Chapter 1: Introduction
Have you ever lost your parents? I don't mean for a short time at the mall or the amusement park; I mean have you ever lost your parents where they completely disappeared? Vanished? Gone?
I daresay that you are more careful than the children of Benjamin and Nancy Da Vinci, for that is exactly what happened to them. This is the story of how four unusually peculiar (or is it peculiarly unusual) children managed to lose both of their parents and a younger brother too.
You will meet them all in due time, but I should be a good host and introduce you to these sorry siblings.
Sophilia Jane Da Vinci is the oldest of the children. She is fourteen years old, almost fifteen. She's one of those responsible children who make it rough for the rest of us. "Why can't you be more responsible, like Sophie Da Vinci?" your mother might say to you. Okay everyone, let's all stick our tongues out and say, "Thanks for nothing, goodie two shoes."
The next oldest in the family is Isaac Thomas Jefferson Da Vinci. He is thirteen. People usually call him I.T., which is a good thing. What were his parents thinking when they came up with his name? It supposedly had something to do with their admiration for Thomas Jefferson. Good thing their hero wasn't Millard Fillmore. Yikes! I.T. is one of those kids we could do without. He’s a brainiac that knows more than he needs to. He reads encyclopedias before he goes to bed for goodness sakes. Your mom might tell you, "Why can’t you study hard like Isaac Da Vinci?" To which you would mumble under your breath, "Smarty pants, smarty pants; take a boat and sail to France." Yeah, it’s childish, but it feels good.
I.T. has a twin sister by the name of Francis Percilla Da Vinci. People call her Frankie. You would recognize Frankie in a crowd. She would be the one in the center having the most fun. Your mother might say to you, "Why can’t you make friends like Frankie Da Vinci does? She’s never bored." You’d be right to think, "Frankie is way too perky. Life is easier if you focus more on watching TV." You’ll get worn out trying to do what Frankie Da Vinci does. Take a break Frankie girl!
The youngest of the remaining Da Vinci children is Edward Franklin Da Vinci, but his family calls him Eddie. Edward is eleven. The comment your mom might make to you about Edward is, "That Edward Da Vinci, he’s such a good boy. He’s always saying nice things about everyone. Isn’t he a great example?" To which you might want to say, "How fun can that be, when you can’t tease anyone? Eddie, Eddie, probably wets the beddie!"
So now you know the four Da Vincis who are about to find out that they have lost their parents and little brother. If you want to read a story where the children are tucked into bed each night by loving parents, then find another story. If you want to read a story where the mom and dad and children sit around the dining room table enjoying a family meal, then find another story. If you want to read a story where the dad comes around to the bedrooms waking everyone up in the morning while mom is in the kitchen fixing buttermilk waffles with bacon on the side, then find another story.
This is a story about four brothers and sisters who are about to discover their parents are gone. You have been warned. This is not a pretty picture. Continue at your own peril.
The Lost Da Vincis is available as an ebook on all major platforms. Enjoy!
