The Planet's Always Bluer

Chapter 6-Earth

////Above: Picture of Tommy////

I started making dinner. Good old chicken and noodles. I got a pan out and heard the door open.

"How did it go boys?"

Adam had a tear in his eye, "Another disaster. Why am I so bad at this?"

"It's not you, son," Dad said with false hope.

"Then what is it then?" He turned to our father with a look of disappointment and anger.

"The times we're in?"

"No Dad. No. It's not 'the times'. It's me. It's because I'm so young isn't it? Or because I don't have experience, or because, because-"

"Don't you ever talk like that young man. You hear me?"

"Dad, these things need to be said."

I interrupted, "So I'm guessing things didn't go to well."

Adam looked down at the ground, "Not really."

I gave him a big hug, "It's okay bud. I'm sure you'll get the next one. Now, who's hungry?"

Reluctantly they both started towards the table.

"It's going to be around twenty minutes, so sit tight."

They both sat with their head down. When dinner was ready they barely ate and not a word was said.

...

After I washed the dishes, I went up to my room to call Tommy.

"Hi Tommi."

"Hi. Is your bike working better?"

"Y...y...yeah. Thanks f...f...for helping."

"No problem. Hey, Are you in the middle of something?"

"No. Why?"

"I was wondering if you want to hang out."

"S...s...sure. Where?"

"How about the ice cream stand on the river?"

"I can do that."

"Cool. Meet you there in twenty minutes."

"Okay. Bye"

I headed for the driveway, got my bike, and rolled right down to the river. When I got there, Tommy was already waiting in line. He looked more confident then how he sounded on the phone.

"Hey, what kind of ice cream do you like?"

"Um, actually I thought we'd just meet here instead of getting ice cream."

"Come on. This place has the best ice cream you'll ever have."

"I didn't bring any money."

"That's okay. My treat."

"I really appreciate it but-"

"No buts, I'm buying. You look like a chocolate cone girl to me. A chocolate cone, with sprinkles."

"How did you know?"

"I'm an ice cream psychic. Now go get a bench."

So I did. I got one over looking the river. A few minutes later, Tommy came with our ice cream.