Pat adjusted his hat while the hum of the
lawnmower filled the air. Mowing the lawn
was always his excuse to disconnect for a
while, to let the world go on without having
to think too much. But that day, as had
been happening more often lately, the
laughter from the neighbor's yard pulled
him out of his refuge.
"Hey, Pat!" Bandit's deep, carefree voice
reached him from over the fence. "Mowing
the lawn again? You're gonna leave it bald,
m a t e . ' "
Pat looked up, trying to ignore the tingling
in his chest that always showed up when
Bandit appeared.
"Someone's got to do it, right?" he said
trying to sound casual.
"Or you could just let it grow and say it's
'eco-friendly," Bandit joked, winking.
"Hey... want to help us play?" Bandit asked, pointing at Bluey and Bingo, who were wearing paper crowns and holding toy swords. "Today we're princesses, princes... and I'll be the dragon."
Pat hesitated for a moment, then turned off the mower and gave in.
"Alright... I guess I can be the brave knight," he agreed, taking the plastic sword Bluey offered him.
"YES!" Bluey exclaimed. "The dragon has been terrorizing the kingdom, and only the knight can save us!
Bandit knelt down, striking an exaggerated pose, with claws extended and roaring like a true fearsome dragon. The girls ran around him, screaming and laughing, pretending to flee from him.
Pat advanced carefully, sword in hand, dodging the dragon's charges. Bandit moved with energy and grace, pretending to attack him, but every now and then relaxed in the middle of stifled laughter.
Without thinking too much, Pat jumped on him and began tickling his belly.
-Nooo! -roared Bandit, but the strength of his roar soon turned into loud laughter as he rolled on the grass.
Bluey and Bingo clapped and shouted with excitement, enjoying the chaos of the game. They never revealed the "weakness" of the dragon, allowing Pat to act on intuition.
Just then, a shout rang out from the house:
—Dad! Dinner is ready! - it was Lucky, calling him with a firm voice.
The shout brought the game to an end. Pat stepped aside, breathing quickly and smiling, as he watched the girls run toward the house.
-Well... until tomorrow, dragon - said Pat, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
-Until tomorrow, knight -replied Bandit, bowing slightly toward him and smiling.
Pat turned toward the house, where Lucky was waiting for him for dinner, and said goodbye to Bandit as the girls ran inside.
B.i.s.c.u.i.t.z crew
