“But, Mom, I don’t want to play her stupid Candy Land game. It’s so old-fashioned and boring!

She doesn’t have anything cool to do at her house!”

“Rachel, I told you already you had to be nice to the new neighbors,”  Mom replied. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“Her brother is mean to me, and calls me stupid names,” Rachel complained. “Besides, he always wants to play games on my tablet. Dad said I have to take care of it – since it cost so much.”

“I know he did, and he’s right. But, you are there to watch over it. Just make sure you always bring it back home.”

Rachel sighed as she went out the back door. She let it slam…just enough to make her feel better. She reluctantly knocked on Sarah’s door. She went in the back way so none of her other friends would see her.

“Hi, Rachel! I was so excited to have you come over to play my new game! I got it for my birthday…a little early. It’s not until next week,” Sarah exclaimed. “I don’t know anyone here but you.”

“Yeah, my mom told me I should come over to introduce myself the other day, seeing that you are new to the neighborhood,” Rachel said, distractedly.

She was glancing to see if that annoying brother was around.

As her eyes surveyed the kitchen, she saw dirty dishes, high enough to make her mom croak. The table was full of half-eaten food, and dishes from the night before.

To her amazement, however, there were fresh cookies, warm and fragrant, sitting on the counter.

“Look! My mom made these for us. It’s for a celebration….me finding a new friend and all,” Sarah exclaimed happily.

“Oh, great…now I’m her new friend,” Rachel was thinking.

“Come on, I’m dying to play my new game,” Sarah said, as she took her by the hand, leading her down the hall.

They passed by a bedroom, or two. A woman lay on a bed, eyes closed.
“Be quiet, she’s sleeping,” Sarah whispered. “She’s been sick a long time.”

“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked.

“I’m not sure. They don’t tell me and Roger much. He’s only five, you know,” Sarah offered.

“Come on, let’s play,” Sarah urged. “We only have a little while before I have to wake her up, and give her the next dose of medicine. Dad will be home from work in an hour to take over.”

As they entered Sarah’s very messy room, Rachel noticed Roger in the corner watching television. She almost thought she saw a tear in his eye. Sarah already had  the Candy Land game set up on the bed, in great anticipation of her new friend’s visit.

“Would you mind terribly if Roger played your tablet,  just for a few minutes?” asked Sarah. “He only has a few toys, and he thinks your game is so cool!”

“Sure,” Rachel replied cautiously. “I can only stay a little while.”

‘Thank goodness,’ she was thinking, but continued, “We have to go to church tonight.”

The game began, each taking turns, moving their pieces around the board. They talked a little, about school, about Mrs. Chavez, their 5th  grade teacher, their homework assignments, until a door opened and shut softly.

“Hi, Dad,” Roger said.

He had been playing so quietly that Rachel had almost forgotten about him.

“Come, and eat your cookies,” he replied. “Mom got up at lunch time to make them for you and Sarah, and, of course, our new friend, Rachel.”

As the three hungry kids ate their cookies, Sarah’s dad poured cold, fresh milk he had brought home from the store.

Rachel could not believe a whole hour had passed by since her arrival. She had actually had a good time.

As Rachel walked across the two back yards to her own home, she thought about her afternoon. Sarah was actually smart, funny, and interesting. Red-haired Roger had even left her alone, engrossed in her new iPod.

As the backdoor slammed again, she excitedly called out,

“Mom, do you think it would be o.k. if I invited Sarah to church tonight?”

“That would be great,” Mom said, smiling at her daughter. “Call her, and tell her to be ready at 7:00.”