Billy laughed heartily, taking notes of what he might be able to tell the girls. There were tricks---a few, just a few---that might trip up Kaya, but he used them very sparingly. He did want to come close to winning once in a great while.

"Ready, again!" Shari ordered, both girls already up and at it. This time they circled a few times, tagging off in a speedy little pattern before moving in. They zigged and zagged, not trying the straight line approach.

Billy was content to hold Alex close, dreaming of the day he might join his sisters on the lawn. And even if he didn't, that was okay. Nothing wrong with lacking in that department at first.