"Daddy, can we go to Frankenstein's now?" asked Maggie of her father. They had just unpacked. Eric had gone to his cabin to unpack.

"Passiflora, we just got here." said Bushroot, laying a hand on her shoulder. Don't you want to look around?"

Maggie nodded. "I'd like to go to the store."

"We'll go." said Reggie. "Probably tomorrow. We'd like to get settled first."

Lily called from the bedroom. "We should go to the store, Reggie, and get a few things for supper and breakfast."

"Okay." replied Reginald. "I'll find Eric and ask if he'd like to go."

Soon after, the family was climbing into the minivan again. Reggie came out with no disguise.

"Reggie...aren't you going to wear your disguise?" asked Lily.

Bushroot smiled at her. "Nope."

"But, Reggie..." said Eric. "What if someone..."

"What if they do?" said Bushroot as he started to climb into the van.

A moment later, he climbed out, went into the cabin, and returned wearing his Daytona Beach sweatshirt. "There. And if people stare, I'll be happy to say, 'See anything green? You bet.' "

Lily smiled. It was amazing how Bushroot had changed. He was not only unafraid to go out in public, but willing to show his pride in who he was. He looked so much better than he had when they had started out.

They drove away, down the road, and in a short while they were pulling into the supermarket parking lot. Maggie jumped out, eager to start, while Eric and Forrest were more subdued. All five entered the store.

They walked up and down the aisle of the relatively small market, buying basics like milk, bread, and a box of Burger Help for thier first night's dinner. A few customers did stop and look at Bushroot, who simply gave them a friendly smile and wave. But nobody panicked or tried to cause trouble.

"So far, so good." said Eric.

"This isn't St. Canard." replied Bushroot. "People don't know who I am here. Relax, Eric." He gave him a light slap on the back. Lily had never seen her husband so relaxed when out in public.

"Daddy, can we get some of these?" Maggie held up a bag of Cheese Bombs.

"No junk." replied Lily. "We'll get one bag of chips and a bottle of Kookie Cola. That's all."

Maggie raised her foot to kick at the display, but was stopped by a sharp look from Reginald. After this short delay, they proceeded to the checkout. Eric noticed Forrest looking at a magazine.

"What are you reading?" he asked.

Forrest looked at him. "It's about machines."

Eric picked up a copy of the book. Indeed, it was about different types of machines. He flipped through the pages and was delighted to see a whole section on clocks. "Hey, clocks and watches." he said, half to himself.

"Do you like watches?" asked Forrest. "Yours is nice."

Eric nodded. "Very much so. And thank you, it is nice, isn't it?" Forrest nodded. "How does it work?" he asked.

Eric looked at his watch. "I'll show you sometime. Come on, we'd better catch up with your mom and dad." He thought he noticed a small smile on Forrest's beak, a rare occasion. They went to the checkout.

As they were pulling out of the parking lot, Maggie spoke up again. "Daddy, can we please go to Frankenstein's?"

Bushroot sighed. "Maggie..."

"Maybe we can stop and buy a few things for the children to play with." said Lily. "A Frisbee, a beach ball..."

Reginald nodded. "Okay, but we're not buying the store out." He fixed Maggie with a look, but winked at her at the same time. Maggie giggled.

Frankenstein's was quite a place. It was filled with toys, novelty and gag items, and a variety of games. Eric immediately grabbed a Monopoly set. "Good thinking." said Reginald, as both loved the game, and played to win. Lily bought a Frisbee and a beach ball, as well as a few small games for indoors. Maggie could barely be restrained, as she ran from one thing to the next. Forrest preferred to quietly study the science-related items.

Eric knelt down beside him. "Heh...grow your own mini-garden." he said, indicating one of the kits. "Would you like that?"

Forrest looked at him. "I prefer to grow them myself." From anybody else the statement might have sounded rude, but Eric knew that Forrest was deadly serious...and could back up his words with actions.

Eric looked up to see Reginald standing there, smiling with pride. He had obviously heard his son's remark. "His father's son." commented Eric with a grin.

Reggie smiled even wider. "You'd better believe it." Perhaps for no other father and son was the statement more literally true. In a moment, Forrest got up and Reginald took him by the hand as they went to the counter. The sight of them walking side by side struck Eric. It was as if the phrase "his father's son" was invented for them.

Finally, they were on thier way back to the cabins, and their vacation could really begin.

It was early evening. The family had already eaten supper, and it was time to do a little exploring. Maggie and Forrest ran up and down the small beach, picking up shells and small pebbles. They also clambered over the massive rocks, barely heedful of thier parent's warnings.

The adults preferred to wait until the next day to look around. All three were sitting on lawnchairs in front of the Bushroots' cabin.

"It really is beautiful." said Reggie. "I'm glad you suggested this place."

Eric nodded. "I knew you'd like it. The ocean, rocks...and trees everywhere. Even seaweed."

Reginald laughed. "That's true, even though I have no control over seaweed. Nevertheless, they are plants, aren't they?"

Lily smiled. "I'm going to get a beautiful tan lying out there. I can't wait."

"You're not just going to lie out there and sunbathe?" said Bushroot. "We came here to have fun!" Suddenly, he jumped up and tossed the beach ball at Lily, who caught it and threw it back at him. Reginald missed, but Spike didn't. Always eager to play fetch, he leaped on the ball.

"Spike!" cried Reginald, pulling his pet off. "You'll burst it!" He fell on his behind, with Spike on top. He looked over to see Eric and Lily laughing so hard, they were almost in tears. Bushroot was annoyed at first, but then a silly grin broke out on his face. "Well, I paid 4 dollars for that." He started giggling along with his wife and friend.

