The King Rides #AtoZChallenge

Peter McKenzie lived on Kendall St. He knew everyone there, and they knew and liked him. This year his mom had enrolled him in the afternoon session of kindergarten at St. Michael’s, and that suited Peter just fine. He was a busy little boy in the mornings. 

Peter pedaled his tricycle along the sidewalk. Mr. Gorman was taking out his trash. “Good morning, Peter! Nice day!” 

“Good morning, Mr. Gorman!” Peter rode past without stopping. He was on a mission. “Bye, Mr. Gorman!” 

Mr. Gorman laughed at the cheery little boy and turned to go inside. He saw a basket sitting on the back of the trike as Peter rode past. Curious, he watched Peter turn into the driveway at 1505 and nodded with approval. Mrs. Baker had just returned from the hospital last night, and Peter’s mom probably sent him over with a sweet gift. Everyone on Kendall St. adored little Peter. He was a well-mannered, happy child, and with few playmates his age, the grown-ups were his buddies as well as his guardians. 

After about ten minutes at the Baker residence, Peter came out the front door, waving good-bye to Mrs. Baker’s oldest daughter. She was visiting to help her mom after surgery and had been charmed by the little boy she’d just met. 

Down the street at the next house, a trio of little girls came running out from the back yard. “Hi Peter!” 

“Peter, we’re playing house, you want to be the daddy?” 

“No thank you, Bethany. I’m riding.” 

He waved and continued up the street. The Martins lived on the corner where Kendall St. met a more major road. They were a semi-retired couple. Mr. Martin was the de facto concierge of their cul-de-sac. He spent most of his day in a rocking chair on the front porch. No one came or went without his knowing. 

Peter pulled the front wheel of his tricycle onto the grass so it wouldn’t roll away down the sidewalk and walked up to the porch. “Good morning, Mr. Martin!” 

“Well, good morning, sir!” He always called Peter “sir” and bowed his head when he greeted him. “Come join me.” Peter obediently climbed the steps to the porch, then allowed Mr. Martin to help him climb into the second adult-sized rocker. “Did you see Mrs. Baker this morning?” 

“Yes.” He answered in his young, precise way. “Mommy made her some muffins. I met Karen.” 

“Ah, her daughter. Nice girl.” 

“Yes.” 

“Who else is out and about this morning?” 

“Mr. Gorman, taking out the trash. My daddy takes ours out when he goes to work.” He leaned forward and back to force the rocking motion. “The Tyler girls are outside playing house.” The last statement rang with disappointment. There was only one other little boy on Kendall St., and he was gone to his grandmother’s house right now. 

“You know, the Jacksons across the street have family coming this weekend. Maybe there will be a little boy with them.” 

Peter brightened at that. “That would be fun.” He kicked his legs as he rocked. The two sat in silence for a moment, then Peter scooted to the edge of his seat. “Okay. I have to go now.” 

“Of course you do. See you tomorrow, sir.” Mr. Martin lent a hand for balance as Peter jumped down out of the chair. 

“See you tomorrow!” He waved and went back to his tricycle. Crossing the street, Peter rode down to the Jacksons’ house and stopped, looking up at the front door. Betsy saw him through the window and stepped out to say hi. 

“Good morning, Peter!” 

“Good morning Betsy.” Peter didn’t get off his trike this time. “Will there be a little boy at your house this weekend?” 

“Well, my nephew Hunter is coming. He’s a little older than you, but why don’t you stop by and meet him?” 

“I will. Thank you!” Peter started pedaling before he remembered to call out “Bye-bye!” 

Back at home, he found his mom in the laundry room. “Well? Is everything good on Kendall Street?” she asked. 

“Oh yes,” he said, and he told her all the news from his little kingdom of Kendall Street.  

Thank you for visiting my #AtoZChallenge! My theme is "Audience Participation" (read about it, here) and now it is your turn. Each day will be a new story based on suggestions from your comments. Suggest anything: a word, scenario, character, location... I will be keeping a list of suggestions, so if yours isn't used tomorrow, it may show up later. 

Today's post was inspired by the prompt "tricycle", suggested by Jz (of A Reluctant Bitch), given in comments on my "I" post (here)