Second Chances

Ezra’s p.o.v: throughout the two months I have had four suicide attempts. It hasn’t been easy. My brothers have stopped caring a long time ago. My dad has me under his 24/7 watch. He even has his girlfriend Maliah watching me. Well she is my teacher. Ms. Merrick. The first day of school my now best friend Mina Merrick Ms. Merrick’s daughter kept asking her if she was related to Zack Merrick of All Time Low. Though no one else knew what she was talking about besides me. I laughed because that was the only question she asked that whole period. And she asked it like 10 times. And well Ms. Merrick told Mina if she said that one more time she’d send her to the office. Then one of the annoying hearing girls yelled at me asking me if I could hear her now while she smacked her gum. Ew. Then my other friend Rikki Quinn and his boyfriend also my friend Jinxx Dean also known as J.D. walked up to her and told she was a dumbass and that I could hear her. Well the girl said I was cute and unique because I was Mexican and I have steel grey eyes. Well I get it from my dad and I look more like my mom but I’ve got my dad’s eyes. My brothers look more like my dad. That gives Eros and Elijah another reason to hate me.
Right now I’m at home listening to “I don’t care” By Fall out Boy with my headphones at full blast so I can hear it. I feel someone take them off of my head. I see Eli say something but like the dick he is he says it too fast or too quiet. And he’s got a bit of an accent so it’s harder to read his lips same with my dad but it’s almost impossible with my dad since I’ve been told he has a thick accent. I ignore Eli and put my headphones back on and he takes them off again and rolls his eyes and attempts to sign. My brothers didn’t care to learn sign language for me my dad tried to force them
“Mo and Eros are going to a party and dad says the only way we can goat I’d is we take you and your friends Miba, J.D>, and Richie” he attempt and I laugh at how he got words and names wrong
“Well if I could understand what you were signing I’d answer you. I don’t want to. So I guess you guys will have to sneak out to where ever you two dumbass’ are going” I sign and say and leave the room to go to ask my dad to get out of this
I open it and I see my dad reading the newspaper and watching the news then he looks at me
“Hey Kiddo what’s up?” he signs
“I don’t want to go with Eli or Eros” I reply
“Come on kid it’ll be fun.” He says
“No it won’t. They hate me. And I barely know why” I tell him
“They don’t hate you. You just remind them of Evangeline. You look so much like her and her family. Her family doesn’t like us but I bet if they saw you guys they’d love you guys in a heartbeat. But you just remind them of her. You’ve got her eyes but my eye color her nose her long curly brown hair, her tan skin, her small upper lip. You just look like a boy version of her! But all you do is go here, Mina’s, J.D.’s, Rickie’s, school, and the library. You’re a teenage boy for heaven’s sake! You should be having fun. Invite Mina, Jinxx, and Rikki. You are going.” He signs and I groan and roll my eyes
“Why do you want to ruin my life?! I need Tumbler at night. I also need good music and to finish Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” I sign
“You are the exact opposite of Eros and Eli. And plus I need you out of the house. I have a date with Maliah. So go hang out with her daughter and your friends. Text them. Now.” He signs. I chuckle because most parents would be motivating us not to party.
Texts to: My Pimp (Mina), Druggie that I deal (J.D.), The Silent killer (Rikki)
Me: My dad is an odd dad. He is making me go to party. Wanna come so I won’t be alone
Druggie that I Deal (J.D.): Fuck yeah! I know you asked Our Pimp and The Silent Killer because it’s a group message.
Me: yeah
My Pimp (Mina): you going to a party? And you didn’t find your way out of it? Man Kid your losing your touch.
Me: Unless you three want to hear Ms. Merrick Moaning my Dads name I suggest we go instead of hanging out at mine
Druggie that I deal (J.D.): show Mr. D this. Way to go Mr. D! Gets some!
My Pimp (Mina): If I could hit you right now I would Jinxx. That is my mom you are talking about
I truthfully don’t like speaking because I can barely hear myself and I’ve been told I sound like a seal
“Dad I have a message for you. It’s from Jinxx.” I say and show him. Me and my dad are really close. But not creepy close. My dad still acts my age and he is 45. I see him laugh and I frown. I wish I could hear
“What’s wrong?” my dad asks signing
“I wish I could hear, not like cochlear implant. I won’t do that but just hear originally hear. But I know that won’t happen. I know I still can hear a bit but it’s not much but I am still glad I can hear a bit” I reply and he puts his hand on my shoulder and smiles
“You may not be able to hear but you can do many other things. You can draw, you can paint, you can write, you are very smart. Don’t let that one thing you can’t do bring you down, focus on all the wonderful things you can do. What would you think of Maliah as your new mom?” he signs and I smile
“I’d love it. She’s very nice. Way better than Lilith. And Mina will be my sister! Yes! I’d get to boss her ass around” I say joking at the end and I hear him faintly chuckle
“Well buddy you better get ready. Look sexy for the ladies. Or men.” He says and I leave the room and knock on Eli’s door and he opens it. He’s shirtless and in boxers looking half asleep. Man him and Eros are just full of tattoos
“What” he yells. I know he’s yelling because it sounds normal to me
“Hello Deadbeat. I have come to inform you that you and Dick head will be escorting Mina, J.D., Rikki, and I to the party. If you have any complaints head to Emmerson DeMarco’s room. Have a Hellish day” I say in a deviant tone. At home I am evil, around my friends I am evil and funny, around my dad I am kind, at school I am shy. Eli goes all wide eyed
“You little demon. I still believe you are a demon” he seethes
“DAD!!!” he scream and my dad walks out with this “It better be important or you die” look
“What Elijah?” he says
“Did you hear what he said? He said “Hello Deadbeat. I have come to inform you that you and Dick head will be escorting Mina, Jinxx, Rikki, and I to the party. If you have any complaints head to Emmerson DeMarco’s room. Have a Hellish day” he’s a little demon spawn. He looks nothing like us! I believe he was switched at birth.” Eli rambles
“He wasn’t switched at birth Elijah. He looks like mom. That’s proof that he is our little brother, sadly. Even though he’s not even really wanted here. I mean he was born almost three months early. If he had died mom would’ve lived. And we would’ve all been happier.” Eros says like it’s nothing. I look at him with tears and rage. I walk up to him and punch him then spit in his face
“You’re such a fucking dick Eros! I hope you burn in hell” I seethe
“I’m sorry but I don’t speak seal. Speak English please” He taunts and I launch myself at him and start throwing punches at him but my dad pulls me off and Eli helps Eros up
“Don’t feed into him. It’s not worth it Ezra.” My dad signs and I wipe my tears away angrily
“Dad stop babying him! Just let the little fag die. Let him leave. Maybe we can go to a witch and switch him for mom” Eros suggests
“Why do you hate me so much Eros? I haven’t ever done anything to you. Is it because I look like mom? Is it because I supposedly “killed mom”? No you killed her. You were the one who got into the fight and she crashed while on the phone with your principle. So if anyone is to blame it’s you.” I seethe and I see him look away with his eyes closed tight crying. He goes back into his room and slams the door
“You’re just like mom. She always saw through people. She had a temper when stuff like this happened. I’m sorry little bro. for anything I've said. It’ll take a while for Eros to get over it. He was just very close to mom. He will get over it someday” Eli says and smiles and I hug my older brother
“It took 16 years but at least I've got a brother now.” I joke and he chuckles
“Get ready for the party. It starts at nine tell your friends”
“Ok” I say and go to my room. I really do feel bad about what I said to Eros. But he made me hate myself for most of my life. And I am tired of it. But I can’t take back words

