"What was it like when you were growing up, Grandpa?"
Grandpa smiled, and pulled out a black and white picture. "Have a look, Miguel. It was a lot different from what you're used to. A different time and place."
Miguel took the well loved photograph, smeared with ink stains and the dust of a thousand adventures. He frowned. "Nothing was colorful? It looks like a boring place."
Grandpa chuckled. "Oh, it was plenty colorful - and exciting. We just couldn't take color pictures back then."
Miguel looked closer. "Even if it was colorful, it still looks boring. That building is old, and there are hardly any people around. There's nothing fun to do either. Were the video games cool?"
Grandpa laughed until tears streamed from his eyes, and he was breathing heavily.
Miguel watched him silently, with huge eyes.
Grandpa finally regained his composure. "Sorry Miguel, but I couldn't help but laugh. We didn't have any of the things you do to keep busy. No video games, computers, youtube, tablets, or phones. We didn't even have a television set. But there was a theater down the road that played movies. They were in black and white just like this picture, and even though they were new, they weren't much clearer."
Miguel scrunched up his nose. "Then what did you do for fun?"
Grandpa bent over and pointed to one of the building's windows. "You see how some of those windows are boarded up? That means the apartment has been empty for a while. Well, us kids used to be convinced that some of these places must have hidden treasure in them, stashed there by thieves who for one reason or another couldn't come back for it."
Miguel handed the picture back, and sat down. "What made you think that?"
He grinned. "Without all of this entertainment you have today, we had plenty of time to use our imaginations. And mine was quite active! I used to make up stories about everything - and I do mean everything. But it didn't stop there."
Miguel leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
Grandpa leaned in closer. "We lived in those stories," he whispered.
His grandson frowned. "But how, if they weren't real? I've always wanted to go into my favorite games, but no matter how much I wish for it, I can't."
Grandpa sat back, and looked at the picture. "Because we believed in them, and they were about the real world. For example, we used to get into those empty apartments sometimes. And once we actually found something!"
Miguel stood, his dark eyes shining. "What did you find?"
Grandpa smiled. "Have a seat, and I'll take you along with my friends and I."
Miguel sat, with his eyes locked onto his grandfather's face.
"How are we going to get in there, Miguel? It's on the third floor."
Miguel grinned. "That's easy, Carlos. The same way we got into the ones on the second floor, of course."
A third boy shook his head. "We can't, because none of us lives on the third floor. How are we going to get out on one of the patios so we can climb to the empty one?"
"Grandpa, why did Carlos call you Miguel? He never even met me. Did he?" Miguel asked, after he tapped Grandpa on the shoulder.
Grandpa covered his mouth with his hand for a few seconds, before he replied. "A long time ago, before your dad and Uncle Lou were born, I was called Miguel. But now I'm Grandpa, and you are Miguel."
Miguel nodded solemnly. "What happened next?"
"Antonio, did you forget about Mrs. Deedee? She lives on the third floor!"
Antonio groaned. "Not her! She serves burnt cookies and sour milk. And she never stops talking about her dead husband and son."
Miguel laughed. "There, you remember her! I know she'd love another visit from you. And you can let us in while she's in the kitchen getting your cookies and milk."
Antonio crossed his arms. "Even if it meant getting to look for the treasure, I wouldn't do it. But with this plan, I won't even be able to come along. I'll have to leave through her front door."
Miguel put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You'll be able to explore with us. Just make an excuse to leave after we get off of her patio, and use the hallway to get to the door. After we get in, we'll let you in before we look around."
Antonio shook his head. "It's not worth it. Last time I ate at her place, I couldn't look at a cookie for a week!"
Carlos spoke up. "There's your excuse, then. When she comes back out with them, tell her your stomach is upset. Once you see what she has for you, it won't even be a lie."
Antonio looked at his bare feet. "That's for sure. I guess as long as I don't have to stay long or eat anything, I'll do it..."
Minutes later, Miguel and Carlos hid around a corner while Antonio tapped on a door.
An elderly lady opened the door. "Antonio! What a nice surprise. Won't you come in?"
Antonio looked away and grimaced. "Yes, ma'am."
She smiled, and pinched his cheeks. "What a nice surprise.Have a seat, have a seat. I'll go get you some cookies and milk."
Antonio headed for the couch, waiting until the kitchen door swung closed before running for the front door.
He opened it, and motioned wildly. "Quick! She's in the kitchen, he whispered."
