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As the sun in the sky almost disappeared below the horizon, I just sat on my butt alone outside the wall of rock with my back turned to it. The anger and frustration I had gotten earlier still welled up inside me. After staring at the ground for another moment, I peered behind me, right at the entrance of the pride's cave. Mom and Kisha are talking to dad about what happened to me and the cubs in there...I hope he doesn't believe I planned it and did it, too. A growl filled with frustration emitted in my throat as I yanked my eyes away from it. But I'm getting a feeling...He would.

Some hours had passed since I got Kweli and Asha out of the two leggers home....And gotten accused by Kisha of convincing the cubs to go in there with me just to play some kind of game, which I still think is ridiculous. During my stroll back to home with the older lioness and the cubs, Asha and Kweli, after he told his mom to put him down since he was carried by her teeth, tried convincing her that it wasn't my idea to go into that place. But before they could reveal who, which was Kweli himself, Kisha cut them off, saying they were just covering for me and they were in trouble also for actually going in there with me, and told them to be quiet. I outa give them both a pat on the back for that, least they finally tried to help me out since I gave up trying to tell her otherwise.

After me and them got back here from our long walk, all of us found the rest of the pride, including mom, lazing around out here. But there was no dad here at the time, still doing his king duties I believed. So instead of speaking to him like Kisha said she would, she said she was gonna go ahead and talk to mom. After all, she is the queen and my mother. Before we went to her, Asha's mother, Naabi, came up to see her daughter and us. That was when Kisha told the fellow pride member to take the cubs to the cave and watch them, saying they were both grounded. After Naabi left with the little ones, we went to mom.

When mother saw me coming up to her with Kisha and before I believe she was about to speak to me, probably to scold me for wandering off from home with an injured shoulder and I should be resting, Kisha LITERALLY screamed at her, enraged by what she thought I did. She told her what I supposedly did wrong, basically saying I brought the cubs to where the two leggers live and we literally went inside that place because of me, and she found it out when she saw me running out of there along with them and figured it out right away.

Mom was shocked during what Kisha told her. And when Kisha finished her complaint, mother immediately glared at me. I did try to defend myself, started off by telling her I didn't plan any of that, but my mother didn't want to hear it, pretty convinced I did something wrong. She said I was in so much trouble and then ordered me to lay down and rest and NOT leave home until my father got back. Which I complied without argument but with a scowl on my face. At the time I was very frustrated and angry at her for not trying to listen to me, still am now honestly. I wish she tried, but she was pretty convinced and angry to not listen. Judging by how it sounds from Kisha's words it seemed evident enough to be my fault, but it wasn't! If only she had listened to me a bit more...

During the time while the sun was starting to set, and as everyone including me was about ready to head in the cave for the night, dad finally showed up. I did come up and say hello to him, and tried talking to him about the situation myself. But mom and Kisha had shown up and interrupted me, saying they needed to talk to him too with very grim looks. Dad did appear to wonder what was going on with us. Kisha even suggested that they talked to him without ME around. I tried to protest, but mom gave me a glare to shut me up. Dad, still seeming confused, agreed, instructed me to stay outside, and then the three of them went into the cave with the other pride members.

And I'm out here still, just anticipating their arrival, ready to share my story. If I can even tell them it. I hope dad, even mom and Kisha, will listen to what I say. I didn't plan on going in the human's home with the cubs. I'd never.

A stern voice belonging my father made my ear flicker, "Sayde." I looked back a bit. Well here I go. I stood on my fours and turned myself around to see dad along with mom padding outside through the entrance of the cave. As they got closer, I see dad was not pretty happy. I knew he wouldn't be. My parents stopped about a couple feet in front of me, their glares staring back at me.

I acknowledged about the other lioness I did not see, "So, where's the angry hag?"

Mom spat out angrily, "Don't, Sayde."

Dad replied with his tail flicked behind him, "To answer your question, she's still in the cave. She wanted to lay by her cub since she feels she's had enough of today."

Mom muttered after him, "I certainly feel like I had enough."

So am I, mom. A sigh escaped my muzzle, "And let me guess...You-"

Dad figured it right away, "Yes, Sayde, I heard it all. What in heavens name were you thinking?"

Mom shook her head disappointingly, "I'm wondering what."

