Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Dan. Be sure to check out About Phillip here.
Dan is a normal kid who loves his soccer. Except everything goes wrong. Everything.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Dan Home) (Last) (Next)
Too Soon to Go Out
Boulder weather changes dramatically and quickly. Sunday found Boulder blessed with a Chamber-of-Commerce day: bright sunlight, cloudless skies, not even a trace of haze. It was noticeably cooler, though; fall weather would arrive soon. An entire branch on the lone aspen tree in Dan's front yard was yellow.
Dan heard the door bell ring and yelled from the bathroom. "Mom, can you get the door? I'm not ready."
Sam Campisi was framed in the doorway, compact and athletic, squirming in his Sunday suit. He was maybe 25, certainly not 30. The lopsided tie matched his lopsided smile. Everyone, even his wife, called him Brother Sam.
"Good morning, Sister Cook," he said. "I'm here to pick up Dan for church."
"I am Dan’s mother, but my name is Maria Forsythe, not Cook! I didn't know he was going. It’s not wise to drag him out of the house so soon."
Brother Sam tried to be cheerful. "He called me last night and asked for a ride. I assumed you knew. I apologize for any misunderstanding." He looked hopeful. He ran a finger inside his collar, making his tie even more crooked.
"Well, come in and we'll see what he's doing."
Brother Sam stepped into the living room and looked around uncomfortably. The disorganization was complete. The house smelled faintly like unwashed socks. Sam had never been here before. His mother had seen to that, having made it clear to Dan that no church people could visit.
"Please forgive me," she said dismissively as he came in. "Things have been hectic."
"Hi, Brother Sam!" yelled Dan. "Took me longer to get dressed than I thought."
Brother Sam followed the voice. He found Dan lying on his bed busy pinning an ancient pair of jeans around his bum leg. Maria followed Brother Sam into the bedroom.
"Ouch!" exclaimed Dan. "Can't get these stupid things through. Just too thick."
Maria shook her head with her nose in the air. "Dan, why didn't you tell me you were absolutely intent on church today…I could have helped you…I don’t think you have the strength to go…now stop fussing…there…you'd think you'd never seen a safety pin before…here…now let's pin this, too…don't you think these jeans are too grubby for church…what are people going to say…we can't split your suit, though…are you going to wear a white shirt with this…you can't…it just doesn't go…oh, come on, Dan…see reason!"
Dan lay back. "Mum! You're fussing again!"
"Dan, you can't try to wear a white shirt and a tie," she said, sweeping to his clean clothes pile. "Look. Here's a nice polo shirt. Please."
"Ok. But not when I get a walking cast."
She clucked as he wiggled into the shirt. He half-stuffed its tail into his pants. She put a sock on his bum leg rather forcefully, drawing a yelp from Dan. Brother Sam positioned the wheelchair.
Maria turned to Sam, drawing herself up to her full height. "Dan may think he has boundless energy, but please don't keep him too long. Perhaps just sacrament meeting?"
Brother Sam thought for a minute, looking at Dan.
"I'll leave it to Dan, but I'll keep an eye on him," he replied, trying hard to sound both cheerful and helpful.