The Legend of the Firewalker Read Online Free PDF Page A

leave for camp? You do remember that you leave for camp on Friday?”
    Nathan sighed. Is it that soon? He’d thought he would have more time to relax before being thrust into camp to watch over some whiny teenagers.
    Although he had turned nineteen about a month earlier, Nathan would hardly consider himself in the same category as the younger teens that normally attended camp. “Of course!” he responded quickly. He said it with such enthus iasm that he almost convinced himself. “I’m almost ready to go.”
    “Nice try,” chuckled Roy heartily. He gestured again. “Let’s go through the back. I propped the kitchen door open earlier.”
    As they neared the back of the house, Nathan could hear voices and sounds of laughter out by the pool area. At first glance, it appeared to be Lafonda and her boyfriend, Jim. He noticed the palms of his hands started to tingle again as he placed the gifts out on the kitchen table. “Where should I put these?” he asked. “Are you hiding them until the party?”
    “Um — no,” said Roy, while unloading the box. “Avery and Amelia want to talk to Lafonda after she opens their gift.” He paused to examine one of the larger cake pans before placing it on the counter. “And because of the time difference in London, LaDonda is having a pre-birthday lunch celebration today.”
    “Uh, that’s cool,” muttered Nathan, while occasionally glancing outside the window at the pool area. “But I’m star ving now.” Unconsciously, he massaged the palms of his hands. The tingling sensation was starting to make his hands feel numb. “What time does this birthday lunch thing start?”
    “Soon,” said Roy, eyeing Nathan suspiciously as he rubbed his hands. “LaDonda went to pick up lunch from the Dardings’ Italian restaurant in town.”
    Nathan pursed his lips. “Well, I’m sure that was Lafonda’s boyfriend’s idea,” he muttered.
    “Actually, it was his parents’,” Roy responded with a grin. “You know they’ve always been fond of Lafonda.”
    “Yeah, yeah,” Nathan spouted, slightly irritated. “And I’m sure they can’t wait for Jim to marry her.” He continued to massage his hands. “And I don’t know why Jim’s parents would name the restaurant after the family name when they’re not even Italian!” 
    “Okay, what is wrong with your hands?” demanded Roy. “Do you need some ointment or something?”
    Nathan suddenly looked embarrassed and dropped his hands to his sides. Roy stared at him as if he had just caught Nathan’s hands in the cookie jar. “I think we’d better get some ointment,” he added sternly. 
    The outside door to the kitchen opened and Nathan and his grandfather both turned to the sound. Slowly, LaDonda entered the house with a tray of sandwiches in her hands, followed by Jim and Lafonda. Jim was also carrying a tray of food. Lafonda was still wearing her bathing suit and occ asionally used the towel around Jim’s neck to pat the water that fell from his hair onto his body.
    “You can place that one over here,” said LaDonda, d irecting Jim to place his tray next to hers. She smiled. “Make sure you thank your parents again for me for lunch.”
    “No problem, Mrs. Devaro,” Jim responded eagerly. “Do you think it will be enough?”
    “Way too much,” commented Nathan. “I’m sure we could feed a small village with the leftovers.”
    LaDonda frowned, and Roy quickly gave him a disa pproving glare. “Um — Nathan,” Roy stammered, “you were starving just a second ago.”
    “Well, I appreciate the generosity,” said Lafonda, wra pping her arms around Jim’s waist. She gave him a hug followed by a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m glad that your parents are so giving and that they taught their son well.”
    Jim smiled a huge grin of approval, and Lafonda turned around just in time to receive a disapproving glare from N athan. She responded with a sarcastic smile.
    “Oh!” exclaimed LaDonda. “It’s almost time