The Adventures of Max and Leo: Let the vacation begin

Max woke up in the bedroom part of the beach house after a nap that he started taking while he and Leo were on their road trip to the beach house. He sat up and saw Leo playing on a Game Boy.

"Hey, Leo," Max said. "I see we're here."

"Yeah, Dad and I had to carry you to bed," Leo said. "Apparently, you were deep in your sleep this go around, Max."

"Either that or my mind is already on vacation," Max said.

"Apparently so," Leo said. "But, I'm glad you had a good rest, Max."

"Me, too," Max said. "So, are we going to do what we always do on our first evening at the beach?"

"You mean go for a walk?" Leo asked. "Yeah, we plan on it after I make dinner."

"Cool, what are you going to make?" Max asked.

"I'm going to make us some Hamburger Helper," Leo said.

"Cool," Max said. "So, when is the girl going to be here?"

"She said she'll be here next week," Leo said. "As soon as she gets here, she will let us know. Also, she wants to spend a couple of nights here as well."

"Awesome," Max said. "We'll make sure she has a wonderful stay, will we?"

"We sure will," Leo said. "I will tell you, Marv hated to see you go for a month."

"Yeah, I think he really likes coming to see me and checking on me and such," Max said.

"Well, that and he worries about you a lot," Leo said. "He called me five times in a day one time wondering how you were. I told him you were doing fine and such, but that didn't seem to ease his worries."

"He's not going to try to find a way to get here, is he?" Max asked.

"We'll see," Leo said. "It's still early in the afternoon so do you want to play some video games for a little bit before dinner?"

"Sure, what do you have?" Max asked.

"I got a new game a couple of weeks ago," Leo said. "How would you like to play Mortal Kombat II?"

Max perked up, saying, "You got Mortal Kombat II?"

"I sure did," Leo said while getting up and beginning to set up the game. "Ever since Dad got the Mortal Kombat arcade for Just Fun and Games, the customers love it. I tried it out before he officially opened it and I was hooked!"

"Cool, so he's keeping an eye on new arcades, then?" Max asked.

"He sure is," Leo said. "He's considering getting the Super Mario World arcade as some customers have sent in surveys saying they are interested in that arcade as well."

"Sounds fantastic," Max said. "I think him listening to the customers has really made a difference."

"Yeah, every time we go to the arcade, it's super busy," Leo said.

"Yeah, I've noticed," Max said.

"Well, I've got the game all set up now, so let's fight," Leo said.

Leo handed Max a controller and the two started playing Mortal Kombat II . . .

After a couple of hours of playing Mortal Kombat II and Road Rash II, Max and Leo stopped playing.

"Wow, that was so much fun," Max said. "Between the wrestling and the motorcycle racing, I've had quite a rush."

"Me, too," Leo said. "I have definitely worked up an appetite, so I guess I better start fixing that Hamburger Helper."

"Yeah, so to the kitchen," Max asked.

"Yep, to the kitchen," Leo said.

Max and Leo went to the kitchen. Max leaned over the counter, watching Leo cook.

"So, what are you looking forward to during this next month of being here?" Leo asked.

"So many things," Max said. "Playing video games, games on your laptop, surfing, swimming, fishing, building sand castles, having ice cream and just laying down on the bench."

"We'll be sure to do as much of that as we can," Leo said. "I know you're excited to have your little friend come spend some of her vacation with us."

"I sure am," Max said. "She's probably going to be excited that I am in this swimming suit."

"I know she will be," Leo said. "Ever since she saw you in that swimming suit, she doesn't want to see you in anything else."

"I've noticed that," Max said. "So, I guess she will be thrilled out of her skin."

"No doubt," Leo said. "But, I do hope you both have fun when she does come."

"We will," Max said. "I think she's trying everything she can to make sure she doesn't go a long time without seeing us."

"I really think she is, too," Leo said. "I guess she misses you just as much if not more than you miss her."

"Yeah, I think so," Max said.

"They actually had to repair the pier again since we came on Memorial Day weekend," Leo said.

"Really," Max asked.

"Yeah, another waterspout did some damage to it," Leo said.

"Knowing me, I would have wanted to see it," Max said.

"You sure would have," Leo said. "You'd drag me kicking and screaming into getting it on video, too."

"I sure would," Max said. "Those are really cool to get on video."

"Alright, dinner is almost ready," Leo said.

"Awesome," Max said. "So, what do you want to do while we are at the beach?"

"Well, I am definitely going to get some relaxation time in," Leo said. "I'm also going to take some video of you engaging in some of your beach activities. I might also check out some of the other food trucks that come to the beach."

"Other food trucks come here?" Max asked.

"Oh, yeah, I've seen trucks serve burgers, salads, hot dogs, pizza and other kinds of food," Leo said.

"As good as you are a cook, you should run a truck yourself," Max said.

"I don't know about that," Leo said. "I'm perfectly happy just cooking for you and our friends."

"I'm sure a lot of people would love your cooking," Max said.

"Yeah, but gaming is kind of what I'm passionate about the most," Leo said. "I am really enjoying making the game based on us so much that I might end up just doing something like that for a living."

"I know you'll be great at that, too," Max said. "You're great at a lot of things."

"You think so, Max?" Leo asked.

"I know so, Leo," Max said.

"That really means a lot, Max, thanks," Leo said. "Well, dinner is ready."

"Alright, let's eat," Max said.

Leo fixed himself and Max a plate and the two sat down to enjoy dinner . . .

Later that evening, Leo and Max were walking at the beach, Max with his feet in the ocean water and Leo on wet sand.

"It's a beautiful evening out here," Max said.

"It sure is," Leo said. "I really look forward to coming out here tomorrow."

"Me, too," Max said. "This ocean water feels so good right now. I know it's going to feel super good when I swim on it."

"I'm sure it will, especially if you dive into it the way you always do," Leo said.

"That's what I plan to do," Max said. "I love going cannonball into the water."

"You sure do," Leo said. "So, what else is on your mind, Max?"

"Well, I'm glad the arcade is doing really well," Max said.

"Me, too," Leo said. "My dad had to order new toys right before I took that week off to go to computer camp."

"Nice," Max said. "Those kids love working for those toys."

"They sure do," Leo said.

"I wonder how much they are willing to pay tickets to get gadgets," Max said.

"I'll have to ask my dad," Leo said. "They will eat that up for sure."

"I'm sure they will," Max said. "Some of our old basketball team was hoping you could be player/coach again this winter."

"I hope they'll let me," Leo said. "My guess was that they talked about it while they were keeping you company."

"They did," Max said.

"Well, I guess we'll have to start the petitions again," Leo said.

"Guess so," Max said.

The two continued to walk and talk until it started getting dark.

"Well, it's time to go inside," Leo said.

"Sure is," Max said. "I guess I better get my legs and feet dried off."

"Yeah," Leo said.

The two started back for the beach house.

"What do you want to do now?" Leo asked.

"I figured maybe we could play some Mario Bros.," Max said.

"Sounds fantastic, I'll set it up while you dry off," Leo said.

Max and Leo went back to the beach house so Max could dry off and the two could play Mario Bros.