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
That’s enough says Mr Goldman He takes both boys by the hands I think it’s time for us to go he says Lucas and Jared look at each other We don’t want to go says Lucas Please can we stay Jared pouts like the idea of leaving is enough to make him cry He has such a cute pouty face It’s hard to look away but I turn my attention to Mr and Mrs Goldman If you want to stay for a while and talk we could take Lucas and Jared back to my room and play I look at Chloe Jennifer who nods like she likes the idea I don’t know if they like to play with blocks but I have a big bag of them I could get them out We love blocks says Lucas Yeah We want to stay and play says Jared PLEASE they say in unison 14
Are you sure you don’t mind Mrs Goldman asks Chloe Jennifer and me I don’t mind at all I say It’ll be fun says Chloe Jennifer Lucas takes my hand and Jared grabs Chloe Jennifer’s like everything has already been decided OK says Mrs Goldman But only for a little while and Mallory please come get me if there are any problems Don’t worry I say over my shoulder as Chloe Jennifer Lucas Jared and I head back to my room When we get there I get out the bag of blocks from the back corner of my closet I used to love to play with these when I was your age I tell the boys They look at each other and grin Can you build tall towers asks Jared I laugh I can build very tall towers I say 15
