Page 51 of Bittersweet Legacy

“How long is your class going to be?”

She shrugged, “About 30 minutes – give or take.”

I nodded. It might not give Theo and I much time to battle, but at least I’d be keeping my promise. “Okay, I’ll go for a walk, meet in front of Armory Park?”

She checked her watch. “Okay, I’ll honk twice.”

I grinned. “Classy.”

She returned my grin with one of her own. “I know, boo.”

I chuckled as I rushed out of school trying to navigate the sea of students rushing to their own classes.

I was breathless when I reached the stone steps leading into the park.Six minutes! My personal best.

“Me-Me!” I heard Theo shout excitedly before I could see him.

I looked around and saw Mike wave at me from his spot on the bench and then pointed to the big sycamore under which Theo was grinning at me, sitting cross-legged on the blanket.

“I set up your team,” he said as I joined him and saw all his figurines were divided into two groups.

“Ah, it’s good you did that,” I said. “I won’t be able to stay long today, my friend is coming to take me home,” I offered, more for Mike’s benefit than his.

He nodded, looking down at his figurines and rearranging them.

“It’s fine, Esme, Theo understands obligations, you can go if you need to,” Mike offered, not unkindly.

I shook my head. “Nope, a promise is a promise and maybe today is the day I’ll win.”

Theo looked up with the wide smile I’d come to love. “Me-Me can win,” he said, pointing to my figurines.

“You gave me Iron Man?” I looked at him with incredulity. “But he is your favorite!”

Theo adjusted his cap and grabbed his Captain America. “Sharing’s love and I love Me-Me.”

A lump formed in my throat as I tightened my hand around the figurine, holding it against my heart. “Oh Theo,” I kneeled and leaned down, giving him a hug. “I love you too!”

We played for fifteen minutes before I heard Taylor’s honking. I looked down at my figurines – I was left with the upper hand.

“I won?” I blinked with incredulity as he dropped his Spiderman.

Theo removed his hat and stood up. “Me-Me won.”

I jumped up, letting out a little cry of triumph which made both Mike and Theo laugh. I started shaking my butt in a Chandler Bing victory dance.

“Me-Me’s funny!” Theo chuckled, mimicking my moves.

The car honked again, I turned toward the entrance, somehow I didn’t want Taylor to interrupt my moment, Theo and Mike were not part of this world. Theo was kindness and sunshine, I didn’t want to share him yet, I needed this too much.

“I have to go,” I pointed behind me. “See you next week.”

Theo patted my head. “You play good Me-Me, next week, I win.”

I laughed. “You can try. Bye, my friend.” I looked at Mike. “See you next week, BB.”

Mike nodded and I made it to the gate just as Tay exited her car.

“I thought I had to send search and rescue.” She gestured me toward the passenger side as she sat back on her side.

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