“That doesn’t go there.â€? Noah separated the red plastic block from the rest, “the wings need to be blue.â€? He rifled through the plastic tub of Legos, pulling out a blue six-by-two, and snapped it into place. “See?â€?

“Noah,â€? his mom called, “dinner’s ready.â€?

“Just a minute.â€? Noah turned to his friend with a smile, “I think she made spaghetti.â€?

Sitting on the floor of his room, Noah again shoved his hand into the small ocean of colored blocks, searching for another blue. “Yes, but they laughed at me. I don’t want to talk about school anymore.â€?

“Noah!â€?

“Coming mom.â€? Noah turned back to Tony, “you have to stay here.â€? He ran downstairs to find his parents at the table, “sorry.â€?

“What were you doing up there?â€? Noah’s dad, after only two beers, was still in a decent mood. “Were you talking to your invisible friend again?â€? He laughed, taking a deep swig of liquid hate.

“Leave him alone Hank. You know he doesn’t have any real friends.â€?

Noah finished dinner, watching as Tony sat at the top of the stairs, waving.