Meanwhile, a boy about Ric's age was watching wide-eyed in wonder. Seth had never seen four-legged people before; he hadn't even known they existed. But here they were, playing soccer right in the middle of the field as he sat at the edge. He couldn't stop staring at how gracefully they galloped around. And the older boy was amazing. Seth's jaw dropped when he reared up on his hind legs and jumped to chest trap an unexpected high kick from one of the giant man's hind feet.
Eventually the younger boy tumbled to the grass, laughing and exhausted. The older boy dropped down beside him while the man headed off to the edge of the field where a vendor was selling hot dogs.
Seth longed to go and talk to them, but his mother was hovering. She had gawked a little at the boys too, but she wasn't paying any attention now. She was bugging him with questions, which he answered distractedly. And then the man returned, crushing Seth's hopes. He seemed to Seth to be eight feet tall, and with four legs, he was probably the most intimidating man Seth had ever seen.
"It's nice in the park here, isn't it?" his mom was saying, anxiously. "You like it, don't you?"
"Yes, Mom."
"It's even nicer than the park back hom—back where we used to live."
"Yes, Mom."
She looked at him with perpetually concerned eyes, convinced that his distraction was a sign of depression.
"Honey, I know it's been hard, but you'll see. We'll be ok. You'll make new friends and have a great year at your new school."
This penetrated Seth's thoughts enough to get a different reaction. "Blech, school."
She laughed and hugged him. "Would you like an ice cream? There was a stand back by the entrance."
"Um, sure."
"Okay, honey, you stay right there. I'll be right back."
"Yes, Mom."
She snatched up her purse and hurried away. Seth knew it was now or never. He gathered up his courage, and—
Suddenly, a lady walked up to the four-legged group and greeted them cheerily. The man stood up to talk to her and the boys sat up politely. Seth thought it was funny how they seemed to be sitting on their own laps. Eventually the man walked off with her and the boys went back to lounging in the grass.
Seth's gathered courage suddenly failed him. He knew he'd have to make new friends in this new town, and he really wanted the four-legged boys to be his friends, but why did the first potential friends he'd seen have to be so intimidating?