Aiden Harper

Celebrating the Fourth with the Harpers

Eden

Aiden invited my parents and me to his grandfather's house to celebrate the Fourth of July. His grandfather Gabe and Uncle Ryden were barbecuing and providing the sides. I've never been to a gourmet barbecue before, so it was quite interesting.

Nate invited Uncle Carmichael, Aunt Carina, Marissa, and Emilio to the barbecue. He also had my mom ask my grandparents since they were in town. I met my mom's parents since I hadn't met them. They met my dad and welcomed him to our family. It was such a huge difference from living with Rueben.

I filled a cup with pop when Aiden came over to pour a cup.

"What's up with Marissa's cousin? He seems nervous," Aiden mentioned.

"Aunt Carina's family doesn't have a lot of money. Emilio's parents sent him to live with Aunt Carina and Uncle Carmichael to get a better education and earn scholarships. He got some for school but not enough to cover everything. They can't afford to take out student loans, either."

"He's not crazy like that bitch, is he?"

I snorted a laugh. "Hardly. Emilio is timid. He spent more time focusing on his studies than socializing."

Aiden nodded in understanding.

********
Emilio

I stuck close to Aunt Carina and Uncle Carmichael since I only knew Marissa and Eden, but they were busy with their boyfriends.

"Emilio, why don't you mingle? It's a barbecue, sobrino (nephew)," Aunt Carina suggested.

"I don't want to intrude, Tia," I said.

"Are you still worried about school?"

I furrowed my brows. "Mami and papi can't help with my boarding or food. The scholarships cover my classes and books. I have money saved but not enough." I shook my head. "I'll defer a year until I have enough saved."

"Nonsense. You worked hard for college. We'll figure out something."

I wanted to believe that Aunt Carina could help me, but I didn't have high hopes. My parents were already struggling to make ends meet with my siblings, and I couldn't ask them to send me what little they had.

"It's okay, Aunt Carina. I'll figure out something," I said before walking away and sitting at a picnic table. I had to figure out how to earn money to pay for my boarding and food. Colleges won't let you crash on their couches in a student lounge without calling the cops on me.

"Emilio, are you okay?" Marissa asked.

I rubbed my hands under the table and leaned forward. "I'm trying to figure out how to pay my board and food at school."

Marissa knitted her brows in confusion. "I thought you got scholarships?"

"I did, but they only cover my tuition and books. I have some money saved, but enough to pay for both. I was hoping to get a job on campus."

"Maybe my dad can help you."

I held up my hands to Marissa before lowering them. "No. I can't ask Uncle Carmichael for money. He already let me stay with him to attend school. I won't take advantage of his generosity. I'll figure it out."

Marissa smiled slightly before nodding.

I thought I would earn enough scholarships for school to pay for everything, but I didn't.

******
Nate

I grabbed water from a cooler when I saw Carmichael and Carina arguing in hushed voices and approached them. "Is everything okay?"