Mask Off

Fred barreled past the game store, rushing passersby maneuvering around him just in time. After he came too close to collision with one of the mask-less, he stopped and sat down near the fountain.

A bit further a little girl played pretend pilot on an airplane kiddie ride.

Fred never played pretend pilot when he was young. He didn’t need machines as a brave knight. Dad was his horse, and random sticks in the forest his lance or sword. At one of his birthday parties, Fred refused to kill the dragon, explaining to his laughing father how he felt pity for the monster. Instead, he tried to nick the chocolate treasure it guarded through cunning and stealth. His classmates hadn’t shown up, even when Fred advertised it as being the most exciting adventure they would ever embark upon. At least Dad’s oldest brother Uncle Tim and Aunt Emma dropped by, and Fred’s cousins were in awe of his bravery sneaking past the dragon, played by Uncle Tim.

The little girl’s father chuckled as she cheered. “Brace for landing!”

Fred thought of Steve and Samantha. He had waved at the baby the bare minimum of time. Samantha had stared at him with her big eyes. No matter how brief, he had smiled at her as his own father must’ve smiled at baby Fred. But she couldn’t have seen it, his smile hidden behind his mask. He put one hand in his pocket and felt the wet receipt. Samantha probably hadn’t learned what anger was just yet.

The kiddie ride stood in front of a chocolatier. Fred laughed. After nicking the chocolate treasure, he and his cousins had stuffed their mouths with it.