George started his enjoyable summer by sleeping in the next morning. At 7:00 sharp, his feet hit the floor with one big jump and he was moving. In a matter of minutes, he was dressed, downstairs, and having the meal that his mother had made him that morning. It was his favorite breakfast; Cheesy Skillet as they came to call it and a glass of Hood milk. "I need you to mail this letter for me," Mom told George. "Can I go to the General Store and hang around in town for awhile, after I mail the letter?" He asked. "You may," his mother replied. He eagerly grabbed his bicycle helmet, a bottle of water, and his wallet. Then, he raced up the hill on his bike to Hurdsridge. Arriving at the local post office he jumped off his bike, snatched the letter, and waltzed into the post office. Once there, he had a lengthy conversation with Renata the postal lady, she was a middle height lady with curly black hair and brown eyes. George said goodbye to Renata, and decided to head across town to his friend James' house before he went to the store. On his way to James house, he noticed Lucy planting some flowers in her yard. He waved and started thinking about the time when she had hired him to water her flowers while she was on vacation. He had been so excited and had so much fun that week. Just as his mind wandered back to the present, he saw James' house up ahead. When he got there, he saw James in the backyard playing with his metal detector. James was the same age as George and was also homeschooled. He was a short boy with fire red hair and had a medium build. "Hey, want to go to the store with me?" George called out. "Sure " James replied. "Let me get my wallet. I want to get a couple candy bars." So they hopped on their bikes and pedaled happily to the store. As they made their way to the store, James said to George, "I wonder how many gossips are at the store today?" "Oh, there's usually at least one in there rambling on about something." They both laughed. They pulled into the dirt driveway, walked inside, and started browsing. "Darn " James disappointedly said. "They are all out of 3-Musketeers." The general store owner, Bobby, called from his rocking chair across the small general store. "What, don't I have that you need?" "Nothing really." James replied. So, George got a bag of chips and a Coke. James got a jumbo bag of Sour Patch Kids and a Hershey's chocolate bar. When they got up to the counter, Bobby tried to get out of his rocking chair, but was stuck. He was a heavy man with blonde hair, blue eyes and wore glasses. "I guess you are going to have to pull me out; I seem to be wider then my rocking chair." Bobby called out across the store. George and James looking at each other and snickering both grabbed a hold of Bobby and pulled as hard as they could. "Thanks, Buds." He replied. He rung them up at the cash register, but the trick was always trying to catch your change, because he was famous for throwing it across the counter at his customers. "I got robbed the other day; don't you know, dudes?" "No, we actually didn't know." George replied. Ya, he took my entire selection of 3-Muskateers, the hot pizza I had just put on the counter, and my entire wad from yesterday's 15 customers, it totaled as close as I can figure to around $75.00. It was one of the most profitable days and out of all things he could of taken, why my 3-Muskateers? I like to snack on those while I work." Then, he mumbled to himself. "They are the reason I can't get out of my rocking chair." Just then, another customer came in. It was one of the morning gossipers. George and James slipped out the door before Bobby had a chance to start a new conversation.