We notice that Ms. Fuller has decorated the house when we return home from school. The decorations are pretty, but I can’t help but think that Ms. Fuller is taking a big risk putting out decorations, because people in our neighborhood love to steal.
I enter the house and see that Ms. Fuller is holding a little toddler. I’d almost forgotten that she announced that we’d be getting a new addition. Ms. Fuller introduces him to me…
Ms. Fuller: Alida, this is Darwin. He’ll be staying with us for a while.
I get a good look at him. He’s a cute little thing, but I don’t have time to stick around. I head to my room to take off my school uniform.
I change into my play clothes, fully intending on going to drama club like I’m supposed to…but on the way, I change my mind. I decide to go and see what Raul is up to instead. Making sure that the coast is clear…I duck down so Ms. Fuller can’t see me out the window and sneak out the back gate to the empty lot.
Instead of finding Raul there, I see Claudia. She’s sitting on the couch with some boy. I guess Raul isn’t the only one who takes advantage of the empty lot whenever possible.
Since Raul isn’t in the lot, I’m twice as curious as to where he might be. I remember Ms. Fuller telling us not to go to the park next to the empty lot. Based on that information, I’m almost 100% sure that’s where Raul is. I head next door to see.
I could have walked through the abandoned lot which would have been like a short cut, but I didn’t want Claudia to know that I was skipping out on drama club…so I take the long way around through the sleazy motel that sits right next door to Ms. Fuller’s.
To get to the park, I have to pass the dirty pool, where an old man is currently taking a swim. I couldn’t imagine getting into that water. I quicken my pace and keep moving.
Raul is right where I expected him to be. His friend Pierce is off to the side pouring syrup and flour all over the ground. I guess sneaking off to forbidden places and making messes is their idea of fun.
Raul: *surprised* What are you doing here? I thought you had drama club today.
Alida: I do, but I didn’t feel like going.
Raul seems to like that.
Raul: Cool…you want to swing?
Alida: Sure
I turn and make it a point to beat Raul to the swings.
Alida: So how come we’re not allowed to come to this park.
Raul: We can, but only when Mama Nadine is with us. I don’t need a baby sitter though.
Alida: Yeah…me neither.
Raul and I chose a swing and try to see who can go the highest, the fastest.
I leave Raul and Pierce at the park and hurry back to the house before Ms. Fuller can suspect anything. I’m surprised to see her outside. I wonder if she’s waiting for me.
Ms. Fuller: How was drama club?
Alida: Good…*I try to make the lie a little more convincing* better than yesterday.
Ms. Fuller: Glad to hear that.
I follow her into the house and go straight to my room before she has a chance to ask any more questions. Luckily she seems to be occupied with Darwin.
I open the door to my room and receive a big shock, Michael is standing there…
…and he’s wearing my school uniform skirt.
Alida: What the hell are you doing? Is that my skirt?
Michael is just as shocked to see me.
Michael: *stutters* I – I’m so sorry. I – I, d-didn’t know you’d be back so soon.
Alida: Why are you in my skirt? Take it off now!
Michael: Yeah…okay. I – I’m sorry. I saw it lying on your bed…and I j-just wanted to see how it would look. Please don’t tell on me.
Visibly shaken…Michael hurries over to the closet. I feel bad for yelling.
Michael struggles to get the closet door open, but when he finally does…he doesn’t just change. He steps in and closes the door. I can hear him crying softly inside. The situation has me stressed, because I know that I’m the cause of his tears. And honestly, I don’t see any harm in him wanting to try on my clothes. I’m currently wearing pants, so why can’t he try on a skirt if he wants to? I walk over to the closet…
Alida: Michael?
It takes him a moment, but eventually, he stops crying enough to respond.
Michael: Yes
Alida: It’s okay that you wanted to try on my skirt.
Michael opens the closet door and peeks his head out.
Michael: It is?
Alida: Yeah
I pull out my bottle of bubbles and begin to blow. It helps to relieve my anxiety and guilt further.
Alida: But…my school uniform is ugly. I have some prettier skirts for you to try.
Michael: Okay…but don’t tell Raul…or Mama Nadine.
Alida: I won’t…I promise.
I can tell immediately that things have changed between Michael and I. I am now the holder of his biggest secret…and I’m sorta okay with that.
I leave the room to give Michael some time to change. Ms. Fuller is in the kitchen preparing dinner. I’m surprised she’s not singing. She seems to be a bit frazzled…like maybe she can stand to blow a few bubbles.
Ms. Fuller: Alida! You’re right on time. I can actually use your help.
I perk up.
Alida: What do you need?
Ms. Fuller: Can you keep Darwin entertained for a few moments while I finish up? Maybe you can hand him his sippy cup for me.
I was hoping to help with something that involved cooking or better yet…tasting, but I suppose that helping with Darwin can be fun. I grab the sippy cup and walk over to him.
Alida: Hi Darwin…I’m Alida.
Darwin just stares. Talking to a baby is a lot like talking to a brick wall with a face.
Alida: Are you hungry? Ms. Fuller cooks the best meals. I bet you’ll like it.
I continue trying to make small talk with Darwin until Ms. Fuller has finished cooking. As a reward for helping out…I’m the first to get my plate.
Michael eventually comes out of my bedroom…this time dressed in his own clothes. He glances over at me with a tinge of fear and I realize that I now hold a lot of power over him. He’s totally dependant on me to keep his secret. I can imagine that someone like Raul would use this knowledge to manipulate Michael into doing whatever he wanted him to do, but I decide not to be like that.
Ms. Fuller finishes meal preparation by warming up some chicken nuggets for Darwin, while everyone else begins to make their way back into the house.
Our first meal with Darwin doesn’t go very well. First, he throws his sippy cup, then he begins to scream and cry for his mother. I find the cries to be annoying and loud, but I can relate to what he’s feeling. I believe we all can.
It takes a while, but Ms. Fuller eventually gets Darwin settled down enough to begin storytime. She’s completely exhausted, but she pulls out a book and still manages to put all her extra energy into telling the story. She could have skimped out on us, but she doesn’t.
It’s then that I realize that Ms. Fuller really does have a tough job. She’s towing the responsibility of being a mother to the motherless…and we can either make that job easier or tougher for her. I’m not quite ready to call her Mama Nadine, but I can at least help her out whenever I can…and maybe not be so resistant to what she’s trying to do.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
