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Molly and Frosty, her little racoon friend, were sitting together at the breakfast table on a Tuesday morning talking about the advantages of having fur versus skin to cover ones body. Frosty said that having fur was a definite advantage in winter because one didn't have to add and put on cumbersome clothes or huddle by a fire to keep warm. Molly said, yes, but you can't take your fur coat off when it's sweltering hot in the summer and she knew Frosty hated getting his fur wet so he couldn't cool down in the sea or a pool. While they were debating the pros and cons, the phone rang and since they were the only ones at home because everyone else had gone to work, Molly answered it. She didn't reconize the voice, and a lady asked, "Excuse me, I apologize for disturbing you but Porky gave me your phone number and name for someone who is interested in astronomy, is this correct?" Molly wondered who this person was, and said, yes, she was interested in the study of stars and things celestial and could she know why the lady wanted to know. The lady introduced herself as Lady Beaumont of Beaumont Hall and Molly then remembered Porky telling her one day about this lady who had a sick daughter Jennifer. Frosty was trying to listen in to what was being said and jumped up on Molly's shoulder and stuck his head next to the ear piece trying to hear. Molly moved the phone away from her ear a little so they could both listen to what Lady B. was saying. "Well this is very impertinent of me," she said, " but my little daughter Jennifer, who spends a LOT of time reading because she does not get out very much, also loves to read about the galaxies and how stars, comets, and so forth are created etc. It so happens that a friend of mine in California who is a Professor of Astronomy in UCLA,(the University of Los Angeles, in California) wants Jennifer to go with him when he visits the big Telescope in Pasadena and the larger one in Palomar, south of LA. He will be flying to London afterwards to lecture on his research, but he wants Jennifer to go with him because he knows how MUCH she loves everything to do with his field. However, there is absolutely no way she could manage such a trip. It would be far too exhausting and she would not be able to enjoy it worrying that she would be a burden to Dr Matheison all the time. Jennifer had been telling Porky and his friends when they were over here visiting last week about Dr Matheison's invitation and how disappointed she was that she couldn't go. Porky told her about you, and Jennifer asked me if you could go instead of her. If you wanted to, that is. I know this is quite something to put on you all of a sudden and I don't know what your folks would say, but it would mean a lot to my daughter if you would consider it. Perhaps you could take notes or pictures or something and bring them to share with her? She would like so much to meet you and talk about her favorite subject. Oh yes, and of course, I would be paying all expenses since it is my suggestion!". Frosty was all excited and said,, " Ooooooh Molly, let's go. PLEEEEEZE can we go ?" he forgot he was sitting on her shoulder and so close to the phone so his excited squeak was heard by Lady Beaumont! Lady B. asked Molly if she had a friend there who would like to go with her, at which Frosty was SOOOOO excited he forgot where he was again, and jumped up and down and fell off her shoulder but landed on all four paws and quickly clambered up again so he wouldn't miss a word. Molly thought quickly, " When would we need to leave, Lady Beaumont?" she asked. "Professor Matheison will be in Pasadena this weekend. He will arrive at the Burbank airport and if you can go he would meet you there and take you to Pasadena with him. I have forgotten the mountain the Telescope is on, I think it might be Mt wilson, but he is expected there around noon. He will then go south by rental car to Palomar in the late afternoon and this would be a few hours' drive. He will inspect the big Scope there during the night because that night is supposed to be clear and they want to see if they can find a new star that one of the astronomers discovered recently. You would return Sunday afternoon by plane to Illingsworth and I can meet your plane and bring you home. Oh, and by the way, I asked Dr M. about how he felt about someone coming instead of Jennifer and he said, 'The more the merrier, as long as they really are interested'. So I asked him if Porky could go too and he said that would be fine. Between you and me I think his ego is pleased he will be having a captive audience!" Molly was thrilled - not only would she be going to California and FLY, ( she hadn't been on an airplane before, but she would get to see TWO famous telescopes and maybe even get to LOOK through them, and Frosty AND Porky would be going as well! Porky would be great company