ARMAND_Audiobook_DEMO_2

Johnny Martin moves to a small town and finds it hard to fit in. The Monaghan family's peaceful life is disrupted by the start of World War II. Larry meets Joe, who tells him about Kuko and the Kudu species. Daniel reassures Mabel and plans a new life in California. Mrs. Jones assigns the class to draw and talk about their favorite Christmas gift. A man searches for a woman named Ginger in different hotels but fails to find her. It is the beginning of winter and Johnny Martin has just arrived to the small town that would become his new home. He had previously lived in a big city, and living in a small town would be an adjustment for him. At 14, he would be starting his freshman year in high school. The small town, for the most part, was warm and welcoming to newcomers, but for some reason, Johnny found it difficult to fit in. As the Great Depression waned, the Monaghan family was looking forward to a future of peace, prosperity, and personal growth. But on December 7, 1941, their lives would change forever. It was the beginning of World War II. An era of innocence quickly changed as it came to light how mankind could be capable of such unspeakable acts of cruelty. Although unprepared, the country rallied. A short time later, an older man, wearing a zoo uniform, who was talking to a lady in another uniform, walked up to me smiling and said, So, I see that Kuko has made another friend. What is your name, young man? And I said, My name is Larry. And then he said, Well, Larry, my name is Joe, and I'm his trainer. It is nice to meet you. Do you have any questions about Kuko or about the Kudu species? Then I answered, Yes, what is a Kudu? And then Joe said, They are part of the Antelope family and found in Africa. The next morning after prayer, Daniel reassures Mabel that he would be safe and that they would start a new life on the California coast. He also thanks Father Longo for mentoring him and for his special friendship. Upon departure, Daniel reaffirms his priority to send telegrams throughout the journey. Dear Father, hope this telegram finds you well. Me and the boys have been riding long and hard for about two days straight now. We ran low on food and water until we reached our first stage stop, but station keep was good to us. Mrs. Jones, the kindergarten teacher, gives the class the assignment of drawing a picture and telling the class about their favorite Christmas gift. One by one, each child stands up in front of the class, showing pictures of toy trucks, cars, dolls, clothes, and money. They all enthusiastically describe their favorite gift, thanking Santa for leaving it under the tree. He then spends hours searching every other classy hotel in both the Strip and downtown areas. He searches lobbies and parking lots, asking hotel staff if they have seen anyone who matches her description. Finally, in one last attempt, he waves down a taxi to take him back to the original hotel across town. As he arrives at the hotel, he tells the driver to wait. Again, he searches the hotel, giving Ginger's description, but finds negative results. In what appears to be another failed attempt to locate her, he exits the hotel to leave.