But now it was time to play!
The beach was fairly busy so Jude might not even see him.
If Liam was super sneaky, he might get to an empty spot close to the water to build the perfect sandcastle. Okay, Liam was sure that his sandcastle wouldn’t be perfect. But practice was needed if he ever wanted to build the perfect sandcastle. And he needed to be outside for that.
Just for a couple of hours, Liam told himself.
Jude probably wouldn’t even notice that Liam was outside.
If Liam was out among the crowd, he was totally safe. Oh! He should take a bottle of water. Yes! If Jude did spot him then Liam needed a to be hydrating so his neighbor wasn’t obligated to check on him.
He’d already slathered the thick yucky sunscreen on his face and arms. Liam wished he knew what brand Jude used, but he wasn’t going to go ask so he’d suffered with what he had bought.
Racing to the fridge, Liam grabbed a bottle of water before he took determined steps back to his sliding glass door.
He gave Hades a scratch under the chin, just to be totally ignored.
His cat had gotten all the loving and pets that he could handle with Nicky there for the weekend apparently.
Liam carefully opened his sliding glass door before exiting and closing it quietly behind him. Okay, he could do this.
He grabbed his bucket and the broken shovel as he passed the table on his way to the gate. Liam glanced over at the neighboring house but didn’t see anyone.
Hurrying, Liam took his chance and darted toward the water.
Nicky would be calling him a coward.
Liam just didn’t plan on telling his bestie anything.
It wasn’t a lie if Liam didn’t offer the information. Yeah! He was going to go with that logic.
Liam found the perfect spot and sank to his knees. Now about this building of sandcastles. He could do this!
It took several trips to the ocean to collect water but soon Liam was sinking into the feeling of being little and happy.
* * * * *
Jude
He was starting to think that he scared his little neighbor away. Little being the key word.
Jude had maybe fibbed a little with the whole pizza delivery.
It was easy enough to hear every conversation that Liam had with his best friend Nicky when the two had been putting together the playroom. They’d called it a playroom and Jude knew exactly what they were talking about.
A rocking chair, changing table, toys, and diapers.
The boys had discussed it all.
Jude had stopped himself from marching next door half a dozen times. Eventually he was going to have to confess to Liam that he could hear him clearly when both their windows were open. Liam hadn’t caught on but then it wasn’t like Jude had many conversations in his house to be overheard. And nothing as interesting as what the two boys had been talking about.
Jude had started making the cookies when the boys were nearly finished with the room. They’d worked hard for several hours and deserved a little treat. When he’d heard that they ordered a pizza, Jude had found his way in.
He might have been outside and pretended the order was his and accepted delivery. Liam had been shocked. Adorably shocked. Looking cute as a button in his little shorts and shirt. Jude had wanted to gather Liam into his arms and praise him for being such a good boy.
He hadn’t, of course.
Now Jude regretted it.
