The Go-Carts

“Wow Jake,” said Midge. “Look at all the pretty go-carts. Don't you think they look nice?”

“For a go-cart, I guess they are nice,” said Jake.

“They are different,” said Booker-T. “What do they do with them?”

“They race them,” said Midge.

“Who races them?” asked Booker-T. “I've never seen a go-cart race before.”

“The kids race these,” said Midge. “The kids have to make them with the help of their dads and probably sometimes, their moms.”

“They are all homemade?” asked Booker-T.

“Yes,” said Jake. “They can't enter into the competition unless they are homemade.”

“They did a good job on them,” said Booker-T. “They really look nice. I like that one over there with the mouse on top.”

“You would like that one,” said Jake. “You can't have that mouse.”

“Okay,” said Booker-T. “It looks like a plastic mouse anyway. I don't eat plastic.”

“Ha ha,” said Midge. “With you Booker-T, one never knows.”

“Did you find your mistress's nephew yet,” asked Jake.

“I see him over there by that blue go-cart,” said Midge. “See my mistress is standing with him and her sister.”

“I see,” said Jake. “I hope he wins the competition with his go-cart.”

“Me too,” said Midge. “I know he worked on the go-cart for long time.”

“Look over there,” said Booker-T. “I think that is a judge.”

“I think so,” said Jake. “He has a badge on him and look over there. Those two people have the same badge on.”

The three sit up and watch as the three judges walk along each go-cart and check each one out and talk to the little boys and girls who built them. When they got to the end of the line, they started back along the row of go-carts and made notes in their little pads of paper that they carried with them.

“Sure takes them a while to pick a winner,” said Midge.

“They have to check everything out and make sure all is in order before they pick one,” said Jake.

“Look Midge, that judge is walking over to the microphone and has a piece of paper in his hand,” said Booker-T. “Maybe he is ready to make the announcement.”

The three listened as they read off the 3^rd place winner and then the 2^nd place. Then came the big announcement, the 1^st place winner. Midge was standing up waiting to hear who he chose.

“And the first place winner is,” announced the judge. “Bradley Smith with his dad and mom.”

“Isn't that your mistress's nephew Midge?” asked Jake.

“Oh yes!” smiled Midge. “Oh how exciting! He won, he won! My mistress will be so excited.”

They watched as the little boy walked up to the judge and accepted his blue ribbon and a small check for his college fund. Midge danced around as she watched.

“Now ladies and gentlemen, it is time for our go-cart derby,” said the judge. “Okay boys and girls, let us get the carts over to the racing area. You all know the rules. It will be three carts racing and the winner of that race will race the next two carts until we are down to one winner.”

The three friends stood up so they could see the entire racing area. The first three carts took their places at the top of the hill. Fathers held onto the back of the carts as the children got into the seats. When the judge yelled “Go!” the fathers let go of the carts and they raced down the hill. This racing continued til the last three carts were at the top of the hill.

“Hey Midge,” said Booker-T. “Your mistress's nephew is in this race. I hope he wins.”

“Me too,” said Midge. “There they go Jake!”

The three carts were going downhill. Midge was jumping up and down hoping the little boy would win this race. The three were excited as they were getting close to the bottom of the hill. The little boy was in second place but as he neared the bottom, his cart started to go faster and when he reached the finish line, his cart crossed it first.

“Midge! He won!” shouted Jake.

“Isnt' it wonderful!” smiled Midge. “Hi mom and my mistress will be so happy.”

“This was fun,” said Booker-T. “I'm ready to go home now. Are you going to stay a while?”

“No, we are coming too,” said Jake.

The three started walking back to the house. Each one enjoyed the day watching the go-carts and all the activities going on at the park. Midge was excited about the nephew of his mistress winning the go-cart races. She pranced between Booker-T and Jake like a queen on top of the world. She was proud.