<span style="font-family: times new roman;">David walked aimlessly around his pristine home. A ball held in his hands, that he would let drop every now and then to juggle on his knees to keep it from the ground. He let his toy fall from his grip and bounce from his knees. One, two three, four, five, until. . .<br/><br/><span style="color: #008000">"I thought mother told you to go outside with that."</span> A familiar voice interrupted his concentration. Startled, he gasped and accidentally put a bit too much force into his leg. Consequently, the worn ball bounced a tad too hard and flew from his control. And of course it would hit his mother's most favored ceramic vase. His ice blue eyes widened along with his brother's as they watched the piece seemingly fall in slow motion to the tiled floor. Shattering with a loud bang. <br/><br/>David cringed. Not necessarily from the sound of the broken vase, but from what he knew was inevitably coming. <span style="color: #FF0040">"What have you do--?"</span> He heard the shrill cry of his mother cut off by her surprised gasp as she caught sight of her destroyed vase. He took a deep breath as he braced himself for the scolding he was sure to receive. <br/><br/><span style="color: #008000">"I told David not to play with his ball around your vase mother."</span> His elder brother, Ernst, told her calmly. <span style="color: #008000">"He just refuses to listen."</span> He added. With a smirk the teenager turned on his heel and left the two. David sent him a scornful glare. Peeking up at his mother, he watched as her face rapidly turned as red as her fiery mane of hair. He wished his father was there to save him from her wrath. Alas the man had already left as he had forgotten something he needed at the university. <br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0040">"Bartholomew, I know I told you to go outside if you were going to play with your ball."</span> His mother admonished harshly. Swiftly she past the small boy and dropped to her knees. Carefully picking up each individual shard and placing them in her apron. Keeping her eyes on her task, she continued.<span style="color: #FF0040"> "Why do you not listen to me? Why so disobedient?" </span>David frowned and stuffed his hands in his trousers. Ugh. he could hear the disappointment. <span style="color: #FF0040">"I have told you time and time again, outside is for playing, and inside is for peace. Now you have broken my vase. And you know this one is my favorite. Why did you not go outside like I asked you to?"</span><br/><br/>David released a petulant huff. <span style="color: #0000FF">"There is no one to play play with."</span> He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. <span style="color: #0000FF">"The other children are stupid."</span> He told his mother bluntly. The woman stood to her feet as her anger dissipated and she gazed down at her pitiful child. She guessed he missed Catherine more than he let on. Out of the corner of her she saw a familiar head of black hair standing at the gates of her home. A small smile graced her lips. <br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0040">"Come on now."</span> she implored. Holding the corner of her apron up with one hand, she picked up her son's ball with the other and handed it to him. Placing her palm on his back she gently pushed him along to the front door on her way to the kitchen.<span style="color: #FF0040">"Now go outside."</span>She demanded firmly, but kindly. She heard his resigned sigh and their big oak wood doors open and then close on her way to the kitchen.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF00FF">"Good morning David!"</span> He heard as he set foot outside. He looked up in shock to see his best friend waving to him from the other side of the gates. She was better! That was a welcomed relief. She had been sick forever. He thought for sure she was going to die. <br/><br/>The gates slowly opened and David resisted the urge to run up to Catherine. He pushed down the grin that threatened to emerge on his face. He was cool. Like his brother and father. With his ball tucked neatly under his arm, he shook his golden locks so they were over to the side rather than brushing over his eyes. <span style="color: #0000FF">"Morning Catherine."</span> He greeted as coolly as someone his age could.<span style="color: #0000FF"> "Glad your feeling better."</span> He told her honestly.</span>