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Stupid Assumptions

Naomi Carter

I fixed my hair, well it was already fine, but I wanted to look better. Stevie was coming. It's been so long since I'd last seen him. I put on some lip gloss, and smiled brightly at the mirror. I was so excited I could barely wait. On top of that, they're going to meet West! Raysa will surely flip once I tell her my big news.

I skipped down the stairs and headed for the playroom where West was last. I almost ran over Tyler who was drinking chocolate milk. We looked at each other for a moment, his big green eyes so cute and when he arched his brow, he resembled West so much that I remembered the little boy I used to watch from my window. “Can I have some?” I asked.

The answer was a flat out NO. That was a reminder that Ty wasn’t West. West wouldn’t have refused someone so bluntly like that, although they both have that crazy mischievous and playful streak.

I ruffled his hair, “Selfish, aren’t you?”

“I’m not,” he said. But he seemed to like it when I started running my hands through his fluffy blonde hair. He was starting to look tame and relaxed. It felt like I was petting a cat. I laughed. And then I couldn’t help it, I kissed his cheek.

He flew back like he’d been thrown with ice cold water and he eyed me warily.

I bit back a smile. “What’s wrong Tyler?”

“Don’t do that!” he hissed.

“Why?” I said. I don’t it’s healthy to let him have this silly point of view about kisses.

“Because you kissed me!” he said rubbing his cheek.

I bent down until I was in eye level with him. “Does your mom kiss you?”

“Yes,” he said proudly, making me smile.

“And you think it’s awful?”

“Of course not,” he said huffing, “Mom’s kisses are different.”

“How so?” I asked.

He shrugged, “It just is.”

“You know, kisses aren’t actually something that hurts,” I said. “They’re not punishments either. Have you seen your mom kiss your dad?”

He nodded slowly as if trying to remember the last time he caught them. I grinned. “Kissing is actually a reward, Ty. And people only kiss the person they love.”

“Mom loves me,” he said. “I think I get it… Does that mean you and West love each other too?”

I blinked, taken aback by that, forgetting that I kissed West in front of him. My voice softens, “Yes Ty, I love your brother.”

“What about me?” he asked pointing at his cheek. “Do you love me?”

I giggled, “Yes, Ty. I love you very much.”

“More than West?” he asked.

I laughed, “Maybe.” I leaned in and cupped his cute face, “Do you love me?” I asked.

He shrugged, “You pass.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded in fake anger.

His cheeks reddened, “Fine.”

“Fine what?”

“I love you too,” he mumbled pouting like it was something he didn’t like admitting. I wanted to eat him up. But instead I planted a kiss on his other cheek. His face became as bright as a tomato.