For most of the time he was in Mr.For most of the time he was in Mr. Edwards' office he'd been so hard that it hurt. ++++++ Mr. Baker pulled up in a dark blue Cadillac. It was a car that Rafael had often drooled over with the other boys when it was parked in the lot during the monthly board meetings. The man got out of the car and walked over to talk briefly with Mr. Edwards. A minute later Mr. Edwards beckoned Rafael over to join them. "Alan, this is Rafael. Rafael say hello to Mr. Baker." "Hello Rafael," the man said gently. Right away Rafael liked him and he wondered whether Mr. Baker remembered him from the last time they had met. His voice was deep though very friendly sounding. He could tell that Mr. Baker liked him too as they shook hands. The handshake was a good firm squeeze as the man looked straight into the boy's eyes. "Hi sir! Mr. Baker," Rafael gave his sweetest, most-disarming smile. The man smiled back reassuringly. "You're right he is a very good looking boy. Yes indeed! How old are you Rafael?" "Ten sir, I turned ten, uh, back in March, Mr. Baker," Rafael replied. The man nodded, looking the boy up and down appreciatively. "Yes, I remember now. He's quite a boy isn't he?" he said to Mr. Edwards. "How's his health? No problems there I hope." Mr. Edwards smiled. "I had the doctor look at him a week ago. He's fine, just the,.. er,... usual boy things. His blood test was negative of course." Mr. Baker smiled, "Good! He look's like he's in real nice shape." He turned to Rafael. "You like baseball?" he asked the boy. The boy smiled and nodded. "Rafael is good at everything he does," Mr. Edwards chipped in. "Hmmm. Yes I'm sure he is. Well get in the car, boy," Mr. Baker said to Rafael. "I have a few things I need to talk about first and then I'll be right with you." Rafael sauntered over to the car and opened the passenger side door. He slid into the luxurious leather seat. |