Page 5 of Another Love, Another Time
My mom hands what seems to be a poster to Logan. He opens the paper, and his face lights up. All the kids gather around trying to see what’s on it. It looks to be an Avengers poster. He rolls it back up, asks my mom to keep it from getting torn up, and thanks her. At my side, River tells me I did a good job.
“Cake and ice cream!” Mom shouts a few minutes later. “Everyone, head back to the garage. Take a seat, and someone will bring it to you.” You would think she was a drill sergeant in the army, the way she orders everyone around.
Logan is sitting on one side of me, and River is sitting on the other side while we eat our cake and ice cream. After I finish, my mom tells me it’s time for presents.
Melissa walks up and grabs my hand, but I pull away. “Come on, Auggie. Your mom said that I could help bring your presents to you,” she says.
I reluctantly stand up and walk to the chair in the middle of the room. I look around for River. I know she will not be happy about Melissa helping with presents. River usually is the one helping my mom.
Melissa hands me the first one, a birthday card. My mom always tells me it’s polite to read the cards before I look to see if there is any money or a gift card. I read each card out loud and thank the person it’s from. I get all kinds of things: a Captain America action figure, LEGOs, a remote-control car, and gift cards.
Melissa hands me the last present. “I saved the best one for last. This one’s from me,” she says. I start to tear the wrapping paper off the present. The cardboard box doesn’t give away what’s inside. I open it, and it’s a Captain America shield.
“Oh my gosh!” It’s the one that I’ve had my eye on for a while now. The only people who knew were River and my parents. “Thanks, Melissa!” I stand up and give her a big hug. “This is awesome! I’ve been wanting this one for forever.”
“You’re wel—“ Melissa starts.
River screams, “I know you did this on purpose!” Before I can figure out what’s going on, River storms out. I quickly step away from Melissa. I look at our moms to try to understand what’s going on. River’s mom and mine are staring at each other. Uncle Kendall follows River.
I turn to my mom for help. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“Don’t worry about it. Finish thanking everyone for your gifts. Their parents will be here shortly, and we’ll talk about it then.” She glances at Melissa and then walks off.
After everyone leaves, my mom asks me to take all my gifts to my room. When I finish, I look for River, but I can’t find her. I want to know what’s going on. “Why was River so upset?” I wonder.
I find Aunt Ashley and my mom talking and drinking margaritas. My mom holds her hand out, wanting me to come to her. She squeezes me into her side. “Hey, baby, did you get all your gifts put away?”
“Yeah, and I put the money and gift cards in your room like you asked.” I glance around. “Where’s River, Mom?”
“Did you have fun?” Aunt Ashley redirects.
“Yeah, but where’s River? She said that we were going to do the obstacle course again. Did I do something wrong?”
“Oh no, baby, you did nothing wrong. Your dad and Uncle Kendall took her to the store to get you a present.”
“What are you talking about?”
Aunt Ashley looks at my mom and sighs. “Come here, Auggie. Sit down.” I take the seat at the head of the table between them.
“Did you notice when you looked at our card that River’s name was not on it?”
I shake my head.
“Well, River wanted to get you a gift by herself this year. She’s been doing extra work around the house and neighborhood to earn money. She’s been going to our neighbors asking if there was anything they needed to be done so she could earn money to buy you a gift.” Aunt Ashley gives me a sad smile. “She was so excited to give it to you but wanted to wait until after your party.”
She pauses for a minute, contemplating something. “River bought you the Captain America shield that you have been wanting. She knew that you had been saving for almost a year now and wanted to get it for you. She called your mom and told her not to let you buy it so she could surprise you for your birthday. When you got the same one from Melissa, she was a little upset. Anyway, River wanted to get you something different, so your dad and Uncle Kendall took her to Walmart to pick something out. They should be back in a little bit.”
I look between them, now understanding why River is upset, but I still feel like I am missing something.
River
I’m so mad right now, and the only person I can really blame is myself. I was so excited about the present I got for Auggie that when Melissa called and asked what she should get him, I told her. I even sent her a picture of it. Ugh! I never thought she would go out and buy him the same thing. I mean, I have been saving for that for the last six months.
I know she did it on purpose. I know she likes Auggie, but I don’t see how she thinks that this would make him like her. I’m never talking to her again; I know my mom will try to make me talk to her just because she is my cousin. I’m going to tell Auggie what she did tonight so he can see what kind of person she is. He always thinks I’m so mean to her, but she does this kind of stuff to me all the time.
I’ve been walking around Walmart for 30 minutes, and I can’t think of anything else to get him. He already has all the cool toys here. I thought about getting him a wallet to put all his birthday money in. Yeah, I think I will. I know my dad and Uncle Eddie are getting tired and are ready for me to decide.
I head over to the wallets. I see a whole bunch of them, and then I see one that is blue with the Captain America emblem. Perfect. I grab it.
