That night, I noticed a slight change in Carlos. I could also tell that he looked blue. After he left the table, Sharon said, "He looked quiet tonight."
"He was fine earlier," said Dawn.
"I know what's bothering him. Lily told me that he's still going through depression," I said.
"I remember you mentioned he was going through that," said Sharon.
"I didn't want to mention that in front of him," I said. "Also, don't forget this is a new experience for him, so it might take some time for him to adjust to have a new family."
After we were done, I said, "May I leave the table? I'll go see if he's okay."
"Sure," said Dad.
"I miss my helper," said Dawn.
"So do I, but I still have to wait for another week or two," I said as I got up to go see him.
When I came in to see him, he was looking at a picture frame of his family.
"I just wanted to came up to see if you were okay," I said.
"I'm sorry," said Carlos.
"Don't be," I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "I can tell something was bothering you."
"There are times I feel sad inside even though I try to be cheerful," said Carlos. "I miss mine, that's why I'm not used to have a new family yet."
"I'm sure it will take time for you to adjust," I said. "I wondered how you made out with your depression. Are you still using Dr. Reece?"
"Yes," said Carlos.
"How is that going?" I asked.
"She's helpful. I'm glad you suggested me to her," said Carlos.
"No worries," I said.
"I had a hard time opening to her at first," said Carlos.
"It's okay to be like that," I said.
"Did I tell you how it happened?" asked Carlos.
"I don't think so. I just didn't want to push it," I said.
"It was caused by a wrong way driver, who survived the crash, and that driver got arrested," said Carlos.
"Good," I said.
"When that accident occurred, I slipped into a coma. The doctors thought I'd died or get paralyzed. They said it was a miracle that I lived," explained Carlos. "When I woke up ten days later, I was looking for my parents and both of my older siblings. That's how I found out that they all died. Both of my parents were killed at the scene while my siblings died at the hospital two days later. The worst part is that I didn't get to say goodbye to any of them. Their funerals were already served and they're buried near my old hometown across town."
"Wow," I said. "I recalled you telling me that's all the family you had."
"I also visit their grave," said Carlos.
"That's good to know. I'm sure Dad and Sharon would let you go see them," I said. "I know how that feels. My friend was killed in a car accident."
"I recall you telling me that. That helped me boost me up," said Carlos.
"Which is good," I said.
"This is the picture frame with my family," said Carlos.
"I can see you in your mother," I said.
"Everyone tells me that," said Carlos.
"People tells me the same thing," I said. "Dad and I have been alone for years until I got my stepfamily."
"This was when I was a newborn back then. Alex and Alexis were delighted to have me as their little brother. They were little helpers according to my mother," said Carlos.
"That's nice," I said.
"I have some more pictures of my family if you want to see them," said Carlos.
"Sure," I said.
He got up to get his photo album to show me. "I have so many favorite memories." He showed me how he was introduced into sports. "First of all, both of my older siblings played sports. This is how I knew I wanted to play basketball. Alex and I would play all the time at our old house. He was on it." He was showing me a picture of his brother playing basketball.
"That's nice you got the team to honor him," I said.
"Yes. I miss that. I know he would've been so proud of me," said Carlos. "I had to wait until I was in 5th grade to join the team like he did. I also do baseball. Alexis inspired me because she was a softball player. You can say those sports ran in my family."
"My boyfriend, Logan, does both," I said. "He also does football."
"I'm not a big fan of football even though I used to watch it on TV with my family every Sunday," said Carlos.
"That are nice memories you can use for your family," I said.
"That's what the therapist said, too," said Carlos. "My parents always did a super bowl party every year. I do miss that."
"I bet," I agreed. "We do that all the time. We can keep that part."
"I would like that," said Carlos.
After we had a long talk, I said, "Don't forget that you have me as a sister. Plus, you got two other siblings."
"True," said Carlos. "I'm started to be glad in a way."
"That's good. You can always come to me whenever you want. I'm here for you 24/7," I said.
"Thanks, Mary Anne," said Carlos.
"No problem," I said as we hugged.
He always look up to me when he needs a friend during rough times.
Later, Dawn said, "How things are going?"
"He was blue. He was just missing his late family, that's all," I said. "We had a long talk."
"I know what he needs. Maybe I can do an adoption party for him," said Dawn.
"Maybe, but are you sure that's what he wants right now?" I asked.
"I think it would do him good. I was planning to invite the kids and Linda from the orphanage," said Dawn.
"I still have doubts about that. I think you should give him time to adjust here first," I said. "I can tell that he's still not over from depression yet. You don't need to make it worse."