Caraphernelia

The Romero's yard looked adorably decorated for Nina's birthday party. There were pink streamers draped over the tree branches and hanging off the backyard fence. They had a picnic table and a few plastic tables and chairs scattered around the yard for people to sit at. Barbie balloons were tied to the mailbox outside.

Grace made her way up the driveway to the front door with a small present wrapped in baby blue paper in her hands. She tied it off with a nice little pink bow.

Grace knocked on the door and Mrs. Romero came bustling forward. "Oh, Grace! It's so nice to see you!" Mrs. Romero exclaimed. "Come out to the backyard! Nina will be so happy to see you."

Mrs. Romero guided Grace through the house to the back sliding glass door and out to the porch. To the right of them, there was a long table with presents of all sizes strewn across it. Grace placed her present down on an empty spot on the table and looked around at the decorated backyard.

"Grace!" Nina ran at her and grabbed onto her legs. "You came!"

Grace smiled down at the little girl. "Of course! I couldn't miss your big sixth birthday party!"

Nina's friends started calling to her and she ran off to join them on the swings. Grace was feeling pretty good about today. Something was telling her that it would be a good party.

"Oh, I have to go help Mike in the kitchen." Mrs. Romero remembered. Mike was Mrs. Romero's husband, Mr. Romero. "Feel free to eat and mingle and just enjoy yourself, okay Grace?"

Grace nodded and watched the slightly overweight Mexican woman waddle away into the house. She heard a joyful scream and looked over to watch Nina playing with her friends. Grace was just happy that Nina was having such a great birthday party already.

She decided to go over to one of the plastic tables and sit down to watch the kids play. After a few minutes, Mr. Romero came outside and sat with her.

"So you're Grace." He said, sitting down. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Mr. Romero always worked nights and so Grace had never been given the opportunity to officially meet him. Mrs. Romero talked about him all the time but Grace had never actually met him before.

Grace heard the glass sliding door close behind her and she looked back in the direction of the sound to see the last person she ever expected to see. Walking over to her and Mr. Romero was Vic Fuentes.

"Vic!" Mr. Romero bellowed from where he sat. Vic walked over and stood by him. "Grace, this is my nephew, Vic." Mr. Romero introduced them to each other.

Grace could see that twinkle in Vic's eye. He knew he had seen her before somewhere. He remembered her.

"Um, tía needs you in the kitchen." Vic said quickly.

"Well, I'll see you later, Grace. Victor, keep the girl company." Mr. Romero ordered and then hustled to the kitchen. He knew Mrs. Romero didn't like to be kept waiting.

"Grace?" Vic sat down in the plastic chair Mr. Romero had just been sitting in. "From the music video a couple weeks ago?"

Grace nodded. "Yeah, that would be me."

"What are you doing here?" Vic asked, scooting his chair a little closer to hers.

Grace noticed the small gesture and felt her heart racing. "I was just about to ask you the same thing."

Vic laughed. "Well, it's my cousin Nina's sixth birthday party. I couldn't miss it."

Grace nodded. "I babysit Nina and Felix. I actually live right next door. Right over there." Grace pointed to her house on the other side of the fence.

Vic placed his hand on the table. "Well, I'm glad you're here. I'm assuming Nina demanded you come?" Vic chuckled slightly. "I know how Nina can be."

Grace laughed slightly, agreeing with him. "You got that right."

"Can I get you anything? Like a soda or something?" Vic offered. "I was going to go get myself something anyway."

Grace twirled her red hair around her finger, trying to look flirty. "Yeah, sure. Thanks." She smiled at him and watched him walk away. Her hunch was right. It was going to be a good day.