Third person: [Flashback]
16 years ago, October 31, 1998
“Mom! Eli is trying to steal my toys!” Eros yells and his five year old little brother Eli sticks his tongue out at me and Eros hits him and he cries. Then a very pregnant Evangeline walks up the stairs to her two sons
“Eros, Elijah get ready for school. Dad will be taking you today. I have a doctor’s appointment. And Eros don’t hit your brother again. Elijah are you ok?” Evan says
“Yeah mommy. Mommy when is my little brother going to come? And are you going to take me trick or treating?” Eli asks
“He should coming in January bud. And your mom and I will be taking you and Eros. Now get ready bud” Emmerson tells Eli and Eli runs off to get ready

Later on in the day: Evan is driving back from her doctor’s appointment and her cellphone rings
“Hello?” Evan answers with her thick Spanish accent
“Hello Mrs. DeMarco your son Eros has beaten up another kid, he needs to see someone for anger management.” The principle says annoyed and before Evan see’s anything a semi-truck crashes into her car seriously injuring her and the baby. The ambulances and police come and take Evan out and Call Emmerson. Later at the hospital Emmerson brings Elijah and Eros.
Evan in bad condition laying in her hospital room
“Mrs. Mendez-DeMarco. We are sorry to tell you that your baby and you will not live. It is either you or baby.” The doctor says
“The baby” she says hoarsely and he walks out to tell the family. He walks out and spots the family and he walks up to them
“Mr. DeMarco. I am sorry to say that only one of them will live. And your wife has chosen the baby. But due to timing there is a chance the baby may not make it either. Or he will be blind, or have a birth defect. And he will be very small and weak throughout his life if he lives. But that is your wife’s choice. I am sorry, you may see her one last time before we take out the baby.” The doctor says and Eros is crying so is Eli and Emmerson
“Let’s go see mommy.” Emmerson says crying and he picks up Eli and Eli clings to Emmerson crying. They walk into Evan’s room and she looks sickly and injured.
“Let’s say goodbye to mommy” Eros says to Eli while tears fall down
“Bye Mommy. I’ll miss you.” Eli says and buries his head into Emmerson’s chest
“I’ll miss you mom. I love you.” Eros cries
“I love you too my dears. I’ll miss you too. Now it’s time for you three to go. Eros take Eli out while I talk to your father.” Evan says and Eros nods and takes Eli to the waiting room
“Emmerson. I know this kid will have a birth defect. Please love him. His name will be Ezra Hayden. Hayden after your dad. And since all of us are E’s might as well continue it. I know he will be wonderful. And hopefully this one looks like me, just remember I love you and I will always be in your heart. Please don’t grieve too long. The kids need you. Now please let me move on and raise these kids with love. I love you Em”
“I’ll miss you Evan. I love you too” he says letting tears fall and he grabs her hand and kisses it
“I won’t see you in a while but I will see you again darling. Goodbye.” Emmerson says and walks out. Later on the doctors come out and tell Emmerson and the kids they have a baby brother. He names him and he can already tell he looks like Evangeline. A month later they let Ezra home and they cremated Evangeline. And Eros hates Ezra with a passion. Eli just doesn’t care. Will they be able to look past it?