The kid who dunks over Gregory...
Oh my gosh! Gregory! Ah!
...I'm at the right place, on time. I know that kid. That kid is the one I never talk to at our table during "advanced" afternoons with Mrs. G. Gregory is too into his pick-up game to see us. It's him and two friends I don't recognize against the one who just posterized his face like Dom and two more I don't know.
James is on his phone on the sideline.
"Hello?" Kieran's mom peeps. "Anybody home?"
Where is Max?
"Hi! Sorry. Lots of running around."
Who's this lady coming from around the corner?
"That's okay!"
Is that Max and Gregory's mom?
"Glad you made it!" the woman with the Hawaiian shirt and bob cut, hands on her hips, says.
"Yes, we did," Kieran's mom says.
She—
"You know Kieran. Yes. ...This? This is Chase."
Is it?
"Hi, Chase! Nice to put a face to a name!"
I'm on the spot.
"Uh, hey," I say, pulling out a friendly smile.
Who's that little girl at the table, sucking a popsicle?
"Max...he talks a lot about you," Max's mom says.
Oh, great. One of these...
They don't know, do they?
"All good, I assure you! Heh."
...No.
The two moms chat while Kieran and I stand around. I look at him for an idea of what to do next, but he's lost. Everybody is in their own little bubble. It's the basketball game for the birthday kid, the popsicle for the little girl, James and his phone, Kieran pretending I'm not here. I smell burgers, but I hate red meat.
Do they know that or is it "just a phase" to them, too?
"Okay! So, I'll see you later. Have fun," Kieran's mom says.
Goodbye...
What time is this party supposed to end?
...Does it matter? It's a party, and parties last as long as they feel like. Sleeping over isn't on my agenda, so...after food and gifts?
"You guys want a burger? My husband is a master griller."
"No," Kieran says.
"Chase?"
Burgers?
"Ugh. No."
"You don't like burgers?"
The hint was in my disgust.
"No," I say.
"Oh. Well, there's chips, soda, cookies...help yourself."
Move over, health foods pyramid!
"Max...oh, for...Max is inside. I told him to get more napkins, but he isn't back yet. He's around, though! Heh."
"I'll get him," Kieran says.
How about I go, and you figure out what to do with these gifts?
"Oh! I'll take them," the mom says, snatching them from our hands to add to the pile.
YOU ARE READING
Castling: A Novel (NaNoWriMo21)
Novela JuvenilIt's a slice-of-life centered around "Chase the Ace," who finds himself changing schools against his will mid-year to help make the most of that brain of his. It'll be good for him, they say. He won't be so bored. He'll get to be with an old friend...
