Showering
became a musical revival of the show they had seen the night before, and
Samantha insisted Alex join her in the duets. Alex shook her head and smiled
when Samantha coaxed
her to use the showerhead like a microphone. In spite of the water play, they
were dressed and downstairs in record time.
Alex
checked the schedule before they left the suite. The bus stop was at Times Square, within walking distance from the hotel, but she had
promised Samantha breakfast before boarding, so they would not make the first
round with the tour bus.
They
were bundled for winter, but the first blast of cold morning air still took
their breaths away. If they hadn’t been fully awake when they left the suite,
winter’s chill had definitely seen to it that they became so.
Radio
City Music Hall was to be their final stop on the tour, and although a tour was
included in the price of the ticket, there was a separate fee to attend the
Rockettes’ Christmas Extravaganza. Alex had not gotten advance tickets for the
show, but a sweet surprise had been waiting for them when they arrived back at
the suite the night before. A card from Uncle Al revealed that he had thought
ahead. The note attached to the tickets inside the card read:
Couldn’t resist getting these. They are special seats for my favorite gals and include a backstage pass. The only catch is that there are three tickets and only two of you . . . guess I’ll be joining you (big grin). I’ll meet you at the box office 15 minutes before show time. Don’t be late! Christmas Love, Uncle Al.
At
breakfast they discussed the upcoming tour. Samantha was especially excited
about riding on a double-decker bus, especially one that traversed the city in
a continuous loop throughout the day.
"So,
our tickets are good for the entire day?"
"Absolutely,"
Alex answered. "We have the option of getting off at any of the stops and
spending as much time as we want. We can always catch the next bus that comes
our way."
"I
can’t wait to start," Samantha said. She finished the last crumbs of her
bagel and downed her tea.
"Okay
then, if you’re finished filling that belly of yours, let’s go. You should have
enough insulation to last a few hours at least."
"I’ll
pretend I didn’t hear that." Samantha smiled and gently nudged Alex in the
ribs. "Be nice, it’s Christmas."
"I
am being nice," Alex replied, with a large grin.
The
bus station was easy to spot because of the line of excited tourists, all
willing to brave the winter weather to take in the sights of the Big Apple. The
sun was shining and trying its best to bring the weatherman’s prediction of
warmer weather to fruition. Once they boarded the bus, everyone was thankful
there was only a small breeze.
"We
can go to the lower level, if it gets too chilly up here," Alex reminded
Samantha.
"Oh, no. The view is worth a
little temporary discomfort. Alex, look over there." Samantha pointed
toward a large building. "It’s Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. You know, I’ve
never been to a wax museum."
"You
might have mentioned that when we were in San Francisco, Samantha. We won’t
have time to go there while we’re here now, but I guess that’s what repeat visits are for. Anything you miss seeing this time we
can catch on our next trip. It will be up to you to put it on your wish list.
Of course, if it’s something you don’t want to leave the city without seeing,
we can get off the bus and try to make room for it today, or extend the stay in
the city."
"Will
we have enough time to keep getting on and off the bus?" Samantha asked.
"Well,
we have time to do it a few times, but the Statue of Liberty is going to take
quite a slice out of today’s agenda, unless you only want to see her from
afar."
"No.
I definitely want to see her up close and personal."
The
bus had already passed Greenwich Village and Chinatown. Samantha aimed her
camera at the Brooklyn Bridge as it came into view.
Alex
put a hand over the lens. "Honey, why don’t we get some of the souvenir
pictures the guide was telling us about and save the pictures we take for ones
with people in them?"
"Oh
. . . um . . . okay."
The
tone of Samantha's voice made the brunette immediately sorry. "Listen,
hon, if you want to take pictures, it’s okay with
me––really. I was just thinking about everything you’ll miss if you keep trying
to capture a fleeting building or sign."
A
smile returned to the blonde’s face. "You know, Alex, you’re right. It
would be better to get the professional pictures of scenery and save the
personalized ones for––personal stuff."
Alex
gave Samantha a hug and pointed out that they were close to Battery Park.
"That’s where we board the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of
Liberty. Ready for a water ride?"
"You
bet!"
********************
The
loading of the ferry was slow, but there was plenty to see as they waited for
the boat to fill. Finally, they were traveling across toward the huge statue.
