Work Text:
I first met Finney when I was seven. It was the summer of 1987. Second grade was about to start, and we had just moved from Mexico to North Denver. Denver was different from Mexico; the air seemed thicker, and the houses were more done up than any I had seen before. That was before we arrived into our neighbourhood, and I had truly understood for the first time that other people had it better than my family. The houses were still better than what I was used to, but compared to other properties it was almost pathetic.
Driving into our neighbourhood, the fences were chain-linked and rattled with the small breeze. We had arrived to a one-story home; it looked fairly bigger than our old house. The yard was bigger and across the street there was a large sycamore tree followed by a bus stop. The home behind that looked well-kept, for the exception of the few outgrown weeds.
When we had arrived, Ernesto was already in my Tio’s arms- he was in a deep sleep from the long drive. Just on cue, the moving van appeared. My Tio passed Ernesto over to my mama and told me to help him start carrying boxes. We were getting the first box up and ready to carry, until we noticed a third pair of hands helping us.
“Hi!” I still couldn’t see properly who it was, but Tio had already moved the hands of the box. “Oh, sorry, I just thought you would’ve needed some help.” Now that I had a proper view or the girl, I could see her properly. She looked to be about Ernesto’s age.. maybe a bit older. “I’m Gwendolyn- never mind that, call me Gwen. What’s your guy’s names? My family lives just across there, by the bus stop.” The silence was awkward. “Hello Gwen. I’m Diego, and this is Robin. We appear to be your new neighbours.” “Cool!! Do you guys still want some-“
“Gwen!!” Gwen was cut of by her name being shouted, and when i looked over I saw, well, a head of blonde hair. “Gwen, what are you doing?” “Helping the neighbours. Duh.” The second the boy locked his eyes onto me, it’s almost like he solved a lifelong equation. His eyes went so wide you’d think they’d have exploded.
“What’s his name Gwen?” “Robin!” His Tio had gotten the idea that these kids needed to go away and asked them to go home to their Mom. “It’s fine, our mom knows we’re here!” I felt like i had lost all hope in getting peace and quiet. “Hey Robin, your mama needs you inside doesn’t she?” It took me a second to understand but then it clicked. “Oh yeah, she needs help with Ernesto.” Just as I was speed walking inside, i heard a voice; “I’ll come help!” It was the blonde boy. I ran as fast as I could- it wasn’t fast enough, clearly, as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I spun around and my hand slipped into his. I quickly let go and bolted inside.