Darkness fell, and the family went inside. The kids were put to bed, but a lot of giggling could be heard from thier room. Eric, Reginald and Lily stayed up for a few more minutes, but finally decided to call it a night.

"Goodnight, Reg." said Eric. "We'll take a good look around tomorrow."

Bushroot nodded. "Sure. Thanks again for mentioning this place. I feel like a new person already. Goodnight, Eric."

As Eric walked over to his cabin, he heard Lily call "Goodnight, Eric!"

"Goodnight, Lil!" he called back to the bedroom window. Then an unmistakeable voice calling "Goodnight, Uncle Eric!"

"Goodnight, John Boy!" yelled Reggie. Eric laughed and went over. As he climbed into bed, he thought, this was going to be the perfect weekend.

The following morning, Eric woke up to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. He rolled over and sleepily looked at his watch. Just about 10:00. He decided to get up-he wouldn't want to miss breakfast, and he didn't know how early the Bushroots ate.

He went over to find Lily in the kitchen. There were bowls on the table and a box of cereal, as well as several pieces of toast. Eric nodded to her in greeting, and sat down.

"Well, at least someone wants some breakfast." she called out in an unusually loud voice.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." came Reginald's muffled voice from the bedroom. He came out a minute later, looking half asleep. He yawned as he sat down.

"Didn't get much sleep?" asked Eric.

"It's not that." replied Reggie. "It was a long drive yesterday. I'll be okay once I get some food into me." He poured some cereal into a bowl and sprinkled something on top. Even though it was very little, Eric caught the scent.

"That's not fertilizer." said Lily.

"Only a little...on my cereal." said Reggie. "I need some energy, Lil, give me a break."

"Okay." said Lily. "Just keep it down to a little at the table."

They began to eat. Then Bushroot turned his head towards the kids' room. "Are you guys coming to breakfast, or would you prefer to go hungry?"

At length the kids came out, almost as sleepy as Bushroot had been. They served themselves.

"So...are you going to show us the ins and outs of this place?" Reginald asked of Eric.

"Sure." said Eric. "I know just about every rock out there. And every building. When I get through, you'll know it as well."

Lily laughed. "Then we'll place ourselves in your hands."

After breakfast, the family began by walking up the road past each cabin. Then Eric showed them the office, and indicated the house that belonged to the owner, just across the road.

"She only lives there in the summer." said Eric. "She has a winter home not far from here."

"What's that building?" asked Reggie, pointing to a structure next to the office. It was similar to the other cabins, but longer, and with no windows.

"The laundry room." said Eric with a smile. As they continued, the road split-on the left, it led back to the main road, and on the right, it led up to some larger cabins just barely visible.

"It's lovely." said Lily. "It's so...simple in design."

"I always liked it." replied Eric.

Then Eric had a thought. "I want to show you something." He went over to the laundry cabin and opened the door in the side. "Come in...just for a moment."

The Bushroots entered. "Are you sure we're allowed to do this?" asked Reginald.

"Sure." said Eric. "We had the run of the place when we were little."

Reginald looked quickly behind him. The kids were sitting on the grass, seemingly fascinated by it. He smiled slightly and turned back towards the room.

Sheets, blankets and pillow cases piled up in baskets in the middle of the floor. A washer and dryer were along the wall to thier left. But what really caught thier attention was what Eric was standing next to-an old Coca-Cola cooler. It was red, with the words "Drink Coca-Cola" on the side in the familiar script. Most of the top space was taken up by the lid, but there was a small compartment holding a coin slot and bottle opener near the edge.

"Wow..." said Reggie. "I've never seen one this old before."

"How old is it?" asked Lily.

"I don't know." replied Eric. "I would say it goes back to at least the 50's. They used to use it here to put lobsters in."

Bushroot laughed. "You don't say." He contined to examine the cooler closely. He seemed to be fascinated by it.

"Come on, Reg." said Eric. "We really shouldn't be in here." He turned to leave. Now Bushroot was lifting the door that concealed the bottle opener. He looked for all the world like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Reggie..." Lily gently tugged her husband's arm. "You can look at the cooler later."

Bushroot reluctantly moved away. "Oh...kay." They left the building.

Now they were ready for the natural part. Everyone stepped down the small drop that seperated the grassy area from the beach. The kids were immediately fascinated by the shells, seaweed and small pebbles that were everywhere. They started picking them up and putting them in thier pockets.

"Oh, oh." said Lily. "I think we're going to have a crowded van."

"Guys, leave some behind for someone else!" called Reginald, half-jokingly. The kids kept right on picking up souveniers, with Spike a willing assistant.

"Don't wander too far!" called Lily. "We won't!" called Maggie back. The adults left them and climbed up on the rocks.

They really were huge, and stretched across the beach and well off into the distance. Here and there were small pools in between the rocks. Barnacles covered the rocks that were closer to the ocean, which was starting to creep closer as the tide began to come in. They stepped from one rock to another, Reggie rather gingerly because of the shape of his feet.

"It's beautiful." said Lily. "I'm going to have to take some pictures."

Reginald sat down by one of the larger pools of water. He stuck one foot in and drew a little water through his root feet. "Yeow!" he cried. "It's cold!"

"What do you expect?" said Eric. "It's the North Atlantic."

"Someone had better stick to taking it by mouth." said Lily, giving him a wink.

Unless I'm alone or with Spike, thought Reginald. He clambered up and went to continue the tour with his wife and friend.

END OF PART 2


Reginald Bushroot, Spike and St. Canard are the property of Disney and used without permission. Lily, Maggie and Forrest Bushroot are the property of Tracy Pierce and used with permission. Eric is property of the author. Coca-Cola is a registered trademark of the Coca-Cola Company. And as always, this story is written for fun and not profit. (C) 2000 Eric Smith.


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