Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

She ducked into the bathroom again, freshened up, then flopped back onto the bed. "Ugh, Chad, I washed my face and now I'm wide awake."

Wayne groaned, "Mooom~"

Molly glanced over. "Wait, how come you're still up too?"

After a week of adventures, the three of them finally came back home.

The world was bursting with spring-leaves lush, grass thick, everything alive.

Henry, sporting a fire-engine-red hoodie, zipped down the park path on his skateboard, wheels humming.

His mom jogged after him, sneakers slapping the pavement. “Henry! Slow down! What's your rush, you think you're late for a lottery ticket or something?"

By sunset, the lake shimmered gold and silver. Mia and Henry strolled hand in hand to wait outside Cedillo Inc., eager to greet their favorite guy as he finished work.

As soon as Andre appeared, Henry sprinted over, waving his little arms. Andre scooped him up high and asked, "What are we eating tonight? And what do you want to do afterwards?"

A warm, gentle breeze drifted by. On their walk home, they spotted another mom and kid picking out kites. Mia and Henry ended up spending half an hour debating which one to get.

They couldn't agree, so Mia declared, "Rock, paper, scissors! Winner picks."

Only, Henry had no clue how to play.

taught him. She figured he'd be easy to beat-kids his age usually

You lost again!" Henry giggled, holding up

way! Best two out of

grinning as he

He just stood there, bewildered, while Mia tried to explain and ended up

squealed in victory, showing off his little milk teeth. “Okay,

Andre

"Ready,

hands chubby and earnest.

l.ne

sly grin, paused, then finally played his hand-fist for rock and gently tapped Henry's fingers. "Looks like you

puzzled. How

stared at Andre, astonished. "Did you

still lost, not realizing at all that his dad had pulled a fast

she didn't think of that trick

his little hand, eyes big and

crouched down, pinched

Cheek, and said, "Technically,

My boy