Michael invites me to the garage with him to practice some dance moves, but I end up just doing the two-step while watching as he performs moves that I know I’d never get in a million years.
I grow bored of watching Michael show off…so I slip out of the garage without him even realizing that I’m gone. I head out front to find Raul…not expecting him to be half dressed, lounging in the kiddie pool. I suddenly can’t remember what I wanted to say to him.
The view is kind of nice and I find myself staring…until he spots me standing there. He gets out of the pool and walks over…but it’s not enough time for me to gain my composure.
Raul: Did you want something?
Alida: No
Raul: Then why are you standing there?
Alida: I just…
I try to think quick. Suddenly I remember that I put some confetti in my pocket earlier. I grab a handful and toss it over my head…
Alida: …wanted to say – Happy “Sun”-day!
Mama Nadine saves me from a prolonged awkward moment by calling us all out back to enjoy her fruit cobbler. Everyone else takes a seat around the picnic table next to the grill. I quietly slip into the garage to sit alone and think about why my interaction with Raul felt a lot stranger than it needed to.
After Mama Nadine and Claudia leave the table…Raul sees an opening for all the insults he’s been holding in all day.
Raul: Hey Mike…let’s discuss those swim trunks – or are they panties?
Michael: Actually…let’s discuss your mama.
Raul: Right, because we definitely can’t discuss yours. Do you even know her name?
Michael gets up from the table quickly and takes a couple of steps towards Raul. Raul braces himself but lets out a small sigh when Michael turns and walks away.
Darwin, who has observed the entire interaction, gets up and gathers the empty plates left behind. He has a few words of his own.
Darwin: You’re mean…
Raul is always quick and ready with a comeback.
Raul: And you’re annoying. I guess we all have our issues…
Darwin walks away without further comment and Raul is left alone.
We all gather up front again once it’s dark. Mama Nadine hands each of us a sparkler. We swing them around making sparkly designs in the air. Mama Nadine tells us all to step back while she lights up a bigger fireworks display.
We watch the lit firecracker whirl around in an unpredictable pattern…which sort of scares us because it looks as if it’s going to hit someone. It’s pretty, but mostly anticlimactic. After it’s burned out…we all head inside to get ready for bed.
(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)
