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)
Gotta Ask Dan
Phillip started stuffing his books into his backpack. Fifth period was nearly over and with it his web hosting class, one of the few where he did well. He was in a hurry. Dan had fifth period lunch and would probably just be leaving the cafeteria on his way to sixth period. Phillip had tried to grab Dan between classes for a day and a half but kept missing him.
The web hosting class was full of people who somehow looked just like Phillip—not too big, many with glasses, none very athletic. Even the girls looked like the boys. Several hovered over computers, not hearing the bell. Two were gazing at a large sheet of butcher paper with what looked like a family tree on it; it had the words "Data Flow Diagram" written at the top in Magic Marker.
Phillip gave up trying to fit all his books and junk into his backpack. He grabbed the remaining two books and ran to the door. He ignored his teacher’s call and nearly pushed a girl over on his way out the door.
Once in the hallway his troubles were compounded. Most of the school had fifth period lunch (Phillip had lunch during fourth period) so he would be swimming upstream. And, the fact that he wasn’t the tallest student made it all the harder. He kept his eyes open for Dan as he dove into the mad, colorful rush.
Someone knocked a book out of his hand. He bent to pick it up and his glasses fell off. He dropped his backpack to rescue them. He worried Dan might slip past him in the confusion.
He got to the cafeteria entrance just in time to see Dan emerge with his perennial sidekick Peter. They were strolling toward their chemistry class as if nothing mattered in the world. But much mattered to Phillip. He had to separate the two somehow, talk to Dan and then get himself to sixth period English. He already had two tardies in English. One more and he’d start losing points. Mrs. Hartman made that very clear.
In a rush he stood in front of Dan and Peter, chest heaving. He suddenly realized he hadn’t rehearsed what to say.
Dan and Peter stopped and looked at Phillip’s flapping figure in front of them.
"Well, Phillip, on your way to lunch? I don’t think there’s much in there worth rushing for," said Peter.
"No. I just want to talk to Dan," replied Phillip.
"Well," grinned Dan, "you’ve got two for the price of one. Fire away!"
Phillip looked around at the noise and confusion in the hallway for a quiet spot. There was none. Peter and Dan were staring intently at him, both highly entertained. Phillip cringed, but feeling very conscious of the time, blustered ahead.
"Will you ordain me?"
Peter looked puzzled. Dan was surprised.
"Better give me some more information," said Dan. "First, it sounds like you turned sixteen." Peter still looked puzzled.
"Tomorrow."
Matthew stepped out of the cafeteria. He sauntered over to stand with Phillip, Peter and Dan.
"So why do you want me to ordain you? What about your dad?" asked Dan.
Phillip was chagrined, especially with Matthew standing there. But before he could reply, Peter jumped in.
"What’s this ‘ordain’ thing?" he asked.
"It’s false doctrine," said Matthew.
Peter didn’t bother looking at Matthew. "Bug off, crustacean," he said.
Dan ignored them both. "I’m happy to, but what about your dad?"
Peter went back to looking politely puzzled. Matthew smirked. Phillip looked down at the ground.
"Dad says you should do it," he muttered resignedly.
"Well, I don’t think I want to get in the middle of this," said Dan, warily. "Why does your dad want me to do it?"
Phillip sighed. "I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m your home teacher."
"Finally!" said Peter. "Something I understand!" Matthew looked smug but said nothing.
Dan continued to ignore Peter. "Look," he said. "I’m game. But if you change your mind, that’s fine, ok? Brother Sam was the one to ordain me, so he’s another possibility."
"I know. But if it can’t be my dad, can you do it?" Phillip’s eyes were hopeful.
"Sure. This Sunday? When?"
"Yeah, Sunday. Don’t know what time, I guess after church."
"Look," said Dan. "Gotta run to 6th period with Peter to make sure he gets there. See you Sunday. Oh, and happy birthday!"
"Thanks," said Phillip, not looking up and trying to ignore Matthew. He turned toward his English class and ran headlong into Melanie.