The water was a bit choppy and more than once Samantha grinned at the disgusted
look that crossed Alex’s face when she was sprayed with seawater and a crisp
breeze. Her amusement at Alex’s disgruntled expressions made her own temporary
discomfort quite forgettable. To keep from getting seasick she kept putting
pressure on the inside of her wrist. She had read about the trick in some
magazine and it seemed to be working fine.
When
they disembarked, Alex took Samantha's hand. "Wanna see the view from the
crown? There doesn’t seem to be a very long line."
"Sure."
"It’s
a rugged climb." The look on Alex’s face made Samantha edgy.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. A little morning
exercise will do us both some good."
"Ah,
I see. You think I can’t climb all the stairs."
"Did
I say that?"
"Of
course you didn’t, but your face did. I’m not as wimpy as you think. Let’s
go!"
"I’m
right behind you."
By
the time they reached their destination, Samantha could not deny that she was
more than a little winded. Small puffs of visible air escaped from her nostrils
and mouth. She looked back in awe at the New York City skyline. "Wow! What
a great view. Can you imagine coming from a foreign country, spending weeks on
a ship, and then viewing this sight for the first time? Look at me, I was born
in this country, and I’ve got goose bumps."
"Yes,
but you’re a pushover for anything patriotic or romantic."
"And
that’s bad?"
"Absolutely
not, it’s one of the things I love most about you. We need more patriots and
rotics here."
Alex
draped her arm around Samantha, and they stood in silence, watching small waves
break on the water, each absorbed in her own thoughts.
Alex
cleared her throat and broke the mood with the suggestion that they take the
elevator down. Samantha didn’t lose any time in agreeing with her.
"It’s
not that I couldn’t walk back down, you know,” she explained. “I just don’t
want to waste time."
"Oh,
I understand completely, honey." Alex winked at her lover and received a
playful nudge in the ribs. "Speaking of time, I think we should pass on
looking around the museum for now. I think it best we take in a different view
of the harbor and then get back on the ferry. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure,
but which view?"
"The one from the pedestal observation deck.
Do you think you can deal with another 192 steps?"
"Hey,
I can if you can," Samantha retorted.
"All
right, smarty, then let’s go."
Hand
in hand they entered the elevator leading to the pedestal.
********************
Time
sped by as quickly as the taxis darting through New York City. Samantha was
staring at the United Nations towers one minute, and the next thing she knew
the driver was announcing Radio City Music Hall as the next stop.
"Want
lunch before we go on the theater tour and meet up with Uncle Al?" Alex
whispered in Samantha’s ear. "I know he’ll insist on dinner afterward, but
we’d better eat something light, before your stomach starts growling."
Samantha
tilted her head. "And what makes you think my stomach will grumble at an
inappropriate time?"
"Oh,
I don’t think, I know. It’s a given. We haven’t fed the little monster in way
too long; it’s more than time for a belly mumbling."
Samantha
giggled and agreed that she was getting hungry. Time was still of the essence,
so they opted for a quick deli sandwich at an open café close to the theater.
When
they finished they took the tour and then proceeded back to the lobby to wait
for Uncle Al. When he arrived it was a sight to see. As flamboyant as ever, he
entered the lobby and began waving a fur draped arm in the air when he spotted
his two favorite women.
"My
girls!" he addressed them well before he was in hugging distance.
"Merry Christmas, and welcome to New York."
"I
can’t wait to see the show, Uncle Al," Samantha said when she could
finally extricate herself from his embrace. "What a wonderful
present."
"This
is nothing compared to the treat in store for us when see Liza tomorrow
night."
"Are
we ready to be seated?" Alex interjected.
"Absolutely." Uncle Al waved
a hand and motioned the women toward the theater.
Between
backdrops of Santa’s workshop and memorable scenes of New York, Santa landed on
Fifth Avenue as the dancers came running out of a revolving door. There was
even a duplicate in miniature, of the Rockefeller Center ice-skating rink and
Christmas tree. The finale had the entire audience mesmerized as the Rockettes
re-enacted the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in their Living Nativity.
Even Samantha was at a loss for words as they exited the theater.
"You’re
terribly quiet, Sam, my girl. Did you enjoy the performance?"
