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.

flower beds, Mia taught him. She figured he'd be easy

again!" Henry giggled, holding up a tiny fist against

way! Best

as he

Henry. He just stood there, bewildered, while Mia tried to explain and

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

undeterred, pulled Andre in for a

smiled. "Ready, set,

stubby fingers for scissors, his hands chubby and earnest. He stared at Andre,

l.ne

hand-fist for rock

frowned, puzzled. How did

astonished. "Did you just play late

all that his dad had pulled

she didn't think

lost," Henry mumbled, inspecting his little hand, eyes

down,

Cheek, and said, "Technically,

My boy