Chapter 28
28
JAYDEN
Seven Years Old
“So, what’s your favorite game?”
I glance at Pat. He’s taken us fishing, and we’re set up on the side of the river. He’s Mom’s friend, and we just met, but he’s been really nice to me.
I watch my bobber. “Well, I like Tetris. But I don’t really play that often.”
“Oh yeah?” Pat’s bobber sinks for a second, then comes back up.
“Yeah.” I reel my line in and cast again.
“Why not?”
I glance at him. He’s persistent. No adult has shown this much interest in me before.
“I don’t have a Gameboy.”
“Oh! Well, I think we can fix that.”
I watch my bobber silently. Mom says that kind of thing to me all the time. I’ve learned she never means it.
We fish for a while longer, neither of us catching anything, but it’s peaceful. Pat talks to me about my life, school, and my friends. Then after, he takes me to the store and buys me a Gameboy. “I love you, Jayden,” he chuckles as he pats me on the head.
I barely believe it’s real.
I can’t believe how nice that was. For the first time in a while, my heart warms. Maybe things will be looking up from here.