Page 35 of Summer's Echo
I glanced at the clock, realizing I was running late. The fellas were already waiting at the basketball court. I threw on some shorts, a tank, and sneakers before darting out of my room and bounding down the stairs.
“Echo,” my mother called out, halting my momentum.
“Yeah, Mum?” I responded over my shoulder, stopping mid-step.
“Come here, please,” she requested. Peeking into the kitchen, I noticed Sadie and Eazy at the table eating lunch. It struck me as odd. Meals in the Abara household were almost always shared as a family.
“Where is everybody?” I asked, stepping fully into the room.
“Kemi’s at a friend’s house, and Samir just left for his Boy Scouts weekend,” she said, reminding me of my little brother’s first overnight trip with his troop.
I nodded. “I’m heading to the court to play basketball. Did you need something?”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to join us for a movie,” she said, gesturing toward Sadie and Eazy whose faces lit up with excitement.
“We’re going to seeThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl!” Eazy blurted, practically bouncing in his chair.
“And then Mum is taking us to the arcade,” Sadie added, beaming.
I remembered how much I used to enjoy these kinds of outings with my mum when I was younger. With Dad away for the weekend with Samir, she was making the most of her time with the youngest two.
“I’ll pass. You three have fun,” I said, kissing my mum on the cheek and giving Sadie and Eazy quick tickles that left them giggling. As I turned to leave, an idea sparked in my mind like a lightbulb flickering on. “Mum, can I stay at Maxell’s tonight?” I asked.
She tilted her head, considering for a moment, then nodded. “As long as it’s okay with his parents. Are they traveling?”
“I don’t think so, but you know they’re always cool with it. Donte might be there too,” I added, laying the groundwork for my plan.
“Okay. Be careful, Echo,” she said, her tone warm but laced with the usual motherly concern.
“Always,” I replied, already halfway out the door. By the time I reached the basketball court, my plan was fully formed.
“What up, E? You’re late!” Donte called, wiping sweat from his forehead as he grabbed a water bottle.
“My bad,” I said, noting that they’d just wrapped up a three-on-three game and were taking a break.
“Yo, Max, can I stay at your crib tonight?” I asked, raising an eyebrow with just enough mischief to make him suspicious.
Maxell leaned against the fence, squinting at me. “Yeah. My parents are out of town, but they won’t care. Why are you looking like you’re up to something?”
I was unable to hide my excitement. “Because I am.”
“Care to share?” Maxell prompted, crossing his arms.
I hesitated, glancing at Donte, then back at Maxell. Finally, I spilled, “I’m going to see Summer.”
“At camp? In Brighton?” Maxell barked, his disbelief loud enough to make the other guys glance over.
“Yeah,” I said, grinning like a kid who’d just gotten away with something. “Today’s her birthday.”
“I know,” Maxell said, looking at me like I was insane.
“It’s less than two hours,” I continued to plead my case.
Maxell rubbed his temple like my plan was giving him a headache. “You realize this is a terrible idea, right? Less than two hours away or not, what if you get caught? Mr. Abara is going to whoop your ass, dog.”
“I know,” I admitted, shrugging, “but it’s worth it.”
Maxell sighed, glancing at Donte for backup. “And how do you plan to get onto the campgrounds? You know they lock the gate at night.”
