Chapter 14: A Decision to Stand Out

It was Friday morning when Josh woke up, the soft rays of sunlight filtering through his bedroom window. He stretched and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, still feeling the weight of the long week on his shoulders. His brothers had already left for school, their footsteps echoing down the hallway long before Josh had gotten up. His mother, on the other hand, was still fast asleep, gearing up for her late-night shift.

Josh quietly slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen, the familiar quiet of the house settling around him like a blanket. He opened the fridge, scanning the shelves for something to eat. The leftover lasagna from the previous night still looked inviting, but he decided against it. Instead, he grabbed a couple of eggs and some bread to make toast, letting the simple routine of breakfast ease his mind.

As he cracked the eggs into a pan, his eyes caught the edge of a piece of paper on the counter. It was a note from his mom, written in her familiar script.

Josh,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you’ve been doing around the house lately. I know it’s been a lot, but I really appreciate it. The lasagna from last night was a huge help, and I’m glad you’re able to take on so much. I’ll try to get home as early as I can tonight. Don’t stay up too late, and remember to eat the leftovers.

Love, Mom.

Josh’s heart warmed as he read the note. His mother’s gratitude, even in small moments like this, made all the hard work feel worth it. He wasn’t just a kid anymore, not in the way people saw him, but this note—this small, sincere gesture—reminded him that he was still part of this family, and his efforts were making a real difference.

Smiling to himself, he finished his breakfast, rinsed his plate in the sink, and grabbed his backpack. The weight of his responsibilities seemed a little lighter today, though he knew the work would never truly stop. For now, he had the energy he needed to face the day.

Josh arrived at school just before the bell rang, heading straight for his class. He dropped his backpack on the floor near his desk, settling into his seat. The day was dragging already, and he could feel the weariness from the week creeping in.

Mrs. Thompson stood at the front of the classroom, writing on the chalkboard. She was explaining something about the solar system, her voice carrying over the murmurs of the students around him.

“Alright, class,” she said, turning back to face the students. “Now, we know that the sun is about 93 million miles away from Earth. The light from the sun takes approximately 8 hours to reach us, so when we look up at the sky, we’re actually seeing light that’s been traveling for hours.”

Josh’s hand shot up before he could stop it. He was already halfway out of his chair when he heard his voice cut through the room.

“Uh, Mrs. Thompson? Actually, the light from the sun only takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth. Not 8 hours.”

Mrs. Thompson paused, turning slowly to look at him, a surprised look spreading across her face. The room fell silent, all eyes on Josh as he sat back down.

“Eight minutes?” she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. “Are you sure?”

Josh nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. “Yes. It’s about 8 minutes. But to be exact,” he added, his voice steady, “the travel time varies slightly because of Earth’s elliptical orbit around the Sun. At its closest point, the travel time is around 490 seconds, which is about 8 minutes and 10 seconds. At its farthest, it’s closer to 507 seconds, which is about 8 minutes and 27 seconds.”

Mrs. Thompson blinked, processing his words. The students around him exchanged glances, a mix of amazement and confusion on their faces.

“Well,” Mrs. Thompson said after a pause, a smile tugging at her lips, “I stand corrected. That’s incredibly precise, Josh. I don’t think I’ve ever had a student break it down like that before. Very impressive.”

Josh felt his face grow warm, but he smiled faintly, trying to remain composed. “Thanks,” he said simply.

“Please stay after class for a moment,” Mrs. Thompson added, her voice softer now, her eyes lingering on him. “I’d like to talk to you.”

Josh’s stomach fluttered slightly, the mix of surprise and curiosity hitting him all at once. As the bell rang and the other students began filing out, he remained seated, watching Mrs. Thompson gather her papers at her desk.

For a moment, he considered sticking to the story he’d been telling everyone—that he was just a curious kid who read a lot. But as he sat there, a thought hit him with startling clarity: if he kept hiding his intelligence, kept pretending to be just another fourth grader, he’d never get the opportunities he needed to truly make a difference for his family.

Josh took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. Mrs. Thompson was sharp, observant, and more open-minded than most of the adults in his life. If anyone could help him navigate this unusual situation, it was her.

He stood and walked toward her desk, quiet determination in his steps.

“Josh,” Mrs. Thompson began, her voice gentle but probing, “I wanted to talk to you because I’ve noticed something. You seem ... different from most of your peers. The way you answered that question earlier, with such precision—it’s clear you’re capable of a lot. Are you feeling challenged in the work we’re doing here?”

Josh hesitated, then shook his head. “Not really,” he admitted, shrugging slightly. “The schoolwork isn’t hard. I just ... like learning. I’ve been reading a lot at home, studying out of an encyclopedia for fun. It’s interesting, you know? There’s so much to learn about everything.”

Mrs. Thompson raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a surprised smile. “An encyclopedia? For fun?”

