When Josh and I arrived at my house, we made sure that stranger wasn’t following us again. Then we went inside, got Ralfeo, and locked the house up. No one was home, yet.
Ralfeo loved it when we ran with him. His tongue hung out, slapping his snout a few times. He probably loved the wind going through his furry golden coat. Ralfeo’s tail and ears would bounce up and down each time he would hit the ground.
After a few minutes of resting at the park, I let Ralfeo off his leash; since no one else was there. I told Josh that Michele had asked me if I could hang out with her tomorrow.
He said, “Awesome…” He trailed off. “I have basketball practice tomorrow.” He said changing the subject.
“Oh, that’ll be fun! I guess.” I told him. I wasn’t much into sports. Nor was I good at them. I did try out for track though, they took me.
“When do you have track practice?” He asked. It seemed like he just read my mind.
“In about a week; they want to look for more people.” I said, shrugging.
Josh just sat there on the bench looking at the dog. There wasn’t much else to say.
“So…wanna play the lava game?” I asked, raising my eyebrows turning to face him.
He just said, “Sure!” I was surprised at how fast and enthused he replied. He got up and stretched. Then he got on the bench and said, “Well, you wanted to play, come on! You’re touching the ground.” He smiled. “You want to be out so easily?” He taunted. At his remark, I quickly joined him on the dark brown bench. It wobbled, telling us to get off. I laughed then jumped to a patch of rocks. Josh said, “Don’t fall!” When I jumped. I was unbalanced on the bed of rocks when I landed. He snickered and jumped clear from the bench to the slide, which was a ways away.
“Not bad.” I told him.
“Gee, thanks.” He told me not taking his eyes away from the slide he was now holding for support. I sneezed and nearly fell over. “Ha. Nice one Liam.” My dog barked.
“Sh-h-h! Be quiet Ralfeo!” He just looked up at me and sat down on the soft sand. My brown bangs got in my eyes and I quickly turned my head to the side to move them out of my sight. I looked for another place to jump that I could easily make…without falling. Searching, I decided on the swing set. I’ll go for the bar on the swings. I thought. Making the jump, I heard a small giggle. Surely that wasn’t Josh. I said in my mind. Holding on the bar – trying not to slip off – I turned my head slightly to find Michele standing there petting my dog, laughing. I smiled – embarrassed. Then I quickly shot a look at Josh, who was on the marry-go-round.
Slipping off I said, “Uh. Hi…again,” Josh joined us.
“Hey Michele, what’s up?” Josh asked her.
Still slightly giggling she replied, “Oh nothing, just thought I’d explore a little. Get to know the town.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “How long where you standing there?”
“Just long enough to see your…big jump.” She giggled.
“Ha.” I snickered, not so enthused.
Josh laughed. “We were playing a game that we played when we were little.”
“Oh. That’s fun.” She said while moving her black bangs out of her eyes.
I walked to the bench and called my dog over. “So, when did you move here?”
“Uh, about two days ago; it’s all still new to me.” She said holding her hand over her eyes. “Are you from here?” She asked me. “I noticed you have an accent.” She came to my side and sat beside me.
Josh sat on the ground hiding himself beside our bodies from the sun. “He’s from England.” He said before I could answer.
“Yeah what he said. I moved here when I was about four and we,” I said pointing to Josh. “became friends when I was like five. Been buds ever since.” I smiled.
“Yeah, he’s a good friend.” Josh said. I guessed he was either telling the truth, putting a good word in about me to Michele, or both.
Michele looked like she wanted to close her eyes ‘cause of the sun. I went to my bag and grabbed my white and black designed hat and gave it to her. She smiled and took it. It was a good fit; it also looked cute on her.
“Thanks! The sun is really bright today.” She paused. “I don’t see a single cloud.”
“Yeah, it’s a beaut…” I was cut off by the ring of her phone.
“Oh, hold on one sec’.” She said pulling her phone out. “Hello?” Michele waited for the other person on the other line to stop talking. “Oh, ok. I’m at the…” She looked at me and whispered, “What’s the name of this park?”
“Ridgeway, on the corner of Summit and Helen Street.” I answered.
She repeated what I said to the person then waited for the answer. “’K. See you soon then. Bye mom.”
“You have to leave?” I asked.
“Yeah, my mom got called for work and my dad is at work so they need someone to watch my baby sister.”
“That sucks…can you bring her here?” Josh asked.
“Good idea, let me call my mom back.” She waited. “Hey mom, can you bring Amy here to the park? I have a few friends here that can help me watch her.” Her smile disappeared. “Ok. Bye.” She hung up the phone and turned to us standing beside the bench. “She said she didn’t want anyone she hadn’t met with Amy, my sister. Sorry guys; maybe next time?”
“Yeah, sure; we understand.” I said while I slid my hands in my jean pockets.
“Well you have a good time…babysitting.” Josh laughed. “I think that’s your mom over there.” He said pointing over to the road.
“Yep, well bye guys…I’ll see you tomorrow Liam!” She yelled while running to the car.
“Who are those guys?” I could hear her mother ask.
“The brown haired guy is Liam, and the black haired guy is Josh. Liam is the one who I’m going to hang out with tomorrow. Josh is…” She got cut off when she closed her car door.
“Wasn’t she still wearing your hat, man?” Josh asked me.
“Oh, I guess she was. She can have it, I don’t care; it looked good on her anyway.” I smiled.
“It sure is hot today…hey I got an idea, let’s go to the pool!” He suggested.
“I don’t have my trunks.” I said, not very enthused.
“So! We’ll go get them. Or do you even want to go?” His grin disappeared.
“Nah; not really. Sorry dude just not in the mood I guess.”
“Well what else do we do?”
“I don’t know. My parents should be getting home soon.”
“Whoop whoop...” He said rolling his eyes.
“Come on. Let’s go to your house then.”
“O-o-ok!” He said pulling himself up off the ground. Once again I grabbed my book bag and trudged alone side my buddy - Josh.
