July 6th, 2016

Kinsky, California, USA

Maria

“Where’d you want this?”

Maria turned around. Lukas was holding a small ornamental vase. He seemed particularly focused on not dropping it. Maria smiled.

“That you can take wherever. Here, just- just put it near the wall there. I’ll worry about it later.”

Lukas did as he was told. He walked over to where Maria was standing in the doorway. There, in the living room, the two saw Cole playing with Anita. The two were smiling, laughing, as they played a game together on the couch.

“They get along great, don’t they?” Maria commented.

Lukas grinned. “Yeah, they do.”

“I really appreciate the help from you guys. With mom’s overtime, and me struggling between school and work… there’s still so much we haven’t unpacked.”

“It’s no big deal. You can just give me a cut of Cole’s babysitting salary.”

Maria laughed. “He does it for free, unfortunately. Oh, but that reminds me! Hold on.”

Maria walked over into the dining room. As she opened a cabinet near the door, her voice called out.

“Hey, Anita! I think it’s time to let Cole go home. Lukas helped me finish opening the boxes.”

“Okay!” the little girl called back.

Lukas looked over Maria’s shoulder. She had a large batch of envelopes, one of which she gave to the boy.

“Birthday invite. Mine’s on the 19th, and well… not like I have too many other people I know here. I’ll hand out the rest to the others, but you guys are the first.”

Lukas felt a hand push against his shoulder. It was Cole. Maria smiled and handed over the envelope.

“One for you too, of course.”

Cole took the invite. “I do great at parties. You should see my balloon tricks.”

Maria let out a little giggle. “Looking forward to seeing you two there.”

Just as Lukas and Cole turned to the door, they were stopped by a yell coming from up the stairs. They turned to see Anita rushing down, as she handed something to Lukas.

“My mama and I got flowers from the garden and pressed them into things. Here’s yours!”

Maria smiled, her hand on her hip. “Oh, Sweet Anita…”

Lukas, not used to dealing with kids, awkwardly thanked her. Cole, much more lively, leaned forwards towards her.

“And where’s mine, huh?”

Anita smiled, hiding her face in her hands. “You already got one!”

Cole smiled, nodding as he stood back up. “Was hoping I could trick you into giving me seconds.”

Maria kept the door open. “Alright then. I’ll see you tomorrow night for babysitting, Cole. And Lukas, I’ll see you at the party.”

“Bye Cole! Bye Lukas!” Anita called out.

The two boys said their goodbyes, and walked out the door. As they went down the porch steps, Lukas raised a question.

“So, if it’s her birthday… does that mean I have to get her a present?”

“No need to worry about that. I already got an idea in mind.”

“And what’s that, exactly?”

“Well… you know how Maria’s got no car? My man Ross told me his cousin down in Montgomery is selling his old one. Doesn’t work right now, but I’d figure we take the steep discount and just fix it ourselves.”

Cole opened the driver seat door. Lukas looked at him suspiciously.

“What do you mean ‘just fix it’?” he asked as he sat down in the passenger.

“Well… how hard could it be?”

“Cole, you’ve never opened the hood of a car in your life.”

Cole shrugged as he sat at the steering wheel. “Figure we just load up a couple of Youtube videos, fuck around a bit, learn for ourselves. It’ll be a bonding experience.”

Lukas shook his head. “Fine. But if it goes to shit I ain’t paying my half. How much is my half, anyway?”

“Two fifty.”

“You mean, five hundre- how broken is this car?!”

“Still expensive for a b-day gift. Not like she can complain.” Cole scrolled through his phone as he held his car keys in the other hand. “There’s another question too, regarding a certain good friend of ours.”

Lukas turned towards him. “Who, Kat?”

“Kat, who will definitely be bringing Isaac to this party…” Cole met Lukas in his eyes, waving his phone in his hand. “…Unless I text her not to.”

Lukas’ expression changed. He turned away. “No, it’s fine. I’m over it.”

“You’re over it?” Cole repeated, blowing air out his mouth as he put his phone back in his pocket. “Whatever you say.”

“I’m serious, Cole.”

Cole looked back at Lukas. He noticed his friend wasn’t in the mood. The boy changed his tune.

“Then I respect it. And if you need a new crush, I can always give you some suggestions.”

Lukas turned back. He was grinning. “Thanks.”

Cole smiled back. He reached his hand out.

“Hey man, I have your back. Always.”

Lukas took the hand, and the two boys shook. “Always.”

Cole pulled the car out of the Cortez’s driveway, and began to ride it down the asphalt street back home.