The Day I Kissed An Older Man

As they were walking, Corinne suddenly stopped and turned to look at Joey. "Why are you just standing there, Joey? Come along now. The sun will get very hot now that it's noon!"

Joey blinked. For a moment, he was a little disappointed because he thought Corinne had forgotten him. His heart was filled with warmth when he heard Corinne call out to him. He ran toward her while saying, "Yes, Mommy."

At the same time, Bryan said, "Could you help me pick up the kite? I don't want the rain to damage it!"

Joey did as Bryan asked. "Okay! I'll go get the kite." He then said to Corinne, "You can bring Bryan and Christine in. I'll get the kite and come in soon."

That kite was a gift from Francine, and he liked it very much as well. He and Bryan had left the kite on the ground earlier when they saw Corinne returning, and the wind had probably blown it some distance away.

determination led Corinne to feel he would not leave the yard. She

a servant to keep an eye on Joey. The boy went to the yard and searched for the kite by himself. He soon spotted it near the small fence and hurried over to retrieve it. As he squatted to pick up the kite,

a man holding a bunch of helium balloons on the other side of the small fence. He shook his head and replied, "No, thanks. My mommy bought us a lot of balloons already." The balloon seller smiled upon hearing this, "What a considerate

who was always a polite little boy, responded, "Thank you for your kind words, sir. You can ask someone else if they want to buy your balloons. I need

a second, kid. I have a few

the balloon seller. He was

closer. "Come closer.

not to approach any strangers, so he cautiously took a few steps back instead

reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm not a bad person. But I can talk to you from here too if you're comfortable with that." Joey nodded. "Yes, please talk to