[Previous entry: "The Fin(n) Family"]

06/08/2007: "The Babylions of Birtchmont"

Kamloops

Nathan and I had a wonderful visit at Kamloops Library. My little friend was not nervioso this time around, and we both agreed that we'd love to return to this nice small city. After saying good-bye to librarian Andree Beauchemin (see photo), who high-fived us both and gave us a serious thumbs up, we made our way to Vancouver.

The drive down to the coast was beautiful. The mountains became pastel green mounds, the road followed windy river gorges, and el ferrocarril hugged the hills all the way down.

The site of el ferrocarril with a caboose-chain flying along it (see photo) seemed to make Nathan quiet and pensive. When we came upon a spectacular view of super-long Kamloops Lake, he wouldn't even get out of the car to take a gander. (See photo below)

Finally, after 5,000 kms, 9 days, and lots of fun, Nathan, Fin and I finally arrived in sunny (!) Vancouver. I stopped Fin in front of Kids Books in North Vancouver, so that I could sign some books, and I was surprised by Nathan's suddenly cheery mood. "Can we go to the Mothership store right after?" Nathan asked.

"Sure," I said.

After signing some copies, the three of us drove across the Lion's Gate Bridge, through Stanley Park and downtown, crossing the Burrard bridge to Kitsilano Beach. We slowed down Fin because the beach was packed. It seemed the whole of Vancouver was sunbathing by the water.

When we finally got to the Mothership store, Kids Books on Broadway, I put Fin in park. "Okay," I said, turning to Nathan, but he had already hopped out of the car.

I jumped out as well, expecting Nathan to be waiting by the curb, but he wasn't. I stepped to the sidewalk and looked down the street, and I could see my little friend running in the distance.

"Nathan," I called out. "Stop!"

To my surprise, he did. "What?" he yelled, his hands on his hips, his chest heaving.

"Where are you going?"

"You know exactly where I'm going," he insisted. "We're in Couvervan, creature." (Read Earth to Nathan Blue to find out where Nathan might be going.)

"Right," I said, nodding my head, thinking. "Okay, fine. I guess I can't argue, but we have more visits to do next week."

"I'll meet you at the Plutonian Cafe in the 10th quadrant in 72 hours!" Nathan shouted, and then my little friend brow-saluted and took off turboblast.

Shaking my head, I put my hand on Fin's warm hood. "Well, my friend," I said, smiling. "Now that it's just the two of us, what do you say we take a little holiday from our tour?"

There are all kinds of silences in this world, but Fin's, I was certain, was one of complete agreement.

I patted my friend once more, turned toward the store, and went in to sign some more copies of Earth To Nathan Blue.

Closing Note:

When Fin and I return from holiday, and Nathan and I meet at the Plutonian Cafe, there will be more work for the three of us to do. But by that point, this author will to have to get back to his regular job of typing stories that eventually go into BPC's (See Earth to Nathan Blue pg. 29).

To find out what happened to Fin, go to mattbeam.com in July, where you will also find my new flog, The Babylions of Birtchmont. Please contact me at info@mattbeam.com if you'd like to be on my update email list.

Thanks to all the readers who came along for the ride!

MB