Max POV
I enter the front door of my house and Ney comes running, jumping right into my arms.
"Christopher! I thought I told you to take her for a walk?" My mom calls upstairs as she makes her way to the front door. She sports an apron and holds a wine glass in her flour dusted hands.
"Oh yeah," Chris says and he bounds downstairs jumping the last two steps. My mother just shakes her head, taking a sip from her glass, "Salut mon chèr," (Hello my dear) The puppy is now squirming in my arms so I set her down.
"I'm a little bit all over the place right now, they're coming in an hour," she sighs.
"Do you want any help?"
"If you could just take all the shoes from here, and bring them to the mudroom."
"Are you sure that's all?"My eyes linger on the glass in her hands.
"It's only my second today mon chèr, don't worry about me." She chuckles, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Mom," I look into her tired eyes.
Something beeps from the kitchen, and her attention is diverted as she heads straight towards the kitchen. As Chris is getting Ney's leash, I move the shoes.
"Ney, drop it." I say sternly as she tries to fight me for my shoes. "Ney, drop it." I have two other pairs of shoes in my other hand so I can't make her let it go. Chris appears at the perfect time with her leash, so he takes her away from the shoe for me.
"You're welcome," he says, a bit annoyed.
"Thank you Christopher." I reply, sarcasm lacing my tone.
Placing the shoes, including my Vans with dog-slobbered laces, in the mudroom, I check the time, it's 5:10. I've got an hour and a bit to finish my math homework before our guests come over. Since that's totally not going to happen before then, I might as well go for a walk with Chris and Ney.
"Chris I'll come with you." I say as I walk back towards the front door.
"Yes, Max, please go along with him." My agrees from the kitchen.
He glares at me, "Why?" He protests, "I'm old enough to walk alone. I'm 10 years old."
"Just go, please, I really need to get some things done."
"Chris, allons-y." (let's go) I open the door ushering him out and he exhales in utter distress. "We'll be right back." I say and shut the door behind me, but when I turn around Chris and Ney already running up the street.
"Hey wait up!" I call after him, making my way down the front steps and jogging up to catch them.
I finally catch up, "You're getting fast Chris," I say, breathing slightly heavier, "Think you're as fast as me yet?"
He looks up at me and shrugs, "I dunno."
"Let's see." I point to the crack in the sidewalk.
"No! Don't step on it or you'll break maman's back!" He warns, and Ney barks in agreement.
I chuckle, "I meant behind it. To the last lamppost. On your marks, get set, go!"
We take off, Ney, as usual taking the lead, tugging Chris along. I let him catch up to me but then at the very end I speed up and beat him only by a little. I've gotta hand it to him, he's pretty fast for his age. He plays soccer too. We've both been playing since we could barely walk.
Ney tries to continue tugging as we slow down. She barks for us to keep going. Turning to Chris I catch my breath,"Almost, but not quite there yet. Maybe soon, maybe soon."
YOU ARE READING
Falling for the Stars.
Teen Fiction"A new school, new people and a fresh start. No boys and no friend drama. Just me, my sketchbook and my pencil and that's it; that's what it was supposed to be. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you, but I did. Here I am, in tears again. Life h...
