    "Bill" BY CODY MATTHEW JAMES III 2/8/05

    Chapter 22 A TRIP TO THE MALL

    I opened my eyes when I felt the weight of Ricky's head on my arm. I
    looked at his face, and it was expressionless, except for his lips
    still holding onto the nipple of the baby bottle. His breaths were long
    and deep as he slept. I looked at the baby bottle, and it was almost
    empty. I searched until I found my bottle, and as I looked at it, I
    wondered why my pee didn't come out of me the same color and texture
    like it was in my bottle.

    I looked at the clock, and it was almost seven, I lifted Ricky's head
    off my arm as I pulled it out from under him, and set his head back
    down on my pillow. I got up slowly so I didn't disturb him, and went
    over to my window. The sun was already blazing away at the concrete
    around the pool, and from the heat that came into my room, I knew it
    was going to be a hot day. I smelled the coffee my mommy was making in
    the kitchen, and I knew she was up. I went to the kitchen as my mommy
    sat down at the table.

    "Good morning baby." my mommy said when she saw me.

    "Morning mommy. I said as I hopped up onto her lap facing her.

    "The hot weather wake you up too?" she asked as she held me and rubbed
    my back.

    "No, Ricky's head did."

    She looked at me with a puzzled look for a second, then shrugged it
    off.

    "What are we going to do today mommy?"

    "I don't know. What would you and Ricky like to do?"

    "Go to Disney World, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Magic Mountain, beach,
    Water Wonderland, see some caves, go to a observatory, and horseback
    riding."

    "Sorry baby, we can only do half of those things today." my mommy said
    jokingly.

    "You pick one mommy."

    "How about if we stay home and clean house?"

    I shook my head slowly side to side as I looked into her eyes.

    "Bad idea?" she asked as we rubbed noses.

    I shook my head up and down.

    "We'll wait until Bill comes over and see if he has any ideas. Now what
    do you want for breakfast baby?"

    "FOOD." Ricky said as he walked into the kitchen wiping the sleep out
    of his eyes.

    "Mommy, know what I'm gonna buy Ricky for his birthday?"

    "WHAT SCOTTY?" Ricky yelled.

    "A supermarket. That will keep you happy for at least two days."

    "Maybe." Ricky said.

    "How about cereal for breakfast you guys?"

    "Okay." Ricky said.

    My mom poured two bowls of cereal, and then we took them to the living
    room. We sat down behind the coffee table and my mommy brought the milk
    in and then poured it onto the cereal.

    "Hold on you guys." my mom said as she went and got our bibs.

    She tied one around my neck, and then she put one on Ricky as she said,
    "Cathy said you guys wear more food then you eat. I want to see if it's
    true."

    "We don't wear it, we save it for later mommy."

    "Wouldn't it be easier to go to the kitchen and get something to eat
    when you get hungry?"

    "Nope." Ricky said

    We watched cartoons while we ate, and I was thinking about what we
    could do today. My mom came back into the living room and watched
    cartoons with us while she drank her coffee.

    "Ricky, what do you want to do today?" my mommy asked.

    "Go shopping for toys."

    "I know! Lets go kidnap Chris, take him to a cabin in the mountains,
    make him water ski, and hike with us. We can make him eat good food
    like hot dogs and hamburgers, and potato chips, and go swimming in a
    river."

    "That sounds like something you would like to have done to you Scotty."

    "Yup, me and Chris." I said

    "What about me?" Ricky asked.

    "I thought we could drop you off at a supermarket, and let you eat all
    week long."

    "No, I want to go water ski." Ricky said.

    I pushed Ricky, and he pushed me back. I set my spoon down on the
    table, and pushed Ricky harder. He set his spoon down, and we started
    wrestling.

    "You guys keep it clean." my mom said, and then she casually sipped her
    coffee.

    Ricky had me pinned to the floor in no time, and as he looked down at
    me, he was giggling. His bib dangled down onto my nose tickling it. I
    notice some food that missed his mouth and had landed on his bib.

    "Ricky look, FOOD!" I said as I looked at his bib.

    "So?"

    "My god! I think I filled up the bottomless pit! My mom said as she
    faked a fainting spell.

