Forgetting the Apocalypse

21. One Year In pt. 2

I can't believe my eyes when he hands me the bow. I don't know how he managed to hide it until he shows me the three little notches it has so it can be folded. Yet, with the push of a button it expands quickly so there's no need to unfold it yourself. The only thing that needs to be removed or taken off is the string so that it doesn't tangle up. I love it!

I set it to the side and pulled him into a huge hug, "I really can't thank you enough Riva. It's beautiful!"

Next, was Fredi to give his gifts. "Riva dear boy, I give you something to distract that beautiful mind of yours for a few days, though I honestly believe you can finish them in a few hours. Here ya go."

It was four large spiraled books of word searches. He went absolutely crazy with them. Holding each one up trying to decide which one to start on first. They were pretty thick, about maybe three fingers or so but Fredi was right. If he really wanted to, Riva would finish all four of them in a couple of hours.

"Roone, you have no idea how much anxiety you give me every time I see you put things into that pack of yours. Honestly, "holding on by a thread" is an understatement. So, for you I give you this brand new backpack. I hope it's to your liking and holds everything you need buddy."

That understatemnet was an understatement in itself. His backpack was full of holes more than cheese. I could fully stick my hand through nearly up to my elbow in one of the bigger ones. I'm really surprised that he never lost anything. It came to the point that he had to carry a bunch of smaller bags for the stuff that did fall out. This new one had numerous pockets and would keep things if it got wet.

"Now for my Tigress I noticed that of all your knives you had you were missing one. So I ask you, ever had the problem where you couldn't decide whether to punch someone or stab them? Well here you go."

His question made me laugh because I know that they all think that I have a few too many knives. I recall Roone's face when I had called dibs on the ones we found from the houses we washed up in. I laughed even more because despite thinking that I have so many he's still giving me more. I am so not going to complain about it, or tell him.

The moment I see the two he was giving me I knew that I was already head over heels. They have handles on them where you could put your fingers through, almost like brass knuckles. Only they had a large curved blade at the end of the knuckles. I especially loved the combo of gold and silver they had. I held them and practiced punching the air and cutting through it to get a real for them.

Handsome's turn.

"Little brother, for as long as I remember and you learned to write, you always had a notebook with you. Always writing down the important things and the overlooked. Nearly anything that caught your attention and I know you ran out of both pages and ink. Both in your favorite colors, enjoy."

Riva was brought to tears as he held the notebooks and pens. Hell we all were. He dragged his brother over and embraced him so tight I was almost worried for Roone's ribs again.

"Fredi, it was pretty ironic that you gave this old backpack shit saying that it's hanging on by a thread when your glasses have duct tape that's already peeling off. Never mind the fact that they're ladies sunglasses which is really messed up given that the color reminds us all of baby diarrhea. I give you new sunglasses. Makes you like Blade."

I fucking knew it! I asked Fredi the first week we were traveling if he had women's sunglasses and he told me no. That they were just foreign but certainly men's.

"Mara, I got these for you. I hope you like them." I take the wrapped box and open it up as he continues, "When you described your old house you said you had a few bookshelves. I don't know exactly what you had but this was one of my favorite book series growing up. I thought you might like them as well. Sorry though, I was only able to find the first four."

Looking at the small books, they seemed to be a bit worn. Clearly indicating that they've been read repeatedly. They all had different names but were based around a common title, A Series of Unfortunate Events.

"Thank you Roone. You better be able to find me the rest." I say playfully to him. These must be good for him to suggest them and for the fact that they had more to the series than four.

Now it's my turn. Why am I so nervous right now?

"Riva, this is for you. I know how much you love them even though you had to had to give them up on multiple times due to your betting." Six times he made bets against me and six times he lost. So I think six bags of the baked hot Cheetos should be good. I was correct because he greedily took them and immediately opened a bag. I'll admit that I was a little nervous of his because not only was I unsure that the bags would still be good but on how he would take his gift that would soon be gone unlike the others.

"Fredi, I don't know when you'll ever be able to play it let alone teach me, but I know that you will be able to do it one day. Here you go." To him, I gave a small leather football. There were many varying in size but I chose the one that I think would fit into his hands better. I was also hoping to find one with the logo of his favorite team but all they had all been gone from the display. Guess must be a lot of people's favorite team. Watching his eye light up and the chuckle that comes out due to his hands easily wrapping around it.

"Roone, at first I got you something else but then I thought about everything you've done for me. Thinking how you deserved much more, especially after our little deal. So here's both."

The first and original gift was a large blue shirt with Garfield eating a big plate of lasagna on it. When I saw it I remembered the explanation that Riva gave me on our early days that had only left me more confused about who Garfield was. The second thing was a tiny snow globe of Colorado, no bigger than my palm. Inside of it was what looked like a small house or cabin and a puppy sitting by the door. I still felt guilt that they had to leave it since it got overrun and was burned down.

I can count on one hand how many times I've seen Roone have any sort of emotion in his face. It makes me happy that this will be the fifth time. Plus, the smile he has on this time isn't one that worries me like when Riva gives just when he's about to say something crazy. This one is a pleasant and memorable one. Perfectly suited for him.

After all of us are done marveling our gifts we came closer to hug one another. "Happy one year anniversary of the apocalypse fam!" Riva exclaims.

I smile at his shortened expression of the word family. For some reason it made the word have a deeper meaning for me. Looking around at the three of them and the little fur ball who was enjoying his big bone, I couldn't help but agree. The five of us are indeed a family. One I never wanted to let go.