Haecceity | Oscar Diaz

17. your enemies, your footstool pt. 1

Gabriella 'Raven' Ramirez

I gaze at Oscar in amusement as he held up two different pairs of shoes against his outfit in the mirror. I have been dressed and ready to go for the past five minutes, while this man was still deciding whether to wear his red or black Crocs with his red-and-black plaid shirt and cargo shorts. It was amusing how domestic this entire situation was.

"Oscar, just pick a pair already or put on your red Chucks", I commented.

He sighed. "You're right. I'll wear my red Crocs", he said before stepping into said shoes.

"Yo'! Is Gab- No fucking way? Oscar, you're the bitch of the relationship now?" Cesar called, walking into the room before pausing with a shit-eating grin.

I slapped the back of his neck. "You're still a kid. Stay that way", I chided.

Cesar winced, rubbing the back of his head. "Ouch! You hit like a man", he whined.

"I'm ready. Let's roll, fools", Oscar announced, ignoring his brother's whining.

Remind me to never go shopping with both Oscar and Cesar ever again.

"Cesar, Oscar, ¡saquen sus grandes culos de las cunas!", I quipped glaring at the two fools.

(Cesar, Oscar, get your big asses out them cribs!)

We were comparing cribs for the baby. Neither of us knew what we were really looking for. So these two took it upon themselves to test the cribs themselves—role-playing as the baby to test the cribs' durability. I have never been so embarrassed in my entire life.

Nevermind. I lied. I almost forgot who my parents were. My parents had lived for moments like these. Times to build character and make me want the ground to swallow me whole all at once. There was never a dull moment when growing up. I felt tears pricking at my eyes unconsciously.

I shook my head, ridding my mind of the images of my parents' smiling faces. This was not the time for tears. This was not the time for me to burst into tears. This is a happy occasion. Though I no longer had my parents to share these moments with, I was still blessed to have a family.

Although these fools were a handful at times. I was grateful to have found them. They are family. The family I chose and the family that chose me. Just like my parents. I smiled softly as I walked closer to the cribs. My family was crazy, and I decided I loved crazy, too.

It had taken us over an hour, nearly two, to finally decide on a crib for our baby. I am not one of those pregnant divas that believe in style and aesthetic over functionality and safety. After having Cesar and Oscar both be my stand-in babies to test the cribs, we had finally settled on one that can be used as a crib and a toddler bed when the baby grows older. I was initially embarrassed, but eventually I realized the two fools had been right. Plus, it was funny watching them act like kids in a candy store, and you better bet I have plenty of videos and pictures of them acting a fool too for the family album.

You know how they say there is a quiet before the storm? Well, they were right. The storm happened to come in threes. I had taken a nap after we purchased the baby crib. It had been fun and draining all at once. My social battery has been quite low lately. So yes, I took a nap to recharge.

I could vaguely make out what was being said. I sighed before waddling to the bathroom as my bladder screamed for release. I did my business before washing my hands. While washing my hands, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I smiled. I looked happy.