hacked title number 14

"Promise," True said, looking directly into his eyes. "I'll be dragged from my chair and tied up in a straightjacket before I walk away from you."

Sam hugged him. "Thank you." He said quietly. It soon became close to when Paul would be let out from school.

True gave him a gentle pat then nodded to the usual meet spot. "We're a little off target. Come on."

Sam smiled a little and walked with True. He put on a smile for when Paul came out, hiding the hurt and worry behind a smiling mask. Paul had no clue something really bad was happening, and tackled True as usual after telling Ariel bye, although he did spot something missing. "Hey True, where's dad?"

"Your dad apparently made a miscalculation and is running late," True said dryly. "He got stuck doing something else, and when he gets home, he'll be begging for forgiveness."

Paul nodded, accepting that answer. "Okay. What are we doing until he's done?" He asked, sitting on True's lap.

"Well, first we're going to go find something to eat, then I'm going to talk on the phone and yell at some people for keeping him out late," True said cheerfully. "Sam can help you with your homework, then we'll play a board game until either bed time or he gets home."

Paul smiled brightly. "Okay! What are we having for dinner?" He asked curiously. Sam laughed softly.

"What do you want to eat? We're going to have a mini party and eat whatever we want," True grinned, rolling in a zig sag pattern.

Paul smiled excitedly. "Can we have ice cream?! And pizza and pop?!"

"Are you kidding me? That is like the staple of party food!" True laughed. "How about you, Sam? What do you want?"

Sam smiled. "Oh, that sounds fine to me. Just don't forget the potato chips."

"Chips, I knew I was forgetting something," True nodded. "Alright, we'll order pizza, stop for ice cream and everything else, then go pick up our nice hot pizza!"

Paul cheered as Sam smiled. "What kind of pizza are we getting?" Sam asked.

"What kind do you want?" True asked, spotting a pizza place. "This is a good place. Let's go in and see what kind we can get."

"Oh! Oh! Can we get a bacon and barbaque pizza?!" Paul asked excitedly. Sam laughed. "I'd be fine with most anything, as long as there's no pineapple on it."

"Barbeque pizza?" True chuckled. "Okay, why not? And no pineapple! Got it!" There was only one person ahead of them, so True was soon able to place the order. They would have enough time to pick up the ice cream and chips before it was ready as long as they didn't dwaddle.

Paul cheered as the pizza was ordered, getting a smile from the person taking their order. After that, Sam suggested a nearby ice cream parlor that sold tubs of ice cream.

"That's perfect," True agreed, heading out. "Where exactly is it?"

"A couple blocks down." Sam said. "I can lead the way if you want."

"Please do," True offered. "Paul, why don't you take up the rear and we can pretend to be a train?"

Paul smiled excitedly and crawled off, bringing up the rear and making train noises.

True laughed and joined in, going, "Chugga chugga," all the way to the store and back again. He had to admit, it was pretty fun and helped him forget his worry.

Paul seemed to just be a cheery and happy kid in general. Sam was more quiet today, but was still smiling the whole time.

Once they had everything they needed, True had them swing back around for pizza, then surprised them by stopping at the movie rental. "Get whatever you'd like. Age appropriate and no nightmare inducers!"