Printed in the United States.

Introduction

I was once a young girl, a child who was painfully shy and easily intimidated by the powerful presence of others. I remember what it was like to feel alone, misunderstood, and lost within the growing social circles of life.

It took many years for me to come to understand that all kids are fearful and intimidated…many just show it in different ways but, all are off balance and unsure at some point in their youthful development. How I wish I had known then what I know now.

This story is about two such boys…Eric and Donavan. Two boys who’s greatest fear, they think, is to be a change in educational environment. How right they are and on so many levels!!!

Chapter One

The Vanishing Pond



Eric Anderson did not want to go on vacation this year and as the last bell rang, 

heralding the end of the day, as well as the end of the school year, Eric remained solemn 

(or sadly serious) and seated.

Childhood was just passing way too fast for Eric. This was to be his last year in elementary school and that just meant more of all the things Eric did NOT want any more of. More challenges, more kids who were older than himself, more big kids to pick on him and more trouble.

Donavan Hurried into Eric’s classroom. Donavan was Eric’s very best friend and panting, he hurried over to the desk where Eric was still sitting.

“Dude! Are you in trouble? On the last day of school, you managed to get yourself in trouble?!”

Eric shook his head then reluctantly slid from his seat.

“No Donny….I’m not in trouble.”

Slowly hefting his back pack from the back of the chair, as if it were the heaviest thing in the whole world, Eric tossed it over his shoulder. Donavan stared at his friend with his face all screwy, nose wrinkled and his fists on his hips.

“The Spring Fling Festival has already started out there buddy….what you just sittin’ in here for? Don’t you want a snow cone er somethin’?”

Donavan was easily six inches shorter than Eric and yet somehow he always managed to make Eric seem like the small one. Grabbing Eric behind the neck, in a friendly but demanding gesture, Donavan led his reluctant friend out the door and into the hall whispering,