Chapter 5
Amanda knocked on the door to the apartment and was surprised to not get a response. Robbie shrugged his shoulders and said,
"Maybe they went out. We can call them later. Come on let's go to the hardware store. I have to replace that mallet I broke last week."
"Oh yes, the mallet that hit me in the back of the head?" Amanda asked.
"Hey, I said I was sorry. How was I to know that the head would come off?" Robbie asked pretending to get defensive. The couple had a good laugh and walked away from their friend's door.
Unbeknownst to them, Stephanie and Sportacus sat in the living room. They had heard the other couple but wanted to finish their important discussion.
"I don't understand why you didn't tell me this before." Stephanie said.
"I didn't because to be honest I didn't know if Joshua could actually do it until today." Her husband argued.
"So our son can communicate with you mentally?" She asked. Sportacus nodded.
"My mother and I used to do it but that was twenty-four years ago. I haven't used it so I forgot about it. When Joshua would point to his head and then mine it never occurred to me that was what he meant." He explained.
"Well I guess our son is more special than I thought. Is it going to hurt you like it did earlier? Should we pull him out of public school?" Stephanie asked.
"I don't think it will hurt once I get used to it again. It is possible that Joshua doesn't even realize what he's doing. As far as school, we should not pull him out unless we absolutely have to. We agreed to raise him like a normal child and we have to try. If it becomes apparent that we can't hide his special talents then we will have to come up with something else. It's only his first day of school and I think we should give it a shot." Sportacus told her. Stephanie agreed that that was a good idea. Noticing what time it was the couple got ready. They showered (again), dressed, and ate some sports candy.
"Boy if I keep taking showers, I'm going to dry out like an alligator." Stephanie smiled trying to lighten the mood.
"So are you saying I married an alligator? And here I thought you were a wonderful girl. What does that make Joshua?" Sportacus teased. The couple laughed and things seemed to be getting better.
The entire bus ride home Joshua just stared out the window. Today had not been as exciting as he'd hoped. As the rest of the kids around him joked, laughed, threw spitballs, and talked, the boy remained completely silent. His seat partner was a little girl who was in his class.
She wanted to talk to him but didn't know what to say.
The bus pulled up to his stop and again it fell silent. The little girl tugged on Joshua's sleeve and he snapped back to reality. He said nothing as he slowly climbed off the bus. The bus driver half-smiled and pulled the vehicle away toward the next stop. The noise and spitballs continued as if nothing had happened.
Both Stephanie and Sportacus noticed the look on Joshua's face. This morning's smile and bright eyes were long gone, replaced by a slight frown and a far off look. His mother pulled him tight to her and gave him a hug. Sportacus wrapped his arms around his wife and son.
When they separated the slight frown had become a slight smile. Stephanie took his left hand and Sportacus took his right and the family walked back to their apartment. Neither parent knew what to say or do and the walk home remained silent. It wouldn't be until they were inside their abode that Joshua would let out what had happened today.
To Be Continued...