"27…28…29…30!" I counted out loud. "Ready or not; here I come!"
Who knew that I would be playing this game again? It's kind of funny actually; being a grown man and all. Slowly I walked through the kitchen, lifting pots and opening cabinet drawers. It was around two in the afternoon, and it was raining Toads and Koopas outside. I could hear the rain pounding on the window pane across the room as I opened the closet door. There was nothing but a mop and a broom inside. Closing it, I walked out into the living room. It was dark because of the ominous clouds outside. The lamp was on; but other than that it was pretty dim. I looked under the couch, over the TV and in the fireplace, but I saw nothing. Humming my concern, I walked through the kitchen again and opened the bathroom door. Knowing that there was nothing in there, I went up the stairs.
The first room I checked was the bathroom up there. I quickly pulled back the shower curtain, but no one was there. I searched in the drawers and in the medicine cabinets behind the mirror, but still found nothing. I walked into my room, and once again saw nothing. Going back downstairs, I checked the kitchen once more. I stood absolutely still and held my breath to not give myself away. After a few minutes, I released it and walked back into the living room. I felt myself smirk when I saw the blanket that was on the lounge chair. Tentatively, I crept towards it, and pinched the corner of the blanket. In one swift movement, I tore it off.
"Ahh!" Luma shouted in terror. He began to laugh. "Mama found Luma!"
I laughed as he sat on my shoulder. "You're good at Hide-and-Seek."
"Thanks, Mama."
We sat down on the couch (I did; he sat in my lap) and he looked up at me. He put his little hands out. Knowing what he wanted, I used my pointer fingers to play patty-cake with him. Well, his version is Yummy Cookie; but it is the same thing.
"Yummy cookie yummy cookie for Luma." He piped as we tapped alone. "Mama make a cookie for Luma. Roll it, and bake it, and shape like a Star. Now eat the cookie with Mama and Luma!"
It made me smile to see him this happy. He giggled, and politely asked if he could get a cookie from the jar. When I nodded, he zoomed off. A few seconds later, he came back with two. He handed one to me, and we both enjoyed a light snack of cookies.
"Mama." He peeped at me. "Question."
"Yes, Luma?" I looked at him.
"Is…Mama happy?"
I was thrown back a bit. "Why wouldn't Mama be happy?"
"Lots has happened in past. Now boring and sad. Mama happy that all over?"
"Well, it is good to get a break once in a while." I patted his little head. "No brakes mean no cookies."
"Why?"
"Mama wouldn't have time to bake them. He would be too busy saving the Kingdom."
"Like Uncle Mar-Mar?"
I nodded lightly. I knew that Mario was out and about today. Peach wanted him to come over to enjoy a cake she made. Knowing what this might lead to, he grabbed extra equipment and told me to watch over the Kingdom while he was gone.
Speak of…
"Uncle Mar-Mar!" Luma shouted in joy as he entered the house. "All wet."
"I guess I am." He greeted Luma as I handed him a towel. "What did you and Mama do today? Get any cookies baked?"
"Mama play Hide-and-Seek! Wanna play with Luma?"
"I have to get dry first. After dinner maybe." He faced me. "How do you like babysitting a Luma?"
"It's a lot more work than I thought it would be." I answered honestly. "At last I can hold some sort of a conversation with him. I wouldn't trade him for any Star in the sky."
"'Cause Luma Mama's Star!" he shouted in joy as he took Mario's towel. "Luma help."
"So no Bowser?" I asked. He faced me. "What happened?"
"This is for you." He handed me a piece of folded notebook paper. "I haven't read it, but I know that it is bad."
"How?"
"The handwriting…"
I looked and he was right; it looked like it was written in a hurry. I opened it slowly, and read the contents. I felt the blood drain from my face as I folded the paper again. I faced my brother, and he nodded, understanding.
"When?" he asked softly.
"Once the rain lets up." I responded.
He nodded, and we went back to what we would normally do as Luma flew in, asking about dinner. I laughed lightheartedly, and asked him what he wanted.