Part I

Given a single word, blistering is what all tourists would describe the Arizona summertime. Hell, even those who have lived in the state all their lives would throw the same word into circulation. The Arizona summertime is brutal but nevertheless, holds its own surreal beauty. In the front yards of those living on Cereus Avenue, cacti of various types and sizes would dominate the scene. Only two trees would be present: the common paloverde or the imported palm. Rocks were a wise choice for a blanket covering a bed of dirt, on which these plants would grow from. Backyards of most houses hosted patches of grass here and there along with the occasional blow-up pool. None down this street actually had a ground pool, with the exception being one boarded up house at the end of the street.  Sunsets here are art on an enormous blue canvas covered with a cotton-candy pink with brushes of light orange, complimented with the occasional ray of yellow hue. The sun would bask in this and blaze with a sort of holy glory. The air of Arizonan summer nights is warm and always with the accompaniment of cicada chirps. The white cereus and echinopsis blooms would gather themselves inward for until the sun should rise once more. Then after when the sun would rise, consequently these blooms would open themselves. Warmth would thus hasten into an intense hot spell. Though without much green to be spoken of, allusions to the Sonoran Desert provided its own attraction for each passerby of Cereus Avenue.

One would suppose it was that unique beauty which attracted a young, newly wed couple. An equally pretty and distinctive female holding her swollen belly stood being held close by a tall male with slicked-back hair not boding too well with the heat. He leaned casually against the for-sale sign picketed in the dirt-covered front yard of a fairly sized house right smack in the middle of the block. The house itself did not boast too much in terms of its exterior. The body of it was painted white. The edges of the roof had a nice forest green color and the shingles covering the rest of it were of a light brown. Also to compliment was a petite gable where the kitchen extended outward a little more than the rest of the residence. Three colonial style windows offered glimpses into different rooms: the kitchen, dining room, and living space. A path branching off from the concrete driveway on the far right led to the front door. The front yard of the house was barren, save for one tall palo verde tree, the young couple, and a well-dressed real estate agent.

"The backyard could use some love and care as well," the agent spoke. Strangely, he chose to wear a black suit to combat the day's brutal forecast and put his fedora to use as a makeshift fan. The man was of an older age, which perhaps could have explained his old school attire. Or, more likely, the man simply wanted to dress his part. Either way, he suffered for his choice of wardrobe. "and I suppose the  could make a lovely garden to brighten up the front here." He thrust a hand towards an empty flowerbed stretching the length of the front porch. A small smile presented itself on the lady's face. She then looked up at her lover, who looked down at her with a return of the gesture.

"I think she would enjoy that." the young man spoke while wiping some sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

"There's also an elementary school just a few blocks off from here. This neighborhood is just right for a couple such as yourselves, expecting a child, too." The real estate man gave a winning grin. The woman patted a hand on her belly.

"Are there other families down this block? With children?" she inquired.

"Oh, yes. The youngest I know of lives across the street just a couple houses down. A boy, two years old."

"And the oldest?"

"That would be his older brother who is fourteen if I am not mistaken."

The lady nodded and took the thoughts into silent consideration for a few moments. Her husband shifted his weight and stood up straight from leaning on the sign. The gel in his hair was failing him, having been mixed with droplets of sweat. He looked toward his wife, to the promising abode, then to his angel again. He took note of her happiness and of the continuing conversation of neighborly prospects between her and the real estate man. His eyes then wandered up and down the street.

The road itself was quiet with any car yet to be seen driving down it. Most of the houses had a structure which seemed to closely mirror the one he and his wife were making a consideration for. Just a few houses kept the original desert scenery as front yard decor, and only a two had an actual turf. Rather, one and a half. The one at the far corner of the street with the empty ground pool featured mere patches of yellow, while the house across from where the trio stood had a lawn of healthy bermuda grass. He straightened his back up a little upon taking notice of a boy standing there, staring back at him. The boy could have been no older than thirteen and stood only with a look of curiosity. His hair was dirty blonde and his skin of a tanned shade. He leaned against a tree only slightly thinner than himself with an awkward casualness, seeming to have been mimicking the man he watched. He seemed to be lost in fascination.

"Alan!" his wife's voice reigned his attention back to her, who was now tugging on his arm for his attention.  Alan shook his head and looked dumbly at the agent before him who now had his hand extended towards him. He offered a smile to the both of them. His wife gave him puppy-dog eyes and Alan lent a quick glance to her pregnant stomach.

"I do have some gifts in my car as well for you two, should this offer really be taken up." the agent gave his wide grin in return.

Alan took the agent's hand with a strong grip and gave a firm shake.