The morning of the show

The four members of the Larabee/Wilmington household stood in front of the large full length mirror in Chris's bedroom. They all grinned at their reflections.

Buck stood in all his loose limbed glory. Jeans with a bright 'Garth Brooks' western cut shirt, green and white with rust 'Navajo blanket' designs across it and a new cream colored straw cowboy hat on his head. To finish the look, he had a bull's head onyx and turquoise bolo around his neck.

JD stood beside his dad in new cowboy boots, new jeans, and his own version of the Garth Brooks look. His choice being in more subdued greens and blues, his straw hat pushed back allowing the untamed mop of black hair to escape.

Vin on the other hand reflected the more traditional tastes of his father. His western shirt was a blue plaid that showed off the blue in his eyes. He also had new jeans and freshly polished boots, and his tan hat fit in perfectly with his complexion and hair.

Chris stood on the other end of the line. Black jeans and his shirt was a green so dark it looked black but the darkness was relieved by a tiny plaid pattern of golden brown. His black felt hat matched Vin's in all but color. Larabee's bolo was an inlaid Zuni Thunderbird.

Wilmington grinned. "Four finer men I have never seen. Why, we could win on looks alone. All the girls…."

"Ewwww. Daaaa," JD interrupted.

"Oops, sorry 'bout that." Buck smiled down at his son.

"We ready to go?" Chris asked and got three 'yep, Pards' from the others. "Well," he added, "let's get this show on the road." The men watched as the boys raced out of the bedroom and down the hall. When he heard the screen door slam Chris whispered, "Down Stud. The only girls today would be jail bait."

"Oh, you wound me, Pard," Buck exclaimed placing his hands over his heart. "There's all those lovely single moms that will be there too," Buck said with a grin as he grabbed his wallet and keys and headed out the door after the small boys.

They quickly loaded the horses into the trailer. Then making sure the boys' seat belts were fastened, they headed down the road.

If Vin had thought it looked crowded the first day it was twice as bad today. There were no seats or bleachers so the families had lined their cars and pickups along one long side of the arena. Many pickups were backed up to the fence with lawn chairs set up in the back or blankets were spread out.

The other side was reserved for the participants and their horses and parents that were helping. Chris pulled his Ram over to the far end leaving plenty of room for the horses and moving around. After lifting the boys into the pickup bed the adults unloaded the horses and began saddling them in their bright clean saddles. From their vantage point high above the ground Vin and JD could see just about everything that was going on. Once Peso and Milagro were saddled the boys were boosted up. Then it was time to wait until the show started.

"Hello, boys," said a voice from behind them.

"Unca J'siah, You're here," Vin said happily.

"Oh, yes, we're here. Nathan and Rain came with me because my car is so big it holds everything. We have front row seats right over there." Josiah pointed out his old suburban. Nathan and Rain waved and the boys waved back.

"Rain asked me to tell you she's got everything ready for your costume class."

"Cool," JD said, so excited he was practically jumping up and down in the saddle.

"Be still, Little Bit, that bouncing is kind'a hard on ol' Milagro's back." Buck laid a calming hand on JD's knee.

"Oh." JD's face fell. He reached down and gently patted his horses' neck. "Sorry, Milagro, I didn't mean to hurt you."

Over the portable loudspeaker a voice announced loudly. "FOLKS WELCOME TO OUR 'WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD HORSE SHOW'. WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY. OUR JUDGE TODAY IS A HORSEWOMAN WELL KNOWN IN THESE PARTS, MS. PAULA WIDGER. WE WANT TO THANK BOBBIE AND MARILYN WHO GAVE UP A LOT OF THEIR SUMMER FOR THE KIDS AND DESERVE A SPECIAL THANKS FROM ALL OF US."

The announcer was interrupted by applause.

"NOW PLEASE REMEMBER FOLKS, OUR CONTESTANTS ARE LITTLE GUYS AND FOR MOST THIS IS THEIR FIRST SHOW. LETS MAKE IT A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR THEM.

"OUR FIRST CLASS IS JUNIOR WESTERN RIDING. JUNIOR MEANING AGES SEVEN AND UP - PLEASE ENTER THE ARENA AT A WALK."

Chris looked up at Vin. "That's you Cowboy, you'll do great," he said patting Vin's leg.