for Frosty too. Molly told Lady B. she would ask her parents what they thought and perhaps Lady Beaumont would be kind enough to talk to them and explain everything. It might have more weight coming from her than Molly. This proved to be true and later that evening after listening to the offer. Molly's parents were a little skeptical on hearing a complete stranger would pay air fare for THREE people, to say nothing of hotel or motel and meal costs, and only when they talked with Lady Beaumont in person were they assured that this was indeed the case. "Oh to have money like that" sighed Molly's mother when she hung up. " we can be so grateful we have a healthy daughter". Molly's father responded, " Lady Beaumont would likely be in sore straits if she hadn't got tons of money. No doubt she spends out thousands of dollars on Jennifer's medical bills and her nurse etc." "You're right", his wife replied, and turning to Molly, said," well, there are only three days till Friday. Lady Beaumont said she would get the plane tickets for you both so when you have finished your homework I suggest you find a suitcase and pack what ever you think you'll need for your trip. Your dad will give you some extra money for snacks and maybe something you might like to get, although I very much doubt they sell souvneirs at Telescope sites. You'll only be gone for the weekend so no need to pack for a week, okay ?!" " Parents," grumbled Mollie when she and Frosty were safely in her bedroom and she was pulling her small well-worn suitcase from the shelf in her closet. "You'd think they've totally forgotten what it's like to be a teenager and that we're not total morons. Pack for a week, for heaven's sake, doesn't she know that a kid HATES packing heavy suitcases around. If I'd had the nerve I'd have told her not to judge me by herself" However, it was so exciting to think about the upcoming trip, Molly didn't stay miffed long and quickly shoved an extra pair of jeans and her favorite T shirt, a pair of socks and PJs into the case. " I suppose I should put a sweater in the case we are up all night looking for that new star". she told Frosty. " See," gloated Frosty, " I told you fur is better than skin on your body. You don't have to pack anything for ME" - and he quickly dodged the slipper that Molly threw at him, though she was laughing. " I'll put my toothbrush and brush and comb in before we leave". The next two days seemed to go slowly, during which, Lady B had mailed them their tickets and written a note wishing them a great and enjoyable trip and inviting them to go to Beaumont Hall on their return so they could share their adventures with Jennifer. On Friday morning Molly's Dad drove her and Frosty to Illingsworth early at 6.30a.m. before he went to work so he would have time to drive back and not be late. He stopped on the way to pick up Porky and they got to the airport around 8a.m. They had to put their luggage, well, Molly had to put her suitcase (the others didn't have one!), on the moving belt to go through the X-ray machine to make sure she didn't have any guns, dangerous weapons or contraband in her case. They were curious about a man walking through the door frame thing who made the alarm go off. It turned out he had a brass token in one pocket, one of those things that look like a coin and are used in games. Since that was the culprit the officials let the man go on. The plane was scheduled to leave at 9a.m. so they had an hour to wait and Molly's Dad made sure the stewardess at the counter knew the three youngsters would be traveling alone and to make sure they would be looked after. The lady at the ticket counter said they would be boarding first before the adults along with any other children or anyone in a wheelchair or who needed special attention. Huge glass windows looked down to the tarmac where planes were leaving and arriving or taxiing into their bays. At twenty to nine they started boarding passengers and the three friends went on second after a lady in a wheelchair who looked really frail and sick and was pushed ahead of them. She was given a seat in the front of the plane so the youngsters knew she was traveling first class. Imagine their surprise when they were also seated in the front of the plane! First Class ? Wow - they hadn't even looked at their tickets to notice this. Talk about going in style. They were given all the free drinks they wanted ( what would YOU ask for?) and changed their choices from coke to pink lemonade to Dr Pepper to root beer and the stewardess didn't seem to mind bringing them all! Breakfast was a small omelet, toast and jam with a piece of cheese and a packet of nuts, all on a little plastic tray. Frosty wasn't too keen on the omelet so he got the nuts. It was a very big plane and the three sat together all in one row. When they flew into Los Angeles they were round eyed at the sight of the HUGE sprawling