Fall All Over Again

ii

Weeks went by in a blur for the Faulkerson family. Rio already signed the divorce papers and had it sent to Ric through her lawyer. Once he signs it, they'll just have to meet up in court to have it finalized. She wasn't able to keep her promise to RJ to come and get Alden. Ric won't give him up. He still doesn't have any idea where his ex-wife and son were, and he's doing all that he can to keep Alden in his custody. Though the twins missed each other, they kept their communication through phone calls.

A year after the separation, the divorce was finalized and the ex-couple decided to keep on kid in their custody. Rio got to keep RJ with her and Ric got to keep Alden with him. The twins were left with no choice but to stay apart as they don't want to leave a parent behind. Together with the finalization of the divorce, Rio also processed the change of hers and Rj's last name from Faulkerson to Reyes.

To cope with the separation, RJ immersed himself with his studies and school activities. He made sure he stayed on top of his class at all times while Alden who was left in the Philippines got a hard time coping. He was oftentimes alone, aloof and barely made friends. He never opened up to anyone until two years after the divorce when Maine came along. 

Her family just moved just two houses away when Maine found Alden at the park right across their houses. She caught him staring at a distance.

"Hello! You're staring at nothing at all... Are you alright?"

Alden was pulled out of his reverie and saw a girl standing next to him. He immediately stood up, "Yeah... I..I'm fine... I guess..."

"I'm Maine. I live right there...", pointing at their house. "We just moved in yesterday".

"I see... I'm Alden".

"Nice to meet you Alden. Can we be friends? I don't have a sibling or a cousin."

"Yeah... sure", a smile crept on his face while offering a handshake. 

Alden is two years her senior but they get along so well. They spend their afternoons after their classes together in the park right across the street. Maine's mom, Mary Ann, knew about Alden's struggles so she treated him like her own son. In return, Alden treated her like his own mom, too. The Mendoza's and Ric encouraged their friendship as they can see the positive changes in Alden. Because of Maine, he learned to smile again and he opens up to Maine. Only with Maine. They became the best of friends, to the point where they both chose to go to the same university so they can be together at all times.

The communication between RJ and Alden became infrequent. Aside from school and conflicting time zones, they started to grow apart, too. RJ never got to see Maine in person but Alden introduced them to each other over the phone. 

Ring... Ring... Ring...

"Hey Alden! Someone's calling..."

"I'm trying to make us sandwich here in the kitchen. Can you please answer it for me?"

"Ok.."

Maine answered, "Hello?"

"Oh... uhmm... I think i got the wrong number... Sorry."

"Ok, no problem", puts the phone down.

"Who was it?", Alden asked.

"I don't know. It was a boy, said that he might've dialed the wrong number."

"That must've been RJ."

As if on cue, the phone rang again and Alden answered.

"Hello?"

"Alden.. I called and someone else answered the phone. I thought I dialed the wrong number."

"That was Maine, my new friend. She lives two houses away from ours. Here, let me put your call on a speaker so we call all talk."

"Maine, I'd like you to meet my twin brother RJ. RJ, I have Maine here with me. Say 'hi' to each other, will ya?"

"Hi RJ, nice to meet you... even only through the phone. I heard so much about you."

"I... uh... Nice talking to you too, Maine."

"Don't worry about Alden here, I'll keep him company while you're away."

"Thank you so much for that Maine. I really appreciate it."

"When will you come and visit RJ?", Alden asked his twin.

"Maybe a year or two from now... It still depends on mom."

"I missed you guys."

"Yeah, we miss you too."

The three kids talked and exchanged banters over the phone, and Alden thought that Maine and RJ would get along just fine as well - if he's only with them. They scheduled Saturday evenings as RJ/Alden/Maine skype time. They'll have endless talks about what went about their week. The twins also took time to introduce Maine to their mom Rio.

"Mom, come here! I'd like you to meet someone", RJ called their mom.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet my new friend Maine. She lives two houses away. She's my bestfriend", Alden introduced Maine proudly to his mom.

"Oh, hi there sweetie... I am RJ and Alden's mom Rio. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Faulkerson."

It's been a while since someone called her Mrs. Faulkerson and Rio doesn't know how to react to it. "Uhhh... just call me Tita Rio, ok?"

"Ok, Tita Rio."

"I hope to you see soon when we go and visit."

"That would be nice..."

"Thank you Maine for keeping my son company."

Maine smiled...