    "Quick, call the newspapers! Ricky Heather says no to FOOD!" I said.

    Ricky started laughing, then my mommy and I started laughing too.

    "If Ricky is finished eating, I know you are too baby. Time for your
    bath after you two take your things to the kitchen sink.

    Ricky got off of me, and we took our bowls to the kitchen. As we walked
    to the bathroom, my mommy gave me a light swat on my butt.

    "What was that for?" I asked as I rubbed the rear of my diaper.

    "That's for letting a sweet little kid beat you at wrestling baby."

    "That's me Scotty, a sweet little kid." Ricky said teasingly.

    "Need to use the potty Ricky?" my mommy asked as she took his diaper
    off.

    "Nope." he answered.

    "Yup." my mommy said as she lifted him up onto the potty seat.

    "Need to use the potty baby?"

    "Yup." I answered.

    "Yup is right." she said as she took my diaper off me.

    She filled the bathtub with water and poured bubble bath into it, then
    she took Ricky off the potty seat and put him into the tub. As she
    lifted me up onto the potty seat, there was a knock at the front door.

    "Bet that is Bill. You two stay where you are, and I'll be right back."
    my mom said.

    I watched Ricky play with the bubbles as he sat in the bathtub.

    "Wanna go swimming today Ricky?"

    "I don't care." he said as he held the bubbles up in his hands and then
    let the fall back into the tub.

    "Want a spanking Ricky?"

    "I don't ca…Hey I don't want no spanking Scotty."

    "Who wanted to be spanked?" my mommy asked as she came back into the
    bathroom.

    I pointed at Ricky as he pointed at me.

    "Bill, there are two boys in here who want to be spanked." my mommy
    said as she put me into the tub beside Ricky.

    "Ill go and get my paddle Jeanne." Bill said as he came into the
    bathroom.

    "NO!" Ricky and I yelled.

    "Aw. My two little boys don't want any pop pops on their butts today?"
    my mommy said.

    Ricky and I shook our heads no.

    "What did you guys want to do today?" Bill asked.

    "I want to go to England, and see the Queen." I answered.

    "You want to go to England, and see Elton John?" Bill asked as he sat
    down on the edge of the tub.

    "Elton who?" Ricky said.

    "He was a little before your time Ricky." my mom said.

    "Can we go to Disneyland?" I asked Bill as he sat down and started
    washing my hair.

    "There is a million billion people there today sport." Bill answered.

    "Bad idea?" I asked.

    "I think so Scotty."

    "How about if we go to the mall and do some shopping?" my mom asked.

    "For toys?" Ricky asked.

    "Ricky, I talked to Cathy and she said the last thing you need are
    toys." my mommy said while she washed him.

    Bill washed me as I sat there, then I stood up, and he finished washing
    me.

    "You know Bill, if we take these two boys outside right now and tossed
    them into the pool, we wouldn't have to rinse them off." my mommy said
    joking.

    "Then you wouldn't be able to get us out of the pool until after dark."
    I said.

    "Yeah Jeanne, I think we might get into trouble letting two little boys
    swim all day naked." Bill said as he finished washing me.

    My mommy rinsed Ricky off with the hand shower, then she handed the
    hand shower to Bill, and he rinsed me off as I turned around in the
    tub. Ricky and I climbed out of the tub, and Bill dried me off while my
    mom dried Ricky off. They wrapped towels around us and carried us to my
    bedroom.

    "What do you boys want to wear today?" my mom asked.

    "Nothing." I said.

    "Okay baby, then you are dressed." my mommy said as she put Ricky down
    on the dresser.

    "I meant nothing but the best." I said.

    My mom took out two school diapers, and tossed one to Bill. Bill laid
    me down on my bed, and placed the diaper under my rear.

    "Do you remember how to diaper him Bill?" my mom asked as she sprinkled
    baby powder onto her hand.

    "Yes Jeanne. You fasten the diaper together around his neck, and you
    powder his toes"

    "Almost right Bill. You powder his nose and diaper his toes."

    "Then I would have wet feet." I said.

