Max, Ducky and the Dinosaws

Once upon a time, just the other day, there lived a family of five just down the street. Some days Momma stayed home, and some days Daddy stayed home. Every day Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn, and Hunter Thomas stayed home. Nothing extravagant ever seemed to happen. In fact, every day seemed almost the same as the day before. When Ava Anne, Savannah Lynn and Hunter Thomas awoke, they would tip-toe out of their bedrooms, down the hall, and to the kitchen. Momma or Daddy would be there or on the nearby couch, reading or eating or doing something uninteresting like sorting mail.

On this particular day, Hunter Thomas awoke first. It was very early. The sun was just waking up, too. Hunter Thomas crawled out of his new Big Boy Bed, tip-toed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Only one light was on, and the curtains were still closed. Not even Momma was awake yet. That’s ok, Hunter Thomas thought, I’ll just play with Ducky and Max.

Hunter Thomas stopped in front of the microwave and waited.

“Max?” Hunter Thomas finally said. There was no reply. Guess he’s still sleeping, Hunter Thomas thought. I’ll just play with Ducky. Hunter Thomas walked out of the kitchen, tip-toed down the hall and toward his bedroom. He pulled Ducky out of his shirt. Ever since Hunter Thomas could remember, Ducky had lived in his shirt with just his yellow head and orange bill sticking out. Hunter Thomas liked having a friend with him all the time.

“Let’s play dinosaws, Ducky,” Hunter Thomas said. They pulled out a T-Rex, a dinosaur named Spike, and a couple of blue long-necks. After a while, though, Hunter Thomas wondered if Max was ready to play. Hunter Thomas stuffed Ducky back in his shirt and tip-toed down the hall and toward the kitchen. Once again, he stopped in front of the microwave. This time, Momma was in the kitchen making coffee. She turned around just in time to see Hunter Thomas stop in front of the microwave.

“Good morning, Hunter Thomas,” Momma said. “Are you hungry?” Hunter Thomas shook his head.

“Well can I help you with something?” Momma asked, puzzled. After a long pause, Hunter Thomas finally turned around.

“I’m waiting fo-wah Max to wake up.”

“Who is Max?” Momma asked.

“My fwend.” Hunter Thomas said.

Momma was still puzzled. She did not know who Max was. She did not know when he was going to wake up. And she certainly did not know why Hunter Thomas was waiting for him at the microwave.

“Hunter, why are you staring at the microwave?” Momma asked.

“’Cuz Max is sleeping.”

“Where is Max sleeping?” Momma asked.

Hunter Thomas sighed. “Behind the mic-wo-wave.”

“Ooooh,” Momma said, “I see.” Hunter Thomas had an imaginary friend.

“Should we knock?” Momma asked.

“What?” Hunter Thomas asked, confused.

“Should we knock on the door and see if he wakes up?”

Hunter Thomas grinned. Momma was smart! Momma knocked and looked down at Hunter Thomas. They waited a few seconds. Then suddenly, Hunter Thomas grinned.

“Oh, hi, Max!” He said, “Let’s play dinosaws.”

Momma grinned as Hunter, Ducky and Max left the kitchen, whispering about dinosaws.