Vin looked down at his dad with nervous but determined eyes. He smiled and pulled his hat tighter on his head and then touched the brim in a salute to his dad. He coaxed Peso forward with a tap of his heels as he entered the arena.

A calm came over Vin as he passed the gate. He knew what to do and he knew Peso. Knew every muscle twitch, and right now the ornery gelding walked head high, neck arched, ears forward. The horse knew that He was being watched and loved it. Vin felt his body relax and meld with Peso. He followed all the instructions given as in a dream.

WALK…..TROT…..LOPE…..WALK…..TURN…TROT….LOPE.

Then the voice said, "LINE UP PLEASE."

Peso stood still, he wasn't tossing his head or stomping. You'd think he was asleep only his ears kept following the small woman that walked between the horses.

She stopped in front of Vin. "Back your horse please."

Vin gently pulled on the reins and backed about six steps then came forward.

"Thank you," the Judge said as she went to the next rider.

Then she went to the announcer and the table where the ribbons were.

"FIRST PLACE GOES TO PATTI HARRIS ON LITTLE REB."

The girl on the blood bay went forward. The judge handed her a blue ribbon and shook her hand. Patti grinned from ear to ear as she walked her horse out of the arena while the audience applauded.

"SECOND PLACE GOES TO VIN TANNER ON PESO."

Vin was startled. "My name! They called my name." He looked at Alan Rose beside him and the other boy was smiling.

"Vin, go on and get your ribbon," Alan whispered.

Stunned the little blond pressed his legs and Peso walked to where the Judge was standing. She handed him the beautiful red ribbon. "Congratulations, Vin," Ms. Widger said as she shook his hand.

Vin swallowed and managed to croak out, "Thank you ma'am." In a daze he rode to the gate. Once through it he saw his dad smiling and clapping.

Pulling his horse to a stop beside Chris the boy finally grinned. "I got a ribbon Dad. It's beautiful," he said in awe.

"Yes it is son. You did great," Chris said. He again understood just what the phrase 'so proud he could bust his buttons' meant. "Come on, let's get out of the way."

Even though it was a small show there were dozens of horses and kids and adults milling around. With all of them moving about it stirred up dust and made it hard to see sometimes. It could be very confusing to a small boy on foot. But on horseback you could see around and tell where you were going.

As they reached the trailer the announcer said, "THE PEE WEE WESTERN RIDING CLASS IS STARTING. THIS IS FOR CONTESTENTS SIX AND UNDER. PLEASE ENTER THE ARENA AT A WALK."

Buck walked beside JD to the gate and as JD and Milagro went through he stepped away, his heart in his throat.

JD joined the line of large horses and very small children walking in a circle. He knew what to do. It was suppose to be just like class. He and Milagro had done this over and over and he kept remembering what his Da said, "That boy can ride."

For once JD's attention stayed focused as he walked, trotted and loped in the circle. Then he lined up in a row with the others.

The judge stopped in front of the small bay. "Back up please."

JD nodded. He gently pulled on the reins, "Back up Milagro." The little horse shook his head but took the shuffling steps back. Then JD urged him to go forward to where he'd been. With another shake of his head the horse did as he was suppose to.

After what seemed forever to the watching families, the judge went to the announcer.

"FIRST PLACE PABLO ARMIJO ON COSMO."

White teeth flashing the small boy on the appaloosa rode forward.

"SECOND GOES TO LISA WELCH ON PRINCE."

"THIRD PLACE, JD DUNNE ON MILARGO. FOLKS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW IT BUT THIS YOUNG MAN'S HORSE IS A RESCUE HORSE. HE'S COME A LONG WAY. LETS HEAR IT FOR JD AND MILAGRO."

The crowd cheered as JD rode out clinching his yellow ribbon. Milagro's ears flicked and he snorted at the extra noise and tossed his head.

Buck was waiting at the gate to walk them back to their trailer. "Whoa boy easy," he said to the horse and, "You did a good job, JD," to his son.

"Da, I won a ribbon. I never won anything like this before. See, Da?" JD thrust the ribbon at his father.

"Yep. You did real good, Little Bit."

The announcer came on, "FOLKS THE NEXT CLASS IS THE HALTER CLASS. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A TEN MINUTE BREAK FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO GET READY."