I tried to speak, "Guys, listen-"

"Were you thinking at all?!" I jerked back a step when dad yelled, "Were you? Do you have any idea what you were doing? You wandered in the place where two leggers live with an injured shoulder!"

"Listen, I know it was dangerous going in there, but-"

"You broke the rule that goes for any animal in these lands! To not wander in there since it's absolutely dangerous. You deliberately broke it. Despite that you were still hurt, you still broke it. You could have been killed!"

Mom yelled after him, "Sayde, that's the worst thing you could ever do, other than not staying here and rest!"

Dad continued, "And what's worse, you put Kweli and Asha in danger! They could have died too!"

I denied it by shouting, "I didn't put them in danger! I was trying to get them out of there!"

Mom rolled up her eyes, "Sure, when you got caught while playing your game with them. What sort of game was it that made you want to play with them in that place so badly? Hide and seek, in the two legger home? Or some other risky game called 'tap a two legger with a paw and run away'?!"

I narrowed my eyes, "I wasn't playing any games with them! You guys really believe I'd play a game in a place like that? You think I'd risk Kweli and Asha's lives like that? Why won't you listen to me?"

Dad answered, "Because we know how you are with stupid games."

My eyes held confusion. That sorta sounds like what Kisha said earlier. I asked him, "Ok, what are you talking about?"

Dad gave me a firm nod, "Fine. I'll give you an example. Remember one time when you carried Kweli high up in a tall tree and left him there, daring him to climb down all by himself? That he was too scared to do so and he screamed for help until someone from the pride who was not far heard him and came to where you guys were?"

My eyes went wide. That? Then I laughed a bit, "Oh come on! It's not like he was in ACTUAL danger when he hollered. He was safe and firm on a branch."

"Well he could have fallen off it by accident and got hurt."

"But he didn't!"

Mother said with her tail making a swing, "And what about the time when you, him and Asha found a huge elephant herd, that had you making up this game that's having you and them swiping at elephants by their tails, and then you guys wandered in that herd to do it?" I showed her bewilderment in my eyes as she went on with her narrowed ones, "Don't give me that look. You know what game I'm talking about. The game where you sneak up behind a elephant, each of you slap it's tail only twice before something gross happens behind it or before it looks and sees you, and then do the same thing to the next one. Doing that to a unsuspecting elephant in a crowded herd I believe is insane."

That one? What? When dad added I had my attention turned to him, "That could make one of them think they were being attacked, then it'd start running without looking back, and so will the others in the herd without hesitating because they'll be hearing their buddy saying we're being attacked. You could've been killed by so many scared elephants from doing that! And I don't think any of them would live with the fact they've ran over a innocent lioness and two cubs, that is if they could find that out because your bodies were pummeled into the ground."

I do remember the day when I made up that silly idea, but we weren't trying to do that! And how did they know about that? I never told anyone my idea except Asha and...Wait a minute... I pressed them, "How do you guys know about that?"

Father gestured his muzzle to mom, "Me and her found it out from a few lionesses, including Kisha, about what they heard from their cubs from a distance, and even one of them told his own mother this. According to them, Kweli was talking to the other little ones about this 'certain' fun game he played, how to play it and all. And he was also bragging to them that you, him and Asha had ACTUALLY went in a elephant herd and you three swiped some tails and got away with it. He also mentioned the fact that he didn't come up with that crazy fun idea, but YOU did."

My brain got a shock from his words. I knew it. Augh...Damn Kweli and his bragging trap. Dad continued as he still held that glare, "That's how we know. And since your mother found you and the cubs wandering around in a elephant herd a day or two before we found that out...We figured what Kweli said was no coicidence. You guys were lucky your mother showed up and hollered for you three to come back home and stopped it before something happened, even when she didn't know about it before. And apparently you guys were VERY lucky after you made some swipes and got away with them, but who knew if another one could have started that panic we worried about? You got something to say about that, Sayde?"

Okay, I NEED to get this straight to them. I softly said, tilting my head a bit, "I THINK you guys, and some others, are overreacting on that one a LITTLE bit. I mean, yeah, we were wandering in that elephant herd that day, and yes, I did come up with the idea and shared it with both Kweli and Asha, but it's not what you think. We NEVER tried that, not once to any elephant before mother showed up. Heck, even I never wanted to try it! I thought it was a ridiculous idea for a game."

