"When can we have ice cream?"asked Billy.
"Well,"Brock counted his change. "We can get some right now."
"Yay!"said all ten boys and girls.
They walked towards the ice cream shop.
"Oh, no!"exclaimed Brock, as he spotted Crystal in the shop. "Never mind, we can't have the ice cream!"
He was too late. All ten of his siblings had walked into the shop, and were already giving the lady behind the counter their orders. He saw look up at the children, shake her head, and continue with her sundae. Then she saw him.
"Aren't you the one who works at my aunt's house?"she asked.
"Yeah, that's me."
"How nice to see you here. You know, that apron didn't really go with you."she giggled. "Sorry, it's just that I've never seen a guy who likes pink, or anything frilly, either."
Brock smiled.
"Well, I guess I'm alone in that, then."
"Yes."she looked up to see his sibling. "Oh, my, they really should do something about this. I hate kids. No one should be allowed to bring them anywhere. They bother other customers for one, and that should be bad for business."
"Uh-huh."
"And by themselves!"she exclaimed. "Irresponsible parents, I suppose."
"Brock, Tommy wants one with two scoops and that's not fair!"exclaimed Cindy.
"You know these children?"asked Crystal.
"Uh, hang just a second, Cindy, you go and tell he lady what you want, and I'll be right there. Tell Tommy only one. Uh, yeah. You see…um…they're my…neighbor's kids."he said.
"And why are they with you."
"Oh, well, she…you see, she kind of…well, she's sick, she's not feeling very well, and I volunteer to take them for ice cream or something every now and then. You know, just help her whenever I can."
"How nice of you! Why, with people like you around, anyone would have kids. Just be careful she doesn't take advantage of you and your time. Then again, with kids like these, anyone would go crazy. I would have already packed my bags, or jumped off a building or something."
"Yeah. I gotta go pay for the ice cream, Miss Crystal. I'll be right back."
He went to pay for the ice cream.
"I would have hoped you would accompany me, believe it or not, I'm not so fond of eating alone,"she said. "But I see you have these children to attend. Oh, well, it just isn't my day, is it?"she smiled at him, and returned to her ice cream.
"Oh, maybe some other time."
"Perhaps."
Brock walked out of the shop as soon as he could.
"Who was the lady?"asked Timmy.
"Oh, just someone I met. That's all."
That afternoon, Brock told David everything that had happened.
"You see, there may just be a small ray of hope for me yet!"he exclaimed. "Perhaps if you could watch my brothers and sisters, at least while Crystal is here, then I could get at least one date with her."
"Me? Watch your brothers and sisters?"
"Yes! See, just…look, they can stay with me in the mornings…I know I can keep them quiet while I'm at Ms.Balmaceda's, no, that might be a good opportunity…I give them their breakfast, take them to your house, you bring them to the gym, after I get here, and I'll take it from there. Please, David, you just have to! It won't be so hard. Just in the mornings, and anytime I'm not at the gym. Just…just while she's here! Anytime I go to the store or anything, you look after them. Think of all the things that I've done for you!"
"I really can't seem to think of any."
"I've been your friend, for one! I'll do anything! My life is just not worth living if you don't do this for me."said Brock on his knees.
"Well…"
"And think of it as good training for later on in life! Besides, won't your parents and your brother help?"
"All right. I guess I can help you there."said David.
"Thanks a million!"