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 Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
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 Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Brother Sam Wants to Know What the Noise Is
"Hi, guys, just thought I’d drop in to see how things are going," said Brother Sam.
Now, it’s one of the quirks of the Mormon Church that on the one hand it has a standard organization chart for use by each ward, but on the other hand, people are constantly rotated through those positions. Since Brother Sam was Young Men’s President, he had responsibility for all youth activities regarding the boys. Including scouting. That meant that, at least in this instance, Lance worked for Brother Sam.
Lance slowly sat down. Phillip, glad to see Brother Sam, did the same.
Sam closed the door behind him. "Phillip," he said in a friendly voice, "I think you were just commenting on your interest in scouting. What’s going on?"
Phillip blurted out, "Can I just quit Scouts, Brother Sam?" He was pleading.
Brother Sam pulled up a chair next to Phillip and spoke quietly in his soothing manner. "No, Phillip, you can’t quit, because as long as you’re a young man you’re a scout. But that just means we have you on our records. As I recall, you’re a Star Scout."
Phillip nodded.
"Well, then, you’re a Star Scout. Now, tell me. Why did you do what it took to become a Star Scout?"
Phillip thought for a moment. "Well, it was the thing to do, y’know." He glanced at his dad and then turned back to Brother Sam. "And Dad wanted me to," he said more firmly.
"Did you ever enjoy it?"
"No. Well, sometimes. The camping trips were fun. The river rafting was cool."
"Yes, I remember pulling you out of the river myself! But tell me…"
Lance could stand this no longer. "Son, don’t you know how important scouting is? How important it is to have ‘Eagle Scout’ on your resume? Richard’s an Eagle Scout and you and Martin should follow in…"
Brother Dean cleared his throat. Lance stared at him again.
"I have a confession to make," said Brother Dean. Now everyone stared at him. "I agree Scouting is a good program. But…" his voice trailed off. "I never even made Tenderfoot. They had a swimming requirement I just couldn’t meet."
Lance was aghast. "The Brethren say scouting is our young men’s program and…"
"Yes, I know and I fully support that or I wouldn’t have accepted this calling," stammered Brother Dean. "But, you know, really, if Phillip continues to work toward his Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God Certificates, I think that’s really quite a good thing. And you are, aren’t you, Phillip?"
"Yes," said Phillip in a small voice. "I am. I already got my teacher certificate. I’m becoming a priest in a week and a half."
"Son, now look," pleaded Lance. "I’m your father. I really think scouting is important. You’d really enjoy it if you could just put some heart into it."
Phillip paused for emphasis. He spoke firmly. "Dad, who’s scouting for, you or me?"
Lance slowly sat all the way back in his chair, defeated. His eyes were bright. Brother Dean and Brother Sam were silent.
"Ok then, it’s settled," said Phillip softly. "I’m not working on any more merit badges. Just my Duty to God Certificate once I’m ordained a priest."
He stood and looked at the three adults. "Who do you want me to send in next?"