He sighed, took a deep breath, and followed her. When he got to the table, he froze up again. Mikey was sitting there...but he was...younger. Mikey was ten...but this Mikey looked to be six or seven.
"You still look pale," Zoe said, concerned as he sat down.
"I'm just hungry..." He insisted.
She brought him a plate of food first. He dug in...and was surprised at how good it was. He normally didn't like green vegetables, but these tasted better than what he'd had at home before.
His mom...no...he had to think Linda to avoid slipping up, got a portion and started telling Zoe about her day. Jon listened intently for clues.
"So, the coach said if I keep getting my time down, I'll be a natural for varsity track in the future."
"That's wonderful, Linda," Zoe said, approvingly. "How about your schoolwork?"
"Mom!!" the teen said. "I was just telling you I was excited..."
Zoe shook her head. "I am excited for you. But...mothers are expected to ask about how you're doing in school. I saw that on TV," she joked. "But, seriously...how is your schoolwork?"
"It's fine. I mean...I hate math....but I got a 90 on the last quiz...so..." Linda said.
Mikey turned to Jon as Zoe and Linda talked. "Want to play video games later?"
Same old Mikey at least...even if he's smaller. Video games and cartoons. Why is he younger though?
"Jon has homework first, sweetie," Zoe said, before resuming with Linda.
"Okay, Mommy," Mikey said.
This was seeming entirely too normal for Jon. He needed to finish dinner, slip away, and... "After dinner, I need to walk over to Karyn's," he said. "It's about a school thing."
"That's fine," Zoe said. "But...I thought you and Karyn weren't in the same classes this year."
"We aren't...but we have the same teacher, different periods...we were going to study together," he lied.
"Well, say hi to Mrs. Black for me," Zoe said.
"I'd better get going..." Jon said. He inched toward the door.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Zoe asked.
"What?"
"Your schoolbooks?"
"Oh...yeah..." Jon grabbed the bag and hightailed it out of the house.
Zoe looked after him, looking a bit concerned. Jon seemed off. She hoped, whatever it was, it would pass.