Chris and Buck quickly unsaddled the horses and put their halters on. Peso had a bright blue one and Milagro's was red. A quick brushing to erase the sweat marks from the saddles and they were ready to go.

"HALTER CLASS CONTESTANTS PLEASE COME TO THE ARENA."

"That's us, Dad," Vin said.

"Yes it is. Are you ready?" Chris asked.

"Yep," the boy said pulling on his hat again.

The children led their horses into the arena. It was quite a sight. Most of the kids able to walk under their horses bellies yet they walked with confidence and obvious love and pride in their animals.

It was a hard class for the judge. The horses were much loved, but none of them were from champion blood lines. She watched as each child showed his or her horse to the best advantage. Finally she made her choice.

"THE JUDGE WANTS ME TO SAY THAT ALL OF YOU ARE WINNERS. YOUR HORSES ARE WELL CARED FOR AND WELL BEHAVED. BUT THERE CAN BE ONY ONE WINNER IN EACH CLASS.

FIRST PRIZE GOES TO MATTHEW TORRES WITH WIND. SECOND KAYLA REESE WITH MAGGIE AND THIRD ALAN ROSE WITH NEPHI."

As the children and horses left the arena the announcer said, "THE NEXT CLASS WILL BE THE REINING CLASS IN 15 MINUTES."

Vin watched as the contestants ahead of him road the reigning patterns. It started with a full gallop to the middle of the arena, then a sliding stop and backing up ten paces. Forward at a walk, a trot, a lope, turning the horse so that he was making a figure eight. With each loop of the eight the horse was to change to the inside lead. Then from the top of the circle lope to the center of the area. Another sliding stop, spin turn to the left, spin turn to the right, finally walk calmly to the judge. As each rider went ahead of him Vin counted off each step in the pattern in his head trying not to forget any of the steps. Then his name was called over the loud speaker.

"VIN TANNER ON PESO."

Vin settled his hat on his head and nudged Peso through the gate. "Come on boy. We can do this," he whispered.

Peso flicked his ears forward and back and stepped out on to the soft dirt. Once inside the area Vin clicked his tongue. "Come on Peso." As he went through the gate he kicked the gelding into a lope. Three quarters of the way down the arena, he braced against the stirrups and pulled Peso into a sliding stop. Only something went wrong, instead of the smooth stop Vin expected, the horse stopped in series of bone jarring bumps. The last one sending Vin over Peso's right shoulder, the boy twisted somehow and hit the dirt with his butt, never letting go of the reins. Peso struggled to stay on his feet but one hoof glanced off Vin's right leg.

With a groan he let go of the reins and grabbed his throbbing leg. Eyes clamped shut he squeezed his leg above the hurt and tried not to cry. The boy was vaguely aware of voices as he rocked back and forth hoping the pain would go away.

"Why doesn't he get up?"

"Is he hurt?" came voices from around him.

Then he felt familiar hands touching him and looked up into the concerned face of his dad.

"Let me see," Nathan said as he elbowed his way to Vin's side. Kneeling down, Nathan said, "Let me see, Vin."

The boy wiggled his toes in his boot. It already didn't hurt as much. "I'm fine, Uncle Nathan."

"Let me be the judge of that," Nathan said as he gently pushed the pants leg up past the boot top. There on the top of the shin was a deep scrape but it wasn't even bleeding much. "Can you wiggle your toes and ankle?"

Vin nodded.

Nathan looked up at Chris, "It ain't broke, barely skinned."

"See I'm fine," Vin interrupted. "Where's Peso? I gotta finish."

"Vin…" Chris started.

"I gotta finish Dad. You always have to finish the course no matter what. You said that," Vin said desperately.

Josiah held out the reins, "I have him, Vin." Then he looked at Chris. "It's important for him to finish the course."

Chris frowned at the profiler and then looked at his son. "Are you sure Cowboy? It's okay if you don't want to."

Vin gazed up at his dad. "I ain't a quitter Chris. I want to finish."

The blond looked into those blue eyes and he stood and offered his hand. The boy reached up and holding the offered hand stood up. He let go of Chris' hand and started toward his horse. Leaning into Peso just for a second he turned to mount and Chris reached down and lifted the boy into the saddle.

