The Goodman

Simon Goodman was just your typical ten year old boy who didn't like baths, liked to go on bike rides and play with toy cars. He liked to watch wrestling and act out the moves with his action figures, he liked to read comic books about space adventures and most importantly he liked a good mystery.

Simon Goodman was just a regular kid and regular kids have other regular kids whom they would consider to be their best friend.

Victoria Colon was the neighbourhoods pride and joy. She was an adorable nine year old girl, with long, thin, wavy blonde hair that reached her waist, eyes as blue as the Ocean and a little sprinkle of Freckles.

Victoria was the opposite of Simon. She loved baths and played with Barbie Dolls. She had tea parties with her father when he wasn't away on business trips and when he was she had her dog replace him by bribing her with treats. Victoria loved Fairy Tales and having her mother brush her hair, while she brushed her seven year old sisters short hair. As different as Victoria was from Simon, she couldn't help but be compelled by mysteries, just like him.

Simon and Victoria spent hours every day reenacting mysteries from films or television shows they watched together.

Every Saturday Simon would go across the street to Victoria's house and ring the doorbell, rocking back and forth in place until her mother Sharlene answered the door.

"Why hello, Simon." She would say with a polite smile.

"Hi Mrs. Colon, can Vicky come out and play?" He would ask, a smile stretched across that innocent face of his.

"Sure thing, dear. I'll go get her, please, come in." She'd smile.

When Simon would come in he was automatically greeted with the warmth and smells inside. Mrs. Colon had a hobby of baking Cookies, Brownies and Pies, so no matter the time of day Mrs. Colon would always offer Simon a treat.

"Yes please." Simon would reply excitedly, his smile spreading his face from ear to ear. He'd go on his tiptoes and reach up to the tray and grab one of her freshly baked goods.

"Mommy, is Vicky and Simon playing again?" Audrey, Victoria's younger sister would ask.

"Yes, Audrey, they are."

"Can I go play?"

"No, not today Audrey." Mrs. Colon would answer, like every other day.

"But why not?" Audrey would whine and Mrs. Colon would never answer the question. Part of Simon believed that Mrs. Colon loved her youngest daughter by two years so much that she was scared to let her leave the nest. It was understandable, Simon's mother used to never even let him cross the street by himself but once he hit double digits last month, it was fair game. She let him leave every Saturday early in the morning, and stay out until dinner time. She wasn't worried for her son because she knew he wouldn't go wandering too far and she knew the neighbourhood they were in and it was safe.

"Vicky," Mrs. Colon called, picking Audrey up and placing her on her hip, "Don't keep Simon waiting."

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Victoria shouted, running down the carpeted stairs and down into the Kitchen. "What do you think, Simon?" Victoria asked, fluttering her eyes.

Simon sucked in a breath and smiled, the chocolate chips from the warm Cookie stuck between his teeth. "Beautiful." He breathed.

"Victoria!" Mrs. Colon said sharply, "What have I told you about playing with my make up! March right up stairs young lady and take that gunk off!"

Victoria frowned and her shoulders went forward and her head dropped in shame. "Do I look ugly?" She asked, her eyes welling up.

It was now Mrs. Colon's turn to frown, "No, Vicky." She whispered. "Simon was right, you look beautiful," Mrs. Colon extended her free arm and Victoria went into it, and gave her mother a hug, "Go on, sweetie, go play with Simon." Mrs. Colon kissed Victoria on her head before slightly pushing her towards the little boy. "Have a good time, kids."