He appeared to be having the time of his life, and she could hear his high-pitched laugh from way across the park. Apparently Alfonso was it, and Florence could tell he was running slowly after Max on purpose. He could have easily run the boy down with his strong, athletic stride. How nice for Max to have another uncle, especially one like Alfonso. The boy had bolted from the last safe tree and was running in the open now—heading toward Alfonso’s car. Florence was glad it sat on the park side of the street, but still she hoped Alfonso would know better than to let Max get too close to traffic. As soon as his uncle caught him, she was going to signal them it was time to head back. But it seemed the more she hurried, the farther away they got. Must be nice to be young. Now Max was cackling, looking back, pumping his little arms and legs, and heading straight for the Buick. “Not my car!” Alfonso cried out in mock fear. “The car is safe and you’ll have foiled me again!” Max proved he had a sense of humor too, because when he reached the Buick, he didn’t touch it for safety but stood near it, seeming to tease his uncle.