Looking up at the child of his heart, Larabee nodded once and led the rest of the people out of the arena. As he went past the Judge he waved and nodded. Over the loud speaker came the announcer's voice. "HE'S FINE FOLKS. IT SEEMS YOUNG TANNER INSISTS ON FINISHING THE COURSE."

Vin nodded, settled his hat again and with a kick sent Peso into the figure eights. At the next sliding stop Peso did it perfectly and Vin stopped before the judges to be dismissed.

After all the contestants had run the course they lined up in front of the judge.

The announcer said, "FIRST PLACE IN REINING IS ALAN ROSE ON NEPHI. SECOND PLACE, MANDY HANCOCK ON PYWACKET AND THIRD PLACE, MICHAEL TORRES ON BLACKIE. WELL DONE ALL OF YOU AND A SPECIAL HAND FOR VIN TANNER WHO FINISHED THE COURSE DESPITE HIS MISHAP."

Vin blushed furiously as he left the arena and rode to their trailer. The boy stopped next to Chris. "Did you see Dad? Peso was perfect."

'Yeah I saw. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine Dad. Promise. Now…" He stopped twisting around looking, "Where's Aunt Rain?"

JD sat on the tailgate fiddling with the suspenders of his costume while the reining class was going on. He was trying to get it to fit right. As soon as the class was over Vin would be back to get dressed too but he had to stay there until the contestants were dismissed.

"Hello, Mr. Dunne."

JD turned toward the voice he saw a stranger standing beside the truck. He squinted, the person before him didn't match the voice; he knew that voice but not the man. This man had longish dark brown hair and a beard. He wore a dark tee shirt and faded torn jeans with a cap shading his and the sun glasses hiding his eyes.

The man reached up and took off the sun glasses, exposing his green eyes, and smiled.

JD scrunched up his face in thought. "Unca Ezra, is that you?"

The boy glanced over to Buck who was working on Milagro at the end of the trailer. JD watched as his Da glanced at the stranger and smiled.

"Yes, JD. It's me. Don't you know me?" The man asked.

JD shook his head. "You sound like my Unca Ezra but you sure don't look like him."

"It is me, under all this. It's my job, that sometimes I must look different in order to fool the 'bad guys'," Ezra explained.

"That's really cool Unca Ezra. It's like Halloween all the time. Didja come to watch me and Vin?"

"I did indeed. I would not miss my favorite nephews first horse show. That is if I could at all avoid it. It is important however that no one but family know who I am. I must watch you and young Mr. Tanner from a distance. I mustn't advertise my appearance here for unfriendly eyes."

JD pursed his lips and shook his head. "There's no bad guys here Unca Ezra. Just families."

"That may be so JD, but I must be careful. Please tell Vin that I'm here and watching. He seems to be always waiting to enter the arena and I can't get close enough to say hello. I wish you both the best of luck in your next class. It is my understanding that the beautiful Mrs. Jackson has worked diligently on creating your costumes."

"Do you like my costume, Unca Ezra?"

"I do indeed, JD. It is very nice. Can you tell me what you are?" the puzzled Ezra asked.

"Me and Milagro are rodeo clowns."

"Of course. I should have known. A most interesting choice for you." Ezra scanned the area, "I must be going now, JD."

"Okay. I love you, Unca Ezra. You be careful going under covers."

Ezra smiled down at JD and resisted the urge to hug the boy. "I promise I shall be very careful. And I love you also. Please tell your brother that I shall call you on the phone as soon as I am able." Then as he turned to leave the agent glanced over to the watching Buck and sent him a two fingered salute before he walked away and disappeared. Sighing, he regretted not being able to speak to Vin but promised himself he'd call him at home at the first opportunity.

Rain was waiting as Vin rode to the truck. The boy asked, "Have you got everything Aunt Rain?"

"Sure do, Honey. JD changed in the trailer and you can go in there now."

From behind JD called, "Aunt Rain, I can't get the hat right."

Rain turned to help the frustrated boy. "Okay, come on I'll help."

"You're a clown!" Vin said in astonishment seeing JD's costume for the first time.

"I'm a rodeo clown. Da told me that rodeo clowns are very important. They save peoples lives," JD said proudly. He and Rain had kept his choice a secret the last two weeks. He'd wanted to surprise everyone.

