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child. After several long moments of intense and
heart-wrenching sobbing on both their parts, Calvin turned and
motioned for me to take his place. I leaned next to Calvin, taking
Mr Rivera in my arms.
               
“I'm going to run back and get the car,” he said. “We need to get
him home.”
               
Cal moved quickly out of the cemetery and out of sight as I ran my
fingers through Alex's hair. The weeping stopped, the tears dried,
and all that remained was the silence in the air.
               
“I'm sorry,' he choked. 'I've been such an ass-”
               
“You don't have to apologize to me for anything-”
               
“I do,” he said. “ I'm a grown man, for chrissake . I've acted
like such a child-”
               
“Stop,” I ordered him, with gentle tone. He pulled away and sat up
straight, back leaning against the tombstone again, just as we'd
found him.
               
“I miss them...”
               
Those were the final three words he said before breaking down once
again. I tried my best to comfort him, but he was reluctant to
accept the effort I was giving.
               
Calvin returned after another ten minutes of silence. He pulled his
brother standing and walked him slowly to the car. I didn't know
how Alex could possibly be moving on his own; only twenty minutes
of sitting on the ground and I was nearly frozen. God knows how
long he's probably been here. I stood up and finally turned to read
the stone that Alex's body had covered.
    RIVERA
    Esteban & Mia
    April 04, 1959
           
August 18, 1959
    to
    December 08, 1991
               
Today was the 20-year anniversary of his parents' death.
                He had every right to hate the world...
               
We got Alex settled into the passenger seat of Cal's car and drove
quietly down the road. He pulled into the driveway of a small,
one-story house on the corner.
               
Cal helped Alex out of the car, up the front steps, and inside. I
followed closely behind.
               
“Alex, sweetheart,” a woman's voice came from the kitchen in the
back of the house. The Rivera's grandmother, celebrity designer
Adriana Holbrook, rushed into the room and embraced her seemingly
lifeless grandson. “Cal, I put the tea on. Pour your brother a cup.
We'll be in his bedroom. I have his bed made up and ready for him.
Steph,” she turned to me. “It's good to see you again.” With that,
she pushed Alex into a bedroom at the far left corner.
               
The house was small, but cozy. The fireplace in the living room
cast a warm glow onto the wooden floor. Mr. Rivera's home had all
of the inner workings of a secluded log cabin and I was falling in
love... with... the house, of course.
               
Calvin passed by with the tea and half-smiled as he entered his
brother's room. Moments later, he and his grandmother reappeared,
closing the door behind them.
               
“Steph,” she reached her arms forward and scooped me in a hug. “How
have you been, sweetheart?”
               
“Is he-”
               
“He'll be fine,” she said. “Calvin, honey, you need to get back to
your lady and smooth things over.”
               
“How did you know-”
               
“ It's Christmas .”
               
He nodded and pecked her quickly on the head. “Bye Gran.”
               
I turned to follow Calvin.
               
“ Where do you think you're going, missy ?” she asked,
harshly.
               
“With him--”
               
“No ma'am,” she cocked her head to the side. “Calvin, tell this
girl's mother she won't be back tonight. She's having a sleepover
with her new best friend.”

Chapter Five
    Thursday December 08
               
“It hits him harder