Robbie Reyes was bone tired. Working two jobs while chauffeuring Gabe all over was taking its toll, but his baby brother was worth every second and every sleepless night.

So when Robbie got a note from Garfield High, his initial urge was to toss it. Why couldn't they just pick up the damn phone?

"Gabe!" he called out. "¡Ven para acá!"

"Coming!" his brother whined, stretching out the word for the entire time it took him to enter the kitchen.

"What's this?" Robbie waved the paper at him. "Are you in trouble?"

Gabe was nonchalant.

"First of all, if you read it, you'd know," he started. "Second, it's from the new guidance counselor, so you should ignore it, because when am I in trouble?"

And Gabe, knowing his brother was overwhelmed, was betting he wouldn't check the contents of the letter.

"You sure?" Robbie trusted him completely, and Gabe felt a pang of guilt for being manipulative.

"Yep, I'm sure," he lied, breathing easier as Robbie crumpled the paper. "So, can you take me to the debate finals?" Gabe changed the subject. "If not, Jake's mom can. Her minivan has tons of space, and we can watch movies on the way."

"For the last time, no. I'm driving." This was one thing Robbie would never budge on. It was a couple years since his brother's accident, and he was still paranoid as hell about strangers driving Gabe- or even him- around.

"Okay, fine." Gabe conceded, "but can you be civil with the other parents there? They think you're a gangbanger or something."

"Good. Maybe they'll stop making small talk." And Robbie went back to sorting the stack of mail, the note from school already forgotten. He had to figure out how to leave work early on Friday for Gabe and what overdue bill to put off now that he would be short on hours.

Gabe observed his brother for a few moments before leaving the kitchen.

Memories of their father, Alberto, were hazy but that didn't hurt as much as the fading memories of a vibrant and fun-loving Robbie.

So, while Ms. Johnson meant well sending that note home, he wouldn't burden his brother with anything else.

"What do you mean he couldn't make it?" Daisy Johnson, Garfield High's newest guidance counselor looked questioningly at the young man in front of her.

"Uh, Robbie had to work?" Gabe was normally more confident, but there was a sincerity with Ms. Johnson that made him want to be truthful. She was about Robbie's age and wasn't as easy to get over on like the last few counselors they had.

She narrowed her eyes and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if he'd been found out.

"It's not a problem," Ms. Johnson finally said, fixing a stack of papers on her cluttered desk.

"Thanks for understanding." He smiled, now that the threat of a meeting was no longer over him.

"I know it's hard to take off work," Ms. Johnson commented. "Some employers are terrible." She was opening her laptop as she spoke.

"Oh no, Canelo's not like that!" Gabe defended Robbie's boss. "He usually helps Robbie out a lot. Um, just not this time." Gabe looked over at the peeling neon stickers on her laptop and wondered why she didn't use the perfectly good computer on her desk. Old people were so weird.

Daisy smiled as she googled Canelo's. The website for the Auto Repair and Body shop came up immediately. It wasn't far from where she stayed actually.

"Canelo's huh?" she smoothly got up to help Gabe out her office. "I'm glad they're good to your family."

"It's just my brother and me," Gabe mumbled shyly, looking up at her from his wheelchair. And in that one look, Daisy Johnson saw Gabe had what she always wanted, and still craved: to belong somewhere.

Breaking school protocol, Daisy patted his shoulder, needing him to know that she understood his brother was important to him.

"That's still a family, Gabe. And it sounds like the best."

School was out at 3.25pm and it was an exuberant chaos; the never-ending line of cars trying to escape, bright yellow buses and students happily shrieking.

Daisy had spent the day in parent conferences and staff meetings, but her mind always wandered back to Gabe.

So, when she was driving home, she made an impulsive decision. Mr. Reyes didn't show because he had to work, so maybe she'd pay him a visit.

She headed to the corner of Castillo and Boyle in Hillrock Heights.

Robbie was just finishing up with a customer, handing over their car keys at the register, when the entrance jingled open.

Looking up, a stunning woman with dark hair and gorgeous eyes had entered. She was speaking with Canelo now and when she laughed, the world stopped. She'd brought the sunlight in the dreary shop with her smile but that throaty laugh awakened a part of him he'd forgotten existed. He was so captivated that he didn't realize Canelo was directing her to him.

"Hi, you must be Robbie!" she beamed as she walked. "I'm Daisy Johnson, from Gabe's school." She extended a well-manicured hand and looked at him expectantly.

Robbie didn't have to glance down to know his hands were filthy. "Is my brother okay?" he asked curtly, even as he felt a rush of heat at her being so close.

"Yes, I thought I'd stop in to talk about Gabe." She dropped her hand, and her smile dimmed.

"I'm at work. Can I stop in at your job unexpectedly?" Robbie knew he was being obnoxious to a complete stranger, but her scent – she smelled like flowers- as well as his reaction to her, was disconcerting. She was wearing regular office attire- blouse, pants, and heels- but he was thinking about what was underneath her clothes.

"Funny you say that, " her gaze sharpened as she examined his face. "I sent a note home. With an actual appointment."

And hearing her utter the word home , in that voice, with her dark eyes looking at him, Robbie suddenly felt a wave of longing and regret.

For a flirtation with a beautiful lady, who might come over after a few dates, for a life where he could be happy and not be burdened. And just as quickly as it came, it disappeared and was replaced by guilt. He had a responsibility to Gabe because of choices he made. Why would he deserve anything more?

Looking away to avoid her assessing stare, Robbie spoke forcefully. "I'm busy. Send another one if it's important." And with that, he walked off on a speechless Daisy Johnson.

But little did they both know that his fit of pique would send them careening into each other's lives, much sooner than expected. Because Canelo was watching their exchange, curious about the attractive woman and what she would want with the always stoic Reyes. And seeing how upset she was when Robbie left her standing alone, he decided to act.

So later that night, he pleasantly told Robbie that no, he couldn't leave early on Friday. They'd made too many exceptions for too long with his schedule.

"But, I need to drop and pick up Gabe! What am I supposed to do?" Robbie was trying to remain calm, he knew Canelo had a business to run.

"That girl came in a van, " Canelo answered with a twinkle in his eye. "Ask her to take Gabe, and then you take her to dinner as a thank you." He grinned, pleased with his plan.

Robbie glared at the obvious matchmaking.

"Eh, mijo... ¿y cómo se llama la muchacha esa?" Canelo asked slyly.

"Daisy." Robbie answered after a pause, looking away. He wished he'd taken her hand when she offered it.

"She's as pretty as her name. Too pretty for you, Robbie." His boss cackled loudly and ambled away to tell the other guys about Robbie's mystery woman.

That night, when Robbie was drifting off to sleep, he thought about her. "Daisy." He tested out her name, liking how it felt on his lips. He fell asleep easily, wondering what she would feel like.

"¡Ven para acá!"= come here!
Eh, mijo... ¿y cómo se llama la muchacha esa?= son, and what's that girl's name?