They just stared at me, their expressions showing they didn't believe it.

I protested, "It's the truth!"

"...Uh huh." That's when dad mentioned with a raised brow, "And what about that 'certain' one time when you were chasing some animals?"

I frowned, "So what? We all chase animals when we're hunting."

"Right, but I remember the one time when you got bored and you decided to chase something just to not feel bored anymore. But you wounded up chasing so many animals and it got bad, and you admitted it to me afterward. Do you know what I'm talking about?"

Uh oh...I do know what he's talking about. I made a shy look and nodded slowly, "I....Think I do."

Mother brought it up, "You caused a stampede, Sayde. There were members of the pride that were still hunting when you did that, not to mention there was also some damage left by it."

I retorted, "That was an accident! I didn't start it on purpose."

"We know, but do you see the pattern?"

"What pattern?"

"You get reckless and put yourself or others in risk of danger when you're playing a game like that." Dad said with a low growl, "And you were very reckless when you played one with the two cubs we know and love in the two legger home of all places! Other than being reckless that you went in there despite you were injured!"

I huffed, "All right first of all, I was not being reckless going in there and I don't get reckless when I'm playing a game. I'm smart enough to see if there's a dangerous risk and know what COULD happen. Second, I could still run fast despite being injured, I proved that a couple times. And THIRD, for the last time, I didn't convince Kweli and Asha to go in the two legger home to play a game with them."

Dad replied with disbelief and with that angered expression still on his face, "Yes, you did! Given your history it's not hard for anyone to figure out."

I furiously shook my head, "But you got this all wrong! It was never my idea to do that! It was-"

Mother who still had that expression like dad cut me off before I revealed who, "Don't go blaming someone else this, Sayde! We know it was yours. Who else would come up with an idea like that?"

"But it really wasn't mine!"

Dad's long, drawn sigh escaped his muzzle, "Sayde, I honestly can't believe you keep trying to lie out of this situation. But you know what, as your father, I have to do this because of what you did. As punishment for wandering in a dangerous place with Kweli and Asha and almost getting killed because of a game, you are not to play with them anymore, nor with any other cub we have here for that matter. And you are to not hunt or wander away from here again, not even after you are healed of that injury of yours, till I say otherwise."

I widened up my eyes, "What?!" You've gotta be kidding me! I begged as I shook my head, "Please, no! Look, just let me start at the very beginning. I-"

Father dismissively waved a paw, "Stop. It's over. It's done."

"But if you just listen-"

He roared, "ENOUGH!" I crouched down a bit and shut my mouth.

Mom let out a tired sigh, "Sayde, just stop it. If you can't admit it, fine, then stop. Look, everyone's safe, it's done, now can we all just go to bed?"

Then dad demanded, "And before we do, I want you to apologize to Kisha for putting her son in danger like that. Same goes to Naabi for Asha."

I stood upright and only stared at them for a long moment. Then I finally spoke a word when I made a frustrated glare, "You know what? Sure. I'll apologize to them when they apologize to me for not keeping their cubs under control."

Dad yelled in anger, "WHAT?!"

I ranted on, "Of course no mother is perfect, I get that. But maybe none of this wouldn't have happened if they've done a better job of keeping an eye on them!"

Mother growled angrily, "Sayde-"

"In fact, why the FUCK should I apologize at all?! I didn't do anything wrong, they did! And why should I apologize to two lionesses who have a problem with me, especially Kisha?! She always has a problem with me! Always calling me a brat and always claiming that I'm irresponsible. Well guess what, she's pretty irresponsible herself!"

Dad tried to speak, in a somewhat calm tone, "Sayde-"

I let it out still, "I am not apologizing! Not for something I did not do! They should!" With a sharp foot, I turned my back on them and began to strode away in a limp.

Before I could make another foot of a distance from them, dad heatedly said, "Sayde, where are you going? You're going in the cave!'

I stopped and glanced behind me, "No, KING JABARI! I don't want to see them or anyone! I am VERY pissed you didn't try to listen to me, and if you were in my paws you'd understand why. Other than this, you hardly listen to me about something. Hell, you always choose to listen to Dahlia over me anyway."

Mother adamantly denied, "That's not true!"

Wildebeest shit. I rolled my eyes to that, "Pfft. Whatever."

