A Friend For Adam
Page 4
Chapter Three
Saturday arrived before either of them knew it, distracted by unpacking and getting to know each other. Adam, dressed in shorts and a green shirt with sandals, put his gift for Amber and Spitball in his tattered green backpack and thudded down the stairs after lunch. “I’m ready,” he told his mom, “are we leaving soon?”
His mom laughed, “Let me finish tidying up and we’ll be on our way, ok?”
“Ok Mom,” Adam said. He climbed up on a stool at the kitchen island and watched as his mom put away the leftovers and wiped down the counters.
As she reached for her purse, she looked at him, “Do you have Amber’s present?”
“It’s in my backpack,” Adam said.
“Oh honey, are you sure you want to bring that old backpack with you?” His mom asked.
“It’s my lucky backpack,” Adam said firmly with a grin.
“All right,” His mom said, “let’s go.”
Adam scrambled off the stool and ran for the car, climbing into the backpack and dropping the backpack beside him. “Eager to go, huh?” Spitball asked softly.
“I like Amber,” Adam said, “she’s pretty nice, for a girl.” He watched his mom look the door to the house, “now be quiet.”
“Yes sir,” Spitball replied.
“Are you ready to go?” His mom asked with a laugh as she slid into the driver’s seat.
“Waiting on you,” Adam said as he buckled his seatbelt.
Amber Merchant’s family lived across the street from the big park. The street was already filled with cars, “Are we late?” Adam asked.
“We’re right on time,” his mom reassured him as she found a place to park. “Hold my hand as we cross the street, sweetie.”
“Ok,” Adam said. He slid out of the car and put his backpack on, then took his mother’s hand. They walked quickly across the street to where a group of men was standing on the driveway.
“Good afternoon,” one of the men said, a tall man with dark skin.
“Good afternoon,” Adam’s mom said, “is this where Amber Merchant’s party is?”
“Of course,” the man said, “I’m Amber’s dad Michael.”
“I’m Lisa Chambers,” Adam’s mom said, “my son Adam just started in Amber’s class this week.”
“Ah,” Mr. Merchant said, “Amber’s talked about him quite a bit. The party’s in the back yard, you can just go through the gate there. My wife Crystal is back there as well.”
“Thank you,” Adam’s mom said.
Adam followed his mom around to the back of the house where the class party was in full swing. Adam’s mom headed for a group of women standing around near a table with cake and presents on it. “Crystal Merchant?” She said, approaching them.
“You must be Lisa Chambers,” one of the women said, stepping forward and offering her hand. “It’s nice to put a face to your voice.”
“I have to agree,” Adam’s mom said. “This is Adam.”
“You’re the one who found one of Mom’s little toys,” Mrs. Merchant said, smiling at Adam.
“This is Spitball,” Adam said, tilting his head to the dragon. “Thank you for letting me keep him.”
“You are very welcome,” Mrs. Merchant said with a big smile.
“Where can I put Amber’s present?” Adam asked, uneasy under the woman’s gaze.
“Put it there on the table,” Mrs. Merchant said, “then you can go play.”
“Ok,” Adam said. He scooted around behind his mom and took off his backpack to dig out Amber’s present. Then he settled his backpack on again and took off to join the party.
Spitball huffed, “I don’t like her,” he murmured.
“Me either,” Adam whispered before approaching Amber and a group of kids, “Hi Amber!”
“Hi Adam,” Amber said. “Oh, you brought your dragon! That’s so cool.”
Adam grinned, “Thanks Amber. This is Spitball.”
“What kind of name is Spitball?” One of the boys, who was named Robbie, demanded.
“That’s the name he gave me,” Adam replied, “I like it.”
“I do to,” Amber said. “Let’s play tag.” She smacked Robbie and took off running. The kids scattered with shrieks of laughter to avoid him.
Adam ran with the others, losing himself in the games until he was breathless with laughter. He found himself standing next to Amber as they prepared for a game of Red Light, Green Light. Adam bit his lip, “Amber,” he said, “can I use your bathroom, please?”