Josh nodded earnestly, relaxing slightly under her curiosity. “Yeah. My mom got this set of Encyclopedia Britannica a while ago, and I’ve been going through it. It’s cool to see how things are connected—science, history, all of it. I guess it just stuck with me when I read about how light travels from the sun.”

Mrs. Thompson leaned back in her chair, her expression both impressed and intrigued. “That’s ... remarkable, Josh. Most kids your age don’t go near an encyclopedia unless they’re forced to for a school project. It’s no wonder you’re ahead in class.”

Josh shifted on his feet, feeling both proud and wary. “I guess I just like to learn new things,” he said, keeping his tone humble.

Mrs. Thompson smiled warmly. “Well, keep it up. But if you ever feel like you’re not being challenged enough, let me know. We can always find ways to push you a little further.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Josh replied, grateful for her understanding but also mindful of the need to stay under the radar.

Josh left school feeling lighter after his conversation with Mrs. Thompson. Deciding to stop hiding his intelligence had given him a strange sense of relief, though it also filled him with anticipation for what came next. As he walked home, the familiar scent of fresh-cut grass and the distant chatter of neighborhood kids filled the air. He glanced at the crumpled list in his pocket, mentally adding a few more essentials as he headed toward the mini-mart.

The small store came into view, its red-and-white striped awning flapping gently in the breeze. The bell above the door jingled brightly as Josh stepped inside, immediately greeted by the faint hum of the store’s coolers.

“Ah, Josh!” Mrs. Chang called warmly from behind the counter. She was carefully arranging rows of colorful candy bars, her glasses slipping slightly down the bridge of her nose. “It’s good to see you again, young man. What brings you in today?”

Josh picked up a basket and smiled at her. “Just grabbing a few things for dinner and the house, Mrs. Chang. Nothing too big today.”

She gave him an approving nod, pausing in her task to lean on the counter. “You’ve been coming in quite a bit lately. Your mother must be so proud of how much you’re helping out.”

Josh chuckled softly, adjusting the basket on his arm. “She works hard. It’s the least I can do.”

Mrs. Chang’s face softened, and she shook her head fondly. “You’re a good boy, Josh. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Josh offered her a small, appreciative smile before heading to the dairy aisle. He grabbed a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs, and a block of cheddar cheese, carefully arranging them in the basket to prevent anything from crushing the eggs. Moving to the bread section, he selected a loaf of white bread, giving it a light squeeze to check its freshness.

Next, he turned into the produce aisle, scanning the shelves for anything else they might need. He picked up a small bag of onions and a few russet potatoes, then paused as a thought crossed his mind. Hamburgers and fries would be perfect for tonight, he decided, mentally listing out the ingredients he’d need.

Josh made his way to the refrigerated section, selecting a small package of ground beef. He hesitated briefly before picking up a pack of hamburger buns, checking to make sure there were no torn wrappers before tossing them into the basket.

Turning the corner toward the canned goods, he nearly bumped into Mr. Chang, who was restocking shelves with cans of soup and vegetables.

“Whoa there, Josh!” Mr. Chang said with a laugh, steadying himself as he looked up. “Good to see you again. You’ve been a regular around here lately.”

Josh grinned, stepping back to let Mr. Chang finish his work. “Yeah, I’ve been doing most of the shopping for the house lately. My mom’s been working a lot of overtime, so I’m just trying to take care of things where I can.”

Mr. Chang nodded approvingly, setting a can of green beans on the shelf. “You’re a good boy. It’s not every day you see a kid your age stepping up like that. What’s on the menu tonight?”

“Hamburgers and fries,” Josh replied with a slight smile.

“A classic,” Mr. Chang said with a chuckle. “Don’t forget the ketchup and mustard if you’re running low!”

Josh laughed, nodding. “Good idea. Thanks, Mr. Chang.”

He turned and headed toward the condiment aisle, grabbing a bottle of ketchup and checking the price of mustard before deciding they still had enough at home. As he walked back toward the register, he passed a small rack of snack cakes and tossed in a box of oatmeal creme pies, knowing his brothers would appreciate the treat.

Mrs. Chang greeted him at the counter with a warm smile as she began ringing up his items. “Milk, eggs, bread, onions...” she murmured, expertly tallying the items and bagging them with care. “You’ve got quite the haul here, Josh. Your family must be eating well with you in charge of the kitchen.”

Josh chuckled lightly, handing over the cash. “I’m trying my best. By the way, my mom says hello and thanks for always being so kind.”

Mrs. Chang beamed, her eyes crinkling at the edges. “Oh, you tell her hello for me, too. And remind her to take care of herself! She works too hard, that one.”

Josh nodded, gathering his bags and adjusting them carefully in his arms. “I’ll make sure she gets the message. Thanks again, Mrs. Chang. Have a good evening!”

“You too, Josh,” she replied, waving as he headed out the door.

The bell jingled again as he stepped back onto the sidewalk, the bags swaying gently in his hands. As he began the walk home, he felt a strange sense of contentment. Small errands like these were becoming a routine, but they also gave him a sense of purpose. One step at a time, he was making life a little easier for his family.

