Alignments

Chapter 10

"Momma, when can we go?" The twelve year old spun around in his chair.

"Sweetie, I just have some more work to do. It's very important."

"Ughhh." He groaned and slouched down.

"I know." She looked up from her work. "Why don't you go to the activity room and play. I think there are some video games in there now."

"Cool." He got up.

"I'll come and get you when I'm done." The boy left from his mother's cubicle and went to the activity center the office had set up for children who were waiting to be moved to their next home or group house. At first, he didn't like coming here because it was a bunch of boring baby toys, but they've fixed it up and added to it. So it's not so bad anymore.

When he made it to the room, he saw that it was practically empty. Only a few kids were in here, so he made his way to the gaming area and started things up. He decided to play Mario, since that was his favorite. Sitting back in the chair, he started playing. Halfway through the third level someone startled him. "Hi, T." He jumped, causing him to lose focus and Mario died. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Janet."

"Can I sit here?"

"Sure." Janet climbed into the chair and watched T begin to play again.

"You're good at this game."

"Thanks. I play a lot." He finished the level. "So why are you here? I thought you were with a new family."

"They brought me back." She sighed. "No one wants me to stay." T looked at the eight year old with sympathy.

"I'm sure someone will get you and you'll be happy."

"I hope so. I hope they have brothers and sisters for me. I always wanted brothers and sisters and friends. I don't have any friends."

"Hey, I'm your friend." She got a big smile.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. Now all I need is brothers and sisters and it'll be perfect. Oh, and a puppy. I love puppies." T laughed.

"I like puppies too."

"Of course you do. They're the best things ever." T got a powerup in the game and Mario started flying. "Whoa! That's so cool. Can I try?"

"Sure." T handed her the controller. "Okay, you use this to move, press this to jump, and this to fly."

"Okay." Janet tried and failed a few times before finally getting Mario to fly. "Cool! This is so much fun."

"That's why I like playing it." Janet finished the level and jumped out of the chair to celebrate. She got back in the chair and hugged T.

"Thanks for teaching me."

"You're welcome. What are friends for?" Janet pulled away.

"Oh, can we be best friends? I saw it on tv."

"Sure. We're best friends."

"Best friends forever. That means even when we get old and our fingers are wrinkly." Janet did a funny move with her hands and T copied her.

"Deal. Best friends forever." Janet held out her pinky and T wrapped his pinky around it.

"T, it's time to go." T looked up and saw his mother.