The Elliotmobile

By Jeanne Linton

Kaylee Appleby is a resourceful young girl caught between a confident and able older brother and a precocious likeable younger brother. She falls into the company of an older boy who was disabled after a tragic accident and pursues the challenge of getting Elliot off of his front porch and into the mainstream of life. Come, join the adventure and watch the story unfold...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Linton
• Release date: May 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224325825

Jeanne Linton

I was born in Vancouver, B.C. Married when I was 22 and moved to the midwest with my husband. While living in Michigan I had four children. Although I liked living in the U.S. after I was divorced, I returned to B.C. with two of my children where I have lived ever since, only returning to visit my family still in the U.S. I am retired now, enjoying my life, and continuing to write stories.I have written three young adult novels, a book where the main character is a chicken, but mostly science fiction novels. The science fiction novels ;'Seeds of the Galaxy' deals with the roots of humanity as they are forced from their world because of a changing environment and migrate across the cosmos.My books are listed on Smashwords under Jeannelinton.

Book preview

The Elliotmobile

By

Jeanne Linton

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright 2023 Jeanne Linton

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, descriptions, entities and incidents included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental.

The opinions expressed by the author are hers alone.

READER’S COMMENTS

The Elliotmobile is a fun story about a little girl who wants to help others.

--Theo, Grand Blanc, Michigan

I enjoyed the story very much and it truly belongs in the hands of children. Mary, the four-year-old that shares Kaylee’s house, encounters a ghost which adds an interesting twist to the story.

--Elaine, Vancouver, B. C.

What a cute, fantastic story about a young girl who is going through the difficult years of puberty. I can relate to how ugly she feels at this time of her life and her difficulty making friends. The story is heartwarming as Kaylee helps Elliot relate to his peers. I recommend the book wholeheartedly.

--Bunnie, Linden, Michigan

Mom, you’ve done it again. Cute story!

--Katrina, Howell, Michigan

PREFACE

The delightful story of Kaylee Appleby takes through a window into the adventuresome life of a resourceful young girl caught between a confident and able older brother and a precocious likeable younger brother. Kaylee is used to being uprooted and struggling to make friends. When she runs into Brenda after she starts school in a new town, she finds a kindred spirit in the company of the farm girl who is excluded by her peers. The girls fall into the company of an older boy who became disabled after a tragic accident. The girls pursue the challenge of getting Elliot off his front porch and into the mainstream of life. Come, join the adventure and see the story unfold…

Train to Revelstoke

Clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.

The sound resonates against the inner walls of the snowshed as the eastward bound train snakes its way through the mountains. The train thunders through the switch and along the tracks as it approaches the freight train standing at the siding waiting for Number One to clear the line.

S W O O S H R h h

Kaylee Appleby is roused as the deafening roar echoes through the passenger car when it passes within a foot of the stationary freight train. Carefully, she crawls to the bottom of the sleeper, slips under the curtain and climbs down the ladder. Gazing down the aisle she notices several of the berths have been made up at the front of the car. Sleepily, she wanders to the seats grabbing the curtains for balance as the car rounds a bend. Looking through the train window, Where are we? she asks her older brother, Simon, who is eating an orange and looking out the window.

Coming up on Sicamous I guess. A family got off in Kamloops earlier this morning, so the purser made up their berths. His steel blue eyes meet hers, So how was the upper berth? Not waiting for an answer, Baxter lost the teddy bear he claims he uses as an armrest and cuddled me half the night. It was okay until he started drooling.

How was that—I mean three to a bunk?

Interesting, breaking into a sheepish grin.

So, where’s Daddy?

He went for coffee.

Where did you get the orange?

Here you are, carrot-top, as he hands Kaylee a bag.

Taking the last orange, she casually looks out the window at the passing scenery. She watches the spring run-off ooze through the undergrowth and drain into the swift moving creek hugging the banks of the railbed as it cascades over the uneven ground of the natural flue to the base of an incline. How long till we get there? she asks.

Like—you’re asking me? How should I know?

While they speak, the train’s whistle sounds a warning as it approaches a crossing.

Clang… Clang… Clang…

The crossing gate drops, drowning their voices as the car vibrates as it passes over the wooden planks of the crossing and begins to slow. Rounding a turn in the narrow pass, the train enters a lush open valley. In the distance, the distinct CPR red of the station appears. By the time the train reaches the station it has slowed to a crawl. Finding the platform empty, the train accelerates and before long it’s once again speeding along the track through the majestic Rocky Mountains.

The faint roar of turbulent waters is heard. Suddenly, a raging river swollen by winter run-off bursts out of the woods as its frothing waters crash along the course of a rock-filled flue. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the stream disappeared into the morning mist.