Then I see her making a step toward me, taking in a deep breath and saying in a lowered tone, "By the way, since you brought up Dahlia, she told me earlier that you gave her attitude again and you called her friends 'bitches' today."

I defended with only a half-truth statement, "Only because they were laughing at me for getting hurt by a zebra!"

She shook her head, "Sayde, I doubt it. I told you before nobody in the pride would laugh at you for that."

I shut my eyes tight and whined in anger, "Arrgh!" Then I opened them, looked at them once more, and growled, "FINE. Believe it or not, I DON'T CARE. Just leave me alone!"

Dad had a bit of a worried look in his eyes and beckoned me with his paw, "Sayde, come in the cave with us."

"Look, if you're very worried that I'm just gonna walk away from you guys and here, don't." With a paw I pointed a the tree not far from here, "I'm going to sleep under that tree! There, happy? Least you don't have to worry about me wandering off again now. Alright?! Now goodnight!" Without another word, I looked away from them with eyes only on that tree and made my way to it in fast strides. When I got under it, I glanced back and saw my folks slowly trotting side by side to the cave. At the mouth of it, mom was the only one who stopped to look at me for one last moment. As she saw me giving her that very angry look from a far distance, she went in there after dad.

I then flopped down onto my stomach, taking a deep breath to calm my angered nerves. My eyes only gazed at the ground I'm laying on, thoughts of what just happened raced through my head. I sorta figured that talk wouldn't go so well for me, because they were angry and all, but I didn't figure I'd get a punishment at the end of it....Along that I didn't expect those two to give me that kind of reason on why they didn't listen to me before the punishment came. I thought I would only get scolded fiercely for what happened, but apparently I was wrong. And the punishment I'd gotten really angered me and also brought me a lot of shock.

Dad had just treated me like I'm still a cub! Not only that but my parents, along with some of the pride apparently, think I'm reckless when I'm playing a game, and that's not true! I don't put anyone, let alone myself, in danger when I'm playing one! I'm smarter than that. Sure sometimes I come up with outrageous ideas for a game, but I brush them away because I'm smart. I can't believe all this is happening to me...

No more playing with Kweli and Asha, also the other cubs which I hardly do with them, and no more hunting or leaving home for any reason unless dad has a say so...This is a bunch of elephant crap.

I grunted, putting on a furious look. This is the worst day of my life! First, Dahlia and her bitchy friends come along and mess up my plan with Aren, then I run into a two legger home to find two cubs who wandered in it and get them out, THEN I get accused of convincing them and leading them in that place to play some game because of my 'history' and now I'm punished for it. Seriously! I am so upset right now.

I don't see Dahlia having this much trouble in one day...Wish she had so she'd knew how I feel.

I softened up my eyes, letting out another calm breath. I wished my parents had let me tell them my side of the situation. Least had let me tell them that it was Kweli's idea to wander in the very forbidden place no animals should go into. But now I'm thinking about it...Maybe they still wouldn't believe me if I told them the truth. They really were convinced I planned it thanks to Kisha...That bitch. Heck, I'm sure Kisha wouldn't believe me if I told her that her own cub had that idea and not me, and I'm betting when Kweli tells her the truth she probably wouldn't believe him.

Then the faces of Kweli and Asha mentally appeared. I know I haven't had a chance to tell anyone the truth, but Kweli along with Asha are in trouble anyway for going in there. And I'm sure they haven't got the worst punishment like me. And...I know they'll be sad that they won't get to play with me anymore, and I admit I feel that way from thinking about it. They like me, they like playing with me, and I like playing with them too. Those two really are my best friends...Other than Makena.

I looked up to the sky past the tree limbs, seeing that the sky had totally went dark since the sun's finally gone. I sighed when Makena was on my mind. I wish I could talk to him right now...I could use some cheering up, and I'm sure he'd listen to me...He always does. But...Can't go to his home now because it's late...And I can't leave home anyway because of my punishment. Well, he does make visits here so maybe I'll see him tomorrow...Either that... I put on a determined look. I'll just brush the punishment out of my thoughts and go ahead and leave anyway. I'm not a cub, father and mother need to get over it. But...I'll sleep and find out tomorrow.

