Chapter 5

There was a soft knock on the door of Maine's room that Alden was startled. When he turned his head to the doorway, he saw a man in a long sleeves polo and black slacks leaning on the door frame. He remembered him to be the man who brought Maine outside their front yard. Now that he was in close proximity, he seemed imposing in Alden's eyes. Maine's father may have been slightly built but at first glance he's very protective of his daughter. He immediately let go of Maine's hand and stood.

"Dad!" Maine greeted and smiled as her father approached the two.

Maine stood and met her father half-way. She gave her father a tight embrace as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Alden just stayed where he stood watching the father-daughter moment. He felt a pang of envy seeing them interact. His own parents were separated and his dad moved back to the US with... He mentally shook his head. He shouldn't think about it. His dad hadn't stopped communication with both him and his mom. Alden just prayed that one day, they would realize they love each other enough for them to get back together. But in the meantime, he could only hope and pray.

Maine's father finally noticed Alden standing in the sidelines and he approached the young man. Alden nervously pushed his glasses back up the ridge of his nose. For the short period that they've met, Maine noticed that Alden did that often when he's nervous.

"You must be Alden," he reached out and Alden shook the man's hand. The grip was firm but friendly. A kind smile crossed the face of the older man and continued, "I'm Ted. Maine's father."

"Pleased to meet you, sir," he replied softly.

"Call me Tito Teddy," Maine's father replied as he let go of Alden's hand. "My wife is right, you're such a polite boy. Mary Anne has been singing praises about you since this morning. I'm happy that Maine has someone else to talk to aside from her mom and Jenny."

"Maine is such an easy person to talk to," Alden explained with a shy smile. "I won't grow tired of talking to her."

Maine smiled at that statement. She noticed her father silently observing Alden. It seemed as though he was sizing him up. Then she saw understanding and a slight nod in the head that was very minute that anyone would have missed it. Ted smiled and said, "then I'll hold you to it then. Now, come on. Dinner is ready. I can't wait to try out your mother's pasta dish, Alden."

Alden smiled once again as he followed Maine and her father downstairs. When they reached the dining room, Alden saw that the food was prepared on the table with paper plates, plastic cups and plastic utensils set simply on the table. He realized that his mother was busy that day to prepare such a feast. She not only made her pasta dish but she also made fried chicken, baked fries and garlic bread. He looked at his mom who was smiling back at him, and he felt guilty. He was the one who kept asking her to welcome the neighbors and he wasn't there to help her out in the kitchen. Alden resolved himself to be extra nice to his mom and not complain about chores.

When Maine's mom ushered them to take their seats, Alden immediately held a chair for Maine and assisted her as she sat. He was very attentive to her needs as he took it upon himself to serve her dinner. The adults saw his gestures and Maine's parents could only look at each other and smile. Ted reached out to hold Mary Anne's hand and give it a tight squeeze before smiling appreciatively to their guest, Rio. Alden and Maine were oblivious to the exchange as they were on a little world of their own, continuing their conversations about books and TV shows like they have been friends for a long time.

Light conversation flowed freely during dinner as plans of the Faulkersons helping out with the fixing of the Mendozas home being the center of discussion. Alden promised their neighbors that he would help out after school.

Maine was happy at the thought that she would be able to see him everyday. Having a friend was really new to her. While Jenny, her nurse, was nice and lent her books sometimes, she still kept her professionalism and insisted on treating her as her patient and not a friend. Alden was different. For the short period that they have known each other, he has wormed his way into her heart and aside from his inquiry about her condition while they were in her room, he never mentioned it again. He treated her like there wasn't anything wrong with her. He never looked at her differently unlike their previous neighbors who didn't want to go near her. She was very lonely back then. Now Maine hoped that this new found friendship with Alden would last because she could see the efforts that he's been doing to make her feel at ease.

Althroughout dinner, Rio couldn't help but sneak glances at her son. Alden was so energetic and animated as he regaled Maine with his adventures when he was younger. She listened as Alden told Maine about their neighborhood and the stories behind some areas. She knew that he was a bit lonely especially when his father left. Alden kept a brave front and immediately stepped up to show maturity beyond his years. It was these few precious moments when he was acting his age that Rio cherished. Seeing him chatting with Maine acting like the typical sixteen year old that he was, made her realize how much he needed someone around his age more. She was just as happy that Maine came into his life as the Mendoza couple seem to be just as glad that Alden came into hers.

"Um...Tito Teddy," Alden started to get the attention of the older man. When Ted turned to face him, he cleared his throat before he continued, "would it be alright if I take Maine on a bike ride around the subdivision one of these days? When your family has settled in your home?"

"Oh," Maine exclaimed. "I don't know how to ride a bike."

"That won't be a problem. I can teach you," Alden offered with a smile.

He saw the delight in Maine's eyes and he could almost feel her excitement when her dad remarked, "Maine, you know you can't do any strenuous activities. It's not good for your heart."

Alden saw Maine's face fell and he felt bad for her. He silently cursed himself for forgetting her condition. He was so happy to see her all excited and glad that he wanted to share adventures with her, but forgot that she couldn't. He bowed his head in remorse and tried to think of something to fix his mistake. His head jerked up suddenly at an idea. He just hoped that it was a good one.

"I have a bike with a comfortable seat at the back," Alden offered. "Maine could just sit there while I take her around the subdivision. I take mom around sometimes when she doesn't want to drive to Church or a neighbor's house. I promise, I will be very careful. I won't let anything bad happen to Maine."

Rio couldn't help but glance at Mary Anne and Teddy, who have been worried about Maine since they arrived. Maine was also keeping up a brave front but from what Mary Anne had told her, she wasn't getting any better. They had hoped that moving to Laguna with the change in environment, would help improve Maine's condition. The Mendozas haven't realize that it was not just the environment that would help Maine but a certain bespectacled boy who lived next door. Maine was a cheerful child even with her condition but they saw a slight improvement that they haven't seen when they were living in Bulacan. She was happier, more animated and she didn't tire as easily as before. For the three days that they have lived there, the Mendozas have hope that Maine would be better.

"I could vouch for that back seat, Teddy," Rio remarked, trying to ease some of the tension in the room. "The back seat of one of Alden's bikes is comfortable. You can take long rides with it without much problems."

Maine looked up at her father with pleading eyes. She reached out to his forearm and gave it a tight squeeze. She said, "dad, please? I promise not to over-exert myself. I promise to not tire myself unnecessarily. I'll be good. I swear!"

Ted looked at her daughter's hands on his arm and then to her face. He saw that pleading look in her eyes and the desperation on her face begging him to agree. He then moved his gaze to the boy sitting next to her and saw that he was resolved to keep his daughter safe whenever they were together. He audibly sighed and turned his gaze to his wife. She was imploring him to give this friendship a chance. She held his hand once more and gave it a loving squeeze. Mary Anne gave him a tight smile and a nod. Ted sighed once more and turned back to Maine and Alden who were looking back at him, still with pleading eyes.

"I will consider it," he finally answered.