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really good idea,”
Keith said.  “Little kids tend to listen to older kids, even more so than to
adults.  My little brother’s ten, and he follows me around like a puppy—drives
me crazy.”
    Courtney nodded. “Keith’s right.  I
really think kids would be more receptive to us than to adults.  We might even
want to talk to older kids—middle school kids, maybe even high school.”
    “That’s a good idea,” Dare said
eagerly.  “We’ll have...”  His words dwindled as a waitress brought four plates
to our table.   “Thank you,” he said politely.  When she’d gone, he resumed
talking.  “We’ll have plenty of time to develop a program.  Of course, it will
involve some research.  We’ll want to get a lot of information about the damaging
effects of drugs, and we’ll probably want to do some skits or role playing—show
kids how to say ‘no’ to drugs...”
    “Whoa, Dare,” Keith interrupted as
the waitress brought our pizza, “let’s talk about this later.  It’s Laura’s
idea, so we’ll let her present it to Lieutenant Hudson.  For now, let’s eat.”
    My idea ?  I mean, it sounded like a good
one, but I certainly wasn’t qualified to approach Lieutenant Hudson about it. 
Technically, it was Dare’s idea anyway.  Besides, I hadn’t even attended an explorer
meeting yet.  And I wasn’t particularly eager to become an explorer.  It wasn’t
as if I’d volunteered.  I’d been drafted.
     I was about to say as much when
Lieutenant Hudson suddenly appeared at our table.  “Well, hello, gang,” he
said. 
    “Hey, Lieutenant,” Dare greeted him. 
“Taking a lunch break?”
    The lieutenant smiled ruefully and
glanced at his watch.  “We’ll see if I can make it through lunch without
interruption.  It’s a rare occurrence, I’ll tell you.”
    Dare nodded.  “I know.  My dad used
to say the same thing.  Hey, can you sit down for a minute?  We’d like to talk
to you about something.”
    “Sure,” Lieutenant Hudson said as he
reached for a chair behind him.  He pulled it up to our table and sat down. 
    “Have a slice of pizza?” Keith asked,
passing him a piece on a plate.
    “Thanks,” the lieutenant accepted. 
“What’s on your minds, gang?”
    “Well,” Dare said, “Laura had this
really great idea.”
    The lieutenant glanced at me,
eyebrows raised.  “Oh?” 
    “Um,” I said, “it really wasn’t my
idea.  It was more Dare’s idea.”
    “Go on,” the lieutenant urged, and
then took a bite of pizza.
    “Well,” Dare spoke up, “we were
thinking maybe our club could do something for the D.A.R.E. program as our
community service project.  We think it would be cool to visit area schools and
talk to kids about drugs.  We’ll have a lot to do to get ready for the upcoming
school year but I think we can do it.”
    The lieutenant nodded
enthusiastically.  “I think that’s a great idea,” he declared.  “Good thinking,
gang.  We can discuss it at our meeting...” 
    The lieutenant’s words trailed off as
he received a radio call.  “Control to David 14,” the radio voice said. 
    Lieutenant Hudson laughed with
chagrin, before snapping the radio from his belt and talking into it.  “David
14, go ahead.”
    The voice said, “Ten 19 for an 87
with Deputy Collins at the station.”
    “Ten 4,” Lieutenant Hudson responded.
    I didn’t understand the police ‘ten
code’ used by the dispatcher.  In response to my raised eyebrows, Dare said,
“He has to meet Deputy Collins at the station.”
    “Excellent, Dare,” Lieutenant Hudson
said as he scooped up his slice of pizza.  “Thanks for the lunch, gang.  I’ll
take it for the road.  See you kids later.”
    We watched as he left the restaurant,
and then Dare, Courtney, and Keith began to talk about the explorers.  I didn’t
say much.  I really had no point of reference.  I’d never been to a meeting,
but that would change soon enough.
     
    ***
     
    “You’re kidding