I laid my head down on my paws and shifted a bit on the ground. Then I thought about Aren. After I got home and noticed dad was not here, I also saw that Aren wasn't with the pride either...Not with Dahlia. Apparently he decided to head back to his cave before I came back. I heaved out another sigh. Too bad my plan to talk to him alone and tell him how I feel hadn't come, and even if he was here when I got back, it probably wouldn't have come anyway because of this drama. Now I'll just have to wait and see if I can tomorrow.

I made a tiny smile on my muzzle. I'll get the chance soon...Just have to sleep and be patient. And since I feel depressed because of the drama at the moment...I'll just let a dream about me and him try cheering me up. I know having one like that won't be hard. I giggled deeply and closed my eyes, try to let slumber take me away underneath this tree.

*****

While sitting on my bed with my back pressed against the wall, I was watching an old classic gangster movie called 'The Warriors' as it was being played on the TV sitting on the dresser across from the bed. Out the window the night already arrived in Kenya, the sounds of crickets chirping outside were evident of that. I sighed contently as I didn't take my eyes off the television set, still feeling happy that I have it in here, knowing it gives me something to do for this vacation.

The rest of the day here at the guest house was just quiet since my walk out in the savannah. During the time after I came back here, I sat around, relaxed and cooled off since I walked back sweating like somebody who ran a hundred miles in hot weather, other than eating food Gabe made for me and my family and began unpacking my things since I was the only one in the family who hadn't done so yet. Along with several pairs of shirts, socks, jeans and shorts, even another pair of shoes and a few miscellaneous items, I also packed up some things that would at least provide me some entertainment for the summer: A small sized DVD player with ten movies.

I did feel lucky that I did decide to pack up those things since I had a gut feeling back at home that Gabe could have a TV for me to use and watch, and he actually did. When dad caught me unpacking the tiny entertainment machine out of my bag, he went to Gabe and asked if he had a TV for me to have for the rest of the season and the host had a spare one that was in his closet at his house, a bit covered in dust. According to Gabe, he said it used to belong to some old African dude who was just a friend of his that died about three years ago. Thing about it was one day the old man, whose name was a bit hard to pronounce honestly, while he was suffering from a sickness said to Gabe that he could have his TV because of all the times that guy spent with him before he died. And since nobody wasn't using it and he was saving it for anybody who needed it, Gabe told me I could have it.

I know I'd probably come to meet other people that I'd be spending time talking with and I'd be taking walks out in the savannah as well, and probably do other things. But I knew if I didn't have anything to do, I would have been a bit bored, and lucky me a TV came in my room. Now here I was, watching one of the movies I had brought from home after hooking up the DVD player to it.

The thought of having walks outside away from Gabe's home and the guest house had me turning my gaze off the TV and onto the window. The angry face of that lioness popped up in my vision and I giggled. Throughout the rest of the afternoon I was still thinking about her, still feeling surprised I had talked to one exotic animal today. In my life before I came here, I spoke to cats, dogs, birds, squirrels, and even a few horses, but speaking to a lioness didn't compare what I had felt when I talked to one of the creatures I mentioned from home. It really felt like a very special thing for a guy with a bizarre gift to do. Not to say I did not enjoy talking to any animal I've met at home and found any I had a conversation with not special, I do on both things. It's just I found talking to a exotic creature to be more special than talking to a type of creature people living in the states see almost every day. And thinking about it honestly makes me wanna go out there and talk to another one.

Other than that...I also felt nervous from thinking about having another walk out in that lioness's territory. She really did scare me. That woman was REALLY pissed that I was 'trespassing' in her lands. Which I could understand her statement and concern, some animals being territorial and all. It was just too bad she didn't want to get to know me and wanted me out of her sight.

Ever since I came back from the walk, I never spoken a word to my parents and Gabe about her. If I did my mom and dad would get so worried and order me not to walk out there ever again, or they have Gabe go with me every time I wanna go for one. And speaking of Gabe, he probably wouldn't mind doing that. After all, he did try to warn me about walking out there, and me having one encounter with a dangerous animal alone would probably be the first and only straw to him. I wouldn't have minded having a stroll with somebody, but EVERY TIME...YEAH, I'd still want some alone time for myself from them...And maybe have a private chat with any exotic animal...Make a friend out there.

