The school bell rang and within seconds, kids came pouring out of there like as if a wolf was chasing right behind them. Heather didn't even wait a full minute before seeing her daughter's unique blonde hair rush out, trailing behind her. She smiled and crouched down just as Maria noticed her and ran to her mother at full speed. Maria hugged her mother like as if it had been 8 years since she's last seen her instead of 8 hours.
"Maria, I have a surprise" Heather told her, "We're going to go to have ice-cream soon! And there is someone that you should really meet"
"Who?"
Heather got up and took her daughter's hand into hers and walked over to Josh standing by the tree. He did his best at smiling at Maria and giving a little wave… which failed horribly.
"I would like you to meet a friend of mine. His name is Josh and was a friend of your fathers"
"Hello, little lady!"
"You knew my dad?!"
Instantly, a spark set off inside of Maria as she took a couple of steps toward Josh. Heather almost felt like sighing a breath of relief for her daughter not becoming snobby to Josh after all.
"We were best friends"
"Then why didn't you mention anything about this guy?" Maria turned to her mom.
"He left New York before you were born" Heather said stiffly.
"Mom, was that the reason why we moved here?" Maria asked, "Because he is here and he knows dad?"
"No"
Before she could further explain, she noticed the immediate change within her daughter as she looked sad from her answer. Heather held in her breath as she thought of something that could probably make this problem go away before Josh crouched down and met with Maria's eye level.
"Maria, what kind of ice-cream flavor do you like?"
"Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough"
Heather took a mental step back as she looked between Josh and Maria talking back and forth. What she would give to have Stu see this.
"Are you kidding me, that's my favorite kind too!" Josh gasped.
Maria beamed, "Really?"
Josh nodded in agreement as he almost felt like Sally was giggling next to him. He knew the ghost would be taunting him for acting so nice to a little kid.
Or what about Aidan? Leaning casually on the tree and just smile and enjoy the scene that was unfolding.
"Maria, do you want to know a secret?" Josh asked, "I hate the vanilla ice-cream. It tastes like old people. So make sure I don't get that flavor"
"I hate vanilla, but mom likes it!" Maria yelled out.
"Really?" Josh made a disgusted face, "Then she doesn't know what she's missing out on, right? She's not part of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough club"