In what seemed like less than a heartbeat, the other two boys were on the patio, and over the rail onto the neighboring one.
Antonio gently slid the patio door shut, just as he heard a creak of hinges.
"You can leave that open if you want to, I could use a little fresh air. Us older folks don't get outside nearly as much as we should."
He nodded and slid it open , then leaned on the wall. "Uh, I really just stopped by to make sure you were alright, Mrs. Deedee. Like you said, you don't get out very much. I hadn't seen you in a while, so I was worried. Can I please have the cookies another time? My stomach hurts, and I really need to get home."
She clucked her tongue. "You never seem to eat enough, no wonder you feel poorly. Sit down and have at least one cookie."
Antonio looked from the plate to the front door several times, without moving his head. "I really shouldn't, my mom will expect me to eat my dinner soon. And I do have an upset stomach, I'm sorry, ma'am."
The elderly lady's face drooped. "Alright, but please try to come again soon. I do love your visits."
He nodded as he backed up towards the door. "Thank you, I will. You have a good day."
Before she could reply, he was gone. Antonio sprinted down the long halls, towards the door of the empty apartment.
Meanwhile Miguel and Carlos were still climbing over rails, ducking down low whenever a bystander on the street chanced to look up. Once they heard a high pitched screech from within an apartment.
"How did you get out there, you little devils?!?! Just wait until I get my hands on you nosy brats!"
Faster than Olympic athletes, the two boys jumped several more patios before the door slid open with a thud, then they pressed themselves tightly against the wall.
"I know you live on this floor! Just wait until I tell your parents that you're snooping into other people's windows. You're going to get your hides tanned."
They waited until she went in, then began working their way towards their goal.
Carlos chuckled softly. "I wonder who she's going to blame when she finds out nobody has kids on this floor?"
Miguel grinned. "It won't be me, since I live across the street!"
A few seconds later, they were at the boarded up window.
Carlos almost shouted, but caught himself. "Wow, we got lucky this time! Look at that loose board. We can get it off, open the window, put it back, and nobody will ever know. And if anyone asks why we're on this floor we can always say we're going to see Mrs. Deedee."
Miguel snorted. "Let's just not get asked. I for one don't need to taste her cookies again."
Carlos nodded as he slipped into the dark apartment.
Miguel followed, and carefully replaced the board. The boys each took out a flashlight, being careful not to shine them towards the window.
"What's that over there in the corner, Miguel?"
Miguel stepped forward. "I'm not sure, it looks big though. If it's loot from a bank robbery it's a lot!"
The lump began to move. A man's voice groaned. "Ugh, give me five more minutes, Warden."
The boys jumped back, and hid behind the couch.
The lump went quiet. Slowly the boys peeked over, relying on the dim light through the board.
"I guess he's still asleep," whispered Carlos, motioning towards the door.
Miguel waited a few seconds, then nodded.
The two boys pointed their lights towards their feet, and crept to the door. When Miguel reached for the knob, the lump threw off the blanket, and charged.
Carlos grabbed his friend's arm, and jerked hard. Both boys landed in a heap, but quickly got to their feet.
"Like in the ice cream shop!" Carlos shouted.
Miguel got the blanket, and set it on the floor in front of the boarded up patio. He then banged on the glass.
The figure, who almost had Carlos cornered, turned and ran towards Miguel. He dropped to the floor, and waited. The second the man was standing on the blanket, Miguel sprang up, pulling with all of his might.
"Aaaagghhh!" shouted the big man, as he toppled over. Suddenly the room flooded with light from the hallway. Carlos had opened the door!"
"Let's go!" shouted Carlos, who stood waiting.
The two boys sprinted down the hallway, followed by the pounding steps of the intruder.
"We'll never outrun him, let's hide in the cleaning closet," panted Miguel.
The two boys made one final turn, then ducked into the small space. The footsteps kept going. They waited for what seemed like an eternity, then crept out.
Carlos looked up and down the hall. "Let's go see Mrs. Deedee. I want to see if that guy leaves the building."
Miguel nodded. "Let's hurry!"
Before she could finish inviting them in, the boys were standing on her patio. "Look, there he goes. And he's got a great big bag over his shoulder," whispered Carlos.
"Wow, you were lucky to have lived back then, Grandpa. I wish I could visit your neighborhood! It would even make a cool video game..."
Grandpa laughed. "I never thought of my childhood as the plot for a video game. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not!"