"That's right, Vin. The clowns keep the bulls away from the riders when they get thrown." Rain said.

"See!" JD said to Vin and then to Rain he asked, "Why would anyone want to ride a bull?"

"I don't know JD. Now scoot and your Da will help you with Milagro," Rain said.

"'K."

The woman handed Vin the paper sack, "Here you go. Now put your clothes in here after you get dressed and when you're finished I'll do your hair. I'll be working on Peso while you change."

Vin stepped into the trailer and watched as Rain went toward Peso with a tube of white baby safe shoe polish.

Peso stood still as Rain finished drawing the lightening on his dark rump with white polish. "Well?" She asked. "What do you think?"

Vin looked over his horse. Peso had feathers tied in his mane and tail, white shoe polish circled one eye, and there was a lightening bolt on his left rump and a handprint on his right shoulder. Tied around his lower jaw was a rope, acting as both bridle and rein for the boy.

"Vin?"

The small blond spun around, "Hey, Uncle J'siah."

"I brought you something for your costume." The large man held out a 'saddle blanket' sized Navajo rug. "And these are for you too." After placing the green and black striped blanket on Peso the big man held up two feathers. The ends were wrapped and had strings hanging down. "These are Peregrine Falcon feathers." Josiah said as he tied them into Vin's long hair. "They were given to me a long time ago by a good friend; I thought they would be perfect for your outfit. I wanted to give them to you personally when you were ready for the class."

Reaching up and touching the feathers Vin smiled up at his Uncle. "Thank you Uncle J'siah I'll be real careful with them."

"I know you will. Now are you ready for a boost up?" Josiah asked.

"Yes, please."

At the same time Buck set JD in the saddle and stood back studying the results. Shaking his head, he said, "Whoa!"

JD giggled. "You like it Da?"

"You looked great, JD." Buck's eyes widened as he looked over the great job Rain had done on his son.

JD had on an old 'raggedy Ann" wig and a big straw hat. His face had a red nose and big back eyebrows and a large smiling mouth. The costume consisted of an over large faded red plaid shirt, baggy pants and wide multi-colored suspenders. Even Milagro had a big straw hat, his large ears poking through the brim.

JD wiggled his eyebrows. "Thanks Da. Aunt Rain did a great job. Wait'll you see Vin."

The loud squawked and the announcer said, "COTESTANTS FOR THE COSTUME CLASS PLEASE ENTER THE ARENA."

"Gotta go Da!" JD said as he turned Milagro toward the gate.

Only a few of the kids had entered the costume class. The families watched as through the gate came: an elf, a wizard, a cowboy, a clown, a girl Indian and a young warrior. All of the kids looked great in their homemade costumes. Parents and families cheered as they rode past them to line up in front of the judge.

Ms Widger stood looking up and down the line, and then she pointed to the first rider. "Tell me briefly who you are."

Richard Torres sat straighter. "I'm a prairie elf, cousin to Legolas of course."

"Ahh, of course," She said as she went to the next contestant.

When she stopped beside Peso she looked in astonishment at the rope that was tied to his lower jaw. "Young man, how did you get that rope in your horse's mouth?"

Vin looked down at Peso and back at the judge and shrugged. "He didn't mind. It's that way in all the pictures of Indian ponies. Just a rope around their jaw."

"You're right it is that way in the pictures." She looked at the paintings on Peso's slick hide. Then at the boy who had on a tan shirt and pants, the sleeves and edges of the pants fringed. She smiled at Vin and went to the next contestant.

Finally the judge went to the announcer's table.

"WELL FOLKS, WE GOT SOME WINNERS. FIRST PLACE GOES TO VIN TANNER THE YOUNG INDIAN WARROR. SECOND PLACE, TO THE ELF FROM MIDDLE EARTH, RICHARD TORRES AND THIRD PLACE, TO THE RODEO CLOWN JD DUNNE."

As the boys claimed their ribbons the announcer continued. "WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING AND PARTICIPATING IN OUR LITTLE HORSE SHOW. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE RIBBON WINNERS. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT EVERY CHILD HERE IS A WINNER IN THE TRUEST SENSE. THEY WORKED VERY HARD THIS SUMMER TO IMPROVE THEIR HORSEMANSHIP.

