Page 7 of Champagne & Handcuffs

“Six? She’s a baby.”

We pulled up to Grandma’s trailer. It was bigger than I thought it would be but still skinny. She parked her car under a roof with no walls.

“You’ll like Joss. She’ll play with you.”

“Is she the only kid here?”

“No, but until you can meet the other kids, you can play with Joselyn.”

“Okay,” I agreed, though I wasn’t liking the idea of playing with a six-year-oldgirl.

We got out of the car, and I grabbed my backpack. When we rounded the corner to where her front door was, I saw the little girl on her step that was facing my grandma’s step. The girl was playing with aBarbiedoll.

“Joss, honey. This is my grandson, Seth.”

“Hey.” I waved.

The girl smiled. “Hi! Want to playBarbies?”

I frowned. I didn’t want to play with dolls. “No. Do you want to play cops and robbers?”

She shrugged. “Sure. I’ve never played before.”

Grandma opened her door and walked inside, leaving me with my newfriend.

“Well, we can’t play with just the two of us. You got a brother or sister?”

Joss shook her head. “No. Just me.”

“Well, what do you do around here for fun?”

A small frown curved her lips. “I play with myBarbieand Ken mostly. After my mom goes to work, I watch Judge Judy with your grandma.”

“What’s Judge Judy?” I asked, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

“Some show with a lady in a black robe. I don’t understand it, but I like to watch it with your grandma ‘cause she fixes me ants on a log or cheese and crackers.”

I smiled. “Ants on a log’s my favorite snack.”

Joss finally smiled again. “Mine too. I only get it at your grandma’s.”

“When does your mom go to work?”

“I think soon.” She shrugged. “She works nights.”

“Think Grandma can make us ants on a log now?” My grandma always made me snacks when she visited us in D.C.

Joss frowned again. “I can’t come over until my mom goes to work. I better go inside in case she’s awake. I’ll see you later.” I watched as Joss stood and went inside the screened door to her trailer carrying her dolls.

I went inside Grandma’s trailer, and it was nothing like I’d expected. Her living room was small. At home, I could run around and hide from my dad when we played, but I couldn’t run in my grandma’s trailer. Her couch with orange roses took up most of the room. And I could touch the hall walls with my arms reached out. I couldn’t do that at home.

“Grandma?” I called.

“I’m in the bathroom. Put your stuff in your room.”

My room? I had a room?There were two doors open and one closed as I continued down the small hall. One of the doors was straight ahead, and I saw my grandma’s purse sitting on the bed, so I went to the other door that was only a few feet from where I stood. There was a small bed against the wall, a dresser that seemed to be attached to the wall, and a closet. No toys, no TV, and no room to play. I didn’t care about Disney World anymore.

I wanted to go home.