McDonald Then she points to me And that’s Mallory Lucas points to Mom Give the flowers to her he says to his brother who hands over the bouquet to Mom Thank you Mom says with a smile I can’t tell if she’s smiling because she likes the flowers or because she thinks it’s cute that Lucas can’t tell the difference between a mom and a ten-year-old girl Then again maybe he can tell and he’s just trying to be funny I’m not sure which it is Either way Lucas is adorable He keeps talking I’m five he says holding up a hand full of fingers I’m Mallory I tell him And I’m Max says my brother Lucas shakes his head at Max and me like we don’t get what he’s saying Five is how 10
old I am not my name I’m Lucas Then he points to his brother And that’s Jared Oh I say like Max and I should have gotten it As Max and I tell the boys how old we are Chloe Jennifer and her parents walk up behind the Goldmans Come in everyone says Mom When we get inside the introductions start all over again with the Jackson Browns How old are you Lucas asks Chloe Jennifer I’m ten she says with a giggle 11
What about you Lucas points to Chloe Jennifer’s dad Dr Jackson-Brown laughs Lucas Both his parents say his name at the same time and he jumps You know you’re not supposed to ask grown-ups how old they are says Mrs Goldman Lucas shrugs I forgot Max Chloe Jennifer and I all look at each other and burst out laughing But it’s pretty obvious that Mrs Goldman doesn’t think Lucas is nearly as funny as we do She takes both boys hands I want you to remember your manners tonight Can you do that she asks I didn’t do anything says Jared Mrs Goldman looks at both boys like she’s waiting for a real answer They both nod But as soon as we sit down for dinner 12
Lucas blows milk bubbles through the straw in his glass and Jared tries to shove peas up his nose Boys no more silly business says Mr Goldman in a stern voice Both boys sit up straight and they’re good for the rest of the meal but when we go to the living room for dessert the trouble starts again Is that a horse or a dog Lucas points to Champ who is asleep on the floor Mrs Goldman frowns I think you know the answer she says It’s a horse screams Jared Lucas sits on Champ like he wants to ride him Giddyap he yells 13
