The Child Within

Chapter 3

A few steps into the kitchen Max meets up with his mother and proceeds to give her a long, embracing, hug. A tiny teardrop rolls down his cheek, though it is quickly wiped away before anyone can notice.

"Well this is something," his mom says with a surprised look on her face. "I never get hugs from you anymore".

"Guess it's your lucky day Mom. For some reason it just seems like I haven't seen you in a really long time".

With a look of sarcasm on her face, Mom replies "Yeah it's been several hours since last night sweetie, bet you can barely remember what I look like". "Now seriously, you have to get going so get going already!"

Finishing up his hug, Max steps back and takes a good look at his mother. Standing a bit over five feet tall she sports an average build. Long brown hair reaches down to the middle of her back. She's sporting an old grey short sleeved shirt and is wearing what can only be described as "mom jeans." There's a hint of youth to her face that Max had only remembered in pictures until this moment.

"What's going on with you today, you're acting very strange," mom asks. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I'm just having one of those days I guess. So where have you been hiding out this morning?"

"Been in the basement doing laundry for a bit, it's a never ending supply with you three kids you know. Now seriously, you better head off for the bus, or you'll be walking to school today."

"Okay Mom" Max responds with a grin that has yet to leave his face. "See you after school I guess".

Scurrying back through the living room Max exit's the house through the front. He's immediately met by a clearly annoyed Stacey.

"About time idiot, I was about to leave without you."

"Why don't you go ahead and relax, I was talking to Mom. Now hurry up and let's get going".

Crossing the front grass to the sidewalk, the two siblings head left. The route is still familiar to Max even though he hasn't taken it in so many years. A slight breeze makes the trek a bit nippy, so Max is grateful he remembered his jacket.

It's a nice middle class neighborhood where most anyone would feel safe to raise a family. The majority of houses are two stories but a few ranches are mixed in as well. Max remembers that most of the people in this area were quite friendly, and he would spend many days roaming the streets with friends.

"So anything special going on with you today?" asks Stacey.

"I... don't really know actually. I should probably go through my backpack and see."

"Seriously what's with you today, you're acting more loser-ish than normal."

Max pauses to think for a moment. "Yeah, I don't think I slept very well last night, I'm feeling kind of off right now."

"Well snap out of it," Stacey says with a chuckle as she playfully smacks the back of his head. Max gives her a quick glance, and a laugh, as this kind of banter was a common thing between the two for many years growing up.

A few more minutes and a handful of turns later, the one mile march concludes at the main road off the subdivision. About a dozen other kids are gathered at the bus stop, with a handful more still continuing to make their way. Max and Stacey are both greeted by a couple of friends.

"Hey Max, what's up?"

"Hey... man," Max replies, not remembering this particular kid's name. It's on the tip of his tongue but not quite there. Memory has never been Max's strong suits, he gets the feeling that his memory is considerably worse on this given day. Max gives a head nod to another friend's wave on the other side of the group, then sees a welcomed sight scurrying up the road.