    My mom sprinkled the powder onto Ricky's front, and the tossed the
    powder to Bill. He sprinkled the baby powder onto his palm and rubbed
    it all over my rear, and then he sprinkled it on my front, and rubbed
    it on and around my penis.

    "Bill is getting better mommy. He hardly got any baby powder in my
    mouth or up my nose this time." I said teasingly.

    "Oh I didn't know I was suppose the powder your nose Scotty." Bill said
    as he pretended to powder my nose.

    "Got to turn the cap on the top to open it Bill." I said.

    "Okay smart guy." Bill said as he turned the top of the baby powder.

    "Am I going to have to give someone a spanking today?" my mommy asked
    as she looked at Bill.

    "I dare you mommy." I said.

    "I'm looking at you too sweetheart."

    "I don't dare you mommy."

    Bill pulled the diaper up between my legs nice and snug, and then taped
    the rear to the front.

    "Do I get a gold star today Jeanne?" Bill asked as he stood me up on my
    bed and displayed his work to my mom.

    "Do I get a gold star too. I laid there nice and almost quietly."

    "You get a gold star Bill, and you get a silver star baby since you
    were almost quiet."

    "What do I get?" Ricky asked as he sat up on the dresser.

    "You get two gold stars since you were nice and quiet."

    "Sun suits today Jeanne?" Bill asked.

    "Sun suits." my mom answered.

    My mommy handed Bill my printed blue satin sun suit, then she put a
    printed red satin sun suit on Ricky. Bill helped me get my arms in the
    sleeves, then he pulled it down and snapped the legs and crotch closed.

    "Shoes or sandals Jeanne?"

    "Sandals Bill."

    After we got our sandals on, Ricky and I went into the living room to
    watch cartoons. Bill went to the kitchen, got a cup of coffee and came
    back to watch cartoons with us. My mom took a quick shower, and then
    she got dressed.

    "You guys almost ready to go?" my mom asked as she brushed her hair.

    "Yeah." I answered.

    "I'll be right out as soon as I restock the diaper bag." my mom said,
    then she went into my bedroom.

    A few minutes later, she came out and said, "Let's hit the road guys."

    Ricky and I raced each other to the S.U.V.

    After we got into the S.U.V., my mom strapped Ricky into his car seat
    while Bill strapped me into mine.

    "Don't forget Scotty, tomorrow we have an appointment at the Y." Bill
    said as he got into the drivers seat.

    "Bill, is Chris gonna be there?"

    "I don't know yet, but I hope so Scotty."

    When we got to the mall, the parking lot was almost full. We drove
    around for a few minutes before Bill found a parking spot, and it was a
    long way from the mall entrance. Bill carried Ricky on his shoulders
    while my mom carried the diaper bag, and held my hand to the entrance
    to the mall.

    "And where would you like to go first Mrs. McCormick?" Bill asked.

    "I need to go to the Little Kids shop and get some new tennis shoes for
    Scotty. He will be starting back to school soon."

    "But mom, why can't I wear the shoes I have?" I asked.

    "Scotty, you have worn those tennis shoes since the start of fifth
    grade last year. It's time for a new pair."

    When we got to the shop, Bill held the door open for us as we walked
    in.

    "May I help you?" a lady asked.

    "Yes. My little Scotty needs a new pair of tennis shoes." my mom said.

    The lady led us to the shoe department and asked, "What kind of tennis
    shoes are you looking for? We have…"

    "NIKE." my mom answered.

    "Mom, those are expensive."

    "We can afford it now baby."

    The lady measured my foot, and then took me over to the shoe display.

    "Scotty, on this row we have shoes for little boys. If you see a pair
    you like…"

    "Those right there." I said as I pointed to a pair of Nike's.

    "I'm be right back with a pair for you to try on."

    "We better pick up some socks while we are here." my mom said as she
    went over to a display.

    "Can I get crew socks mom?"

    "That is what I'm looking for sweetheart."

    My mom found a package of socks, took out a pair, and had me sit down
    and she put the socks on me.

    "Here we go Scotty," the lady said as she opened the box and took out
    the shoes.

    She slipped them on my feet, and then laced them up.

    "How do those feel?" my mom asked as she checked the toe out.

    "Pretty good. Let me walk in them." I said then I ran around the shoe
    isle as fast as I could.

