Chapter 5: The Lilac Bush

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1003576/overgrown-hebe

     "Keety and Beaty sitting in a tree," sings Leo Mazurkewicz as the two older kids duck under a lilac overflowing with violet flower stalks.

"Shut up, you little punk," Beat calls, sticking her head out of the thicket, "or I'll drop a hammer on your head, too."

She glares at the pouting five-year-old slinking away until he disappears between the houses. Then she turns back into the overgrown hedge.

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     The lilac bush is leftover from the original Hanken farmhouse that was razed to finish the cul-de-sac portion of the Downs Manor subdivision. With a hidden clearing behind a rim of stalks of varying thicknesses, the old shrub had become a secret meeting place unknown to the adults of the neighborhood.
     After the hammer mishap, the two nine-year-olds had abandoned plans to build a fort in one of the old pear trees. Now they were plotting the defense of the neighborhood from command headquarters in the lilac bush.

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    "Let's pry open a manhole and make a pit to trap them," enthuses Keety, already turning to go find a branch to use as a pry bar.

"That won't work," Beat reasons to slow him down. "They've never actually come down this street." 

"Then we'll send Leo and Beulah to bike past the Kluzaks and lead them back."

"Here's a better idea: That golden carp will call them in and we'll nail them with rocks from the hillside."

"Good one, Beat. Only thing is we don't know where the golden carp is."

"Maybe you don't know where it is, dipshit."