Metropolis laid out below the wispy clouds that were around the plane. It seemed there were MILES of cities that had skyscrapers, mountains and vast networks of freeways all entangled together. Over some parts they couldn't even SEE the buildings due to thick layers of yellow and black smog. Porky and Frosty hung on as tightly as they could when the plane dipped and started its landing pattern. Frosty squeezed his eyes shut as tightly as he could as they neared the airport and flew so low he was SURE they would land on the freeway. They went so close they could see the cars right below them, but they skimmed over some hedges and landed with a soft bump and a little shudder and then they were rolling smoothly along the runway to the main building. When they walked into the main Arrivals area they stood a moment looking round while swarms of people, children, stewardesses and people in uniform thronged in busy hurrying to and fro and they wondered how on earth they would ever find Dr Matheison. They were very surprised when a young man dressed in a dark gray suit with a striped maroon tie, walked up to them and said, " Miss Molly?" Molly acknowledged she was Molly and he asked them to go with him to the car he had waiting. He took Molly's suitcase which she had taken on with her because it was too small to send it with the luggage under the passenger part of the plane. A long sleek limousine stood at the curb. The young ones had never ridden in such a car, ever, and were rather overwhelmed by it but the young man seemed very self-assured and opened one of the doors for them to get in. They felt like royalty having a chauffeur when he closed the door and went round to the driver's seat in the front and the car slid away into the traffic. The friends had not been to Los Angeles before either so were glued to the window gawking at the crowded streets the huge buildings and more cars and trucks and vehicles than they had ever seen. And the SPEED the cars traveled - it was like they were in one huge race with no ribbon to stop them. It didn't seem too long before the limousine cruised to a halt in front of a large stylish and posh hotel where a bell man immediately stepped up to the car and opened the door, waiting for them to alight. Their driver got out and retrieved Molly's suitcase. " Miss Molly, " he said, " please come with me" and he nodded to the bell man pushing a five dollar bill into his hand. He led them into a huge foyer where a large chandelier hung from the ceiling, its hundreds of candle-like bulbs gleaming and shimmering shedding light over the whole area. Men and women in expensive clothes jostled together talking and laughing. Molly stopped their young man who seemed to be heading for a particular room and said, " Where is Dr Matheison?" He looked bewildered, " Dr Matheison? I don't know a Dr Matheison. You ARE Miss Mollie aren't you? I was told to meet Miss Mollie at the airport and bring her and anyone with her to the Hilton Hotel and take her straight to Lady Densley's suite." Molly, Frosty and Porky looked at him in dismay. " I am Molly," she said, " but we don't know anyone called Lady Densley and we are due at the Big Telescope in Pasadena with Dr Matheison at noon today". The young man turned pale and he hurried them up to a bank of elevators where they got into one going UP and he pressed 16 in a round button that glowed with an orange circle round the number. Porky's tummy did a little flop as the elevator shot up at a very fast speed and he was glad when it came to a stop. It seemed to leave his tummy far below him! When the door opened they stepped out onto a thick pale green carpet and were taken down a corridor to a door which had SUITE 300 in gold on the middle panel, and an embossed name plate by the door at eye level that stated this was Lady Densley's abode. A trim young maid answered the door bell and showed them into a palatial living room that stretched the entire length of the suite. Sitting in one of the four or five armchairs placed in front of the fireplace was a gracious looking woman in her sixties, who rose as they entered. The young man who turned from pale white to deep red as he told the lady he had made a terrible mistake and brought the wrong Miss Molly. Lady Densley asked Molly to tell her where she was from and why she was in town, so Molly told her all that had happened from the time Lady Beaumont had called her and how they were supposed to meet DR Matheison as he visited the Telescope sites. When she mentioned Lady Beaumont's name Lady Densley gave a sharp intake of breath but didn't say anything till Molly had finished her tale. Then she smiled at them and said, " Well, my dears, I apologize deeply for the mistake that has occurred. David, here, is rather new at his post and I can understand why he made the mistake when you told him at the airport you were Molly. He should have asked for your last name