She
turned and gave him a huge hug. "Enjoy does not express my feelings, Uncle
Al. That was a fantastic show, from the first curtain until the last. Now I
know why it’s so difficult to get tickets to see the Rockettes and why they’ve
decided to take the show on the road so the rest of the country has a chance to
see it."
"I
guess that’s a definite yes," he gave Samantha a peck on the cheek. "So, Alex, any suggestions for dinner?"
"None,
Uncle Al, this is your party."
"In
that case, I think we’ll save the elegant dinner for tomorrow night and take a
trip to the wild side tonight. I know you’re already had a busy day and I
promise not to keep you out until the break of dawn. Anyone interested in a
quaint little night spot in the Village where the coffee is as thick as the
conversation and the music is soft and low?"
"Sounds
interesting," Samantha replied.
"You
lead; we’ll follow," Alex seconded.
Uncle
Al positioned himself between the two young women, and with his arms around
their shoulders, he escorted them out of the building and into a waiting
limousine. "No sense slumming too much." He grinned when he saw the
expression on Samantha's face. "I hate waiting for taxis, and even more, I
hate the way they smell."
The
rest of the evening was pure Uncle Al. The owner of the jazz club knew him by
name and there was a table waiting for them when they arrived. Dinner was
excellent, the music flowed, and as promised, conversation did the same. A few
of Uncle Al’s friends joined them for dessert and drinks, and the night passed
quickly into early morning. True to his word, Uncle Al got them home before
dawn—not much before, but the first rays of morning had not yet started their
climb over the skyscrapers of the never-sleeping city. As the chauffeur opened
the door for the women to get out, Uncle Al serenaded them with his version of
"Lullaby of Broadway."
"Not you, too!"
Alex shook her head.
Uncle
Al looked at her questioningly.
"I
sang it to her yesterday," Samantha giggled.
"Great
minds," Uncle Al replied.
"Great night!"
Samantha answered. Before getting out, she kissed him good night. "Thank
you so much, Uncle Al."
"Ditto,"
Alex chimed in.
"You’re
both more than welcome. You know that. It was my pleasure. And I know you don’t
have a lot planned for tomorrow . . . ah . . . today, so sleep in. Pamper
yourselves. Rest and be ready for a fabulous show and dinner tonight."
"I
don’t think Samantha will have any trouble sleeping in," Alex responded.
"And I think we’ll take your advice and just make tomorrow, or today, a
kick-back day. We might as well save our energy for the evening." She
leaned into the car, kissed him good night, and whispered in his ear.
"Thanks for making this trip so special for Samantha. I know she’ll never
forget it."
He
whispered back, "Anything to make you and Sam happy, Alex; you know
that." With a royal wave he dismissed them and motioned the driver to go
on. "Sleep well, my beauties," he called to them as the limousine
pulled out into the predawn traffic.
********************
Samantha
allowed no lull in the conversation on the way to the suite. She recounted the
entire day, and Alex was still nodding in agreement when she finally put the
keycard in the lock and opened the door. "I know it’s not really home, but
it feels good to be away from all the crowds. I can’t wait to feel those crisp
sheets and soft pillow."
"Oh,
Alex, I just know I won’t be able to get sleep for hours," Samantha
insisted. "I’m wound too tight to sleep. I’ll be watching the sun come up
over the skyscrapers."
"Right, and I’ll be sleeping until afternoon." Alex
retorted, as she headed for the bathroom.
Samantha
raced her to the doorway. "I’ll just be a minute," she promised, as
she took off her dress and plopped onto the commode.
"You
should have let me go first," Alex pouted. "I’m not the one who
denies being tired."
"Not
being tired has nothing to do with having to go," Samantha answered.
"There, I wasn’t long." She quickly washed her face and hands and
took the toothbrush to her teeth. "I’ll be waiting for you," she
cooed as she left the bathroom and climbed into bed. But contrary to her
statement, slumber overwhelmed her as soon as her head hit the pillow. When
Alex stepped out of the bathroom she was greeted by the slow, steady breathing
of her partner. "Not able to sleep, huh?" the brunette whispered.
"You took quite a bite out of the Big Apple today, my Destiny." She
climbed into bed and smiled as Samantha resituated her body to cuddle into her
normal sleeping position, with her head on Alex’s chest. "Sleep well,
sweetheart," Alex murmured as she kissed Samantha on the head. A contented
murmur was her reply from the sleeping woman in her arms.
