The One For Me

Who We Are

Isabelle
My name? Isabelle Martinez. And no, it's not 'Bella'. Its Bell. That's what most folks call me, Bell. Except my brothers. They call me Issa. Pronounced the same way as in my full name. Right now, I'm 28. But my story will start when I was 10. But that's coming later... Till then get to know my people.

Fernando
So, y'all wanna know who I am? Ha. That's real funny to me. But see it's funny cause I'm that nigga no one ever cared about. I'm that in need nigga. In other words the nigga you come to when you in need. But I'll tell y'all bout me anyway. Shit. It's bout time I said something.
I'm Fernando Martinez. Nando for short. I'm 31 right now. But the story you bout to hear start back when I was 13. I'm the baby of the boys but the fourth of five. I would tell you right now what my life's about but y'all gone hear that later.

Joseph
I'm Joseph Martinez. Aka Joe. I am the third oldest. I am now 33 and I was 15 when the change happened. It was tough but hey, least somebody got a good story to write.

Zalentino
Yo, I'm Zalentino Martinez. Aka Zay. I'm one of the oldest brothers. I'm 35 now. And I was 17 when we went through all this shit. And being one of the oldest I just had to be strong back then, not only for my two little brothers but mainly because of my baby sister. I mean, we all had to be strong for her.

Tony
Okay, so I'm Tony. People call me Tone. I'm Zalentino's twin so I'm one of the oldest kids, as our mom used to say. I'm 35 now. 17 then. I got through it by remembering that I had my brothers and sister looking up to me, you know. I couldn't be scared or lost. Cause if I was scared and lost then where would they be? So, I just grew the fuck up man, and did what I had to do for my family. You feel me. Mine.

Eighteen years ago
Tony's P.O.V.
"Tone get down here now. And bring your brothers!" Dad yelled from downstairs. Me, Zay, Joe, and Nando was playing this new game system Nando got for his birthday. He just turned 13. We paused the game and rushed down.
"Sup pops?" Zay said as we walked in the living room. Dad pointed to the ground clearly upset at whatever was on the floor. We looked and seen Belle on the floor sleep." Now. Correct me if I'm wrong but I know I told you boys to have my little princess in her bed before me and your mother got home, ¿no?" Dad said. It was hard to take him serious cause he sounds like the dude off 'The Mask of Zorro'.
I just looked at the idiot I told to put her to bed." Fernando, Tony is looking at you. Why would he be looking at you?" Dad asked pointing between us two." Because he told me to put her in the bed. But she didn't want to go to her room." Fernando explained sure he was in trouble.
"Roberto leave the boys alone. The important thing is she's sleep. And you can not blame Nando if she didn't want to sleep in her room." Mom said walking in." Elizabeth rules are rules. I said bed." Dad argued." And I say where she sleeps doesn't matter. She's in the house and sleeping.".
See, my mom and dad were different but the same. Both strong, loving and know when to be serious and when to play. Difference? When it came to my dad, we were more likely in trouble. But mom was most likely to get and keep us out of it. She'd discipline us, sure, but only if she couldn't find a way to make it better than it seemed. Tonight, was a prime example. Fernando should be getting all kinds of words from dad. But thanks to mom he's once again saved.
"Get her in her bed Nando. Now." Dad said and descended upstairs." Tony you take Isabelle up. You're one of the oldest so it was your responsibility in the first place. The rest of you get washed up for bed. You all have school tomorrow." Mom said. She kissed our cheeks and left.
"Y'all go. I'll get Belle." Zay said picking her up off the floor." See you guys in the morning." Nando said and we all went upstairs. I showered and got out my clothes for tomorrow. It was kind of weird because me and all my brothers went to the same school even tho Fernando and Joseph were in middle school. It was cool tho cause that's how I was sure no one would try some slick shit with them.
The next day I woke up at 5:25 as always cause by the time we got up our parents would be at work so I had to get me and Isabelle ready." Isabelle. Come on mama. Time for school." I said walking in her room." No. I don't have to be up till six." She said not moving." Alright. But when I come back you better be up." I said and walked out.