(Note To Readers: There are several Italian words scattered throughout this section. Their English translations are provided in the Author's Notes area below.)

Last Time: However, Cody's remark grabbed Sheriff Daniels' attention. Curiously, he pondered, "Something I should know about, son?"

Cody dropped the fork he'd been playing with. He reached over and picked up the bottle of ketchup, as well as the salt and pepper shakers. He set them back down on the table in front of himself and said, "If I had a cup of hot water, I could make delicious tomato soup."

He wondered if his cryptic message sailed over the Sheriff's head?

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Acting like he was doing something special for the Sheriff, Fernando Augustus placed a squat bottle, encased in a fiasco, in the middle of the table, and proudly stated, "The chianti is magnifico! And, for you, it is on the house. Godere!"

Famished, Beth responded by ordering her meal, "I will try the penne alla Bolognese, unsweetened ice tea, and the brioche. They are all so meraviglioso!"

Another hard day's work in the books, it was Sheriff Daniels' turn to order his meal. He said, "I'll have a flatiron, medium-rare. Add a baked potato with sour cream, butter, and bacon bits. For a vegetable, I'll have the steamed broccoli. To drink?" He reflected for a moment then stated, "I will have coffee."

Sheriff Daniels turned to his son and asked him, "Cody, what would you like to have tonight? Perhaps a bacon cheeseburger and French fries? They are your favorite foods."

Now in one of his grumbler moods he occasionally entertained, Cody did not answer. He was still miffed off about the Wilson County Cattle Drive Extravaganza and Camp flyer Fernando Augustus had given the Sheriff. For his part, Fernando Augustus stood by. His patience persisted.

"Young Man, do we need to continue this conversation out in the shed when we get home?" Sheriff Daniels asked Cody. The seriousness of his tone indicated his displeasure at the inappropriateness of his son's behavior.

Beth reached out and gently patted the Sheriff's wrist. Under her breath, she whispered, "Brock, Cody's been under a lot of stress lately."

"It's been four days since Cody's encounter with Earl Anthony Schroder," Sheriff Daniels remarked. He glared at Cody and said in no uncertain terms, "I want you to pick that menu up off the table where you placed it, right now. You are to open it up and order yourself something to eat, even if it is only a bowl of the cheddar cheese soup you like so much."

Beth knew, as much as Sheriff Daniels loved Cody, that there were times parenting had to occur. She also realized, on those occasions, Brock Daniels had no problems with doing just that.

As Cody reached for the menu he'd laid on the table, Sheriff Daniels said a little mellower, "From now on, I expect a much better performance out of you than I've gotten lately, Little Man. Is that clear?

Cody looked at the Sheriff and replied with a half-hearted, "Yes, sir."

"Now order," Sheriff Daniels responded.

Slightly irritated by their heated exchange, Beth informed the Sheriff, "Cody's not perfect, Brock."

He looked at her and confirmed, "I don't want Cody to be perfect, Beth. What I want is for Cody to be himself again. The Cody we both know and love so much."

"Just give him a little time, Brock," Beth encouraged him, saying, "that's all Cody needs."

With their orders in hand, Fernando Augustus departed the table. He entered the kitchen and gave their orders to the chef. Then, behind a closed door, in the privacy of his office, he contacted a cellphone number.

"Did you provide Daniels the flyer as instructed?" the unidentified recipient of that phone call inquired.

"Si," Augustus faithfully established.

"Good. It is imperative I separate Cody Schroder as far away from Brock Daniels as possible," was the next comment Fernando Augustus heard spoken.

He almost felt remorse for his deed. However, he knew if you are thrifty with the pennies the dollars will roll in. Confirmation of that truism was the next word he heard.

The party he conversed with stated, "My Boston buyer is prepared to offer top dollar for such a fine specimen as Cody Schroder. I shall be in contact again, Fernando. There is more I wish for you to do."

With that the call ended. Shortly thereafter, Fernando Augustus plastered a smile on his face. He walked out into the ristorante to attend to Sheriff Daniels and his target. His financial difficulties would promptly become a distant memory.

"Shall we have dessert?" he asked them with gusto, exclaiming, "the tiramisu is fantastico!"

"I'm up for that," Cody immediately chimed in.

Brock Daniels beamed at the sudden change in Cody's attitude and thought to himself, "Well, it's about time, Little Man. Glad to have you back to your old self again!"


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Cast of Characters:

Cody Schroder - Blond munchkin and main character of the book

Sheriff Brock Daniels - Long time Sheriff of Astatula and Cody's Dad.

Beth Sorenson - Brock Daniels' long time lady friend. Brought Cody to Astatula.

Fernando Augustus - Proprietor of the Pasta Fairre Italiano Ristorante in Astatula.

Unknown Caller - Schemes to sell Cody Schroder to a buyer in Boston.

Chapter Word Count: 786

Book Word Count: 7,308