********************
Alex
had pulled the blackout drapes closed before getting into bed so the sun
wouldn’t tease her into getting up before she really wanted to. Her inner alarm
had tried to coax her once or twice, but she fought the urge to get up and
snuggled closer with Samantha. The smell of Shalimar still lingered from the
night before, and Alex could feel a twinge of desire to awaken her lover with a
bit of morning delight. But she allowed her logic to outweigh her passion, and
after the third wake-up call from her body, slipped adeptly from Samantha's
hold without waking her. The drapes in the living room had not been drawn and
as she entered the room the midday sun hit her squarely in the eyes, causing
her to squint. I guess I was almost as
tired as Samantha. The clock in the kitchen showed it to be one o’clock. No wonder my stomach feels like my throat’s
been cut. As much as Samantha loves sleep, she loves food more; she must be
exhausted if her stomach hasn’t awaken her yet.
Alex filled the teapot and turned on the TV to watch the news.
About
the time the pot started to whistle, a groggy voice
emanated from the bedroom. "What’s for breakfast?"
"You
slept through breakfast," Alex replied.
"Huh-uh. I did not."
Samantha objected.
"Oh,
but I beg to differ with you. Check the clock."
There
was a rustling of sheets, the sound of feet hitting the floor, and the
appearance of a disheveled blonde at the doorway separating the living from the
sleeping quarters. "Why’d ya let me sleep so late?"
"Excuse
me?"
"We’re
on vacation," Samantha pouted. "I’m not suppose
to sleep like I do at home on the weekend. We have things to do, places to go, and people to see."
Alex
nodded her head and smiled. "That we do, honey, but we don’t have to do
anything to do right now. Today is a day for relaxing, remember. Tonight you’ll
get your fill of excitement, I promise."
Samantha's
green eyes twinkled, "When you put it that way, I guess the only
reasonable question would be what’s for . . . um . . . lunch?"
They
both laughed and Alex motioned for Samantha to sit while she got them both a
cup of tea. They decided to order up from the hotel restaurant and to watch a
movie while they ate. After a leisurely lunch they decided to put the Jacuzzi
to good use.
Alex
sat on one side of the bubbling tub, rubbing Samantha's foot.
"Oh,
that feels so good," Samantha purred. "I didn’t realize we had walked
so much yesterday."
"Yep,
and all on hard cement," Alex replied. "You’ve become a beach walker;
there’s a big difference." She gently massaged Samantha's feet and then
slowly slid her hands up the outside of her lover’s legs, drawing the smaller
woman close. "You know we could continue relaxing in the other room."
"You
want to watch another movie?"
"That’s
not exactly what I had in mind." Alex raised an eyebrow and gave Samantha
a crooked smile.
"Are
you trying to seduce me?"
"Am
I succeeding?" Alex asked. She put small amount of space between them and
traced the contour of Samantha's face with her fingers. "I can be very
persuasive." She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lover’s
lips.
Samantha's
lips opened to allow Alex’s tongue entrance. After a lingering kiss Samantha
pulled away. "Wait! Isn’t it almost time to get dressed for the
theater?"
"Haven’t
you ever heard of a quickie? I can assure you . . ." She was interrupted
by the ringing of the telephone. "Damn!"
"You
could just let the service get it," Samantha suggested.
"No,
it’s probably Uncle Al. If I don’t answer, somehow he’ll figure out why, and
then I’ll never live it down." She grabbed a towel and bolted for the
bedroom.
Samantha
could hear Alex’s part of the conversation as she walked back into the
bathroom, carrying the phone. "Okay. Yeah, that sounds great. No . . . no problem. See ya soon."
"Uncle Al?"
"Yes. So much for the quickie, he’ll be here in an hour. It seems there’s this before-the-theater party he’s been invited to. He thought you’d get a kick out of going to it."
"Oh, I would. That’s so sweet of him."
"Yeah, sweet," Alex mumbled.
Samantha got up from the tub and gave Alex a hug. "No pouting."
"I’m not pouting."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are . . . hey, no fair, put me down."