There you are, as George Appleby takes the seat beside Simon. It won’t be long now. Revelstoke is a station, not like the whistle stop we just passed. Giving Kaylee a wide grin, Tonight we sleep in our own beds. How does that sound? He pauses for Kaylee’s response but there is none, so he continues, The agent told me the house is an old Victorian style mansion. You’ll love it, Kaylee. Apparently there are three floors and a stately attic where you and Baxter can play on rainy days. Still not getting a response, I heard the attic’s full of junk from years of collecting by one of the long-time residents. Exhaling deeply, he tries to excite his daughter about the upcoming adventure, It’s a small town and since you’re the new kids, you’ll be popular.

Kaylee blurts out, Daddy, look at me. I have red hair and freckles. I’m short and fat. How popular do you think I’ll be even in a hick town?

You’re cute, Kaylee. What are you talking about, fat? You were a little fleshy when you were younger but you’re getting taller and slimming down, you’re not fat.

Daddy, you just don’t understand. I try to be nice but all I achieved when we lived in Vancouver was to be a tag-along for Carol. I was virtually invisible no matter what I did. Shaking her head and narrowing her eyes, Life is unfair, she scowls.

Kaylee, you’re talking about my little girl: cute, funny and full of life. Anyone can see that. That is if they’re looking.

Her eyes grow large as she tilts her head, So WHEN do you think that will happen?

The opportunity stands before you, but it’s up to you to make it happen.

Just then Baxter appears and snatches the bag out of Kaylee’s hands. Did you eat all the fruit, tubby?

No, I didn’t. I only had an orange.

Why didn’t you eat the banana? as he pulls the fully ripe banana out of the bag. It’s rotten, that’s why. You ate the orange and left me the rotten banana. Figgers!

We’ll be going to the dining car in a few minutes, Baxter. You don’t have to get dressed, just brush your teeth and wash your face. Come on—chop, chop, get moving, as George takes the bag from Baxter.

Kaylee walks along the aisle in the direction of the washroom with Baxter strutting behind her mimicking every move she makes. Maybe you can wash some of those ugly freckles off your dumb face, Kaylee.

Would you stop bugging me you little nerd, she growls.

Would you stop bugging me you little nerd, imitating her voice in a nasal tone.

Daddy, as Kaylee pleads for help.

Daddy, Baxter repeats in a nasal tone as he shoots a toothy, cheesy smirk to Simon. Kaylee rolls her eyes, steps into the washroom, and closes the door firmly.

Upon emerging, she finds her family waiting. George wrinkles his brow, narrows his eyes, and gives Baxter a fierce glare. "There will be NO teasing at the breakfast table, Baxter Alexander Appleby. If you so much as open your mouth, you’ll be having breakfast by yourself. Got it?"

Knowing he’s in over his head; Got it. But the instant George’s head is turned, he sneers at Kaylee.

Knowing it’s a no-win situation; she exhales deeply and follows everyone into the dining car. At least while Daddy’s looking, Baxter will leave me alone.

As they sit at the table, the waiter approaches. Are you ready to order?

George places the menu back in its rack. Pancakes all around? He points with his finger without actually addressing any particular person.

George, I think I’d like eggs this morning, Celia Appleby states.

The waiter’s eyes move to Celia, Up, over, scrambled, basted?

Over-easy, Celia answers.

Would you like coffee, milk, juice? directing his question to George.

Coffee for me and my wife, the children will have milk.

Kaylee jumps, responding to the pain as Baxter kicks her under the table. When she winces, George snarls, I told you to leave her alone, Baxter. Get over here, he commands as he motions for Baxter to sit beside him and away from Kaylee. Now behave yourself.

I wasn’t doing anything, Baxter responds.

I know what you were doing and it’s beginning to wear on my nerves.

Obediently Baxter sits between his parents. He shoots Kaylee a triumphant grin.

Is he doing this for attention? Kaylee wonders.

When the waiter returns carrying the plates of food, he corrects himself as the train lurches and sways. Not missing a beat nor faltering, he places the meals in front of each family member with grace and confidence. NEXT STOP, REVELSTOKE, the conductor shouts as he passes quickly through the dining car. Kaylee hears his loud voice echoing as the conductor enters the next car. NEXT STOP, REVELSTOKE.

Let’s not dilly-dally, George demands. We don’t have much time so eat up and get dressed. Gather your belongings because when the train leaves Revelstoke and we’re no longer aboard, it’s unforgiving. Whatever you’ve left behind is gone. We’re approaching Three Valley Gap, so we have about twenty minutes.

Prompted by the desire not to be standing on the station platform in her pajamas or missing her possessions, Kaylee gobbles down the pancakes. When finished, she dashes to the sleeping car only to find the berth already been made up. She breathes a sigh of relief when she spots Mrs. Periwinkle sitting on top of her luggage. She would simply die if she lost her doll.

W H R R H E E E E

She jumps when the whistle blows unexpectedly as the train approaches another crossing and thunders through Three Valley Gap, which consists of three narrow attached lakes with just enough room to lay the track bed. On the other side of the lake, a two-lane highway and a service station