Ron Roy - The Absent Author

is for Absent

Come on! Dink dragged his friends down the street to the Book Nook.

They looked through the window, out of breath. The bookstore was crowded with kids. The Book Nooks owner, Mr. Paskey, had set up folding chairs. Dink noticed that most of them were already taken.

Dink saw Mr. Paskey sitting behind a table. A big white sign on the table said WELCOME, WALLIS WALLACE!

But the chair behind the sign was empty. Dink gulped and stared at the empty seat.

Where was Wallis Wallace?

Collect all the books in the

series!
The Absent Author
The Bald Bandit

This book is dedicated to Lori Haskins
R.R.

To Kathie, Jesse, and Molly
J.S.G.

Please, Josh, Dink said. If you come with me today, Ill owe you one. Just name it. Anything!

Dinks full name was Donald David Duncan. But no one in Green Lawn ever called him that. Except his mother, when she meant business.

Josh Pinto grinned at his best friend. Anything? He raised his mischievous green eyes toward the ceiling of Dinks bedroom. Lets see, what do you have that I want? He scratched his head. I know, Ill take Loretta!

Dink tossed a pillow at Josh. When I said anything, I meant anything but my guinea pig! Are you coming with me or not? I have to be at the Book Nook in fifteen minutes!

Dink rushed into the bathroom, tucking his shirt into his jeans at the same time. Josh followed him.

Standing in front of the mirror, Dink yanked a brush through his thick blond hair. Well? he asked. Are you coming with me?

Whats so important about this writer guy? Josh asked, sitting on the edge of the bathtub.

Dink turned around and pointed his hairbrush. Wallis Wallace isnt just some writer guy, Josh. Hes the most famous mystery writer in the world! All the kids read his books. Except for you.

If hes so famous, whys he coming to dinky little Green Lawn?

Dink charged back into his bedroom. I told you! Hes coming because I invited him. Im scared to death to meet someone so famous. I dont even know what youre supposed to say to an author!

Dink dived under his bed and backed out again with his sneakers. Please come with me?

Josh leaned in the bedroom doorway. Sure Ill come, you dope. Im just trying to make you sweat. Usually youre so calm!

Dink stared at his friend. You will? Thanks! I cant believe Wallis Wallace is really coming. When I wrote and asked him, I never thought hed say yes.

Dink yanked his backpack out of his closet. Pack my books, okay? Im getting Wallis Wallace to sign them all!

Josh began pulling Wallis Wallace books off Dinks bookshelf. Geez, how many do you have?

Every one hes written. Dink sat on the floor to tie his sneakers. Twenty-three so far. You should read some of them, Josh.

Josh picked out The Poisoned Pond and read the back cover. Hey, cool! It says here that Wallis Wallace lives in a castle in Maine! Wouldnt that be neat?

Dink grinned. When Im a famous writer you can live in my castle, Josh.

No way. When Im a famous artist, you can live in my castle. Down in the basement!

Josh picked up The Riddle in the River. Whats this guy look like? he asked. And how come his picture isnt on any of these books?

I wondered about that, too, Dink said. I sent him one of my school pictures and asked for one of him. But when I got his letter, there was no picture.

He finished tying his laces. Maybe Wallis Wallace just doesnt like having his picture taken.

Josh squeezed all twenty-three books into Dinks pack. He grinned at Dink. Or maybe hes just too ugly.

Dink laughed. Gee, Josh, youre ugly and you love having your picture taken.

Haw, haw. Josh picked up his drawing pad. But just because youre my best friend, Ill draw his picture at the bookstore.

Dink looked at his watch. Yikes! he said. We have to pick up Ruth Rose in one minute! He tore into the bathroom and started brushing his teeth.

Howd you get her to come? Josh called.

Dink rushed back into his room, wiping toothpaste from his mouth. You kidding? Ruth Rose loves Wallis Wallaces books.

Dink slung his backpack over his shoulder. He and Josh hurried next door to 24 Woody Street. Tiger, Ruth Roses orange cat, was sitting in the sun on the steps.

Dink pressed the doorbell.

Ruth Rose showed up at the door.

As usual, she was dressed all in one color. Today it was purple. She wore purple coveralls over a purple shirt and had on purple running shoes. A purple baseball cap kept her black curls out of her face.

Hey, she said. Then she turned around and screamed into the house. THE GUYS ARE HERE, MOM. IM LEAVING!

Dink and Josh covered their ears.

Geez, Ruth Rose, Josh said. I dont know whats louder, your outfit or your voice.

Ruth Rose smiled sweetly at Josh.

I cant wait until Wallis Wallace signs my book! she said. She held up a copy of The Phantom in the Pharmacy.

I wonder if Wallis Wallace will read from the new book hes working on, Dink said.

Whats the title? Ruth Rose asked.

They headed toward the Book Nook.

I dont know, said Dink. But he wrote in his letter that hes doing some of the research while hes here in Connecticut.

Dink pulled the letter out of his pocket. He read it out loud while he walked.

The letter was signed Wallis Wallace in loopy letters. Dink grinned. Pretty neat, huh?

Pretty neat, Mister Duncan! teased Josh.

You should have that letter framed, Ruth Rose said.

Great idea! Dink said.

They passed Howards Barbershop. Howard waved through his window as they hurried by.

Come on! Dink urged as he dragged his friends down the street to the Book Nook.

They looked through the window, out of breath. The bookstore was crowded with kids. The Book Nooks owner, Mr. Paskey had set up folding chairs. Dink noticed that most of them were already taken.

Dink saw Mr. Paskey sitting behind a table. A big white sign on the table said WELCOME, WALLIS WALLACE!

But the chair behind the sign was empty. Dink gulped and stared at the empty seat.

Where was Wallis Wallace?