The New Year Dragon Dilemma

“Holden, here we are!” Dink yelled. “Sorry we’re late!”

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose ran toward the tall young man with black hair. It was February school break, and the kids were with Dink’s father in San Francisco, California. Mr. Duncan had business meetings, and he’d brought Dink and his two best friends along. They were staying at the Bayside Hotel. The hotel was near Chinatown, where a lot of Chinese people lived and had businesses.

“Hi, guys,” Holden said. Holden Wong was leaning against a three-wheeled buggy he called his Green Machine. The contraption looked like a bike, and Holden pedaled it like a bike. But there was an umbrella to keep out the rain and sun, and a narrow bench where two or three passengers could sit.

Dink’s father had hired Holden to show the kids the San Francisco sights. Like Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, Holden was on school vacation. He was in college, studying acting. He wanted to move to Hollywood and work in the movies after he graduated.

“I like your shirt,” Ruth Rose said. “We match today!”

Holden’s T-shirt was lime-green. It said
GREEN MACHINE
on the front, with a map of San Francisco on the back. It was a cool day, and he had tied a white sweater around his waist.

Holden unlatched a small compartment under the passenger bench. He pulled out a green helmet shaped like half of an oversized lime. “I like your outfit, too,” he said.

Ruth Rose liked to dress in one color. Today she had chosen green for her sweatshirt, pants, sneakers, scarf, and hat.

“Gee, Dink and I should have worn green, too,” Josh said. “We’d look like a salad!” Josh carried his sketchbook and a few pencils. He wanted to be an artist when he grew up.

Dink grinned at Josh. “Not everything is about food, Josh,” he said.

“Hop on,” Holden said. “We’re going to Fisherman’s Wharf.”

“What’s there?” Dink asked after they sat on the bench.

“Lots of stuff,” Holden said. “Fishing boats, shops, food stands, and tons of
tourists!” He strapped on his helmet and pedaled into traffic.

Ruth Rose pulled a small guidebook from a pocket. “I read that there are seals at Fisherman’s Wharf,” she said. “Will we be able to see them?”

Holden laughed. “They’re actually sea lions. You’ll see them, smell them, and hear them!” he said over his shoulder.

“Cool!” Josh said. “Can I get close enough to sketch them?”

“Probably,” Holden said. “But they smell so bad, you won’t want to get
too
close!”

Holden pedaled along the busy streets. It was late afternoon, and the city was crowded. Everywhere the kids looked, they saw taxis, bikes, motorcycles, buses, and people. Dink saw a dog walker with six dogs on leashes! He was glad they had Holden for a guide. It would be easy to get lost
in a city as busy as San Francisco.

“Hold on!” Holden yelled over his shoulder. “Steep hill!” The street dipped down suddenly, making Dink’s stomach do a little flip-flop. Far ahead, he could see the ocean.

“It’s like a roller-coaster ride!” Josh cried.

The street leveled off at the bottom, and soon they arrived at Fisherman’s Wharf. Holden parked his bike and everyone hopped off. Thin fog swirled around them.

“What’s that honking noise?” Josh asked.

“The sea lions,” Holden said. “Follow me!”

The kids gaped as they walked beside Holden. They had to dodge people buying ice cream, pretzels, and coffee from street vendors. Dink saw several jugglers and artists who sketched people
for money. One man had a cat that was doing tricks.

“This is like a carnival!” Ruth Rose said.

As they walked closer to the ocean, the fog grew thicker and the sea-lion honking got louder. Dink took a deep breath, enjoying the ocean smell. Through the fog, he saw several small boats tied to moorings or the end of piers.

“I see the sea lions!” Josh said, pointing. “Let’s go closer.”