Page 6 of Another Love, Another Time
I don’t know how much money my dad will let me spend, but he’s the one who thought of this. As we walk toward the checkouts, I spot some graphic T-shirts and stop to look at them. I love T-shirts, and I know Auggie does too. Maybe I can find one he will like.
Then, I spot it. It’s a soft, blue Captain America shirt with the emblem, and it reads, “I’m with you to the end of the line.” Yes, I’m going to get this too.
Now that I have two things, I feel like I have punished Uncle Eddie and my dad enough. I grab a green gift bag but can’t get tissue paper. If it was up to him, Auggie would be getting his present tied up in a Walmart plastic bag.
~~
We all get back in the truck, but my dad doesn’t start it. He turns to face me. “I’m only going to say this once. Well, at least once tonight.” He grins at me. “I know you are upset right now, but don’t let what happened today ruin your night. You don’t get to spend a lot of time with Auggie, and Melissa has already taken at least two hours away from your time away from him. You guys are best friends. He would have loved to see what you got him. I think you should still give it to him. It will be special because it is from you.
“You worked your butt off to get that boy that gift. I know that she is your cousin, and I know that your mom wants everyone to get along, but in this life, when your gut tells you something isn’t right, trust it. That little girl— What she did today was spiteful, and you do not need people like that in your life.
“I will never make you be friends with anyone, but just remember who your friends are and who they are not. She is not your friend. Yes, she is related to you by blood, but she is not your friend. Either way, you learned a lesson today. Not everyone is your friend. You know what a friend is. You’ve got the best one in Auggie.” He looks at Uncle Eddie. “So, what’s the lesson you learned today?”
I look between my dad and Uncle Eddie. “‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,’” I say.
We get back to the house, and it looks like everything has been cleaned up. It doesn’t look like Auggie and I will be competing against each other in the obstacle race. I grab the gift bag I just got him and ask my dad to go ahead and bring in the Captain America shield. He can have two.
Auggie is waiting on the front porch for us. My dad sets the box with the shield on the step by Auggie. Our dads head inside to leave Auggie and me alone. I sit down next to him and hand him the bag.
Auggie has changed out of his clothes from earlier into shorts and a T-shirt. He picks up the bag and pulls out the wallet.
“Open it up,” I say.
He pulls the Velcro apart and smiles when he sees the picture of us. Uncle Eddie had it in his wallet and gave it to me to put inside.
“Keep going,” I urge him.
He opens the pouch to see the twenty dollars.
“Get the other thing, Aug.”
He sets the wallet down, pulls out the T-shirt I got him, and holds it out so he can read it. He smiles and turns to see if there is anything on the back. “Thanks, Riv. I love it. I need a wallet, especially after all the dough I got today, and I need a new Captain America shirt. My other one doesn’t fit anymore.”
I’m happy he will use the things I got him. He gives me a hug and holds me a little longer than normal.
“Let me guess what this could be.” He turns to the box with the shield and taps his pointer finger on his chin like he’s thinking. He smiles and bumps his shoulder to mine. “I’m guessing your mom told you what it is?”
“Yeah, she did. I’m sorry your surprise was ruined.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”
“How did Melissa know?”
“I told her. She needed help with ideas for a present, and since you are my best friend, she called me. I was so excited that I told her what I had gotten for you. Auggie, I even sent her a picture. I know she did it on purpose. I told her how hard I was working to buy it for you. That’s why I was so mad today. I guess you’re happy now that you have two.” I smile.
“Yeah, I have two, but I hate that she ruined your surprise. I’ll have my mom hang yours up. I don’t want anything to happen to it. I’ll play with the one she gave me, so if it gets broken, it won’t bother me. Thank you for my gifts. Yours are my favorite because they came from you, River.” He grabs my hand, squeezes it, and then hooks his pinkie with mine.
“Now, did you forfeit the obstacle course challenge, or are you ready? Winner gets bragging rights.” He sets his stuff on the step and starts to run to the backyard.
“Oh, I’m ready. Bring it, Aug!”
Chapter 3
River, Age 11
Every year, all the families get together to celebrate Halloween. There is usually a party and hayride where everyone dresses up, and we all do a little bit of trick-or-treating. One of the requirements for attendance is that people have to dress up. This year, Aunt Connie said that everyone would be judged on handmade partner costumes. She also said whoever won the prize would be happy because it was going to be a good one.
Of course, Auggie will be my partner. Auggie and I are super competitive, so we have been brainstorming every day this week during our nightly phone calls. Aunt Connie has the best prizes, but we want to win for bragging rights, too. Some of the ideas that we thought of were ketchup and mustard, salt and pepper, and Thing 1 and Thing 2.