I sighed, lifting my leg and laying it over the other one, the thought of that lioness invading in my skull again. She won't be my friend for the summer, I can see that very well. But I could still try make a friend with anything that isn't a lion...Perhaps something that's not a predator. I guess I could go out there and have a walk again tomorrow. But...What if she catches me wandering around again? She probably believes I'm out of her lands by now but she'd be surprised and angry if she found me once more, seeing I didn't do what she told me. That lioness probably wouldn't give me another chance to live, no matter how much I beg her not to kill me.

I dipped my head down to my lap. I bet she's probably sleeping like everything else now, relieved that she drove someone like me away. But boy, she won't be relieved if she sees me again. I would have done what she told me sooner, not out of fear but out of respect for her wish of wanting me out of her lands, but I really don't want to go home, not yet. Other than the fact I just got here, I have a VERY personal reason that is good enough for me to get away from home for a while, and it makes me stay here.

I don't want to leave Africa, and I knew the only option of not getting into trouble by that lioness again is to stay in the guest house and not go out to the savannah alone on foot again. But I didn't want to do that. I know I was nervous thinking about going out there, but the want to talk to another beautiful exotic animal was bigger than that feeling.

I didn't feel any more hesitation in my chest when I rose my eyes to watch the movie. Well...I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled for that lioness if I'm going to walk out there, and hope I don't run into her again. Or better yet, keep an eye out for any other lioness that I'll probably come across. That girl won't be as forgiving as the first time, and another lioness that I find won't give me that first chance to run and live like the other had, I bet. Yeah...I'll be more careful than I was before.

Ryan...I hope you know what you're doing...

On TV, the movie was at the part where a few members of the gang called The Warriors, including Swan, Ajax, Snow and Cowboy, are being chased in the streets of New York City by several guys wearing baseball uniforms and face paint with baseball bats in their hands that belong in another gang called The Baseball Furies. At the last second when the main characters were being chased into Riverside Park, someone knocked on my bedroom door. I looked to it and said, "Come in."

I reached for the remote and paused the movie as the door opened and mom came through it, smiling, "Hey, Ryan." She walked up to my bed, glancing at the TV screen as she did. When she stopped near it, she remarked, "The Warriors? You're watching that?"

I just shrugged my shoulders when a smile formed on my face, "Ain't the first time."

She looked to me, "Oh, I know it's not the first time. It's just I haven't seen you watch that in a while." With that smirk on her face, her brow was raised, "And knowing you'd watched that movie several times, I'm just glad that never once in your life you've became like one of those bad guys on TV. Like one of those guys wearing face paint and carrying a baseball bat around like it's your best friend."

I replied to that, "I'm not a big fan of baseball, mom."

Then she giggled, "Well you don't have to be a fan of baseball if you swing a bat and hurt someone. You could mug someone on a street very easily with it."

I agreed with my head shooting to the left, "Probably. And don't cha worry I'll never be a part of that. I know better."

"Good." Then she formed a serious look, "And saying that, I'm also happy you haven't been mugged by a psycho with a bat or some other wacko while we lived in Atlanta. It's kind of like a hunter hunting the prey. Cities are like concrete jungles."

I let out a annoyed sigh, "Mother, enough already about us living in a city. We haven't seen anything like that as long as we lived in it."

That's when she smiled, "And we're lucky."

"Plus I think all that crap happens IN New York...Other than L. A."

She rose a finger, "Things like that can still happen in Atlanta."

I moaned, planting my hand to my face, "Oh, mom, for the love of god."

Mom chuckled a bit after I got it off my face, and then looked at the TV, sighing as a memory seemed to flow behind her eyes. She said shortly, "Huh...I remember my first time watching it and it was around your age....Such a long time."

I grinned, "You'd told me that before. And I also remember you telling me that when you first watched it, you were falling for a couple of those hot dudes, including Swan, who are shirtless except they wear vests. You liked them showing their abs...Also their attitude."

Mom remarked, "That was before I grew up and went out with your father. Still, they are hot."

I stated without doubt, "Probably not that hot anymore since it was filmed years ago."

"Maybe." Mom said when she turned her eyes on me, "But your dad's not so bad looking these days."

I snickered, "You're saying that because you are married to him."

Her face frowned while I was just smirking away, "Oh hush. That's your father you're talking about."

"You really think he's hot now? Tell you what." Then I gestured to the movie on the screen, "Get one of those vests just like the ones Swan and his pals wore and we'll see how hot he is only wearing that. Let him show off his abs if he had any."

