They two boys were kind of lost. D.C isn't smaller as they thought and finding their grandfather's house was even more difficult. They called him and told him to go get them. After being with someone they trust, Seeley shared with his grandfather why they were there:
-It was dad.
-What? What did he done?
-He beat Jared yesterday with the buckle of the belt.
-What! Is your father crazy? What reason does he have to do that?
-The bottle of whisky justifies everything.
-After returning from the Vietnam your father wasn't the same, but from that to beat on my little grandson-
-And on mom…and on me.
Hank hasn't said a word after hearing that from his grandson. He just hugged him and apologized for never been present and attentive to any sign of the situation.
-I was wondered if we could stay with you…only for a while…while mom don't get a house for the three of us.
-Of course shrimp, of course you can.
-But, and mom?
-She's an adult, she will find a way to get out there, you'll see. But, right now, where's your brother?
-JARED! – Seeley shouted out.
-Over here! – He said on the top of the big tree of the backyard.
-Come down son, you'll fall.
-I'm fine here gramps, so as the rabbit who's eating the carrots!
-Ah, that little thing! – He said while ran to the small shed and brought a shotgun.
-No, gramps don't kill him. – Jared said.
-But he's eating everything.
-We'll keep him, can we?
-Oh, why not. I'll get him. – He putted the shotgun again on the shed and in minutes he was coming with the brownish rabbit.
-He's really fluffy! – Seeley said as Hank put the rabbit on his grandson arms.
-Hey, I want to see him too! – Jared grumbled from the top of the tree.
-Well come down and you'll see him. – Seeley challenged.
-I can't, it's too high.
-You climbed up and now you can't come down? – Seeley said holding his laugh at the scaring face that Jared was doing.
-Jump, I'll catch you. – Hank said under the grandson, stretching his arms.
Jared jumped and they both fell on the grass, laughing.
-Sorry about that gramps. – He said smirking.
-That's ok, just help me getting up. – He said stretching his hand that Jared rushed to pull.
-Here, hold the rabbit.
-What are going to call him?
-I don't know I let you choose the name.
-He's so small, let's call him Tiny.
-Hey Mr. Booth, how are you? – A teenager asked walking on the sidewalk.
-I'm good and you Russell?
-Fine.
-Your sister's good?
-She's actually a little sick. I think she got flu.
-Well, go that care of her.
-Actually I was going to play baseball with some of my friends on the wasteland. If you they want to come… - He said looking at Seeley and Jared. - We need some players.
-Do you want to go boys?
Jared immediately nodded negatively. Seeley was in doubt and finally accepted and they left.
-You're my cousin. – Russell stated.
-No I'm not!
-If we lose, my friends will kick your butt unless you're my cousin.
-Fist: I'm not your cousin; second: will not be by my fault if you guys lose; third: even if for my fault, I'm not afraid of your friends.
-You have the guts kid! How old are you?
-I'm nine and I'm proud of it.
-Ok, I'm not asking anything else.
-And, I'm not your cousin!
-That's up to you, I'm not insisting.
-Hey, Russell, tell us you got someone to play with us. – Said one of his friends, desperate.
-Yeah, I got my….friend Seeley.
-He's a kid! You know if we lose-
-You'll kick my butt, I know! – Seeley said proudly. – And, just to show you what I can do, I'm the first one beating, give me the bat. – He ordered.
They were all speechless with the boast of the nine year old kid and they gave him the bat. He positioned himself on the base and twirled the bat on his hand. He nodded with the head, saying he was ready. He hit the ball so strongly that the other team couldn't catch it.
At the end of the game, he was dusty, sweating, tired and happy. They won the game, and because of him. Russell friends bided farewell and went home. As always, Seeley sneaker's laces were loosened and he was crestfallen, looking at the laces.
-That was a good game, kid.
-Thanks, I guess.
-I hope to see you tomorrow on the game.
-I'll try to be there.
-Good, see you tomorrow, freshman.
-Hey, how was the game? – Hank asked.
-Great, we won. – He said without enthusiasm that Hank couldn't do anything unless understands.
Seeley sat at the window, looking outside. His eyes turned to the girl about his age on the backyard on the one of the houses in front. She was looking at something on the grass, and he couldn't take her eyes off her.
-Who's she? – He asked to his grandfather.
-Her name is Temperance. She's Russell's little sister.
-She's pretty. – He whispered to himself.
Someone appeared at the door and called her inside, probably was her mother.
-Seeley, dinner. - His grandfather shouted from the kitchen.
At the end of the dinner, he grabbed on apple pie's slice and sit on the porch steps. He was thinking of his mother, if she had got off the house, where she would be, if she was ok. His thoughts were cut when he saw the girl again. He approached to her and he felt afraid.
-Hi.
-Hi. – She said with her hoarse voice.
-I'm Seeley, I live there – He pointed. – With my grandfather and my brother.
-I'm Temperance and you're at my house. Why didn't I have seen you before?
He avoided the question, saying:
-I…I played baseball this afternoon…with your brother and his friends.
-He told us at dinner. He said you were amazing.
-Really? – He said confident.
-And also said you're a bit cocky.
He just coughed; it's true, he never has been so rude, cocky and cheeky in his life.
-When did you move?
-Today. I come from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
-And, your brother is he younger?
-Yes, he's six, but he's sleeping now.
-I didn't ask you to go get him.
-I know I just…don't know what…to say.
She smiled.
-What?
-You blink too much when you're jumble!
He laughed.
- Nobody ever noticed that.
At the same time, Seeley's grandfather and Temperance's mother opened the door. Temperance's mother called her inside, and Seeley's grandfather said his mother was on the phone, so he ran.
-See you tomorrow? – She screamed, not loud, because of her sore throat.
He looked back as he was running:
-Yes, see you tomorrow.
New chapters will come soon.