THE GLASS IN HIS EYES

Father.

The small neighborhood, Everton Heights scantily whispered with activity. A modest Suburban settlement with clean roads, well groomed lawns and middle to upper class Homes. Surrounded by lush green forestry, that supported the likes of songbirds and Redwood.

Besides the neat balance of amicably altruistic people, flourishing Gardens, and a well maintained environment, void of litter. The Homes were vibrant, built in many modern and classic designs, some with maple wood rooftops, cypress wood walls, concrete units, chiseled stone exteriors and wooden structures that could possibly withstand a category three Storm.

Everton Heights had a mystical atmosphere, due to its location within the center Sanbridge City, a place of industrial evolution. Built and ran by uptight, rich dignitaries that rarely had any say in its development as opposed to its Senate. A prosperous economy mainly supported by large factories, trade and Office buildings that kissed the merely bleak blue skies. It's attractions that gave the good name of Los Angeles its flourish--rising in Tourism.

A black Sedan, with stylish modern lines and a farcical license plate, pulled into the driveway of a beautiful Town House. A warm and inviting Home, built from yellow pine wood with sandstone decorations. Tall, large windows adding to the overall style of the House, in a fairly asymmetrical pattern. The roof high and triangular, covered with slate shingles.

Two small chimneys sat at either side of the House, with several small windows surrounded by wooden, overhanging Panels. The whole building surrounded by a tranquil garden, filled with a rainbow array of Roses, Tulips and Begonias.

Emanuel Rosario emerged from his Car. A man with soft, hazel brown eyes, wearing moderately baggy, turquoise Scrubs that contrasted his short, curly brown hair tousled atop his head. Giving him the distinct look of a professional man, with a no-nonsense mug and well groomed facial hair. A face that was considered handsome among many, and captured the attention of anybody who looked his way--if even for a second.

"Let's get going Eli," Emanuel instructed in a silvery voice, that could make the Devil himself meek.

"Coming Dad!" A much tinier voice called from the vehicle as the left backseat door swung open, revealing a much tinier version of Emanuel.

Elias Rosario's big, brown eyes twinkled as he shut the door, donning his Spider-Man Backpack, that he hurriedly slung over his shoulder. Emanuel smiled down at Elias, pondering when the Boy had grown up so much in the past couple months. Doleful that he might be missing out on too much because of the career path he had taken.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Dad,"

Emanuel knelt down before Elias, straightening his red T-shirt that matched his white and red Sneakers, ruffling the Boy's hair after. There was a beat as Emanuel peered at Elias, with so much love and adoration that the older man felt teary. An emotional spectrum that had suddenly overcome him, despite having parted ways with his Son many times before.

"Do I have to stay at Mom's?" Elias asked with an adorable frown and Emanuel sighed heavily.

"Can't I just come to Work with you?" Elias pleaded with hopeful eyes, but it soon disappeared when Emanuel hesitated. Clearly hinting at his own despondency.

Emanuel tried his best to evade answering such questions from his Son. Knowing all too well how it affected the boy, and his own likelihood, that came with the territory. Working the overnight shift had summoned a rift between them, and it tore Emanuel apart. Constantly disheartened that he rarely got time to spend, with the most important person in his life. That brightened his day and placed stars in his skies at night. The only thing he felt he had maintained with an equable, yet impelling harmony that he wasn't satisfied with nor was he content about.

"I'm sorry, Elias. Daddy has to work the graveyard shift tonight, but I promise that I will be home all weekend, just the two of us,"

With this promise, Emanuel tapped the tip of Eli's nose but instead of receiving a smile in return, he got a frown of utter disappointment that broke his heart.

"I worry about you, Dad, the worst people always come out at night," Elias replied with a scowl and Emanuel chuckled.

"Don't worry, Kiddo, Daddy is a badass. Remember what I always tell you?"

Emanuel awaited the answer and Elias sighed with a roll of his eyes, "Be a warrior, not a worrier," they both chorused but this time Elias beamed at his Father in temporary content.

"That's my Boy," Emanuel encouraged solemnly, grunting in surprise as Elias slung his small arms around his neck, embracing his Father as if afraid to let go.

A regular routine with both Rosario men since the dawn of time, or rather when Elias finally knew what the gesture of affection entailed. For they had an unbreakable bond, that withstood the flurry of tumultuous challenges and events, that silently threatened to tear them apart. A bludgeoning sickness of endearing sentiment and adoration that exerted daily. Giving them both a spur of tranquility and optimistic jubilation, that never wavered nor decayed--despite the flooding issues they had to face.