to be sure, instead of bundling you off as he did, and David," she turned to the young man who looked so crestfallen the three friends felt sorry for him, " You need to call the airport right away and ask them to page for a Molly Whitney and when she answers, tell her what happened and that you will pick her up as soon as you can get there. You also need to page for Dr Matheison and explain what has happened to his charges and that I will personally see they meet up with him. They cannot possibly be in Pasadena by noon so he needs to go for his appointment there and I will call him at the Observatory later". David hurriedly left the room and Lady Densley asked the three friends to sit down and she rang for a light lunch for four to brought to the Suite. Then she told them she knew Lady Beaumont very well and they had, in fact, gone to school together. She then used a phone in the living room to call Lady B. and there was quite a conversation held while the two old school friends made acquaintance again and Lady Densley assured Lady Beaumont that all would be well. She asked that Molly and Porky's folks be called so they too, would know where their children were and that they were safe and would be home when expected. She also told Lady B. she was at the Hilton for a week while Lanceton, her home in the Palisades above Long Beach, had some renovations done. Having put everyone's mind at rest Lady Densley proceeded to ask Molly about her interest in Astronomy and was surprised at how much Molly could tell her about stars, comets and galaxies. While they were enjoying the lunch their hostess wanted to know all about Krumble and Porky and Frosty went into much detail describing their home Village and the daily lives of those in it. Lady Densley listened intently and then said, "You know, I do believe that those of you who live in the country, apart from the fresh air you can breathe there, have a much richer life than those of us who live in the City. Life here is always in a rush and bustle and people hurrying through the day with no time to really stop and smell the flowers and listen to the birds and look at the colors of a Rainbow. I truly envy the three of you and maybe one day I could come and visit you there and you would show me your Ripple River and the forest and woods and all the places you enjoy?" Porky, Frosty and Molly invited her to come ANY time and they would love to take her around. Just then, the maid knocked on the door and said there was a call from the Observatory and would m'lady like to take the call? It turned out to be Dr Matheison who was GREATLY relieved to hear his young charges hadn't been kidnapped, and disappointed they were missing the presentation of the Scope but glad they were in safe hands and their folks knew what had gone on. He then said that there was some bad news and that the Observatory in Palomar had left a message for him in Pasadena to say there was a glitch with the Scope. It would take a couple of days to resolve the error and could they come on Monday instead of Saturday. This was fine for him but he knew that Molly and the others needed to return on Sunday to get back for school the next day and had their return tickets. Knowing what a HUGE disappointment this would be to Molly, he had another suggestion and would call her parents as soon as he was through at Palomar. Lady Densley could see how sad Molly and her friends were and invited them to stay over in her Suite till Sunday when she would take them to catch their plane home. She told them she had tickets to a show that evening if they would like to go. " It is called River Dance," she told them and there is a lot of tap dancing in it if you like that sort of thing?. I don't know what Dr Matheeison has planned for you but perhaps we can take you sight seeing while to are here and make up for the disappointment." Frosty immediately started to try to tap dance on his hind paws and was so comical they all burst out laughing. They learned that the Miss Molly who had been expected and who had arrived not so long after, was taking the place of the maid who had let them in. Molly was almost wishing she could have been the right Molly since it was obvious Lady Densley was well liked by her staff and Glenna, the maid who was leaving would not have done so except she was getting married in a few days' time and needed to give up her position. What an evening it was! Firstly, in the afternoon they did some shopping. Lady Densley knew where there was a store that carried everything one could think of connected to Astronomy and Molly some of her money getting a ...? ( what do YOU think she would buy?) Then they went into Toys R Us, and Frosty wanted a pair of shoes that had lead tips and heels on them that he thought he would use after he had watched River Dance! What would YOU have bought there if you could choose anything ? Porky went for a LARGE bag of Candy