As Chris was walking away from the house, I called out, “See you tomorrow on the way to school?”
Chris turned, nodded kind of goofily and waved sort of like he was trying to clear the fog from a window pain.
As he slipped out of sight I shouted, “Cool, see ya then buddy!”
At supper that night, John struck up a conversation with me. That rarely happened at the table, because, as I said before, my grandparents are firm believers, that kids shouldn’t be seen or heard.
“So Alvin, how has school been?” John asked.
I was a little caught off guard by the question, but I quickly recovered, “Huh, oh yeah, it’s mostly okay.” I said while trying to cut my chicken breast. It took me a second or two to realize I was using the wrong side of the knife.
“Making lots of friends, I expect?” John said, even though he knew I hadn’t been.
I shook my head, “Nah, just one. I got a few school buds I hang out with between classes, but just the one friend.”
“You have a new friend?” Mom asked a little too loudly and excitedly.
I nodded since I’d just jammed a large bite of chicken into my mouth. I chewed several times and swallowed part of it before I responded.
“Yeah, he came over after school today for a while.” I said, reaching for my glass of water.
I caught Grandmother gazing at me disapprovingly. Apparently she didn’t like the fact that I’d brought a stranger into her house.
“Does this boy have a name?” John asked after taking a sip of whatever it was he was drinking. I knew it wasn’t water because it wasn’t clear.
I nodded again, “Chris.”