Quick Glance Into Malex's Future
Forrest took a deep breath as he looked down the familiar block. It was just over three years since he had last been back in Roswell. —It had been a good few years but returning he had been hit anew with how much he had missed having Alex Manes in his life and suddenly, there was Alex loading bags into the back seat of his car. It had to be a sign.
“Hey Manes” Alex didn’t turn so Forrest dashed down the block and tapped his shoulder “Alex”
Alex turned to face him and smiled “Forrest—how’ve you been?”
”Good—would you have time to grab a cup of coffee and catch up?”
There it was—Alex’s face softened and his eyes were filled with so much love—everything Forrest ever hoped to see so it took a split second for him to realize Alex wasn’t looking at him. He was looking over his shoulder — passed him.
Forrest turned part way to follow Alex’s gaze to see a tall man with a black cowboy hat. The man was walking slowly while he carefully balanced a tray with two coffees in his right hand and tilted down to the left to hold the hand of a toddling little girl proudly carrying a Crashdown bag.
As they got closer, Alex bent down with his arms opened wide. The cowboy let go and the little girl excitedly held the bag out as she ran forward “Papa dough”, she cried.
Alex scooped her up and laughing met the cowboy’s eyes “I thought Daddy wasn’t going to get doughnuts”
He smiled. “It wasn’t me—this one” he affectionally ruffled the little girl’s hair “has Arturo wrapped around her little finger—she looks at him, smiles and doughnuts appear”
Alex smiled tenderly—“Well she does have your smile”
Michael met his smile and gently caressed his shoulder “I always thought it was because she has your eyes.”
The scene was so intimate it hit Forrest like a gut punch. He managed to steady himself with a “Hey Guerin”
Alex turned slightly as he suddenly remembered Forrest and Michael nodded but before he could answer the little girl chimed in “Dats us”
Alex smiled, “That’s right my smart girl that’s our family. Can you tell our friend Mr. Forrest your name?” “
“I Nowa Alexandwa Guwin”
Forrest felt the last vestages of his hopes slip away—“How old are you?” She raises two fingers.
“Two wow— you’re a big girl.” Forrest turned to Alex, “I can’t believe your a father, it seems…
“Go see brudder. Share Doughs” Cried the little girl to her dads.
Michael laughed as took the squirming toddler. “Aunt Bonnie will probably love a donut . To Alex he said, “I’ll get Nora into the car — they are going to be waiting for us.”
Forrest looked at Alex - “Brother?”
“Our son is due in a week or so — we are on the way to a doctor’s appointment to see a sonogram but I would like to catch up. Why not come by the house — we’re always there these days.”
“I’ll see — It’s good to see you Manes.”
Alex smiled — “Actually, it’s Guerin, now.”
Forrest stood watching as the family pulled away. Alex Manes really was gone…