Chapter 4 Miguel

After his uncle left, Miguel scrutinized his reflection in the mirror, examining every bruise on his face. Luckily, he didn't have a black eye, but he still bore the signs of a lost fight. With his lip split, every movement sent a sharp sting coursing through him. Just as he settled onto his bed, someone knocked on his door, breaking the silence. He hobbled over to answer the door, wondering who it could be, but found the hall deserted. In front of his door, there was a red-wrapped gift resting on the plush carpet. He picked it up and unfolded the attached note, carefully reading each word.

Miguel,

Hope you feel better soon.

Secret Protector

Confusion washed over Miguel. He reread the note taped to the gift in his hand. Here, in Seaside Heights, a place his uncle had chosen for a safe escape, a stranger knew his name. The red paper felt warm in his hand. He glanced around the empty hallway, the silence pressing in. A sliver of fear pricked at the edges of his mind.

Who would leave him a gift and a note here? He didn't know anyone in Seaside Heights. The mystery gnawed at him.

The "hope you feel better soon" felt genuine. Yet, the "Secret Protector" sent a shiver down his spine. Was it a friendly gesture or something more ominous?

Part of him wanted to dismiss it. But another part, the one that had sought solace in this anonymous town, couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. In this sea of unfamiliar faces, was there someone watching his back?

He clutched the present in his suddenly clammy palm. He didn't know whether this secret protector was friend or foe, but one thing was certain—his quiet hideaway in Seaside Heights had just gotten a whole lot more interesting.

The sound of his door creaking echoed through the silent hallway as he returned to his room. He eagerly tore open the present. Inside, he found a stunning rainbow bracelet adorned with colorful beads. The attention to detail suggested someone had put effort into making it. Why give this to me? Whoever it was, they knew he was gay, and that was not a good thing. Did his demeanor reveal his homosexuality to strangers? He put the bracelet inside the bed table drawer. Afraid of becoming a target, he hesitated to put it on.

He limped out of the room, each step causing a slight wince of pain. Miguel could hear the soft hum of the elevator when he stepped inside. As he walked through the lobby, he scanned the room for the ginger-haired man, but the chair where he had been sitting was now empty. All he wanted was to find a quiet spot and gaze at him. Since he wasn't here, he went straight outside and walked along the crowded boardwalk. Seeking relief for his swollen lip, he limped towards the familiar frozen custard stand that held cherished memories from his childhood. He reminisced about Kohr's Frozen Custards as he patiently waited in line, eager to order a creamy orange and vanilla cone.

He sat on a bench overlooking the sand and ocean. No one was on the beach at this hour. As he glanced at the next bench, his eyes landed on a box of pizza, the sight of the golden crust and gooey cheese making his mouth water. He wondered who would leave an open box of pizza on the bench and why?

When he returned to his room, his eyes widened in surprise as he saw a conspicuously larger box waiting for him at his door. It was wrapped in a shade of blue that mirrored the exact hue of his shirt. On the present, he found another note, carefully penned on blue stationery bearing his name. He picked it up and carried it inside his room, unfolded the note, and read it.

Miguel,

I'd like to meet you. Ask for Shamus. If you wear one of your gifts, you can have three free drinks.

Shamus, Seaside Protector

Well, he has a name. Shamus sounds Irish. Some Irish people have ginger- colored hair. The man in the lobby staring at me had hair that color. Could it be him? The thought made Miguel's stomach flutter. Their brief encounter in the lobby had felt like something out of a movie, a chance meeting, leaving him breathless with his heart skipping a beat. Again, he'd used the word "protector" when signing off. Miguel couldn't deny he needed one, and the man had made him feel safe. He was a man whose presence was a silent promise of protection. Tall and broad shouldered, his posture was strong and upright, exuding an air of confidence that was neither arrogant nor imposing. His eyes, observant and calm, seemed to take in everything around him, offering a sense of vigilance that comforted Miguel. The lines on his face spoke of kindness, and his smile appeared genuine. It had been magical, a fleeting moment tinged with a longing he couldn't quite explain.

The encounter replayed in his mind for the hundredth time. The way the man's eyes had crinkled at the corners when he smiled at him. Their stolen glances had made Miguel feel like the only person in the crowded lobby.

He sat down on the bed and unwrapped the package. He carefully unfolded the blue T-shirt, the Seaside Sips logo emblazoned across it. His heart skipped another beat. In small print, underneath the name of the bar, the address was displayed, revealing its location on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. It was a tangible connection, a whispered invitation, and Miguel couldn't help but hope it was from the man in the lobby.

Miguel was curious why anyone would send him a shirt from a bar on this boardwalk. It could be a message inviting him to visit the bar, and once he recovered, he would pay it a visit. The only catch was that he wasn't old enough to drink legally until his birthday next week. He could go there, but he hesitated, unsure if he could enter. There was no rush since his birthday was next Friday, the 14 th of June. Despite his eagerness to find a job, no one would hire him with his current limp and bruises. He'd wait until his limp disappeared and his split lip fully healed before taking any further action. With the help of makeup, he could conceal the painful bruises on his face.

He sent his sister a text to explain where he was.

Miguel: Hi! You'll never guess where I am. Seaside Heights. Visit for a weekend when you can. I had frozen custard at the same stand we used to go to during the summers with Uncle Javier. I miss you.

Maria: Oh, I'm so happy for you. As much as I miss you, it's better to be safe than…Anyway, Uncle Javier told me he will take me to visit.

Miguel: Anything happening?

Maria: New boyfriend

Miguel: Who?

Maria: Jonathan Burke. He is the son of one of my cleaning customers.

Miguel: Is he in a gang?

Maria : No way.

Miguel: Good. I can't wait to meet him. Got to go. Night. Love you.

Maria: Love you too. Night.

She was growing up fast, only fifteen, and had a boyfriend. All he ever asked of Maria was to stay away from the gangs, male or female.