I WAS JUST

" Charlie, It's time for dinner!" Mrs. Eppes called up the stairs.

" Charlie?" She called again when he didn't come.

Rolling her eyes she walked up the steps. If he had done this once, he had done it a thousand times. She always seemed to be going upstairs to get him. It was a rare day when she didn't.

Knocking on his door she said, " Charlie, sweetie, it's time for dinner."

Nothing happened. Mrs. Eppes knocked on the door again. There was no response from inside the room. Grabbing the door handle she prepared to open it when it pulled open. Charlie slipped out through the crack and pulled the door closed behind him.

" It's time for dinner already?" he asked innocently.

" Yes," replied his mom a little suprised, " Why didn't you come down when I called?"

" I...I didn't hear you?" Charlie said.

" Alright, well, your dad and brother will be ready to tear someone's arm off and eat it, so we better get down there," Mrs Eppes replied.

" Okay," Charlie said and shuffled towards the stairs.

Mrs. Eppes made to follow, but something tugged her. Looking at Charlie she turned towards his bedroom door. Her curiousity got the better of her as she moved to open it.

" MOM!" Don yelled from downstairs, " Come on!"

Mrs. Eppes stopped. Turning back around she headed for the stairs. She looked over at the door one last time and walked down.

" Charlie, are you feeling alright?" Alan asked his youngest son.

Charlie looked up from his filled plate. His eyes seemed strangely out of focus. The look worried Alan. Don lifted his gaze to his dad, and then to Charlie.

" What's wrong with you, dork?" Don asked, masking his suprise.

" Don!" Mrs. Eppes started.

" Okay, okay," Don grumbled, " Geez. What's wrong, Ch-ar-lie?"

Charlie looked over at Don. While his face kept it's firmness a flash of fear caught his eyes.

" N-nothing," he said, " I-I'm...that is I was thinking about a math problem."

Don groaned. Placing his head in his hands he looked over at Charlie.

" Do you EVER not think with numbers?" he asked, jokingly.

" Yes," Charlie piped up defensively, " There are other things to think about."

Don's eyes grew mockingly wider.

" You mean you are human?"

" DONALD!" Mrs. Eppes scolded loudly.

" Sorry, sorry," Don said holding his hands up.

" Donnie, apologize to your younger brother," Alan said.

" But, I already did," Don grumbled.

" Don."

" That's unfair," Don started angrilystanding up. With that he stalked off.

" DON! Where are you going?"

" My room."

Suddenly Charlie snapped to attention. With a graceless speed he took off from the table and ran ahead of Don. He stood blocking Don's entrance upstairs.

" Get out of my way, dork," Don said.

" Play catch with me," Charlie said, pulling on anything he could.

The statement caught Don off guard.

" WHAT!" he exclaimed.

" Play catch with me," Charlie pleaded, " And...and I'll consider it as an apology."

" NO way," Don said pushing Charlie out of his way.

Charlie was not to be stopped, however. He grabbed onto Don's legs, nearly tripping the older boy.

" Charlie! Let go!" Don started trying to pull Charlie off of him," Mom, DAD!"

The two adult Eppes only stared, though. They had never seen Charlie act like this before.

" Don, if you play catch...I'll...I'll...I won't go to your game tommorow," Charlie begged desperately.

Don stopped.

" For real?" he said.

Charlie nodded.

" Is this some kind of trick?"

" No," Charlie shook his head, "Honestly."

Don looked at Charlie. He considered for a moment.

" Okay, let me get a ball," he said shaking himself free.

" I'll get it," Charlie said running ahead of Don.

A second later he appeared again carrying a ball and glove. With little effort he grabbed Don's hand and dragged the older boy behind him. Don just followed staring incredulously. Alan and Mrs. Eppes watched the whole exchange. Looking at each other, they shared a worried look.

" What was that?" Alan voiced.

Mrs. Eppes shrugged, " Maybe it's a way Charlie is trying to get Don's attention."

" It certainly worked."

" Yes, it did."

Charlie led Don out into the yard. Waiting for Don to stride across the lawn he thought, At least it will buy me some time.

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