Copper Fingers

Chapter 1. A family reunion

The doorbell rang. Benji raced down the stairs and across the hallway, Wizard the energetic, speckled pointer, joining him as he dashed past. Benji twisted the squeaky clean door knob as he slammed into the door, thrusting him outside and onto the veranda. "Finally, you're here!" Exclaimed Benji, catching his breath. "What do ya mean finally? I'm about twenty minutes early!"

Benji and his father burst out laughing and exchanged a rough hand shake and a brief hug. Wizard darted around the two boys and let out a loud arf! Which brought the pair's minds back to earth. "Well can I come in. It's a little humid out." Said Benji's dad, speaking loudly to be heard over the pelting rain on the tin porch roof.

Benji and his dad reached the end of the hall and found Natalia, Benji's fifteen year old sister lying across the brown leather couch, texting, she didn't look up. "Nat! Dad's here."

"Hmmphh!"

"I said dad. is. here!" Still no reply.

"Hello Sweet Potato!" Called Mr. Hindge.

"Dad!" Squealed Natalia.

"Natalia! Keep that back straight! Polite posture please!"

Natalia giggled. "Hair behind your ears! Curtsy! Put out your hand!" Mr. Hindge adjusted his glasses and inspected Natalia's delicate little hand. "Hmmm." He gave the familiar his familiar face of screwing up his mouth behind his beard and raising his eyebrows. "Oh no!" Remarked Natalia. Katoop! Mr. Hindge spat on Natalia's hand and she rubbed her hands together, rolling her eyes.

Benji shook his head laughing, they had been doing this as long as he could remember. "Just because I don't live with you anymore doesn't mean you can start walking around like that! Hey! Come on take that hood off!" Natalia disappeared down the back hallway and into her room, texting as she went. "Now why don't I fetch us some ice cool coke and you can tell me all about Nursery Hill."