Looking Back

Chapter 21: Saturday

The first day of May was Tanner's parent's anniversary. They been happily married for 18 years and decided to celebrate it on a Saturday. Alone. With Tanner's parents' permission, I came over so Tanner wouldn't be lonely and have to watch Tommy by himself. So after his parents left, Tanner came by my house to get me.

I didn't tell my dad where I was going. I just told him I would be back later. He ignored me, because he was stuck to the TV. I went outside and climbed inside Tanner's truck.

"Is everything okay," Tanner asked like always.

"It's the same." I looked at him.

"I'm still praying."

"Me too."

"Hi, Tamara," said Tommy.

"Hi, Tommy. What have you been up to today?"

"Playing outside. When you come over will you go outside and play with me?"

"Of course."

When we arrived at Tanner's house, we went to the huge backyard. They had a trampoline, basketball goal, and a tree house. Tommy ran to the trampoline and climbed up. Tanner on the other hand ran and jumped on nearly landing on Tommy.

I gasped. "Tanner," I scolded.

"What?" He laughed.

I shook my head.

Tommy started bouncing. "Look what I can do, Tamara." He jumped three times then did a front flip.

"Oh, wow." I exclaimed.

"You try it." He pleaded. You know kids. They could get you to do almost anything with their innocent eyes and child like smiles.

I got on the trampoline and started jumping. Tommy and Tanner sat near the edge watching me.

"Okay, you know I never did this before," I said beginning to think better of my decision.

"It's like a front tumble," Tommy said standing. "Let me show you again."

He jumped three times again, flipped, and nearly landed on his head. I freaked. "Oh, my gosh you nearly landed on your head.

Tommy laughed. "I'm okay."

"I don't think front flips are a good idea," I told him.

"I think I have a better idea," said Tanner standing up. "Let's play dead man."

"Dead man?"

"Oooo... I want to play," said Tommy immediately forgetting the front flips. "Tanner's it!"

"What's Dead Man?" I asked curiously.

"It's just like tag, but the person who is it keeps their eyes closed and tries to tag someone," explained Tanner. "I'll be it."

I watched as Tanner lay on his back in the middle of the trampoline and closed his eyes. Tommy jumped around and began singing a song.

"Dead man. Dead man. Come alive. What time is it? What time is it?"

"Twelve o'clock," Dead Tanner said.

"1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9....10...11...12...Come alive!"

Tanner rose from the dead with his eyes close and got on all fours and started moaning like a zombie while reaching out blindly to catch us. Tommy ran around screaming and running. Tanner was after him in an instant until the little booger ran behind me. Then we were both screaming and laughing. I jumped off the trampoline.

"Uh-oh," said Tommy watching Tanner.

With Tanner's eyes open, he jumped off the trampoline and began chasing me around the yard. Spike joined in and started chasing me too. It was so crazy and fun. Tanner grabbed me around the waist and brought me to the ground. We were both breathing hard.