“Sure,” Amber said, “it’s off the kitchen, the white door with a sign on it.”
“Thank you,” Adam said and ran for the house.
The door to the bathroom was locked and Adam looked around. “Everything alright, Adam?” Mr. Merchant asked as he came into the kitchen from the living room.
“Someone’s in the bathroom, sir,” Adam said, staring at the floor.
“You can use the one upstairs then,” Mr. Merchant said, “just take the stairs up it’s the second door on the right.”
“Thank you,” Adam said.
When he got up stairs, he glanced around and headed for the door that said Amber’s Room in bright colors. One final glance over his shoulder and he slipped inside. “We’re here,” he said quietly over his shoulder.
“Good,” Spitball said, wriggling. “Cassie?”
“Spitball?” A soft, girl’s voice replied. “Is that you?”
“Yup,” Spitball replied. “This is Adam, he woke me up.”
“Hi Cassie,” Adam said, finally spotting the pale pink teddy bear on the bed.
“Hello Adam,” Cassie said. “Spitball, it’s good to see you again, it feels like forever.”
“I know,” Spitball said, “Listen, my Wish Star, do you know where it is?”
“Oh Spitball,” Cassie replied, “I do. I am so sorry. Amber’s sister Tina has it.”
“Can we get it back?” Spitball asked.
“I don’t know,” Cassie said, “Spitball, about Tina, I think she’s in trouble.”
“You think they’re after her?” Spitball asked.
“Yes,” Cassie said, “she’s been getting in a lot of trouble lately.”
“Can I help?” Adam asked.
“I don’t know,” Cassie said.
“Where is the Star, Cassie?” Spitball asked firmly.
“In Tina’s jewelry box,” Cassie said, “in the bathroom. It’s locked though. She always locks it to keep Amber out.”
Adam smiled, “I bet I can help with that. That’s the bathroom across the hall right?”
“Right,” Cassie said, “be careful.”
Adam chuckled, “I’m just a kid, Cas. Who’s going to suspect me?” He glanced over his shoulder, “You staying here?”
“No way,” Spitball said.
Adam slipped out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him. He slid the backpack off and set it down, “Good view?” He asked.
“Good,” Spitball replied.
Adam looked over the counter and picked up an old jewelry box with a key hole. “This must be it,” he said.
“Yup,” Spitball replied, “I can feel the Star in it now.”
Adam sat on the floor and took two paper clips out of his pocket, “Just a minute and we’ll get it back.”
“How do you know how to do that?” Spitball asked.
“Mom and Dad adopted me last year,” Adam explained as he worked on the lock, “my parents couldn’t take care of me or my big brother Nick. Nick got in a lot of trouble and they took him away before I was adopted. He taught me to do this.” The box clicked open, “There.”
In the box were several necklaces, but one of them stood out. It was a deep blue stone, about the size of a marble, wrapped in silver wire, on a short, silver chain. “That’s it,” Spitball said.
Adam lifted the jewel out, noting the chain was unbroken, “Here,” he s
aid and slid it over Spitball’s head, “there you go.”
“Thanks Adam,” Spitball said.
The lid of the box shut and floated up to the cabinet and Adam scrambled to his feet. He was reaching for Spitball when the door swung open to reveal an older girl. “Who are you?” She demanded.
“Adam,” Adam said, picking up his backpack, “for the party.”
“You aren’t supposed to be up here then,” the girl said.
“Mr. Merchant said I could,” Adam mumbled, “’scuse me.”
The girl moved and let him passed. “Go on with you,” she said, “they’re about to cut the cake.”
Adam slid his bag on and hurried away. “That must be Tina,” Spitball commented. “This could be interesting. I hope she doesn’t open the box.”
“Will they notice,” Adam asked softly as he trotted down the stairs, “that you’re wearing it?”
“No,” Spitball said, “now that I’m wearing it, people won’t notice anything more than a stuffed dragon no matter what.”
Adam nodded and pulled open the door outside, just in time for Ms. Merchant to call out, “OK everyone; it’s time for cake and ice cream!”
Adam grinned and ran to join the rest of the group, eager for his share of the treat.