6.5-The coincidental encounter

Carson's pov

My parents both look at me waiting to know what I want for my birthday and even my sister looks at me interested in the topic.

"I don't know, maybe the same as usual? You two are gonna work on Wednesday right?" I say eating something else and my parents both look at each other as if unsure.

"Yeah, we are but you're both turning 16 so your dad and I thought, maybe you wanted something different?" My papa says and that surprises me.

"Different? What could we do differently? I'm fine with just inviting Ella here for my birthday and celebrate and Cayden could invite his friends as we usually do. It works well every year."

I say confused as to why my parents would want to change things.

"Maybe it works well for you but I doubt Cayden would want that once again." My dad says disagreeing and seems like my papa doesn't agree with Dad's point.

"Oh..." I say realizing the the importance of the issue.

"I'm not saying for your birthdays we could do something crazy but since you two are so different maybe this year you could celebrate your birthdays separately." My dad says carelessly and we all look at him shocked.

"Nathan, what are you saying? We didn't agree on this." My papa says confused yet not liking this idea.

"I know but for teens' birthdays it's like their own thing but with Carson and Cayden being twins, we never give them the option." My dad states but my papa doesn't like that idea.

"But Nathan, how are we gonna do that? Where will those events be? We can't make two birthdays." My papa starts to argue.

From there on, my parents surprise us with a full-on argument at the table.

Nora and I both look at each other as if unsure how to stop this.

As my parents continue to argue about us right in front of us, it continues to escalate and I start to panic.

"Stop arguing! I'm fine with celebrating at the same time as Cayden! We've always done so it won't change this year!" I break out and they abruptly stop arguing.

Realizing the weight of their mistake, they both down ashamed.

"Right, we'll wait and see what Cayden thinks first." My dad completes harshly.

Then it goes straight to silence and I don't like that.

Great, our beautiful family dinner was ruined just because of Cayden's and my stupid birthday planification...

———————-

Emerick's pov

After a long third day working, I'm done with my shift and just in time too.

I finished at 6 and it was starting to be filled with more people and people that you can't really trust.

So I'm thankful for that.

I walk back home to go eat dinner but luckily it's not raining anymore, it's a sunny sky with a few clouds.

As I walk on the sidewalks, I encounter all sorts of people but I don't pay them any mind, it really looks like Friday night.

Before I arrive at my house, I come across my old elementary school. Looking at this empty school on this fine evening reminds me of so many memories.

As the elementary school was just two blocks away from my house growing up I would walk back home all the time from that school but sometimes I wasn't alone.

Of course, it was Carson who would accompany me.

Even if I don't want to think about memories there's one that escapes my mind.

It's a memory from 3rd grade, we were walking back to my house together, for a sleepover I think.

"Emerick, are we going to eat marshmallows like last time?" Carson questioned me excitedly and I smiled.

"Yes, my mamà said she bought marshmallows tonight just for us," I said happy at the thought of that.

"Really? Your mom is so nice! I wish my parents would do that too!" He said amazed yet he whined at the end.

"I think when I went with you and your family to trick or treat, we had to share but Cayden didn't want to give us our candies, he was so mean," I said remembering one event and the mention of his brother made him unhappy.

"I know! It wasn't fair! He stole all of our candies! He's so mean!" He whined angrily and I chuckled but I sided with him.

"At least you do not have to share with him tonight," I said trying to make Carson happy again and it worked, he smiled.

"Yes! You are a nice friend! Not my brother!" He said confidently as we walked but then he almost slipped on a piece of a rock, losing his balance. I panicked and I grabbed him right before he fell.

"There was a rock." I simply said and he turned to me with a big sad smile and he hugged me.

"Emerick you, my hero!" He said.

But the memory stops there and I regain my senses as the last bit of hero still echoes in my mind.

Why was I thinking about that? He was just being clumsy that day.

I continue to walk still a bit shaken by that memory that I remembered and eventually, I arrive at home.

I walk to the door and knock on it as it's unlocked.

It doesn't take long to hear some noise on the other side and the door opens to reveal my mom with my sisters right next to her clearly relieved and happy to their brother, aka me.

And as soon as the door completely opens,
the oldest of the two rushes to me and comes to hug me at the waist.

"Emerick! You're back!" She says relieved and happy.

"Yes, I am," I say with a small smile and my mom smiles at me.

"The girls kept asking about you all day today." My mom says.

"Ah, don't worry Eleona, big Hermano is not going away any time soon," I say to reassure her and she stops hugging me so tightly but she still looks up at me.

Then I notice the younger of the two looking at me quietly.

"You two Gabriela, don't worry, I'm here now."

I decide to grab her and I hold her but I notice that she's quite heavy.

"Oh, Gabriela, you are becoming a big girl now." I tease her and she giggles in my arms.

"How was work, hijo?" My mom asks.

"It was ok," I just say as I put down my younger sister.

"Good, dinner's ready by the way."

"Nice, I was starting to get hungry."

We go into the kitchen and of course, the girls follow us.

"I suppose Miguel is sleeping?" I ask about my brother.

"Yes, he is. He loves napping." She says smiling and I smile too as I start to serve myself.

Even if my mom and I certainly aren't as close as before, I'm still glad we still have a good relationship.

——————-

Carson's pov

I spent most of the afternoon at Ella's and now I'm about to leave.

After yesterday, my parents weren't getting amazingly along but today they seemed ok. It seemed like it was one of their usual arguments but still, it was shocking because it was in front of us, their children.

I had hoped they would have agreed and decided about what we'd do for our birthdays but no change.

Maybe, I'll know more at dinner.

I go downstairs alongside Ella and we notice Ella's mom.

"Leaving already?" She questions noticing that I'm leaving.

"Yes, my parents expect me for dinner," I say politely.

"Oh well, say hi to your parents for me and have a nice evening."

"You too miss," I say politely and she smiles.

Ella's mom is always nice.

I go by the door and turn one last time to say goodbye to Ella but she beats me to it.

"I'll text you about that thing tomorrow, see ya." She says smiling.

"Yes, I will, bye!"

I leave and close the door.

I take in the summer air, always refreshing.

I take my bike and start leaving.

I start biking in the direction of my home but as I bike I come in the direction of the convenience store and that makes me curious, so I make a stop.

I might as well go buy a treat for Papa and Dad, I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

I leave my bike on the front wall of the convenience store and then I get in the store.

I go in the direction of the treats and look around until I find my two dads' favourite treats, then I head to the counter to pay but I freeze once I notice who's there.

"Emerick...?" I say shocked yet shy and his eyes widen as he freezes.

No way...Emerick works here...?