So Johnny kept wondering how this weekend would turn out with Mama's friends in Milwaukee. He hoped whatever they would be doing, it better be good.

"Mama, how long are we going to be with your friends?" Johnny asked.

"Just for the weekend is all," she answered.

"Whatever your plan is, it better be good."

"Trust me, Johnny. It will."

He didn't say anything else.

"I'm going outside for a while. See you later."

"You can stay outside as long as you want."

"Okay. I think I'll bring a water bottle. I am thirsty."

So Johnny helped himself to a water bottle and then was gone.

Mama only watched him but said nothing.

Johnny saw a neighbor of his, whose name was Susie.

"Hi, Johnny! How are you?" she asked.

"Busy."

"Mrs. Bravo told me you will be going away for the weekend."

Johnny nodded.

"That's right. Mama wanted to do this for me, but she did mention that these friends she has known for a long time have a girl of their own."

"Maybe you can get to know this girl, Johnny. How much do you know about her?"

Johnny didn't want to give the information out to his neighbor, even though Susie is only a child. She might be too young to understand this, but he told her anyway.

"The problem is, Susie, is this girl happens to be in a relationship. I would like to be friends with her when Mama and I head out."

Susie said, "Maybe Mrs. Bravo would bring back pictures for me to see. That way I can get a good idea how you spent your time."

"We'll see. You are too young to understand about relationships like this," Johnny told her.

He took the top of his water bottle because he felt his mouth being dry. So he gulped most of the water.

"You shouldn't drink so fast, Johnny. You can get hiccups that way."

That he already knew, so he didn't say anything to her about that.

"I better get going, Johnny. If I don't see you before you leave, I want to wish you a happy birthday."

He thanked her and then watched her leave.

When he finished drinking the last of the water bottle, he burped. There was no need to have manners because there was nobody around.

Johnny told himself from what Mama spoke about her friends, he also wondered if the Cunninghams had a son as well, and that she hadn't mentioned.

He decided to walk back inside, he would ask Mama if she could tell him more about her friends. He wanted to ask her about Richie. He did just that. Mama watched him walk in.

"Did you have a nice time outside, Johnny?" she asked.

"You bet I did, Mama. I ran into Susie. She mentioned you told her about the birthday weekend you have planned for me."

"That's right, Johnny."

"There's more to that."

"What do you mean?" Mama asked.

"I have another question, Mama. I don't remember you telling me if your friends had a son," he told her.

"I thought I told you," she said.

Johnny shook his head and said, "No."

"They have a son, actually. His name is Richie, but he has his own family now, but I'm not sure if we will have the chance to meet him while we're there for the weekend."

"What do you know about Joanie's relationship?"

"Not much. Mrs. Cunningham didn't give out any details, and that's none of our business to ask that sort of question."

Johnny saw that she made a lot of sense, but he hoped to find out if Joanie told him.

"Maybe this Joanie girl could tell me."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Johnny. Just leave the relationship alone and private for Joanie and her friend."

"We'll find out how much time we have and go from there. Let's see who has the time to meet us while we're in Milwaukee," Mama told him.

"That's what I'm saying, Mama."