To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-4602-8
ISBN-10: 1-4201-4602-5

ISBN: 978-1-4201-4602-8

I’d like to dedicate this book to a very special lady—the real Frances Gossett and her beloved companion, Sawdust, both featured as characters in this book. I hope you enjoy the book, Frances.

Fern

Prologue

Cosmo Cricket turned the key in the lock, hoping his father hadn’t put on the deadbolt, and entered the house he’d grown up in. He winced, wrinkling his nose as every ugly scent in the world enveloped him. He called out, “Pop! It’s me, Cosmo. Where are you?”

“Where do you think I am? I’m right where I was the last time you came uninvited to my house. What do you want this time? How’d you get in here, anyway?” came the snarling reply.

Cosmo sucked in a deep breath, then wished he hadn’t as he headed to what his late mother had called the family room, where his father basically lived. Cosmo had always loved the room because his mother had made sure it was a real family room. Everything was homemade, warm, and cozy. Was being the operative word, he reminded himself.

“You know what, Pop, I’ve had enough of your attitude. You need to give up this ‘oh poor me’ crap. I get that you don’t want me coming here, but you promised to answer the phone when I call, which is three times a day. I’m here because you didn’t answer the phone. And let me tell you something else. If you’d had that damn deadbolt on, I would have kicked the door in. Mom’s been gone for almost two years. She’s not coming back. You’re still here, and I don’t want to lose you, too. Now, having said that, I’m here to make some changes, whether you like it or not. From here on in, it’s my way since your way didn’t work. Look at you! You should be ashamed of yourself. Mom has to be spinning in her grave at what you’ve become.”

Without another word, the giant who was Cosmo Cricket trundled on feet as big as canoes into the family room, where he picked up his frail, scrawny father, who used to be as big as Cosmo, and headed for the bathroom. He turned on the shower and pushed his father, clothes, shoes, and all under the hot, streaming spray. “Take off your clothes and use soap. If you don’t, I’ll come in there and soap you up myself. Do not forget to wash your hair. Three times will be good. I’m going to lean up against the door, and you are not getting out until I decide you smell like a flower. Do you hear me?” he roared.