"I love you, Dad." Elias mumbled as he buried his head within his Father's shoulder.

Elias pulled away from the warm embrace and Emanuel rested a palm on the boy's cheek, quickly placing a chaste kiss on Elias' forehead. Elias smiled up at his Father, leaving Emanuel wishing he could stay and hug his Son some more, but he knew he had to go. Elias' wellbeing counted on Emanuel's Job, and it begged for his strong will to delve into the life of Medicine. Offering stability and a clear path for their not so distant future, that was only years away from arrival.

"I love you too, Monkey." Emanuel smiled down at the beaming Boy, feeling his eyes sting somewhat from the exchange.

"You two are absolutely adorable," a female voice interrupted the moment, and Emanuel spun around.

He rose to his feet as he faced Jasmine Lance, the Mother of his Son. A beautiful Caucasian with perfectly tanned skin. Standing at 5' 6", with dark brown hair, blue eyes and a most astonishingly gorgeous pair of legs.

"Mommy!" Elias greeted with a smile and Jasmine grinned down at the Boy, holding out both of her arms.

Elias ran to her, and they embraced for a brief second while she and Elias exchanged oddly, tolerable looks, that betrayed their silent disdain for each other. An unsociable rivalry that never got old, nor did it comfort both adults who wished they didn't have to see each other.

Jasmine Lance was Defense Attorney who was equally unenthusiastic as she was distrusting, yet the irony stood still between them. For it stuck that Emanuel had done wrong, but only they both know what had transpired between them. Though it was much easier for the man to assume the blame, in a shrouded world of debutantes and bumptious individuals.

"Hi, Manny." Jasmine greeted Emanuel with a smile, which he returned with as much fervor, despite their inarticulately laconic clamor.

"Jas," Emanuel spoke and her nose crinkled in subtle annoyance.

It was rather odd how they could still use the nicknames they had given each other, but after 8 years it had stuck. Leaving it only to habit, even if they both loathed the very thought of each other.

"How's the Job that keeps you from spending time with your Son?" She queried, judgmental skepticism dripping from her voice like venom, as her lips curled up into an unamused smile.

"Oh it's great! How's the unemployed Boyfriend?"

Jasmine gasped inaudibly, frowning at his bold remark but bit back her retort. Evidently reticent of exposing her malodorous side to her son Elias, who despite his affection for her, knew just how vindictive she could be. Emanuel smiled at her, his hands stuffed into his pockets as their gazes clashed. A mental battle ensuing as they stood there in a nauseatingly awkward silence, with splitting gazes that pierced holes through each other's skulls.

"Still the same old Manny, it's a wonder they don't let you work in a Fertility Office," Jasmine quipped with a smile, and Emanuel chuckled.

Elias sensed the tension in the air, but desisted from contributing as it would only have made matters all the more worse. The sarcastic, challenging banter between his Parents had become more frequent, after they had split just years after his birth. Elias was yet to understand the reason they fought, but he knew it was for the best because they were inexplicably incompatible.

Though Jasmine nor Emanuel hadn't anticipated, or even thought of how it was in Elias' best interest, to argue constantly. Emanuel hated it, but would rather argue than let her walk over him after their series of events that motivated their parting.

"You know, that sounds exciting. I hear there's a Job opening in that department at SGH, your Boyfriend can apply, I'm sure he's highly qualified to stack the Porn." With a smile, Emanuel's right hand dug into his right pocket and he fished out a pair of black Ray Bans.

"Anyway, I gotta get to work so I can take care of my Son, and don't let your umm, Man-child feed him Candy before bed." He said sternly with a condescending smile, putting on the pair glasses with a subtly audacious grin.

"His name is-,"

"And my name is, I couldn't care less. Bye, Monkey." Emanuel interrupted her servile attempt to redeem her Boyfriend's honor.

With that said, Emanuel lifted the glasses from his eyes and flashed a quick wink to Elias who grinned up at his Father. "Bye, Dad."

"See you tomorrow, Monkey." Emanuel waved as he hopped back into the driver's seat, gunning the engine and putting the vehicle into gear.

Emanuel's car peeled off, with Elias waving at it frantically with a big, sublime smile on his face. Emanuel honked the horn twice as he made his way down the two lane street. Watching as Jasmine and his son disappeared from his view.

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