Play the Game

Chapter Three

 

  Two large Pizzas and three hours later, There was a knock on the door. “Stay here, I'll get it," I said to the three movie-watching kids.

  Nervously, I approached the door. The sky was becoming darker, and I had been told to not open the door. Luckily, though, I spotted Nate's muscular frame covered in a yellow polo through the screen. “It's just me." I let Nate into his own house.

  “Looks like it went well. Listen, you should really-" he was cut off by a woman's voice, presumably his mother's. “Where are my birthday boys?" The kids squealed, “Mom's home!" The twins came running and jumped into her open arms. “I'm so sorry I got here late but I was out buying this!" From somewhere being her back, she produced two gift bags- one green and one blue.

  “Cool! Thanks, mom."

  The twins ran off to open their presents. Mrs. Cross's smile was wiped of her face as she turned to Nate. “Can I speak to you in the kitchen?" As the two of them walked off to talk, I awkwardly stood standing by the front door, which was very close to the kitchen. Things in this house weren't too far apart from each other.

   I could hear mumbles from the kitchen from both Nate and his mom. She said something along the lines of, “..leave them with a stranger on their birthday..." Nate seemed to be getting in trouble. Again, I stepped in.

  “Uh, Mrs. Cross?" She looked at me entering the kitchen. “Hi. Just call me Lena, I'm not a Cross." I nodded. “Of course. I'm Ellie, by the way. Lena, it wasn't Nate's fault. I came by to work  on a project with him, but the twins asked if I wanted to play. I shouldn't have, I know, but I just couldn't tell them no. I'm sorry."

  The look on Lena's face softened. She let out a soft, “Oh," and her voice wavered as if she was about to cry. “And you stayed with them for all this time?" I nodded. She nodded too. Then she suddenly took a few steps to me and have me a hug.

  “Thanks so much. I feel terrible about being away, especially on their birthday, but I have to work every extra shift I can get," she said, pointing to get nurse scrubs. “And it seems like they had a good time. How much Do I owe you got the pizza?" I shook my head, “Oh, no, you don't have to. It was my treat." She gave me a watery smile and sniffed. “Well, thank you." Nate walked me out the front door.

  “Listen, Ellie, thanks. I guess now you see how hard it is for my family, especially on my mom." He shoved his hand into his pockets. I felt so bad for them, but I was so happy to see that Nate had another side to him,  I just wanted to give him a hug.

  But I didn't. Instead I said. “Anytime, Nate, really. It was fun." I have him a smile which he returned. I suddenly felt the cold air hit me, causing goosebumps on my arms. “I should go." Nate noticed that I was cold because he offered to give me a ride home.

  I considered it for a bit, but decided to decline. He had a birthday celebration to attend. “Thanks, but you should really get in there and celebrate the twins' birthday." He took his hand out of his pockets and took off his leather jacket. “Okay, but at least take this. I don't want you getting hypothermia on your way home on my account. You can give to me on Monday."

  I smiled at his sweet, and very un-Nate-like gesture. “I will, thanks." And I walked the free blocks to my house, thinking about Nate, and the twins, and princess Gigi, and why on earth someone would leave such a perfect family.

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  The next Monday I showed Frank the leather jacket folded nearly inside my yellow daisy-covered back pack. Frank gasped, as expected, after I told him everything.