Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 The shout echoed through the concourse as Michael walked out with his dad and Justin. Michael covered his face with his hands. Cookies was his mom's super- embarrassing nickname for him, and hearing it yelled out loud in public was THE WORST. Michael's mom waved at him wildly. Next to her stood Jane, Michael's little sister, who seemed surprisingly happy to see him too. Justin's mom was also there. It was hugs all around as the women welcomed their men back home after a long summer. "Let me get that for you!" Mrs. Gomez offered, reaching for Michael's backpack.

"No, I got it." Michael didn't want to let it out of his sight until he got home. "And please don't call me Cookies. I'm in fifth grade now. Well, almost." "Did you bring me anything?" asked Jane, who was four years old and about to start preschool, taught by Mrs. Gomez. Michael assumed this was necessary because his parents couldn't convince any other teachers to take Jane. "Of course, sweetheart!" Dr. Gomez responded. "What about you, Michael? Did you bring me something?"

"Um..." Before he could answer, Michael caught a glimpse of someone familiar. The man in the suit and sunglasses from the plane was standing about 30 feet away by the escalators, looking up at Michael over his phone.

When the man noticed that he had been noticed, he quickly looked down at his phone, turned around, and went down the escalator. "Well, did you?" Jane asked again. "Was I supposed to?" Michael responded, distracted. "You all must be exhausted!" Mrs. Gomez said. "Let's get you home!" "See you in school tomorrow, Michael!" Justin said as he headed toward the escalator with his mom.