Kapitel 2: Childhood
"Mama, where's Papa?" Adrian asked Gloria on a Friday evening when Manny was one.
Gloria turned to her oldest with a tense look. "He went to buy diapers for your brother." She said firmly and went back to cooking.
"But it's been months and he isn't back… what if something happened to him."
"Nothing happened to him Rian. He sent me a text last week."
Adrian looked confused. "But…"
Gloria forced a smile. "Can you help me with washing the salad?" She tried changing the topic.
"Okay.."
…
School for Adrian was boring as he went through the content with ease and conquering the elementary school playground heirachy was child's play. Tommy, the current first grade leader and also the biggest boy in the first grade was followed around by other first graders. He began abusing his powers and stealing spots from the other kids and when one day Nigel the kind little boy who sat next to Adrian came to class with a scrapped chin and worried glances at Tommy, Adrian decided to overthrow Tommy (no one messes with Adrian's friends).
Day one, Adrian observed Tommy's leadership. The boy used his big body as an advantage over the other kids to boss them around and the playground games consisted of Tommy taking foods from the other kids and chasing them around. How he became leader, Adrian has no idea. That night, Adrian remembered to pack a bag of lollies.
Day two, Adrian approached his friends and asked them to sit with him for lunch. His little group consisted with 3 other kids. When Adrian opened the bag of lolly snakes the other kid's eyed the candy. Adrian deliberately shared the candy in a dramatic fashion, smirking as the other kids approached him. With a happy smile Adrian completed phase one. Win them with their stomachs. The kids were raised right because some of them even shyly offered their own snacks. Adrian then announced a new game, crocodile river. Once he showed the other kids, they joined in eagerly.
Day three, Adrian didn't bring food, which left the other kids disappointed. But the fun from yesterday was still lingering in their mind, so they asked Adrian to play. Instead, he showed them a new game. The kids that didn't join yesterday watched their group curiously. Adrian's welcomeness and charismatic attitude made the other first graders flock to him. And they declared him the new leader (it was a little too simple thought Adrian).
Day four, Tommy hated how his followers are no longer his followers and decided to confront Adrian. Sensing their leader was being attacked by mean Tommy, 18 small 6 year old began chasing poor Tommy. Adrian benevolent as he is saved Tommy, and invited him into the group. Tommy with starry eyes decided to serve Adrian then and there (he didn't know Adrian took his sweet time preventing the chase).
Day 5, Adrian was already sick of his newfound status as leader. So he made up some mumbo jumbo about going on a spiritual journey ("No Sarah, don't cry I'm just going to stay in the library, Yes Peter, I'll make sure to visit." ) and elected Nigel as the new leader.
He did consider conquering the upper years, but frankly he got lazy. And so Adrian went back to his boring days of school.
…
On a cold evening, Gloria, Manny and Adrian are huddled up against a counter at the news agency.
The winning numbers display in a large black font.
"Ay, it's all wrong…" Gloria muttered.
"It's okay Mama! Maybe next time," Manny grinned from his position next to Gloria. Gloria smiled at her youngest. Manny was 4 now and Adrian 8. Her kids were growing so fast she wanted time to stop. They begin walking home.
"Mama, don't worry, when I grow up we're going to be so rich." Adrian turned to her with a serious look. "If you give me $50, we can put it into the stock market-"
"Rian, you shouldn't mess with the stock market, your great uncle's sister in law lost them their whole house. Plus we barely have the money to spare." (A/N. They're speaking in Spanish when it's Italics)
"But mama…" Adrian whined, "We can be so rich-"
"Mama look!" Manny shouted, pointing at a gleaming coin on the ground. He reached over and gently lifted the penny. He turned to Gloria and Adrian and with excited eyes, "it's a winning penny." He announced.
Gloria and Adrian exchanged looks.
"Manny it's just a penny." Adrian said.
"No Rian. It's a winning Penny. If- if we get enough to buy a lottery ticket, we'll definitely win! And we'll be rich! We can buy your dream house Mama!" Manny gushed, admiring the coin.
Gloria softened. "That's such a great idea Manny! I can give you the pennys I have-"
"No mama, it has to be the ones we find. That's why it's lucky." Manny looked at her with a frown.
Adrian laughed. "Let's make a competition Manny. Whoever finds the most coins before we get home wins."
"Your on!" Manny declared and glued his eyes to the ground.
Adrian followed behind with Gloria in a leisurely pace.
Once they got home, suprisingly no other coins were found and Manny was declared the winner. He jumped in joy and stuck his tongue out at Adrian. Adrian game him a mock scandalous expression and leaped at Manny, tickling him. Gloria watched her kids with pride.
…
The door made a clicking sound and both Manny and Adrian eyed the door warily. Gloria wasn't meant to be home until late. Adrian made a shushing motion to Manny and turned off the TV. Manny whined "but Mary Poppins-" and quickly stopped at Adrian's glare. He motioned Manny to the kitchen where Gloria left a bat. He told Manny to stay and approached the door cautiously, bat in hand. Manny quickly grabbed the phone and dialed Gloria.
The door creaked open and Manny's position from in the kitchen made it both hard to see and hear. He saw Adrian winding up the bat only to get caught by a strange man. The phone went through and not waiting for Gloria's "Hola", Manny shrieked, "Mama there's a strange man at home and he's got Rian!" He didn't wait for Gloria's reply and charged at the man in an act of courageousness and foolishness. He didn't even hear Adrian's "Manny wait!"
The strange man turned out to be Javier, Adrian and Manny's dad who left to buy diapers 4 years ago. Gloria came home as fast as she could and arrived holding a bat and a cry of "I'll protect my baby boys", only to be met with Javier sitting, kneeling on the floor with an angry Adrian and a confused Manny.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein