Page 3 of Another Love, Another Time
My mom laughs and starts showing us how to make the bracelets.
After going through it a couple of times, I think I have it figured out. I start making mine. It’s very similar to braiding Barbie’s hair, just like how my mom showed me. I secretly slide a bead that has an “A” on it for Auggie. I really hope Auggie likes his bracelet, that he wears it, and that the bracelet he is making is for me.
My sister is making one for her best friend. My little brother is making one for my dad (insert eye roll). What a suck-up!
I finish mine and put it in my pocket. I don’t want to give it to Auggie in front of our moms; they will make a big deal about it.I think they already have our wedding planned. At least, that’s what I hear Uncle Eddie, and my dad say all the time.
Auggie is my favorite person. I don’t know about kissing him, but my mom says my dad is one of her best friends. We talk every day like Mom and Dad. When we stay over at their house, Auggie and I sleep in the same bed. When something exciting happens at school or home, the first person I call is Auggie. I know he has other friends, but he doesn’t talk to them like he does me. He is my best friend.
I need to give him a friendship bracelet, so he knows. It’s kind of like the rings my mom and dad wear. My bracelet will be like that.
After we get the crafts cleaned up, it’s family movie time with popcorn, M&Ms, and soda. It’s the only time we get soda.
It’s Auggie’s family's turn to pick a movie. The moms pick all the movies to watch before vacation for movie nights and write them on popsicle sticks. When it’s movie time, one person from the assigned family gets to pull a movie choice. It stops the disagreements. Auggie’s dad chooses tonight’s movie.
Aunt Connie has all the snacks ready. Aunt Jess helps her hand them out to all the kids. Everyone is situated, ready for the movie to start. Auggie’s place is next to me, like always. Uncle Eddie starts the movie. Eventually, the snacks are finished being passed around, and the adults turn the lights off.
Auggie leans over, grabs my hand, and puts something in it. I turn away and look to see what he put in my hand. It’s the bracelet with my favorite colors. I smile to myself. Then, I reach into my pocket, pull out the one I made for him, and repeat what he just did. We smile at each other.
Chapter 2
Auggie, Age 10
Today is my birthday! I’m ten, which doesn’t mean anything. My mom woke me up with butter on my nose. She loves doing that to Ellie and me on our birthdays. It is still a long way to sixteen—when I can get my driver’s license. Then, I can drive to see River every weekend. My dad asked me who was going to pay for all my gas. I don’t really know what to say to him. I don’t know how to pay for gas right now, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. My mom says I’ll have to get a job. I don’t want to work, but if it means I get to see River, I’ll do it.
My mom had invited my whole class to my birthday party, and a lot of kids said they were coming. My mom also invited our family friends, so my mom is currently running around like her head’s been cut off, shouting orders to Dad, Ellie, and me to get everything pulled together. River will be here with Aunt Ashley, Uncle Kendall, Serena, and Brock. We’ve been talking on the phone all week. She was excited about giving me my birthday gift. I begged her to tell me what it was, but her lips are sealed. All she said was that I would like it. I like a lot of things, so that narrowed it way down (sarcasm).
This year, my birthday theme is Avengers. I have an Avengers cake. Mom decorated Sprite cans like the Hulk. Thor Rice Krispies treat hammers. Captain America cake pops. Ironman fruit decorations. She also made up some Avengers games and activities, which include a superhero obstacle course, a photobooth, and a table for kids to decorate their own superhero masks.
My dad is currently setting up the obstacle course. There are prizes for whoever is the quickest. My dad asks me to help him. “You want to practice a little bit before your friends start showing up?”
“Yeah?”
“Go ahead. I need to see how hard it is. We may have to make some changes.”
My dad used our playground equipment for the beginning of the course. He goes through the course, and I follow him so I will know the route. Then, it is time for my practice run. I run up the slide, slipping once, but catch myself. I grab the top of the slide and pull myself up the rest of the way. Once I get up on the platform, I see the monkey bars. I’ve done these a gazillion times, so I don’t have any problems crossing. Once I cross them, I jump down, climb up the wall back up to the platform, and then slide down the pole. The next phase of the course is running through hula hoops. Then, I pop a balloon, weave in and out of orange cones, and finally burst through a wall of cardboard boxes.
After I finish, the only thing Dad changes is the monkey bars. If someone falls off, they will have to jump twice for everything bar that they miss. This is going to be so much fun! I practice one more time just so I know what I have to do. I can’t wait for my party to start.
Some of my classmates start arriving, and my mom has them start making their superhero masks. If people finish their masks,then they can do activity sheets. All the snacks are out, so everyone eats while doing their crafts. My mom greets each of the parents and lets them know that they can stay if they like. If not, they can pick up their child in two hours. I have to be part of the welcoming committee. So instead of hanging out with my friends who have arrived, I stand next to my mom with a big, forced smile.
Melissa is the next classmate to arrive. Her parents are also friends with my parents. She is also River’s cousin. They come to some of the other parties that my mom throws throughout the year. Melissa is in a red dress with a Captain America shield on it. I’m thinking, “How is she going to do the obstacle course in a dress?”
I hear my name being called. The next thing I know, I’m falling to the ground. River has tackled me! River is wearing her Black Widow shirt and shorts. She pretends to attack me and giggles. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I step on your moment?” she asks. River jumps off of me and pulls me up with her after reciting one of Black Widow’s lines. Her long, blond hair is in two braids.
We turn around. Melissa has her arms crossed and tells River, “Auggie and I were talking, and you interrupted. That’s rude, River.”
River looks at Melissa. They have never gotten along, even though they are family. River pulls me away again, looks back, and says, “Well, now you’re not.”
I am supposed to be greeting all the guests, but with most of the kids being here now, my mom lets me off the hook. Everyone is sitting around the tables where they decorate their masks andeat. There are two open seats next to Logan. Logan and I sit next to each other in class, and we play baseball together. He’s the pitcher, and I’m the catcher. I hope he is on the same team as me next year.
River and I sit next to him. Black Widow is River’s favorite Avenger. My favorite Avenger is Captain America. Logan is making a Thor mask. My mom comes by and asks anyone if they would like to eat. Aunt Ashley gives a plate to River, tells her to eat what is on it, and threatens to withhold dessert.
My mom has the photo booth set up with different props, covered with both superheroes and villains. A lot of the kids are having fun coming up with different poses for the pictures. My mom tells them she will send them to their parents.
“Hey, you want to take some pictures in the photo booth with me, Auggie?” River asks.
“Can I come with you all?” Logan asks.