Alex carried the still-dripping Samantha and plopped her unceremoniously on the bed. She took off her towel and covered Samantha with it. "Time to get ready for the evening, princess, your knight in shining armor will be here within the hour."
********************
True to his word, Uncle Al arrived on time and with gifts in hand. Alex opened the door and he handed her a box of chocolates. "Sweets for the sweet."
"How original," she muttered as she kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, but are you sure you didn’t mean these for Samantha?"
"No, my darling, those are for you." From behind his back he produced a dozen long-stemmed lavender roses. "These are for Samantha."
"You sure know the way to that woman’s heart. Lucky for me you’re not Aunt Al, I might have competition."
"Never, Alex, no one could steal that little charmer away from you. And speaking of Sammy, where is she?"
"Putting on the finishing touches. I’ll go get her. I think there’s a vase in the kitchen if you want to have it ready for those flowers."
"That’s right, put me to work," Uncle Al teased.
********************
The remainder of the evening flew by like the best kind of dream, one from which you awaken with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. Samantha was fascinated with meeting the celebrities that Uncle Al knew personally at the before-theater party. Liza’s show was absolutely fabulous, and Samantha's stomach whirled when she learned the star would be at the after-theater party.
They had been a threesome until near the end of the evening when Uncle Al met up with a friend he hadn’t seen in years. He apologized to the women but asked if they would mind very much finding their own way home.
"No problem," they answered immediately and in unison.
"That’s my girls." He kissed them both.
"Thank you so much for . . ."
"No, no, no, Sammy. I’ll have none of that." He placed a finger on her lips. "It was my pleasure to take the two of you out and show you a little of my adopted town." He leaned close to Samantha's ear. "I’ve never seen my little Al so happy. Thank you, my lovely." He kissed her once again on the cheek and then turned to give Alex a hug. "Merry Christmas to my favorite girls! I’ll be in touch, I promise. You have yourselves a fantastic New Year’s Eve. Alex, tell your moms I said hello. Okay, gotta run. Looks like Tommy is ready to leave." Without another word he exited the room with his friend.
"Looks like we’re on our own. Have you had enough fun for one evening?" Alex asked.
"I do believe the evening has turned to morning already," Samantha said. "But to answer your question, yes, I’m ready to leave."
On the way back to the hotel Alex playfully teased her lover about how tongue-tied she had been when she was introduced to Liza. "Your cheeks actually matched her dress."
"I don’t care how blushed I was, smart butt; I got to meet and talk to Liza Minnelli. This has all been so much fun. I’ve never had such a wonderful Christmas."
In a strange voice Alex asked, "What made it the most wonderful? Was it the trip to New York or the theater tonight and the parties?"
"Oh, no you don’t, Alexis Dorian. I’ll not pit your presents against Uncle Al’s! They both added to the whole of the experience, and if you hadn’t brought me here, why, tonight never would have happened."
"That’s my girl," Alex replied, giving Samantha a hug. "You’ve got all the bases covered. Just remember we still have one more show to see, and then there’s New Year’s Eve. Of course, we won’t be meeting with the cast of the next show, so it might not be quite as exciting."
"Not fair, Alex. It will be just as exciting. I can’t wait to see Beauty and the Beast. So stop teasing.”
"Okay. I’m sorry."
"Good. I want this evening to end as magnificently as it began."
Alex made a deep bow. "Your wish is my command."
********************
Once again it was almost dawn by the time Alex put the keycard in the door to their suite. "I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted."
"Too much smiling?"
"Very funny," Alex gave Samantha a playful swat on the butt as the smaller woman entered the room ahead of her. "I’m just out of socialite form. I used to do parties like the ones we attended tonight on a weekly basis, meeting and greeting all kinds of people. I think I’m getting old."
"Right," Samantha laughed as she headed for the bathroom. "You, who can out-climb most of our clients on the rock wall, kick butt and beat our martial arts instructors, stay up late and still be up to greet the sun, you want me to believe that you think you’re getting old? That’s ridiculous!"
Alex tilted her head and smiled. At least she thinks I’m still at the top of the heap. She entered the bedroom. "You know I had great expectations for tonight."
"Really? You make it sound like something’s missing. I thought everything was fantastic."
"I guess I didn’t phrase that right. I mean I had expectations for when we got back here. I didn’t think we’d be ushering in the new day the minute we got home."
