Chapter 1 ~~Thankyou,Peter.
Kenneth kicked A lump of coal with the toe of his worn shoe,And watched it roll down the dusty brick road.It was December,And colder than ever.Especially for young lads like Kenneth,Who's worn clothing just barely kept him warm in Autumn. "Should of 'spected it."He muttered to himself."Should of known Ol' Harley was only lyin'." He had just come from one of the city's many alleys,Where he had met with Harley Smithe,A boy who was better off than he.Just the day before, Harley had told him that He'd give him some bread if he'd work at a few jobs for him. "I go all the way there,An' do his work.He never gave me nothin'I ought ta' go an' tell his Pop on him,that's what I should do.If his place were'nt five blocks away I might,But it looks like he's gonna' get 'way with it agin' this time."He sat down on the street curb and removed his cap. "Well,Geuss there's nothin' fer' me an' sis to eat today either,Nohow."He rand his hand through his tangled blond hair and sighed. "Prob'ly won't have nothin' tomorrow neither.That's the way it norm'ly goes.Guess I'd better get back an' tell Tina."He stood up and replaced his cap. "there you's be,Kenneth!"A voice shouted suddenly.Startled,Kenneth turned around."Oh,Peter,it's you."He said,Relief showing on his face. "Why,yes it's me,Kenneth."peter came closer."Whom did you's think I was?A bear?" "Course I di'nt think you was a bear!"Kenneth grinned."I's can tell the diff'rence between lads an' bears!Anyhow,What do you want from me?" "well,jus' over yonder,Down that street.Behind the ol' Rest'rant called Ninio's,They jus' filled the ol' dumpster with real good things ta' eat.An' no one but me an' you know 'bout it yet." "You ol' trickster,Peter!"Kenneth scowled."You be lyin' ta' me.Aint' ye?" "True as the word!I aint' lyin' sir!Jus' ye look an' see If I be lyin'."The look on peter's face convinced Kenneth,And smiling he answered,"Guess I can trust you,Peter." "Thank'ya,sir."Peter grinned."Ye know,It feels right when persons Ken' trust yer' word." "Come on,Let's go an' see what's in the ol' dumpster.""Right on,Kenneth,It's right over this way."He waved his hand in the direction of Ninio's italian Resteraunt,And both boys strode down the street.Although both were ragged and cold,at the moment they were content,knowing that the dumpster would contain something to put into their empty stomaches. "What a grand find this is,Aint' Kenneth?"Peter pulled out a bag of bread rolls and handed them to Kenneth."That should be 'nuff fer' you an' Tina almost.Shou'nt it?" "Thanks peter.Ya know,I was jus' about ta' head back an' tell Tina there was'nt nothin' ta eat jus' before you came along." "I sure am glad I came then."Peter jumped down from the dumpster."Woul ye look at this!Here's some chicken they did'nt want 'cause there's a tear in the bag.Not a mite else wrong with it neither.You take this back fer you an' Tina too."He handed Kenneth the bag. "thank,ya so very much peter.I'm sure Tina'll send her thanks too." "hope it'll be nuff' fer you's.Hey,Tomorrow you come back an' meet me here,Okay?" "I'll be here then."Kenneth waved his hand and was off.How happy he was to finally be able to eat to his poor sister. There were tears in Tina's eyes when he returned back at the shack."Oh,Kenneth!"she cried throwing her arms around his neck."I was so scared that someone had hurt you,and that you could'nt come back." "There,There,Little sister,"He patted her tangled,golden curls."I's was alright.Sorry it took me so long,nohow.Cheer up,I've brought us some food."She let go of his neck and looked down at what he held. "oh,Kenneth,where did you get,rolls,and...and chicken?" "Good ol' Peter came an' showed me the dumpster behind Ninios.Said they jus' filled it,an' helped me find this." "thankyou,Peter."She smiled taking a bite of Bread roll."you'll tell him that,Kenneth,Won't you?"Her Big brown eyes searched his face. "Course I will,Tina.Now you jus' eat your dinner."