Fractured Family

Chapter 7

(ALexandre's POV)

The drive to the mall was awkward. Lorenzo was on the left of me and Cris on the right. Which meant I was stuck in the middle. Because I was in the middle, I didn't want to go on my phone. Miguel and Papa kept making conversation with me, but it sounded forced. 

"Alexandre, what stores do you like to shop at?" Papa asks. 

"Nike and Sportchek usually," I say. "but only when stuff was on sale,"

"Well, you don't have to worry about that. Okay?" He says, glancing at me from the rearview mirror. 

It felt good that I could have whatever I wanted, but why didn't he help Mama when she was struggling? When I had to get a job to start paying the bills. 

The car drives into a massive parking garage and the mall is even bigger. 

"Lorenzo, Cris, you two stay together," Miguel says while we walk into the mall. "Papa and I will be with Alex," 

The two boys walk away from us. I wish I could be that close with them, especially Lorenzo. We go the opposite way they did and Papa is trying to hold my hand. I let his hand wrap around my pinky finger.

The first stop we went to was a store that was an Artizia for men. It was filled with hoodies, jeans, sweatpants, and so much more. I grab a pair of jeans and glance at the price tag. 

120 DOLLARS!

I quickly put it back onto the rack. 

Miguel looks at me quickly, "Why did you put that back?" He asks. 

"It was too expensive," I mumble. 

"Papa, tell Alex he can get whatever he wants. No matter the price," Papa walks towards us with clothes in his arms.

"Alexandre, if we buy this whole store it won't make a dent in my bank account," He says. "Get whatever you like,"

That statement made me feel better about spending his money. I grab the pair of jeans again and drape them over my arm. The store was massive and had so much to look through. Papa is looking at clothes, but they look too small to fit him. 

Is he looking for clothes for me? 

I'm deep into my thoughts when I hear Miguel's voice. 

"Hey! Do you want to try some on and then go back to shopping?" He asks.

"That would be nice. Thanks!" I respond. 

We make our way to the changing room and Papa is sitting there with a bunch of clothes. I was right! He was looking for me. 

I go into the room and start trying on the clothes. They feel luxurious and of good quality. Most of the clothes fit well and I take most of them out of the changing room. 

"How did they fit baby," Papa asks me. 

"Great! They are amazing," I respond, smiling. 

"That's great!" He says back. "Do you want to keep looking or go eat?" 

"Looking is fine, but can we go to a different store?" I mention. "I want to find athletic wear," 

"Of course! Anything for you," He exclaims.

We walked into the store across and it had everything a sports player would want. I look around, grabbing athletic shirts and shorts. Papa is looking in the sports section and asks me, "Alexandre did you ever play a sport?" 

"No not really," I answer disappointed. I've always wanted to, but Mama needed me to work. 

"Would you like to?" He asks again.