The Boy

The torrential rain flooded the pedestrian walkway threatening to seep into my shoes. I stepped carefully over the grating trying to avoid the streams of rain water as they drained off the path. In front, a boy alighted from his mother's vehicle and rushed into the shelter of the covered walkway, the school bag on his shoulders bobbing up and down. I quickened my steps and finally caught up with him as he entered the school gate.

Turning around, the boy acknowledged me by flashing me a bright smile.

"No PE today I guess," I said, trying to make conversation.

"Definitely," the boy answered, obviously disappointed.

"Have you shown your parents your exam papers yet?" I asked, knowing he did quite badly for a few papers.

"Only those I did well in," he replied.

"What about the other papers?"

"Monday. If I show them today, they will ground me this weekend," he explained sheepishly.