"Ah. Now I’m on the same track." Samantha knelt on the bed and motioned for Alex to come closer. She put her arms around her lover’s neck and nibbled at her ear. "Just being with you gives me satisfaction, honey. We don’t have to make love every night. We’ve been fitting an awful lot into each twenty-four-hour period this past week, ya know. Lost time can be made up when we get home." She nuzzled Alex’s neck and planted small kisses from one side of Alex’s face to the other.
Alex took Samantha's hands in her own and gently guided the smaller woman onto the bed before lying on top of her. "You looked so beautiful tonight, Samantha. Sometimes I still can’t believe that my life has taken such a turn around. I am so damn happy. All I want to do is make you as happy as I am."
"Alex . . ."
"No, let me finish. I’m serious. I make more money in the span of one evening on interest alone than most people make in a year, and it’s never made me happy. But you, with your button nose and whimsical smile, have brightened my world and made me look at everything in an entirely new light. I want to buy you the moon, Samantha, but I know in my heart you’d be satisfied with so much less. "
Samantha blushed.
"Look at you, you’re so genuine." She let her lips linger on Samantha’s, slowly tracing the outline with her tongue before passionately completing the kiss. When their lips parted she whispered, "I suppose I could have simply said I love you, but it seemed too little for all I was feeling."
"Oh, Alex. I love you, too. You don’t have to buy me the moon, just a trip to a gift shop now and again for stickers and balloons." She drew her lover closer. "I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Even my mom agrees, she told me so on Christmas Day when I called her."
"Oh no––I’m afraid you’ll have to fight me for that title," Alex replied. She raised an eyebrow, tilted her head, and with a quizzical look asked, "Did your mom really say that?"
"Yep, she sure did."
"Well . . . what does she know?" Alex gave Samantha a peck on the nose. "Listen, you, I know it’s late . . . or early . . . or however you want to call it. I pulled the drapes, so the sun won’t pester me awake. The only real thing we have planned for tomorrow in the daytime is a trip to that toy store you want to see, so there’s no hurry in getting up. By the way, I’m sure there are stickers and balloons there."
"I almost forgot about FAO Schwarz. Now I’m excited again."
"Whoa, Samantha. I know once that pretty little head of yours hits the pillow, talk of excitement will take second place to sleep."
"I don’t think so."
"I’ll be right back." As she left the room for final light and lock-up check, she mumbled under her breath, "We’ll see."
********************
Samantha thought she heard Alex talking to someone in the other room, but she wasn’t awake enough to really care. Then the doorbell rang, and she snapped to full attention. "Alex?"
"Just a minute, Samantha," came the answer from the next room.
She had been having that meadow dream again, the one where she and Alex were walking along the countryside as if they hadn’t a care in the world. The dream image that always made her giggle was Alex carrying a sword. She could imagine Alex doing a variety of things, but wielding a sword had never been among them. Yet it was a comforting dream, one that always allowed her to awake in an extremely pleasant mood.
A soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Hey there, sleepyhead."
"Hmm."
"Time to wake up. The toy store’s been open for hours and the day’s a-wastin’."
"Did we need to get there when it opened?" Samantha asked innocently.
Alex chuckled. "Of course not, silly. I was just bribing you to wake up. And I’ll sweeten the bribe with breakfast out, if you hurry––even though it should be lunch."
"Deal! Did you shower yet?"
"Hours ago, my love, but I’ll have tea waiting for you when you finish."
Samantha jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom. When she came out she found her tea on the bureau and much quicker than usual she appeared in the living room, dressed and ready to go. "Time for the toy store adventure," she announced as she entered the room.
Alex turned. "If it’s an adventure you’re hankering for, it’s an adventure you’ll get." She offered Samantha her arm and they left the suite and headed for the elevator.
********************
Two hours later, with stomachs full of pancakes and coffee, the two women stood in front of the huge windows at the entrance to FAO Schwarz.
"I would say it’s time to turn back the hands of time and become a kid again," Alex said, "but you, my love, have never left Toyland. You have that perpetual Petra Pan syndrome." She smiled and guided the smaller woman toward the entrance to the store. "Ready for a toy adventure?"
"You betcha!"
********************
The End of Chapter 8