My Only Exception

Chapter 19

"Who's wimpy?" Ethan asked him.

"Him!"

"Oh really? He's wimpy? See that tree piggy? Do you know how heavy you are? If I tie you to that tree, do you know that the tree's branch would fall, cut the tree into two and the trunk would shatter the ground? Do you know that you are that big?" he told him. He was pissed off and he knew that if he was also a kid, he would have punched him. The kids with him laughed. Halata namang napahiya ang bata na nangaasar kay Cali.

"Do you know why he looks small to you? Because you are so big you could not open your eyes anymore. His size is normal but yours isn't. Do I look big to you?" he slightly threatened him but maintained a calm voice. "If I look big to you right now, I am bigger than what you can see because your eyes are too small. Your cheeks ate the space for your eyes."

Tumawa lalo ang mga bata sa paligid nila.

"If I find out that you're bullying my son and any other kids or Shauna," he remembered Cali's crush. "Your cheeks would further eat up your eyes until all that you can see are the ants. Okay, buddy? I'll look for you and remove your teeth if I hear anything again."

Ethan smiled and tapped the kid's shoulders.

"Come Cali, only kids like you deserve an ice cream treat," he said and they left the playground. He was thinking what Raffy would say if she finds out. Hindi nya alam ang gagawin nya and he didn't know he'll react that way. Wala namang manual na magtuturo sa kanya how to handle toddler fights.

The ice cream shop was just a block away and the two walked going to the store. There wasn't any customer when they came in. The owners knew Cali since he was always there with Seff when he visits.

"Oh it's you handsome boy!" the woman exclaimed happily. "I haven't seen you for a while."

"I went somewhere with Mom and he buys ice cream for me so I don't go out that much," he answered.

"And who's with you?" the woman asked in her Spanish accent.

"I'm Cali's father, Señora," Ethan smiled. "Buenas tardes."

"Es usted Español, Señorito?"

"No, Señora," Ethan answered. "Acabo de aprender lo básico en la universidad." (I just learned the basics in college.)

"Charming," the woman smiled. "Where's the other guy you go with here? I haven't seen him for the longest time."

"He's my brother," Ethan answered. "He's on his home."

"I must say you look as beautiful as him. He is a very nice man and took good care of the little boy,"

"I'll remember to thank him for that," he smiled.

"What do you want Cali?" she turned to him.

"I like the usual, Miss Graciela. And can I add some almonds please?"

"Of course. And you?"

"I'll try what Cali ordered," Ethan answered and they settled on one of the tables. He added waffles for them.

"Do you speak Spanish?"

"No. I just know very little. When I was still studying, I was a basketball player for our school. We play against other schools. Your Nanay was my classmate," he answered. "I was often practicing for our games so I am out of the class most of the time. It was your Nanay who helped me."

"Really? Was she a player too?"

"No, baby. But she was my cheerer. She's smart and she was always on top of our class and our year," he narrated. "She is a gracious dancer though."