SIT yourself down, Adam,” Maria says, putting a steaming cup on the table. “ Hot chocolate. Liam and I always have one on a Friday night, while we watch television.”
I snort. “I’d rather have a coffee. Or a vodka.”
Maria laughs. “No coffee after lunch in this house – and definitely no vodka.” Then she turns away and calls for Liam. Not what I was expecting.
I take a sip. The drink is thick and sweet – delicious. The only hot chocolate I’ve ever had before was like muddy water.
Maria’s looking at me. “Good?” I shrug. “It’s all right. Tastes different. What d’you put in it?”
She taps the side of her nose – secret.
I’m about to take another sip when a whirlwind crashes through the door straight into the table. The cup wobbles and I splash hot chocolate down me.
“Hey! Watch it!” I’m on my feet. “Slowly, Liam,” Maria says, scooping up
the whirlwind. “Say ‘hello’ to Adam.” A little boy looks back at me. “I’m Liam,” he says. “I’m nearly five and
I can swim without armbands and I got a sticker at school today.”
He pokes his hand out at me.
I start to grin at him, see Maria watching me and bite it back. But I take his hand. “Hello, Liam. I’m Adam and I’m nearly 12.”
MARIA puts him down and he scoots into the chair opposite me as I sit down again. He stares straight at me like little kids do.
I stare back.
“Will you watch Spider-Man with us?” he says.
This story is from the 1 October 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
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This story is from the 1 October 2020 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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