Its Not New York Without A Dream

Twelve

As Alex and I were walking out of Peggy's house we noticed a school building a little ways away.

"Oh my God," I said hitting myself.

"What?" Alex asked looking at me.

"They're at the elementary school." I said pulling him in the direction of the school.

"What?"

"The playground. They're at the playground." I said letting out a relieved laugh.

"Oh!" Alex exclaimed. "Oh my God they're not dead." He sighed.

We got to the playground at the school to find Peggy on a bench with a younger girl and five kids on the playground, two of which were the twins.

"Daddy!" Emmy exclaimed, sliding down the slide and running over. I scooped her up when she got to my feet and hugged her. "Daddy! Come watch me go on the big slide!" She said wriggling out of my arms and climbing back onto the playground equipment. Alex was in the midst of scolding Peggy about scaring him while I walked around to the biggest slide, which came up to my shoulders (much like Alex). She finally reached the slide and sat at the top. "Go to the bottom and catch me like Aunt Peggy does!" She said pointing at the bottom. I stood at the bottom and kneeled down waiting for her to slide down. She hesitated before pushing herself down the slide. She squealed going down and put her arms out. When she got to the bottom I grabbed her and spun her around.

"Wow!" I said, "That was so brave of you!" I said.

She giggled and poked my nose. "Yeah, Michael did it and then I did it," she said happily. Michael was chasing another boy in a game of tag. His knees and hands were dirty and his shirt had dirt stains on it. I sighed, not excited to wash those out.

Alex finished telling Peggy about how we were freaking out and she was wide eyed, "I sent you guys a text!" She said pulling out her phone. The phone didn't turn on but showed the dead battery screen. "Are you serious?" She said. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Peg," I said, "Alex probably didn't mention that neither of us thought to check here."

She laughed and Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Minor details." He said quietly.

The girl that was sat next to Peggy gathered up the other three kids and took them to meet someone in an SUV in the parking lot. Michael ran over, breathing heavily. He let out a breath with a huff, "I'm pooped." He sighed. He tried climbing up into Alex's lap, so Alex picked him up and stood up.

"We're gonna go home and get you two in a bath." Alex said licking his thumb and rubbing dirt from Michael's cheek.

Michael and Emmy groaned and Peggy kissed both of their cheeks.

We said our farewells and started to head home to clean up the two dirt balls.