    "Like them baby?" my mom asked as she corralled me before I got past
    her a second time.

    "YUP!"

    "We'll take those, and another pair, one size larger." my mom told the
    lady.

    "Mommy that's too expensive. One pair is good enough."

    "That's why I worked all those extra hours at work baby. You're going
    back to school in style this year."

    "No more thrift shop clothes mommy?"

    "No more thrift store clothes Scotty. Regular stores from now on."

    The lady took the shoes to the cashier, and she rang them up. It was
    almost eighty dollars for the shoes and socks.

    When we left the store, Ricky and I ran over to the railing to look
    down at the food court. Ricky was looking at the food being served and
    I saw the jewelry cart down below.

    "Mommy, can Bill, Ricky and me go to the toy store down there?" I
    asked.

    "You don't want me along baby?" my mom asked.

    "It's not that, I just wanted to talk to Bill about Chris. That's all."

    "I need to go to another store anyway to pick up some undergarments.
    Bill if you don't mind watching these two guys?"

    "I don't mind Jeanne. I want to see what cool toys they have anyway."

    "Boys and their toys…I'll see you guys in the food court in thirty
    minutes." my mom said, then she went into the department store.

    As soon as my mom was gone, I said, "Bill, can we look at the jewelry
    cart down there."

    "What are you looking for Scotty?"

    "I just wanted to look, that's all."

    "Are you looking for a wedding ring Scotty?" Bill asked teasingly.

    "You gonna get married?" Ricky asked.

    "Nope just wanted to look." I said as we headed down the stairs.

    I looked into the display window of the jewelry cart, and saw the
    necklace I wanted.

    "How much is that necklace?" I asked.

    "The gold chain is forty two dollars." the guy said.

    "Do you do lettering here?"

    "Lettering?"

    "Yeah. Can you put letters together to make a word?"

    "Yes we do that here."

    "How are you going to pay for that Scotty?" Bill asked.

    "I still have the money I didn't use at the pawn shop when I got my
    mom's wedding ring back for her."

    "Will you please let me know the total cost of the chain before Scotty
    buys it. I'll be over looking into the front window of the toy store
    with Ricky." Bill said to the guy.

    "What do you want the letters to say Scotty?" the guy asked as he
    looked down at me.

    "Got a piece of paper and a pencil?" I asked.

    I wrote down what I wanted the lettering to say, and the guy added up
    all the costs and wrote the total down on a piece of paper, and then I
    took it over to Bill.

    Bill looked at it and asked "Do you have this much money Scotty?"

    I reached down and took out the money I had tucked into my sun suit leg
    opening and handed it to Bill.

    "I'm going to have to keep an eye on you Scotty. You don't have one of
    those locomotives we saw yesterday stashed down there, do you?"

    "No, but I got a Lear jet hidden down there."

    Bill grabbed my ribs and tickled me for that remark. He looked over at
    the guy at the jewelry cart, and nodded his head yes. I took the money
    over to him and paid for the necklace.

    "Okay, this will take about two hours to make." the guy said.

    "Two hours? Can you make it faster?"

    "About two hours, and I'll make you a deal Scotty. If it isn't done in
    two hours, you get the necklace free and you get all your money back
    too."

    "Okay." I said as I tucked the receipt into my leg opening, and walked
    over to Bill.

    "What is the matter Scotty?" Bill asked.

    "The guy said it would take two hours to make. I wanted to give it to
    my mom today. I don't know how I can keep my mom here at the mall for
    two hours."

    "Scotty, look around. What do you see?"

    "People."

    "No Scotty, I mean the stores. I never knew a woman that didn't like
    shopping more then anything else. I think I can keep your mom here for
    awhile."

    "Not my mom. She doesn't like shopping."

    "She likes shopping Scotty. I just need to teach her how." Bill said as
    he winked at me, and then we went into the toy store.

    Ricky wanted everything he saw. I pointed out the electric trains, and
    he wanted one. I checked out the basketballs, and he needed one of
    those too. I went and looked at the Barbie dolls to see what Ricky
    would do, and sure enough he wanted one too…for Cathy. Bill ended up
    buying a toy truck for Ricky, and a toy car for me, and he bought some
    model airplanes for himself.

