Father’s Gift

What is expected of someone who actually comes across this kind of power? Of course you think about how the power itself could be used for good, that’s what the hero’s in comics and movies do, but people are rarely so selfless. My name is Grant Palacios, and this is how I gained the power to control time.

I grew up in a small town in California, far from the coast. I lived modestly with my mother and older half sister. My father was never in the picture, and my mother never spoke about him. She insisted that she knew nothing about him, and I never pressed her too hard because it seemed to upset her.

My sister, Moriah, is a few years older than me. Her father comes around every now and then when he’s not deployed, and he seemed to always seemed resentful of my mother. Something happened between them but I was always to afraid to ask what, he’s a scary guy.

I don’t mind not knowing so much, but I was curious. Why wasn’t my father around? Did he abandon me? Did something happen to him? I don’t even know whether I should be angry at him or sad that he’s gone. I was 20 almost 21 years old and had made it this far in life without him, so it’s not even that I want him to make a return. I just have questions. Little did I know, I’d be getting answers very soon.

I work full time at a warehouse in town, and attend weekend and night classes at the local community college. It pays decently so that I can help mom with the bills and have a tiny bit of fun money. Some weeks I’ll put the fun money in my savings account. I’m saving for a car and I’d much rather get a new one. Needless to say I walk to and from work and school unless my mom lends me the truck.

Today I walk. I don’t mind, the fresh air is good and I like to clear my head during the alone time. I use the time to plan what I would do for my birthday that night. I didn’t have plans, I wasn’t very social, not a ton of friends, no girlfriend. It’s not that I’m not attractive, I’m 5’ 10” with black shoulder length hair, I’m Mexican, so I have cinnamon colored skin and brown eyes. I’m kinda fit but far from an athletes build. I’m sure someone has thought I was cute at some point. It’s just that if they have/do, they haven’t said anything.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. Ah it’s Gloria. She’s my best friend. A gorgeous Filipino girl with short stature and even shorter temper. She has dark skin and thick rimmed glasses that go well with her round face. She’s 5’2” a tad chubby and has “features” that are a bit big for her frame. DD tits and an ass that jiggles when she walks. If I hadn’t known her since we were 7 I’d have tried my luck with her so very many times. It’s been too long though, it’d be weird. Besides, she doesn’t like me like that. I shake the thoughts from my mind and respond to her texts

“Hey loser, you don’t have plans for your birthday do you?? ”

“Not with anyone. Just thinking about buying myself snacks at the store and crashing in my room later.”

“Lame ass!! Come hang with me, I’ll get you a cake, and we’ll watch some anime or some shit.”

“I don’t knoooow, schedules prettty tight.”

“Bullshit! Just be at my place at 8 later, nerd”

“Alright, weeb ttyl”

There we go, plans made. She done this every year since my 18th birthday. My mom got it in her head that I’m too old for birthday parties after I hit that age, which is fine, I kinda am. My mom usually gives me a gift and kisses me on the forehead, while my sister wishes me a happy birthday without looking up from her phone and that’s all I hear about it during the day. The rest of my family will send letters some with cash and what not. These days the best parts of my birthdays are when I get to spend time with Gloria.

I walk into work after finally arriving and step through the metal detector. Something about the day feels off, like I’m being watched. I shake off the feeling and clock in. My shift goes relatively slow, there’s a lot of work, but I think I’m mainly excited to get out of there.

When my shift finally ends, I clock out and dart out the door as quickly as possible. While I’m walking, I decide to text Gloria that I’m on my way. I look down at my phone and shoot her a text, not watching where I’m going. SMACK. I’ve run right into someone, falling to the ground. I look up and see a pretty girl looking down at me with her arm extended to help me up.

“Sorry about that, dude.”

“No, excuse me, I wasn’t paying attention”

She’s cute, not really my type but damn is she cute. She’s about my height, super skinny athletic build with some tight fitting clothes. I take her hand and pull myself to my feet.

“You’re Grant right? I was actually sent here to look for you.”

“Me? By who? What for?”

“Your father, sent me to give you this.”

She reaches into her sweater pocket and pulls out a small gift box. I’m taken aback by what she just said. My father? I extend my hand and shakily take the box from her.

“Happy birthday Grant.”



She walks away leaving me with a lot of questions. I pocket the small rectangular box and head over to Gloria’s place with my mind racing.

I knock on Gloria’s door and she lets me in, and I try to keep my mind off the gift for now, I want to enjoy my birthday.