The Lost Boy

with her hands glued to her hips. Her face was cherry red.
    I slid into the kitchen chair before Lilian began her fury of questions, statements and past observations on my past behavior. I simply stared through her, nodding when I felt a response was necessary. I tried to convince her that I was indeed sorry. As the words spilled out, they seemed too easy. I knew my heart wasn’t in it. Afterward, I plodded off to my room where I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was grounded for a week.
Big deal,
I told myself.
    A few moments after Rudy came home, I stood in front of him. I silently let out a sigh.
Round 2,
I told myself.
    “I don’t know what it is with you, ” Rudy began to rave, “but I’ll tell you this. I’m not putting up with a thief! I know I’ve let some things slide by, and I know that Lil’s a bit easy on you. I can accept that. I also know you’ve had some hard times … but I’m not going to stand for this anymore – that potty mouth of yours, the fighting, the hitting, the yelling, calls from your mother, slamming my doors around this home. Do you know how much doors cost? Well, do you?”
    I shook my head no.
    “Well, it’s more than you’ll ever make. I work hard, and I love you kids. But I don’t need your crap. You hear me?” Rudy yelled.
    I nodded again, knowing that Rudy knew I didn’t care.
    “Are you the one who’s been stealing my cigarettes?”
    My head swung upward. “No, sir!”
    “And you expect me to believe you!” Rudy shot back. “If I hear you’ve caused any more problems … I’ll send your little butt to The Hill.”
    My face lit up.
“The Hill?”
    “
Oh! Now I have your attention. Ask around, ” Rudy twirled around. “Ask Larry Junior here. I’ve driven him to The Hill a time or two, haven’t I, Larry?”
    Larry Jr, who had been chuckling behind Rudy’s back, now put on a serious, frightened face. “Right Dad, ” he said in a fearful tone, as he bowed his head.
    “I don’t want to – you’re a bit young – but I’ll load that butt of yours in the car and haul you myself. If there’s one thing I will not tolerate, it’s a liar and a thief!” Rudy huffed, as Lilian approached his side. “And Lil can cry her eyes out, but that’s the way it’s going to be in this house. Am I clear, young man?”
    I nodded.
    “Are you too big in the britches that you can’t say yes or no?” Rudy barked.
    “Yes, sir, ” I said in a defiant tone. “I understand.”
    “Then go to your room. You’re grounded.”
    I sat in my room and stewed.
Yeah,
I said to myself,
grounded. Big deal.
I wasn’t mad at Rudy or Lilian for yelling at me, or even for being set up by Johnny and the other kids. I was furious for allowing myself to let down my guard.
David!
I yelled at myself.
How could you have been so stupid?
I then jumped off the bed and began pacing the floor, becoming more upset at everything in my life.
    That Saturday I put little effort into my chores. I carelessly vacuumed the home and barely removed the dust from the furniture. When the chores were completed, Rudy took Lilian shopping for groceries. All alone, I rocked on Rudy’s recliner chair and flipped through the TV channels. I soon lost interest when I realized that the morning cartoons had already been on.
    I rolled out of the chair and strolled over to the living room window, staring outside. I thought that maybe Dad would visit me tomorrow. After a few seconds I chuckled to myself, knowing how foolish I was being. Suddenly the blur of a kid whizzing down the street on his bike caught my eye.
    Without thinking I ran into my bedroom, emptied my money jar into my hand and grabbed my jacket before trotting down the stairs. I proudly wheeled out my bike and made it a point to slam the door extra hard. I had decided that I was going to run away.
    I felt a rush of excitement as the howling wind struck my face, and I pedaled up and down the slopes leading into Daly City and the Serramonte-6 movie theater. Once there I parked my bike and watched James Bond three times in a row before sneaking into the other shows. Later that evening the theater attendant kicked me out so he could close for the day. The reality of my decision began to sink in. As I unlocked my bike, I shivered from the chilling fog that seeped through my clothes. After my stomach growled, I dug into my pocket to count my savings – $2.30. I pocketed the change and turned my hunger off, focusing on shelter instead. To help