    "Ricky, Scotty, it's time to be at the food court." Bill said.

    We went over to the food court and my mom was waiting for us.

    "You guys want to do brunch here? I know Ricky is starving by now." my
    mom said as she sat down.

    "I thought you were going to buy some underthings Jeanne?" Bill asked
    as we sat down.

    "Couldn't find anything I liked. I did find something Scotty needs for
    school though."

    "Is it clothes mommy?" I asked.

    "I'm not going to tell you baby."

    "It's not shoes Scotty. You already got those. Can we eat now?" Ricky
    asked.

    "Is it pens, paper, and rulers Jeanne?" Bill asked.

    "Can't say yes or no." my mom said.

    "Can we eat?" Ricky asked again.

    "Is it a new bike so I don't have to walk all that way to school?" I
    asked.

    "You will be walking to the school bus stop baby, two hundred feet."

    "If I had a new bike, I could bike it to the bus stop in no time."

    "Sorry Scotty."

    "Can we eat?"

    "Bill, you take these guys over and feed them before Ricky passes out
    from starvation." my mom said.

    "Will you be all right here by yourself Jeanne until we get back?"

    "Anyone who messes with my mom will be hurting Bill. She knows how to
    take care of herself." I said.

    As we walked to the food counter, I noticed the way Ricky was walking
    and I looked back at my mom. She noticed too, and said, "After we eat."

    I got some tacos, Ricky got hot dogs with everything on them, and Bill
    got hamburgers and fries for himself and my mom. While we ate, we tried
    to guess what my mom had bought for me but she would not give us any
    hints. After we finished eating, my mom said, "Ricky, I know you need a
    change. What about you Scotty?"

    I shook my head yes.

    "Bill, I'm going to leave you here by yourself. Will you watch the
    packages until I get back?"

    "Yes Jeanne, I mean Mrs. McCormick." Bill said in a child's voice.

    "Looks like I got two clowns on my hands." my mom said.

    As my mom got up, I slipped the receipt for the necklace to Bill.

    My mom took Ricky and me to the woman's restroom.

    "Mom, this is a little embarrassing?" I said as we entered the
    restroom.

    "I forgot, the last time I had to change you in public baby, you were
    about four years old.

    "Mrs. Santos used to wait until we got home before she changed me."

    "They have a changing table in the restroom for changing diapers." my
    mom said.

    "See Scotty. It's just like the changing table we used at that studio
    when they were shooting you for that commercial." Ricky said as he ran
    over to it.

    "Okay baby, you are up first."

    She sat the diaper bag on the changing table, and then lifted me up
    onto it. I listened for any sounds coming from the stalls, and when I
    didn't hear anything, I laid back as my mom unsnapped my crotch.

    "You're not that wet yet kid. I should have done Ricky first.

    I looked at Ricky, and he had already unsnapped his own crotch.

    My mom took out a sport diaper and set it down on the table beside me,
    and then she placed a changing pad under me. While she took the diaper
    off me, Ricky sat down on the chair next to the table.

    "Let's go check out that new store we saw on the way in and see if they
    have any shorts that are on sale for summer clearance." one girl said
    to another as they entered the restroom.

    I froze on the changing table hoping they would not see me, then my mom
    slipped a sport diaper under me.

    "Hey Kayla look. There is a little boy getting his diaper changed."

    "And there is one waiting his turn. How cute." the second girl said.

    "Hi." Ricky said as he waved at the girls.

    "What is you name sweetie?" one girl asked.

    "Ricky."

    "How old are you Ricky?"

    "I'm eight."

    "And what's your name?" the girl asked me.

    "Sco…Scotty."

    "Look at his dimples Kayla. He's so cute." the girl said as my mom
    taped the diaper together.

    "Okay Scotty. You're done. Go wash your hands." my mom said as she
    finished snapping my crotch.

    "Amy, wouldn't your baby brother look so precious in a blue satin sun
    suit like his?"

    "It would make it easier to change his diapers that's for sure."

    "You can get them from Scotty's business." Ricky said as my mom took
    the diaper out from under him.

