A unique bond!

Chapter 7

Cruz's mom yelled for dinner. All the boys head downstairs. Cade walks in front of Zander. They are behind Otto and Cruz. Zander places his hand on Cade's butt, and he gets excited, confused, and smiles. They all get to the table to eat. Everyone will be part of this conversation. Cade(C), Otto(O), Cruz(Cr), Zander(Z), Erick(E), Alice(A).

(A) Happy birthday Cade.

(E) Happy birthday little man.

(C) Thank you.

(A) I made homemade pizza with breadsticks. We also got an ice cream cake.

(C) It smells wonderful. Thank you for the cake as well.

(E) Yall all three are like our extended family. We love all three of you very much. You make Cruz's life better. We see the smile he comes home with every day. He talks about all three of you nonstop.

Cruz gets embarrassed. His face goes red.

(Cr)Dad.

(Z) It's ok, we all feel the same. Cade and I talk about Otto and Zander every day. We love getting to school. It is our escape.

(A) Well let's eat. Then we can cut cake and sing happy birthday. We also have a gift for cade.

(C) Thank you.

Everyone eats and they talk. They take their time and enjoy the moment. Otto and Cruz get this family dinner time all the time. Cade and Zander do not. They enjoy being around people who care for them and want to be around them. The finish eating and they cut the cake and sing happy birthday. They eat cake and Otto and Cade put the dishes away and throw the trash away. Erick leaves the room and comes back with huge box.

(C) That looks to expensive.

(A) Do not worry about the cost honey. We wanted you to have this. Zander told us about your new apartment.

(E) We wanted this to be your housewarming gift.

Alice hands Cade an envelope.

(A)This is your birthday gift. Open it up tonight when yall are in the basement.

(C) Yes mam.

(E) You open this one now though.

Cade gets up and opens the gift. It is a fifty-inch tv. Cade smiles and hugs Erick and Alice.

(Cr) See now you have a tv and an Xbox. Yall two will have your own place. You get a chance at being normal. I am so excited to visit and get to hang out with all of yall.

(O) Me too.

(Z) Us too.

(C) It will be nice having people come over.

(A) Well boys we are going to put this in the hall closet till next weekend. Then we will help you get it home.

(Cr) I forgot to tell you mom and dad. Avery got the apartment ready. They are moving in tomorrow.

(E) That is great!

(A) Yes, right before the big snow. At least yall will have heat. I have been so worried. I am not trying to be rude Cade and Zander.

(Z) You are never rude.

(C) Thank you for caring.

Erick moves the tv to the closet.

(E) We will load it up tomorrow and let Zander drive the SUV.

(C) Thank yall again.

(A) Why don't yall head up and play some games or spend some time together. When yall get ready for bed the guest room is ready in the basement. Otto, are you sleeping with Zander?