Redemption(58)

Dean looked at Jeremy. “Like that card game I showed you yesterday, and also Truth or Dare.”

“What’s Truth or Dare?”

Dean frowned. “You mean you don’t know, grown-up?” Jeremy shook his head. “Mummy, how could you have not told Jeremy about Truth or Dare?” He leaned over to Jeremy and whispered, “She used to love playing that with me.” He winked at him, then smiled back at me.

“Show me! Show me. I wanna play!” Jeremy jumped up and down and everyone laughed as we carried on eating.

Dean looked over at me for a moment. “Okay, I’ll start. Mum, you first. Truth or dare?”

I scowled a little at him for starting this. “Truth.”

Dean gave me a cheeky grin. “Have you ever rang on someone’s doorbell and ran away?” He raised his eyebrow and Jeremy looked at me, waiting for an answer.

I closed my eyes for a moment, knowing exactly where this was heading. “Yes, I have. When I was younger, I used to ring on Mrs. Baxter’s bell. Her screaming after me was way too funny.”

Jeremy laughed. “You’re a naughty mommy.”

I nodded in agreement. “Yes, I was, Jeremy. I realize that now.”

“Your turn, Mum.” Dean looked at me and I stared back at him.

“Okay, Dean. This one’s for you. Truth or dare?”

Dean smiled. “Dare.” He shifted in his seat, waiting.

“I dare you to put a pair of underpants on over your shorts and run around the street out front, shouting ‘I’m Superman’.”

Dean’s eyes widened and everyone giggled. “I can’t do that.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Are you forfeiting the dare?”

Dean placed his burger on the plate. “Uh-uh, no way.”

I motioned with my hands. “Well, you’d better get a move on.” I winked and he smiled back.

“You’ll never get away with this.”

I leaned forward and whispered “Oh, I believe I just did.”

Dean shook his head and got up out of his seat. Everyone else followed suit, cheering.

“I have got to see this!” Jimmy shouted.

We all walked into the house and Dean disappeared upstairs. When he reappeared, he was wearing a white pair of Calvin Klein fitted boxer shorts. If he had been wearing only those, I would have died, but he just looked so comical.

He shook his head at me. “I can’t believe you’re getting me to do this.”

I placed my hand on his chest and pouted. “Oh, don’t be such a baby.”

Jeremy laughed loudly, jumping up and down. “Do it, do it, do it!” he chanted over and over again.

Dean ran his hands through is hair and opened the door. He then ran out, arms open wide, shouting, “I’m Superman” over and over again.

All of us were standing in the doorway, laughing. I couldn’t remember the last time I had so much fun.

Luckily for Dean, no one was about, but I bet there were a couple of people looking out their windows by now.

“What do you think, Jeremy, my man?” Jimmy looked down at him.

“I think he looks silly and funny.” Jeremy giggled again and Jimmy held his hand out for a high-five. It was nice to see Jeremy so happy. He needed people like this around him. I couldn’t help but appreciate what I had at that moment.

Dean suddenly stopped running around. “Is that enough?”

I smiled. Could I be that evil? “Yes. I think you’ve told enough people who Superman really is by now.”

Maybe not.

Dean walked past me and shook his head. He had this gleam in his eye. The sort of gleam that spoke of promises ahead. If that didn’t make me wet…

Dean ran upstairs and within a couple of minutes, joined us back at the table, minus the underpants.

“That was so much fun!” Tara shouted. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.”

I looked at her. “You’re next. Who do you pick?”

Tara swallowed her mouthful of salad and pointed a finger at Jimmy. “Truth or dare?”

Jimmy cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Dare.”

Tara smiled and wiggled in her seat. “You know, Jeremy, Jimmy told me something a few days ago. Do you know he can do acrobatics?” Jeremy shook his head with a smile. “Well, this is our chance to see him in action.” She turned to Jimmy. “I dare you to do a back-flip into the pool?”

Jimmy shrugged and made his way over to it. He stood on the edge, his back to the water, and pushed himself up high. He spun once, then landed with a splash.

Jeremy shot up out of his seat and started clapping wildly. We all laughed and clapped along with him.

Dean nodded towards Jimmy as he got out of the pool. “Wow, that was impressive.”