    "That little boy has his own business?" the girl asked.

    "I'm sorry girls, but Ricky said it wrong. Scotty works for the company
    that makes the sun suits."

    "Are you their mother or their sister?"

    "I hate to admit it but I'm Scotty's mother."

    "He is so cute, I wish he was my little brother." one of the girls said
    as she mussed up my hair.

    "I think the one on the table is as cute. Want to come home with me
    little guy?"

    "Nope. Cathy would spank me if I did." Ricky said.

    "Cathy is Ricky's older sister." my mom said as she snapped Ricky's
    crotch closed.

    "Mom, ready to go?" I asked as Ricky washed his hands.

    "In a minute baby. I need to wash my hands."

    "Can Ricky and me wait outside for you?"

    "As long as you two wait right outside." my mom said.

    Ricky had a puzzled look on him as I led him outside the woman's
    restroom.

    "Why did you want to wait out here Scotty?" Ricky asked.

    "I didn't want those girls to find out we were not brothers."

    "Why not Scotty?"

    "I have my reasons Ricky."

    "Cathy treats us like we are brothers." Ricky said.

    'I know Ricky, but I wanted to get out of there."

    "Were you embarrassed when they saw your diaper Scotty?"

    "Kind of. Those girls looked like they were my age. They might be going
    to my school this year."

    We waited until my mom came out, and then we ran over to Bill at the
    table.

    "Bill, how much time do we still have to wait for the necklace?" I
    asked.

    "A little over an hour Scotty."

    "Think we can keep her here that long?"

    "I think we can."

    "You think you can what?" my mom asked as she walked up to the table.

    "I just asked Bill if he could talk Chris into coming with us
    tomorrow." I said.

    "No Scotty. You wanted to…" Ricky tried to say.

    "Lets go mom." I said as I grabbed her hand and led her away.

    "Uh Scotty. We are going the wrong way. The store is the other way" my
    mom said.

    We turned around and walked the other way.

    "You see the store right ahead of us baby, that's where we are going."
    my mom said.

    "We are going to the book store?" I asked.

    "No. The store on the left."

    I looked to the left, and it was a computer store.

    "What are we going to buy in there mommy?"

    "Oh, a dozen roses for me…It's a computer store Scotty, what do you
    think we are going to buy in there?" my mom asked.

    "A computer?"

    "You got that question right baby."

    "A computer for me?" I asked not believing it.

    "Yes sweetheart. I picked it out while you boys, and the big kid were
    in the toy store."

    "I ain't a kid." Bill said as he held the door open for us.

    I walked in still not believing I was about to get a computer of my
    own.

    "Mommy, we can't afford this." I said as I looked up at her.

    "I can't afford it baby, but the law says I can buy it for you with the
    money you are earning from Jordan Enterprises. It's for your
    education."

    I looked at all the computers. There were scanners, LCD displays,
    cameras, printers. They had everything.

    "Mrs. McCormick, are you ready to pick up the computer system?" the
    salesman asked.

    "I want to get Scotty's approval first. Will you please show him the
    computer system?"

    "Is this Scotty?" the salesman asked as he put his hand on Ricky's
    shoulder.

    "Right idea, wrong kid." my mom said.

    The salesman led us over to a computer desk, and when I saw the system,
    it was love at first sight. I sat down on the chair, and looked at the
    computer and then the LCD display.

    "For me?" I asked as I tilted my head backwards and looked up at my
    mommy.

    "Yes baby."

    "It comes complete with a fifteen inch LCD screen, auto feed flat bed
    scanner, heavy duty bass reflex speakers, DVD recorder/player, one
    hundred sixty gig hard drive, five hundred twelve RAM, cordless optical
    mouse and keyboard, eight USB ports, eight memory card slots, a printer
    that will print photos, and this." the salesman said as he opened the
    drawer.

    Inside the drawer was a digital camera.

    I stood up on the chair and hugged my mommy.

    "You like it baby?"

    She knew my answer after I kissed her and hugged her again.

    "Is that a good camera?" Bill asked.

    "It is a five mega pixel, and Mrs. McCormick you requested three five
    hundred and twelve mega bit mem cards, and three extra battery packs,
    right?"

    "If it's okay with Scotty." my mom said as she looked at me.

    By the time I finished hugging and kissing her again, she knew I loved
    it.

    "I substituted the smaller keyboard like you requested Mrs. McCormick.
    It will be easier for Scotty since he has small hands." the salesman
    said.

    "I think my little Scotty is pleased with it." my mom said as she ran
    her fingers thru my hair.

    "It's all ready to go. I have one on the hand cart and I will have
    someone help you out with it." the salesman said.

    I sat back down on the chair and looked at display model. Matt's
    computer did not even come close to this one, and when I looked at
    Ricky, I knew he wanted one too, but he never said a word.

    "Mommy, thank you."

    "What are you thanking me for? It's your money baby."

    "Thank you for thinking about getting me my own computer system mommy."

    "Cathy said she would help you hook it up on Tuesday. She wants to set
    up the Internet connection and the parental control on it."

    "No x-rated?" I asked.

    "Sorry kid. No x-rated material at all!"

    I thought, now I can e-mail Matt whenever I wanted, and I can e-mail
    Cathy, Kyle, Ricky, Chris…I wonder if Chris has access to a computer? I
    can e-mail Bill, my mommy at work, and Rashid. I'm going to have so
    much fun. This is even better then a game boy…I think.

    "Jeanne, I'll go get the S.U.V., and bring it over to the loading area.
    Keep an eye on those two little rascals." Bill said.

    I looked at the huge LCD screen, and watched the screen saver change
    colors.

    "I'll expect you to bring home some A's from school this year Scotty."

    "I bring home A's…sometimes."

    "Not enough." my mom said.

    The stock clerk walked out to the loading area with us. As he was
    loading the computer system into the S.U.V. I remembered the necklace I
    was supposed to pick up at the jewelry cart.

    "Bill…"

    "Oh…Jeanne. I forgot I need to look at something while we are here.
    I'll just be a minute or two." Bill said as he closed the rear doors.

    "Can I come Bill?" I asked.

    "I think you better stay here Scotty, and keep loud mouth occupied so
    he will not talk your mother's head off." Bill said as he winked.

    "Don't forget the box…ers Bill."

    "Got it Scotty."

    "What did Bill want to look at Scotty?" my mom asked

    "Scotty…" Ricky started to say.

    "Yeah mom Ricky wanted to know if we can go swimming today?" I said.

    "I think we can go swimming later." my mom said.

    "Know…" Ricky started to say.

    "Know what time it is mom?" I interrupted Ricky.

    "Almost noon baby."

    "Bill…"

    "Should be back any second." I finished.

    "How do you know Bill will be back any second Scotty?" my mom asked.

    "Because…" Ricky said.

    "Because the place he wanted to go to is close by."

    "What's going on Scotty?" my mom asked with that look in her eyes.

    "I'm back and I found out what I wanted to know." Bill said as he
    climbed into the drivers seat.

    "Is it Bill?" I asked.

    "Sure is Scotty." Bill said as he handed me the small plastic bag.

    I felt the bag to make sure it was inside, then I gave it to my mom.

    "Here, I bought this for you mommy."

    "What is it?" my mom asked as she looked inside the plastic bag.

    "Open it up and find out Jeanne." Bill said.

    My mom took out the little white box and opened it slowly. Tears came
    to her eyes as she read it: I'll love you forever mommy, love Scotty.

    "What a beautiful necklace. I love it baby.' my mom said as she held
    out her arms.

    We hugged each other, and then she kissed me.

    "Bill, will you please help me put it on?"

    As Bill put it on her, Ricky said, "What a purety necklace."

    "I'll never take it off." my mom said as she admired it.

    "Not even when you go to sleep Jeanne?" Bill asked.

    "Never."

    "Not even when you give me and Scotty a bath?" Ricky asked.

    "Never."

    "Not even when you give me a spanking?" I asked.

    "Never. But I'll remember I'm wearing it when I spank you baby." my mom
    said as she buckled me into my car seat.

    As soon as Ricky was buckled into his car seat, we headed for home.

    END OF CHAPTER 22

`Chapter 23 MY FIRST COMPUTER`