The Grey

Why not?

Noah was washing the dinner dishes in silence while his grandmother dried it and put away the utensils.  Grandfather was watching the news on the kitchen TV, still sitting at the table.

He was scrubbing some dishes distractedly, his thoughts were far away. It had been 3 days since he had met Will for the first time but he hadn't seen him after that day. That “see you later” kept spinning in his head.  When would it be? He wanted to see him again. He wanted to ask a million things. He wanted to understand that suggestive expression on his face.

— Noah? Pay attention when I'm talking to you.  – he heard his grandmother say, returning to reality.  — What is wrong with you? You've been so distracted.

— Sorry, I was thinking... about school.

— And that's exactly what I was asking about. Have you prepared everything? Spring break is ending. Don't you need anything?

— No, I don't.

— Check again tomorrow morning. I go to the city in the afternoon, if you need something I'll buy it.  – he heard his grandfather say.

— Ok.

Noah watched his grandmother lean against the sink counter, crossing her arms in front of her chest, looking bothered about something.

— Did you hear about the new neighbors?  – and the boy felt his stomach turn.

— No. I didn't know we had neighbors.

— They're Latinos.  – the grandfather immediately looked at her with a slightly frown.  — A single mother. Her son looks like a freak.

Noah turned his attention back to the dishes in the sink, feeling nervous.

— What do you mean a freak?  – asked the grandfather.

— He has holes and irons all over his face, his ears are deformed, and he dresses like a criminal.

Noah heard his grandfather chuckle back through his nose.

— What can you expect from a Latina who is also a single mother? It's clear that she is creating a criminal. This is what they are. When I say that “these people” are worthless and are a plague on our country, people still think I'm wrong.

— They really are a plague. And there are more and more of them. Olivia said she moved from New Jersey for this exact reason.

— The State should take action.

— You should propose something, darling.

— It won't help. I'm just president of the parish.  – the grandmother sighed.

— I just hope this little bandit doesn't create any problems around here. Stay away from him, Noah.

Noah looked at his grandmother in silence, then nodded.

The boy constantly wondered if life with his parents would be like this. He wondered what they were like, if they were open-minded or just like his grandparents. Unfortunately it was something he would never know.

— I'm going to walk the dog.  – Noah said while drying his hands on a dish towel.

— Take care, it's getting late.

— Okay. — he left a kiss on his grandmother's cheek, as usual, then left through the back door.

He crossed the entire yard passing by the pool area until he reached the little house at the back, built for the dog at Noah's request. He entered through the fence gate, where there was synthetic grass, balls and toys everywhere and a large sand park.