Letters to the Star Whisperer

-34-

Ethan had known Tom for four years. He remembered the first day they had even met too. Ethan was in his office, talking to some of the guys. They were talking about going out to a bar after work. His father had just told him that he was getting someone to help him out.

A skinny guy, who was maybe five years younger than Ethan, had introduced himself to him. He had thick glasses and a suit that looked like that came from Goodwill. He looked very nervous as he said, "Hello, sir, my name is Thomas."

"Tommy boy," he said, getting up from the chair. "Name is Ethan. Tell me, what team?"

"Team, sir?" the shy fresh out of college man said.

Ethan patted him on the back. "Yeah, are you Broncos? Eagles?"

"Oh, football, sir?"

The three other guys were laughing at him. Ethan had to smile. "Don't call me sir, it's all good, we are all laid back here."

"Um, well, I was. .. I was here to help with paper work," Tom had said, straighten out his tie.

Ethan started to help, and the other men joined in too. "It's just a stupid. .. hello, what do we have here," Ethan said, cutting himself off. He was looking out the doorway, staring hard at a girl that was bend over picking up papers from the floor. Instead of going out to help her, he just kept staring. The only men noticed, and nodded their heads. "Look at that. Isn't that a view."

"Hit? Or miss?" someone asked.

"Hit," they all agreed expect for Tom.

"Sir, we have a lot of paperwork to do. Mr. Sullivan-"

"Right, right, right. .. and that's what you are here for, right?"

Tom nodded. "Yes sir," he said.

"Well. .. get to it," he laughed. The other guys laughed. From the first day, he had his work friends pull pranks on him and made him the butt of the joke every second he got. He started to remember some of the times he had everyone laughing at him. He was a skinny little kid, and such an easy target. He was just asking for it.

The day that he got fired, he didn't think about Tom once. But there he was, in their kitchen about to eat dinner with them.

"And what is your name?" Aspen asked, getting down to the little boy's level.

The little boy was very shy and started blushing. "Peter."

"Peter? It's so nice to meet you, Peter. My name is Aspen. Are you ready to eat some dinner?" she asked. She made talking to little kids look so natural, so easy. He didn't say anything, and instead just turned red and buried his face in Tom's leg.

Tom smiled and patted his head, "It's okay Peter."

Aspen got up from his level and smiled. "I was very shy as a kid, don't worry, they won't be shy in a few years."

He smiled and nodded. "Thank you for inviting us. These are for you," Tom said, handing her a tin box. Aspen took it and opened the lid.

"Oh! Cookies! Thank you so much," Aspen said, starting to eat one. "You didn't have to do-"

Tom held up his hands. "No, thank you for inviting us to dinner. It was very nice of you. And Mr. Sullivan," he said turning his attention to Ethan.

"Um. .. just call me Ethan," he said.

Tom nodded. "Right, sorry, Ethan. These are for you. Just some numbers and mail. I believe this is the last of it," he said as he handed him some envelopes. Ethan looked them over, eyeing them.

"Thanks," he said, throwing them on the kitchen island. He doubt he was even going to look it over later. The little boy was looking at Ethan now. Peter started to give a smile and wave. Ethan didn't know what to do around little kids. His father had always taught him and his brother that they were meant to be seen, not heard. Actually, barely seen, and never ever heard.

But he didn't want to be his father.

Ethan gave a little wave back, making Peter very excited. That made him feel happy, to see the freckle face little boy giggling because of him.

"Are you ready to eat?" Aspen asked, guiding every one to the table with food.