LET'S HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OUR KIDS"

The applause thundered as all the contestants came back into the arena riding the circumference of the arena waving as the cameras clicked and the film rolled.

Vin and JD changed quickly back into their other clothes while Chris and Buck unsaddled the horses. Once the boys were dressed and out of the trailer the horses were loaded.

"Come here, JD. I'm going to use some cold cream to clean your face," Rain said trying to get close to JD.

"NO, that's girl stuff," JD protested.

"Yeah? Well, it's 'girl stuff' on your face now, so get over here. Your face is going to be clean before we go eat," the woman said in her no nonsense 'Mom' voice.

JD stood very still with his face scrunched. "Where we goin' to eat?"

"Oh someplace special to celebrate yours and Vin's special day." Rain took one more swipe. "There that'll do. All clean and ready to go."

Nathan taking Rain's hand he called to Josiah, "Lets go." Then he said to the others, "We'll see ya at Big John's?"

Buck called back, "We're right behind you."

Chris pulled into the large parking lot in front of 'Big John's B B Q'. The restaurant was the best barbecue place this side of South East Texas. There were giant cooking pits around the back of the building. The smell of the cooking meat instantly caused every ones mouth to water.

Inside it was dark, cool and rustic and since it was before the supper crowd there was plenty of room. They settled on a long picnic table and the waitress brought booster seats for the boys and menus for the adults.

"Drinks?" She asked.

A chorus of "ice tea" rang out.

"I think perhaps a couple of 7Ups for the boys," Chris added.

The waitress smiled and nodded.

"Woo wee, I'm hungry enough to eat everything they got," Buck said with a smile as he looked over the brief menu.

"Buck, gluttony is a sin," Josiah said grinning.

"Why Josiah, thank you for caring, and what are you having?" Buck asked.

Josiah grinned even bigger, "I'm having the super combination platter with chili beans extra hot."

Everyone laughed as Buck bowed, "I salute the wisdom of the aged. I'll have one too."

Still laughing Chris said, "I'll just try the regular combination and the boys get the child's plate."

The waitress nodded, "And you?" She asked Nathan and Rain.

Rain said, "I'll have the rib plate."

Nathan added, "I'll take the regular combination."

It wasn't but a few minutes before a huge tray of platters showed up. First the waitress handed everyone extra large 'cowboy' bandana napkins. "These are for the drips. Everyone gets one, especially the little cowboys."

Buck and Chris helped tie the napkins around the boy's necks.

Then the food was served. Buck and Josiah's platter was piled high with beef, pork ribs, sausage, and chicken. Cole slaw, red beans and fried potatoes with Texas garlic toast finished the serving.

Rain looked at the enormous amount of food on the table. "I hope you boys are hungry."

"STARVED!" every male at the table said in unison.

It got very quiet as empty stomachs were filled. Both boys managed a chicken wing and two ribs, but as their stomachs filled they started to yawn.

Buck caught JD just as he was taking a header into his beans. "Whoa, Little Bit. I think it's time to head home."

"NO, Da. I'm fine," JD said sleepily.

"Yeah, we're fine," Vin added around a giant yawn.

"Sure you are Cowboy, but we need to get Peso and Milagro home. They're tired and I bet they'd like to be in the pasture resting under the big tree," Chris said leaning over and using the wipes to clean the boy's hands.

"Okay, for Peso," the little blond said around another jaw cracking yawn.

"That's it, time to go." Chris nodded to Buck then said to the rest, "Thanks for coming. We appreciate it."

"It was our pleasure," Josiah answered for all of them.

Chris stopped long enough to pay the bill and then he and Buck loaded the two exhausted boys into the Ram. The two boys were asleep before they pulled out of the parking lot.

The boys woke as Chris stopped the truck by the barn. While the men put the horses in the pasture the boys ran and let the pups out.

"Da…." JD laughed as he raced Elvis who was trying to kiss the last of the sauce off the boys face. "Don't Elvis. Da, we gots to hang our ribbons."

"We will Little Bit, but how 'bout we do it tomorrow when we can pick the best place in the day light."

Yawn. "Okay, Da… Da, today was lots of fun, huh?"

"Yep, kiddo, it was lots of fun."