Read Aaron for Free Online Page B

answer.
    Anyone that knew Aaron knew that Grandpa was going to be disappointed on that score. Without raising his eyes, Aaron simply mumbled, “Thinking about it,” to his water glass.
    “Grandpa, guess what!” Anthony said, successfully grabbing his grandfather’s attention as he launched into a play-by-play of his last soccer game. The goal he scored, the perfect pass he set up for the next goal, and the head pass that helped to win the game. His eyes danced, and Aaron vaguely remembered that same excitement talking about some of his more challenging debates, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. He envied Anthony’s glow as he watched from the corner of his eye, but silently thanked his brother as the conversation kept both of Aaron’s grandparents busy and their attention away from him.
    The server came back and distributed the drinks. When she set Aaron’s Coke in front of him, he grabbed it, discarded the straw, and drank every bit of it without breathing before returning the glass to the table. The sugar and caffeine felt like drugs in his system as the carbonation calmed his stomach. He closed his eyes as the server stared at him. After a moment, John started the process of ordering their entrees, much as he had with the drinks, deflecting the attention from Aaron, whose hands had started to shake under the table.
    “I’ll have the linguini Alfredo,” John said with a forced smile for the server. The strain of keeping up the happy family front started to show in the lines around his eyes. Michelle ordered ravioli, as did her mother. Aaron’s grandfather decided to go with the lasagna, as he had talked about before things began to get tense. Anthony, always a lover of spaghetti, chose to have it with meatballs. Things were going well as Allen ordered manicotti, and then it was Aaron’s turn. In a very quiet voice, he asked his plate for chicken nuggets and french fries.
    “I’m sorry, sir, only children twelve and under can order from the kids' menu,” she said in a mildly sardonic tone, and likely expected Aaron to pick something else. As the table went completely silent, like the calm before the storm, Aaron balled his hands into tight fists and rested his forehead on them. His breathing became even more labored, and before anyone, including the shocked server could speak, Anthony jumped in.
    “Ma’am, I’m twelve. Please bring me chicken nuggets.” Aaron raised his head at his brother’s voice to see that the server was staring at him. Then, almost as an afterthought, Anthony added, “Could you bring my brother the spaghetti and meatballs?” That brought the server back to herself, and she looked away from the horror of Aaron’s ruined face.
    “I… I can do that,” she said, still a little shaken by Aaron’s behavior. Falling back into her learned routine, she started to collect the menus. Everyone passed theirs to Allen, and he handed them to the server. One menu slipped from her grasp and hit Aaron’s shoulder before she could grab it. The apology died in her throat as Aaron jerked away from her so violently that he knocked over his water glass. He stood up with heartclenching haste and backed away from the table.
    “Aaron,” Allen said quickly, getting his brother’s attention. “Let’s go outside for a few minutes.” Aaron looked around wildly for a moment and saw his mother’s sorrow. Please don’t send me away. Please. I can’t. He faced his grandparents’ shock before he locked eyes with Allen. Nodding furiously, he let Allen lead him from the table and carefully around the inanely curious inhabitants of the other tables until they reached the lobby area. Not bothering to return the good-bye from the host, they practically ran for the door.
    The door slammed open as Aaron rushed through it, nearly sprinting toward the edge of the parking lot. As he reached it, he stopped, putting his hands on his knees. Aaron’s face had a light sheen of sweat as he gulped down air. Allen