Started on book two called - The Story of Q - Misha Goes Missing. I'm on a roll and already have six chapters completed in less than two weeks. I am hoping that this inspirational trend continues.
I don't know how many of you have read it, or bought it for your kids and grandkids, but the Lexingtons live across the street from an older couple and near the beginning of book one, it says,
“How’s my two favorite young ladies this afternoon?” he beamed, while adjusting his World War II veteran’s cap, which never left his head.
In book two, Rachael (she just turned 11 and is the main character) discovers that Mr. H (that's what she calls him) was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Thought it was a cool way to introduce a little WWII history to the children.
Mr H shows Rachael his office, which is filled with black and white photos from the war and his shadow box with his medals/ribbons. She begins asking him questions. He's an excerpt.
“Who are all these men, Mr. H? Does this have anything to do with the cap you always wear?”
Her neighbor removed his cap, lightly touching the embroidered letters before handing it to Rachael.
“Tusk-e-gee Airmen. Did I say that right?”
“Yes, you did, Tuskegee. It’s named after a place in Alabama, where many of the men trained before and during the war in Europe.”
“So you flew one of these planes?” she said, pointing to one of the images.
“I sure did Rachael. Actually flew several kinds of planes including P-40’s and this one right here, a P-51, more commonly known as a Mustang. That’s me on the left and my best friend Bill. This was taken in Italy in 1944”, he stated, extending his finger to the photo.
“Wow! You were in Italy? You were fighting against the Germans, right? Cool beans, Mr. H. You were really handsome too — I mean you still are...” she blushed.
“That’s okay my dear. Don’t quite have the head of hair I used to”, he laughed. “But believe it or not, I still fit into my jacket.”
“You do? Uh, so you still have it? Could I see it if it’s not too much trouble?”
“Oh sure, keep it right here in the closet. I take it out every now and then”, he offered, slipping it off the hanger. “Wanna try it on?”
“Me? I don’t think I should.”
“Nah, go on ahead. You’re not going to hurt it”, he said, helping her into it.
“Gosh, Mr. H, this is such an honor. Hey, could I take a picture of us together? I want one of me in your jacket and then you have to put it on too, okay?”
“What’s all the fuss in here?” Mrs. Hollingsworth smiled, stepping into the room a few minutes later. “Sounds like you two are up to some kind of mischief.”
“C’mon and join us Mrs. H. You have to get into the pictures”, Rachael begged.
“Oh no, no, no!”
“Oh yes, yes, yes”, her husband said, grabbing her arm. “Don’t be an old fuddy-dud.”
“Now Carl, who are you calling an old fuddy-dud?” she laughed, joining in on the fun.
After Rachael slipped her phone back into her pocket, Mrs. Hollingsworth helped her husband out of his jacket, placing it back in the closet.
“Yep, that’s my old buddy Bill. He never made it back from the war, Rachael. His plane was shot down during a mission escorting bombers. I saw it happen right in front of me”, he lamented, his brown eyes filling with tears.
“I wish I could have met him”, Mrs. Hollingsworth stated. “I know how much he meant to you”, she added, touching his face.
