Randy's hand slid over the smooth handrail as he raced down the stairs. He skipped the last three steps and landed with a thud.

"Coming, Mom," he mumbled through the thick sweatshirt that he put on over his new rayon shirt. He walked down the corridor, his shoelaces tapping on the shiny wood floor.

"What's for breakfast? I'm starved," he said. Randy slid across the bench to his place next to his father's chair at the head of the table. The smell of vanilla coming from the stack of steaming pancakes made his mouth water. The aroma of the spicy sausage on his plate made his stomach grumble. "Pass me the maple syrup, please." Randy reached for the carton of icy cold milk.

"And good morning to you, too," Mr. Carter said, folding the newspaper and setting it down beside him. "Did you finish that report you were working on last night? I've got two tickets to the basketball game this evening and lots of film in the camera. I'd hate to go by myself."

"No problem, Dad. It's done." Randy drank the last drop of milk then wiped his mouth with his napkin and slid off the bench. "See you tonight."

"Brush your teeth before you leave, Randy," she said.

"No time. Besides, I can't find my toothbrush, and I'm out of toothpaste," Randy answered. He picked up his books and pencils, his football helmet, and his lunch sack then headed for the front door. "Bye, Mom."

As Randy closed the door, he saw the school bus round the comer, its shiny, black tires gleaming in the morning sun. He hopped over his mom's planter boxes and ran across the lawn. Down the street he raced-past four houses, three picket fences, two signs, and a tele- phone pole. He reached the comer just as the bus came to a halt in front of the bus-stop bench. All of his friends were already lined up to get on.

Beth Parker, the prettiest girl in his class, was the last in line. Beth wore lavender glasses, pretty pink polish on her nails, and always smelled like hairspray, strawberry lipgloss, and peppermint candy. She turned around and smiled at Randy.

"You were lucky today," Beth said.

"That wasn't luck. That was perfect timing."

"Well, someday you're not going to make it to the bus in time," she said.

"Never," he answered, as he stuck a piece of gum in his mouth. Randy climbed the steps, then walked along the black rubber matting to the wide seat at the back of the bus.

The doors closed with a hiss as the bus rumbled down Hudson Street.