbus. Finally! said Jake. Yay, we re home, said dad. Then they all laughed, happy to be home. The End 32