Contemplative Sensitivity

Pixis

It had been three years since then.

Erwin, now sixteen, had finally stopped growing. His hair was cut and smoothed back and he looked  suave (Desmonia had suggested Erwin try modeling). Tall, blonde and buttoned up, he turned several heads, young and old.

Levi on the other hand had stopped growing by the age of twelve. He was short but not lacking in handsomeness. His voice had deepened, his muscles had ripened, his jaw line had become refined, his smile had improved. He too turned heads and he was only fifteen.

Cecily and Mike had grown up too. Cecily's hair was still short, but her face had become very pretty. What was awkward before, was pretty on her now--large, bright blue doe eyes, light pink full lips. Her body had grown as well as she was soon known as the big breasted wonder (much to her and Mike's dismay). Mike let his hair grow out, his sense of smell had sharpened, and he was taller than Erwin. Supposedly Mike would have been a head turner too if he didn't like looking unkempt.

They all had come a long way.

One Autumn day, Martha had asked Erwin to run to the store on his way home after his club meet. She had given him a small list--milk, eggs, cheese, flour and sugar--the morning of and sent both her sons to school with a kiss on the cheek.

After divorcing John, Martha had let up a little. She wasn't as tense and rigid and miserable. She smiled a lot more and she was optimistic about the future. She and Levi had gotten remarkably close and life had improved in the home.

The room that John had destroyed had been left untouched--still wrecked and full of baby clothes and accessories. At times, Erwin would walk past the room to find Levi in it, standing silent with his back to the door. Erwin never bothered his brother about it and Levi never brought it up.

Anyway, when the club meeting was over, Erwin and Nile were walking down the street together. It was hard to believe how far Nile had come from being a child without personality and ugly features to a handsome young lad with smooth, dark brown hair and a dashing smile. He had grown flippant though and easy to wrile but otherwise, he was Erwin's second best bud.

"I think I'm gonna do it," Nile said suddenly.

"Yeah?" Erwin raised an eyebrow. "You said that last year when you were a sophomore."

"Stop teasing me man," Nile blushed. "Its daunting, damn it!"

Erwin chuckled. "CC is still the same wild girl. She may not have changed, but I'm sure she'd give you a chance."

Nile blew air into his hands. It was getting cold, "What makes you so sure?"

Erwin scratched his head. "In second grade she thought you were cute."

Nile socked Erwin in the shoulder. "And you didn't tell me this until now?"

"You weren't interested in her in the second grade," Erwin feigned innocence. "In fact you were a flat slate--,"

"Shut up Erwin," Nile choked. Erwin laughed; he had him.

"Its true, Nile," Erwin said. "If she thought you were cute then, I am sure she will think you're handsome now."

Nile was quiet for a moment. "I got her some strawberry milk. Its sitting in my fridge--I've got ten days before it expires."

"Is it a pint? Never mind. Your clock is ticking," Erwin sing songed.

"Your clock is ticking too," Nile said mischievously. "When are you gonna tell Levi you love him."

Erwin looked away and softly said, "He knows I do."