INTO THE FIRE - excerpt from a juvenile novel

81 Queen Street, Unit 6, Truro, Nova Scotia
Canada B2N 2B2 Phone (902) 897-2344
E-mail: richardprov1@netscape.net

A Father-Son Fantasy Adventure
Word Count = Approx. 19,500

INTO THE FIRE
By
Richard & Esther Provencher

CHAPTER ONE

Troy zeroed in from the third floor attic window. Eyes like laser beams. He grumbled something under his breath, then turned to his right, “Didja see that, JC?”

Troy watched a snow-covered car move slowly through the campground entrance, several hundred feet away. Slush sprayed against the tires as it made a turn and entered their long driveway.

The boy could see everything from his special lookout. He imitated an eagle on a perch, observing, analyzing and right now more than a little upset. Dad told him he needed a private space for himself. So this room was the perfect spot for an eleven-year old boy.

“Keeps you out of my hair too,” his father said.
It was also a good place for Troy to hide. He could fume and fuss without bothering Dad. The boy didn’t like to share his feelings, especially if Dad was drinking, like now.

Why shouldn’t he be upset? Dad promised to take him fishing. He had the perfect excuse not to. The weather was the pits, again.

However, JC should thank his lucky stars Troy allowed him to share his privacy. He was the only one who really understood Troy.

The car crawled across the mushy driveway, picking its way through the fog. “Hurry up so I can find out who you are,” Troy muttered under his breath. It couldn’t be anyone for him since he never had any visitors.

Well, not often anyways.

The vehicle looked like a toy from his miniature car collection. Or, a pirate ship disappearing and reappearing, drifting in and out of fog. Troy enjoyed watching old movies of galleons at sea.
Dad said he might even be a descendent of Noriz who fought for the British against the Spanish Armada. Interesting, Troy thought at the time.
Waves of sleet came as ocean waves. They brushed across the vehicle and smacked noisily into Troy’s house. The car left skidding footprints in its journey through the accumulating snow.

Troy couldn’t really see what color the car was.

“Green, I think,” JC mumbled.

“If it is green,” Troy snorted, “it might be a good sign the weather is finally going to change.” Green was his favourite colour. It meant campers and sunshine, and being warm.

Right now the freaky April weather was a traitor. Summer was soon going to be here. At least, that’s what it said on the calendar.

"I still say it’s green," said JC. Actually, JC was a figment of Troy’s overactive imagination. Dad got upset whenever he heard Troy speaking as if someone was standing right beside him.

“Stop talking to yourself,” dad often scolded. “It unnerves me.”

“What’s wrong if I make up a friend?” Troy asked at the time. “I’m not comfortable inviting anyone here.” Troy knew Dad was also embarrassed about the untidy house and empty beer bottles. He still had problems to work out.

Troy understood why the drinking had become worse.
He shoved back his blond hair. He wasn’t tall like others his age. Besides, his elbows were pointy. At least that’s what the kids at school said, during gym.

THIS NOVEL WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM SYNERGEBOOKS.

Story ID:	2084
Written by:	Richard L. Provencher (bio, link, contact, other stories)
Organization:	Retired
Story type:	Fiction
Location:	Truro Nova Scotia Canada
Year:	2007
Person:	Richard L. Provencher