It's short, but the last chapter was long. I'm sorry for the long wait! I tried to post this on Tuesday, but it wouldn't work and I was gone on Wednesday and now it finally worked. Enjoy!
"Oh Mark, do you have to leave so soon?" Mrs. Cohen asked.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Mom," Mark answered, "But I ran out on Lou and Collins the other day and they're probably really worried. They've probably been looking for me over the past two days. I should get to Alphabet City before sunset if I go now and I don't want to wait another night."
Mrs. Cohen smiled. "I can tell these boys mean a lot to you sweetie," she said, "Stay safe and please call."
"I'm not making any promises," Mark said, giving his mom a hug, "Alphabet City is kinda dangerous and we don't have a phone."
"Bye Mark," Mr. Cohen said, "I'm glad we were able to fix things up between us."
Mark smiled. "Me too Dad," he said, "Me too. I have to go catch the bus into the city. Bye."
Mark waved and walked off, leaving his house behind him, but not for good, Roger by his side.
"Hey Roger,"
"Yeah?"
"Remember when I told you I had an answer for your rhetorical question?" Mark asked, "When you asked what I wanted from you? Remember that?"
Roger gave his friend a weird look. "Yes," he answered unsurely, "Why?"
"I want you to come to New York City with me."
Roger stopped walking abruptly, the red wagon plowing into the back of his legs. "What!"
"You heard me," Mark said, "I want you to come to New York City with me. You were always the one reassuring me how we'd run away to New York. Now's our chance. You're my best friend Roger, I want you to be with me."
Roger seemed to battling with his thoughts. "Mark I…" he started, looking into his friend's glossy, blue eyes, "I can't."
"But…why?" Mark asked.
"I promised you we'd go," Roger said, putting his hands on Mark's shoulders, "And I never break promises to my best friend. But not now. I can't go now Mark. I can visit you during vacation, but I can't go. I don't know why, but something's telling me to stay in Scarsdale for a while. Sorry Mark."
Mark stared at the ground and I could see the tears in his eyes. "Alright," he whispered, "I guess I'll see you later then. Come and visit whenever you want."
They shared an awkward hug and Mark walked down to the bus stop.
"It'll be okay Mark," I reassured, "Roger promised. He'd never break a promise to you."
