Part 3. Christmas 1997
It was a rough transitional year for the Gonzales family. Mary and Annie had to learn how to become big sisters to a little brother they didn’t even know existed. At first there was resentment towards little Itsuki and not wanting to share their father with a stranger. But a maternal and protective instinct kicked in with Mary. He was an innocent, cute little boy and for months didn’t speak a word and through no fault of his own, the only mother and father he had ever known were taken from him. He was thrust into an unfamiliar home and new country. Mary always had a sense of fairness, just like her mother and Itsuki’s situation was totally unfair.
Since Seth was retired, he walked Itsuki to the nearby Oak Heights Elementary School and picked him up every day. He got along well at school but still wasn’t talking. Annie was having a hard time accepting him. She was eight years older than Itsuki and for the first few months practically ignored him. On Saturdays Mary would take him to watch Annie’s soccer games which seemed to make him very happy and proud, since she was the best player on the team. But still she obviously kept her distance.
Seth would always have a sit-down family dinner every Sunday night, a long-standing tradition and a time where they could voice anything bothering them.
“Annie, would you please pass the mashed potatoes to your brother?” She did so reluctantly with Seth shaking his head in bewilderment. He knew his daughters were good kids and allowed as much time as was necessary for them to adapt to their new family dynamic.
“Mary, I have to be downtown to meet Layla on the new book tomorrow. Can you pick Itsuki up from school?
“Dad, I have that drivers training class after school on Mondays.”
“Oh yeah, I guess it’s up to you Annie.”
“But Dad. . .”
“Yes?” in a stern reply.
“Oh alright,” as she stormed from the table. Seth gave Itsuki a smile and a wink which he returned in kind.
“Okay, now who wants ice cream?”
It was the last week before Christmas break and kids were dressed in their winter coats and scarves, some proudly holding their Holiday projects they made in class as they waited to board the school buses or to be picked up by parents. Some of the older 3rd grade kids saw Itsuki standing alone, waiting. They approached him and started to push him around and make fun of him, but Itsuki stood his ground. Suddenly the ring leader was shoved up against the cinder block wall with a stiff forearm across his neck.
“Look you little punk, if I ever hear of you or anybody else messing with my little brother, you’re gonna wish your mama never had you.” Annie then released her hold and he fell to the ground, coughing and trying to catch his breath.
“Now get out of here before I get mad,” and they scampered away like scared little rabbits. Itsuki gave his sister and hero a big hug. She stooped down to straightened and zip up his coat and picked up his Holiday project that was pushed to the ground. It was a tree topper made of popsicle sticks in the shape of a star, painted red and green and sprinkled with gold glitter.
“I made it for you Annie,” he said with a smile. She shook her head and took him by the hand.
“C’mon Itsu, let’s go home. We have a Christmas tree to decorate.”
To be continued