CHAPTER 2
When it started to get dark, Evan was forced to cut his last turn short. He reluctantly hopped off of Ryan’s skateboard and handed it back.
“I need to get home for dinner,” Evan said to Ryan. “My parents are going to wonder where I am.” He glanced down at his watch. 6:15! It was much later than he’d thought. He pulled off the helmet and pads and tossed them to Ryan.
“You’ve got helmet hair, dude,” Ryan said. He pointed to Evan’s dark hair. “Mess it up or something.”
Evan ran a hand through his hair. It felt sweaty. Running home would make him even sweatier. He glanced around the skate park again, but he knew no one from his family would be outside. Everyone was home, sitting at the table, waiting for him.
“I’ve got to fly, Ryan,” Evan said. “See you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing,” Ryan said. He waved Evan away. “Now get home before you’re grounded!”
* * *
Evan burst through the back door, scaring his grandmother. She jumped and muttered something in Japanese.
“Sorry, obaasan,” Evan said. He didn’t speak much Japanese, but he’d picked up a couple of words. Ever since his grandmother had moved in, Japanese was spoken more often around the house.
Grandma Narita, unfortunately, didn’t speak any English.
“Evan?” his father called from the dining room. “Come and sit with us at once. We’ve been waiting for you long enough!”
Evan hurried to the dinner table. His parents, along with Chris, were seated with plates of food in front of them.
“Sorry I’m late,” Evan said. He quickly sat down.
“Where were you?” his mother asked. She passed him a bowl of salad.
“I was at the park with Ryan,” Evan said. He hoped his parents wouldn’t ask which park. “I lost track of time.”
Evan glanced at Chris, who shook his head. Only Chris knew his secret. But Evan knew that his brother wouldn’t say anything.
“You need to pay more attention to the time,” his father said. “We eat at six o’clock every night, no exceptions.”
“Maybe next time we should have a picnic dinner at the park,” Chris joked. “Then Evan would be on time.”
Evan’s family laughed. Even his grandmother, who didn’t know what Chris had said.
“You’re all sweaty,” Evan’s mother said. “Were you running a marathon?”
As Evan ate his dinner, he felt his parents watching him. Do they know I’m secretly skateboarding? he thought.
Evan took a gulp of water, then shook his head. “Oh, no,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I just ran home.”
“Too bad you didn’t have something to ride back here,” Chris said. He pointed a breadstick at his younger brother. “It’s easier to get home when you’ve got a set of wheels.”
Very funny, Evan thought.
“I’ll remember that next time,” he said, giving his brother a dirty look.