Destined To Collide

The Collision Expands - Chapter 32 - Derrick/Candace featuring Chris

The following scene(s) take place a few weeks prior. The day after Donny. and Linnie's engagement party, they take a trip to New York City to look for new jobs and they take Naldo with them. Also, trigger warning, there's elements of racism at the very end

Mid-morning; Statue of Liberty

Candace- 

"Ehi, mamma, andiamo qui adesso! È così bello!" Naldo yells to me. He wants to move to another exhibit here in the statue of liberty. Yes, we're in New York City with our new friend Derrick. We originally came here to look for jobs for both of us but Derrick's agent friend, Larry, couldn't meet us today. Larry was going to introduce me to some fashion agencies. But he can meet us tomorrow so Derrick and I decided to book a hotel overnight (separate rooms, of course), so we decided to spend the day exploring Manhattan, Naldo's obviously never been here and it's been ages for me and Derrick is a great guide.

I know we just met but I like being around him, and Naldo's really taken to him. Derrick is funny, respectful and incredibly charming and has the most infectious smile. On the way here, we promised each other to never bring up Donny or Linnie and we we've been so caught up in the experience that we haven't even thought of them, or at least I haven't. Until now I guess. Derrick made us pinky swear and Naldo thought it was the most hilarious thing and joined his own tiny pinky.

"Hey, guys," Derrick says, "I don't know about you but I'm starving. I know know great places that are hidden gems. There's also some other sights I want to take you to." I translate what Derrick said to Naldo.

"SÌ, SÌ, SÌ" Naldo cries in excitement, "Andiamo tutti! Derrick è il mio nuovo migliore amico!" Oh, oh ho. I've never heard him say that about anyone before."

"What'd he say?" Derrick asks with a smile.

I turn to him and say, "he just said you're his new best friend." I say happily

"The feeling's mutual, buddy!" Derrick says, who offers a fist-bump and to my surprise, Naldo bumps his fist against Derrick's. He must be that from Donny because I certainly didn't teach him that. I translate to Naldo what Derrick said.

"Lo so, mamma!" Naldo exclaims "Papà e Linnie mi stanno insegnando un po' di inglese." Apparently, Donny and Linnie are teaching him English, which I think is great. I'm going to need to put him in some daycare, once I start working." During this trip I told Derrick that I'm not translating every little sentence, just ones that I think are important. So I don't translate this one.

We're on the fairy back to the mainland, right now.

Derrick's pointing out the different buildings to Naldo and even though Naldo can't understand him, he still eagerly listens and looks around in amazement. It's so heartwarming that butterflies explode in my chest again, like it's been doing all day. I quickly snap a photo of the two of them looking across the New York skyline. Then Naldo turns back to me.

"Penso che mi piaccia davvero! Trascorreremo più tempo con lui?" Naldo's saying he really likes Derrick and then asks me if we can spend more time with him. "Piace anche a te, mamma?!" He asked me if I like Derrick, too. I nod my head. I know what Naldo meant was is Derrick's my friend the same way he is but I can't help treating it in the more romantic sense. I blush; lucky for me, Derrick was looking away and Naldo's too young to understand why my face suddenly turned red.

"Naldo just said he's starving and can't wait to eat!" I lie.

"Penso che tu non abbia detto bene, mamma!" Naldo barks back at me. He's too smart for his own good. He knows I said something else that wasn't what he said.