Mom made a toothy grin, "Sure. I'll get one for him and we'll see." Then she pointed at me, "And you should probably wear one without a shirt too, honey. Maybe the ladies will be coming after you. You probably have good abs to show off."

I shook my head, blushing at the thought of me, with only a vest covering my torso a bit, being chased by crazy chicks across Atlanta, "Ahhh, I don't want that kind of attention."

"Oh come on, Ryan." Her hand reached to place on my shoulder and she shook me a bit, "I haven't seen you go out with a girl ever since...Peggy Harmon, I think. I think being shirtless with a vest might help you out with that." She winked.

Upon that, my smile went away in a flash. Then I just lowered my gaze, eyes showing blankness. The face of the girl mom brought up floated around in my head a bit. Peggy. Then my heart felt like it had missed her as usual. Peggy...

I muttered a word before a second passed, "Maybe..." My gaze shot up at her face, quickly bringing back the smile on my face, hiding what I had felt, "But I still wouldn't want to try that when we get home after summer's over. You know, not wanting that sort of attention and all."

Mom still grinned when she took her hand off my shoulder and shrugged, "Hey, you do whatever you want. That was just an idea from me."

"Actually the idea was mine before you turned it around on me, but thanks for sharing." We both shared a chuckle. When a moment passed, I cleared my throat and asked, "Ok, so...What are you doing in my room anyway?"

Mom apparently didn't understand the question at first, then her eyes widened up for a second when she figured it, "Oh!" Then she answered with a deep giggle, "I just came to check on you before I went to bed with your dad. You were kinda quiet on your first night here."

I nodded sincerely, "Oh I'm good, as you can see. Just enjoying the TV Gabe so purposely gave to me. Works well so far."

"That's good." Her hand motioned to the television, "Hope you don't watch TV the whole summer. I think you have lots of things to do around here."

I shook my head, "Not planning on it. Just wanted to watch a movie before going to bed, AND make sure the TV's fine."

"Alright. Well, I'll leave you to it then." She turned her back on me and began pacing to the door. I was about to pick up the remote and press the play button before mom spun around and came back with what appear to be worry in her eyes, "Hey Ryan?"

My dropped my hand down to my bed when I frowned curiously at her, "Yeah?"

"Look, um...I also came in here because I wanted to ask you something. Now, I might be overthinking it a bit and I might be wrong, but I want to ask you this. Alright?"

What's going on with her? I slowly nodded, wanting to know what's going on here.

Mom took in a deep breath and started to say, "Ryan...Did something bad happen to you?" I tilted my head in confusion and was gonna ask her 'why?' before she spoke, "Sorry...It's just when you came back from your walk earlier, you were sweating terribly and you...Had this odd look in your eyes. I...I KINDA thought you were running from something, like you were in trouble. I know you told your dad, but is there something you hadn't said? You know you can tell me anything. Now, what happened out there?"

Still sure on how mom might react if she knew and what she'd do after that, I still didn't tell her about that lioness. I just shook my head and denied it, "Nothing happened. It was like I said to dad. I was jogging back home when I realized I was walking very far and the sun was just getting to me. Believe me, it was very hot under it. And no, I was not in trouble, and I certainly didn't run away from it." I smiled at her in assurance, "I swear. Nothing happened to me out there. It was just a peaceful stroll, and jog of course. Nothing else."

Mom frowned a little, like she was trying to read me. But I think she believed me a moment later when she smiled, "...Alright. I believe you. I'm sorry. Guess my motherly imagination got to me again."

I agreed with my playful brows raised, "No doubt of that."

She giggled, "Okay. I'm done bothering you now. Your dad's probably wondering what's taking me." She went up to plant a kiss on my forehead, "Goodnight."

"Night, mom." Mom stroked my hair once before she turned and walked off through my door, closing it softly behind her. I let out a breath and pressed the button on the remote, back to watching the movie.

Well...That story certainly worked again. And what did she mean by having this 'odd' look in my eyes when I got back? I don't think I looked scared. Oh, she probably THOUGHT she saw something on my face and was wrong. My thoughts were on the lioness again, then my gaze rolled toward the window. Tomorrow...I hope things get better out there for me than today.

I hope I don't run into her again.