from a candy store where all kinds of sweets from chocolate, hard and soft candy, to popcorn and candy floss. What would YOUR choice have been? They had dinner in a Buffet called the Hungry Hunter and felt so full afterwards Molly hoped she wouldn't fall asleep at the show because she always felt sleepy after a big meal. However, there was no need for her fear because she was completely entranced as they watched the men and women who tapped so totally in unison and sang and danced and she joined in the clapping in one song where the whole audience clapped in time to the rhythm. All of them LOVED River Dance and Frosty whispered in Molly's ear, " I want to be able to tap like that man who keeps coming back on stage. Do you think my paws can go as fast ?" Molly patted his shoulder and said, " It takes hours and hours of practice, Frosty, but when we love something enough and want it enough we can do it". Frosty twitched his whiskers and joggled his bushy eyebrows and said in his heart, " I can DO it". And he meant it. Porky was more interested in the Snack Bar they visited before the show began and when they finally got back to the Suite all of them thanked Lady D. profusely for a lovely fun day. On Saturday they went to Disneyland where they spent most of the day going on rides and looking at the shows and of course, eating ice cream and hot dogs. What rides would YOU want to go on ? Porky liked 'Pirates of the Carribean', Molly liked 'It's A Small World' and Frosty liked the Bear show. Have you been to Disneyland? If so, which show did YOU like the best ? By the time Sunday came around and they had slept in, it was time to go to the airport and Lady Densley came with them to see them safely onto the plane. She handed a letter to Molly to give to her friend, Lady Beaumont and promised to visit Krumble one day. On the plane they got into conversation with a family who had gone to Los Angeles just to see Disneyland so they swapped their opinions of what they had enjoyed. When they arrived at Illingsworth they were relieved to find Lady Beaumont waiting for them and she drove them home. She said she had talked with DR Matheison who was feeling so sorry about the whole thing, though they all assured her that they had a LOT of fun anyway and please to tell him not to worry about it. She also told them she had called their folks and when they got home they would hear what Dr M. had to say. Frosty nudged Molly and reminded her she had a letter from Lady Densley for Lady B. "Oooops," Molly gulped, " Thankyou, Frosty, for reiminding me". and she hadned over the letter which Lady Beaumont was so happy to get and put in her purse right away so she wouldn't lose it. They dropped Porky off at home and then Lady B. took Molly and Frosty home. Her parents seemed really excited about something and after Lady Beaumont had left they seemed to have a hard time listening, or rather, paying attention to all the things Molly and Frosty were telling them. Finally, they could hold it in no longer and told them that Dr Matheison had called to say he wanted to make up for their disappointment and wanted to take Molly, Frosty and Porky with him when he went to London when he went to lecture on his research gathered on the trip in California. Go to LONDON? Molly and Frosty couldn't believe their ears and were so excited they couldn't sleep that night and stayed up talking about what they would need to take with them. Frosty tapped Molly on the hand, "You know something," he told her, " I'm glad Simon thought you were the other Molly. We got to fly, shop, to go to the concert, see Disneyland and now we get to fly to England and we still get to see an Observatory and you can see through a Scope to the stars from the other side of the World!" Molly, agreed, "Yes," she said, "I really wouldn't have changed this for anything, but you know, Frosty, I somehow don't think the sky will be that much different looking at it from England or America. The Milky Way, Orin's Belt, The Big Dipper, they all look the same wherever we are." Frosty was so happy he sang his favorite song, "When you swing upon a star" He told Mollie he couldn't have wished for anything more exciting. What would YOU wish if you could swing upon a star and make one? ************************************** Goessoftly Retired Therapist www.goessoftlyishere.com (No Copies Allowed) | PIGMUS STORY 1. Heather | PIGMUS STORY 2 Nancy | PIGMUS STORY 3. Drew | PIGMUS STORY 4 Holly | PIGMUS STORY 5 Nobody | PIGMUS STORY 6 Mollie | PIGMUS STORY 7 Heidi | PIGMUS STORY 8 . Veronica | PIGMUS STORY 9. Nichole | PIGMUS STORY 10. Stephanie | Sunny | Merry Flipper | | THE HEALING PROCESS | DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER | POETRY | Biographical Entries | THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE | STORIES FOR LITTLES (Pigmus and friends) | |
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