Josh adjusted the bags in his arms as he approached Mr. Johnson’s house, its porch bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. The sight of the old man sitting in his usual spot, a book in hand and a steaming mug of tea by his side, brought a smile to Josh’s face. He stepped onto the path leading to the house, the rustle of grocery bags announcing his arrival before he spoke.

“Hey, Mr. Johnson!” Josh called out, stopping at the base of the porch steps.

Mr. Johnson looked up, his face lighting up with a warm smile as he set his book aside. “Josh! Good to see you, son. What brings you by this time of day?”

Josh shifted the weight of the bags and gestured toward them. “I was on my way back from the mini-mart, and I figured I’d stop by to check in. Thought you might like to come over for dinner tonight. I’m making hamburgers and fries.”

Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening as he leaned back in his chair. “Hamburgers and fries, huh? You sure you want to invite me? Sounds like you’ve got a good thing going with your brothers.”

Josh laughed, climbing the steps to set one of the bags down momentarily. “Of course! My brothers and I were talking last night, and I told them how great your stories are. They think it’d be awesome to hear some firsthand. Besides, you’ve been a big help to me lately. It’s the least I can do.”

Mr. Johnson chuckled, shaking his head as he took a sip of his tea. “Well, how can I say no to that? You’ve got quite the knack for persuasion, Josh. Consider me convinced.”

Josh grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. Just as he bent to pick up the bag again, Mr. Johnson tilted his head thoughtfully. “Josh, you don’t have to be so formal with me, you know. Call me Leonard. We’ve shared enough that I think we’re well past formalities.”

Josh straightened, his expression turning serious for a moment. “I appreciate that, Mr. Johnson, but ... I think I’ll stick with what I’ve been calling you. It’s not about formality. It’s about respect. You’ll always be an elder to me, and I see you as someone who’s earned that title.”

Mr. Johnson paused, his gaze softening. “Fair enough, son. I can see that you mean it, and I respect your choice. But you know, sometimes you carry yourself like more of an elder than I do.”

Josh smirked, adjusting the grocery bags. “That’s just the second chance talking, Mr. Johnson.”

“Touché,” Mr. Johnson said, chuckling as he settled back into his chair. “Well, I’ll take it as a compliment.”

“Anyway,” Josh continued, “about the ticket—did you get it?”

Mr. Johnson reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the folded piece of paper, holding it up with a wink. “Safe and sound. I wasn’t about to let this little piece of gold go missing.”

Josh took the ticket carefully, tucking it into his own pocket for safekeeping. “Thanks. Tomorrow’s the drawing, so we can rough it up afterward and pretend I found it. Mom will think it’s her lucky day.”

Mr. Johnson leaned forward slightly, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve really got this all planned out, haven’t you? You think ahead, Josh, more than most grown men I know.”

Josh shrugged, his grin fading into a more contemplative look. “I’ve had to plan, Mr. Johnson. Life doesn’t always give you second chances, but when it does, you’ve got to make the most of them.”

Mr. Johnson nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Josh. “Well, I’d say you’re doing just that. What time should I come by?”

Josh thought for a moment. “How about six? And bring your appetite—I’m making extra fries.”

Mr. Johnson chuckled, standing up to stretch. “Six it is. And I’ll hold you to that promise about the fries.”

Josh grinned, stepping back down the path. “Thanks again for everything, Mr. Johnson. See you tonight!”

As he walked home, the weight of the groceries seemed lighter somehow. His thoughts drifted between the meal he’d prepare and the conversation they’d share, his heart warming at the idea of bridging the gap between his family and Mr. Johnson. Tonight wasn’t just about dinner—it was about connection, understanding, and building something lasting.

Josh walked into the house, the faint creak of the front door signaling his arrival. The familiar warmth of home greeted him, and he made his way to the kitchen to put away the groceries. Carefully, he unpacked each item, placing the milk and eggs in the fridge, the onions in the pantry, and the bread in the designated spot on the counter.

Once everything was neatly stored, Josh pulled the lottery ticket from his pocket. He glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before heading to his room. Opening his dresser drawer, he moved aside a stack of socks and tucked the ticket beneath them, making sure it was securely hidden.

“Safe and sound,” he muttered to himself, closing the drawer with a sense of satisfaction.

With that done, he returned to the kitchen to start dinner. He rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands thoroughly, and began pulling out the ingredients he needed: ground beef, onions, potatoes, and a few seasonings. His brothers wouldn’t be home for a little while, so he had enough time to make the meal from scratch.

Josh started with the fries, knowing they’d take the longest. He grabbed the potatoes from the pantry and set them on the counter. Taking a peeler, he worked methodically, removing the skins from each potato and dropping them into a large bowl of cold water to prevent browning. Once all the potatoes were peeled, he sliced them into thin, even strips, aiming for that perfect balance between crispy and fluffy.