The following is a snippet from CHILDREN, Steven's work in progress. (copyright 2003 by Steven Harper, all rights reserved)
Feeling like a conspirator, Ben sidled toward the stairs with Kendi. He should probably stay and listen to Tan and Petrie, but the mishievous look on Kendi's face was too . . . too . . . well, it was too cute to pass up. Ben bit his lip to hide a smile. After almost fifteen years, he still found Kendi cute.
The two of them slipped upstairs and into their room. Kendi shut the door and leaned against it with an exaggerated sigh of relief. Ben couldn't help a small laugh. Kendi's sense of humor had gotten both of them into trouble a few times, but it was one of the things Ben loved most about him.
"You're silly beyond reason, you know," Ben said.
"The road to hell may be paved with good intentions," Kendi said. "But the road to heaven is mortared with silliness."
"Mortared?"
"Silliness holds everything together," Kendi said seriously. "Without it we'd fall apart."
"I thought the Real People didn't believe in heaven."
"I'm making this up as I go. Bear with me." He slid his hands over Ben's broad shoulders, careful not to jostle his sore shoulder. "How's your arm?"
"Not bad. The painkillers at work."
"You look like a wounded hero in that sling. Come to think of it, that's exactly what you are."
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