Reality vs Imagination

Bed Time

Peter, Tyler and I were sitting at the dinner table eating pizza. Tyler was struggling to serve himself with his third cup of soda. "No, no, no, no. That's enough soda for you young man." I said, getting up to take away the 2 liter soda from him.

"Why?" Tyler complained. I rolled my eyes and thought of a good excuse. "Because when you drink a lot of soda then your tummy is gonna pop like a balloon." Great, I'm definitely gonna regret that one during bed time.

Tyler's eyes widened and he held his tummy. "Nooooooo! I don't want my tummy to pop." Poor thing, oh well, that'll keep him from drinking soda for a while. "Well then don't drink any more soda. Pick up your plate and go do your homework.". Tyler picked up his stuff and ran up stairs.

As for me I stayed back to clean up. Peter helped out and we finished quickly. I sat down in the den with my notebook in my lap. "Sooo." I started hopefully Peter would break the awkwardness.

"You seem like you have a lot on your hands. Where is your mom, by the way?". I flinched at the question.

I took a deep breath before answering. "She uh died......shortly after giving birth to Tyler." Here come the tears. "Ever sense then Dad has been working extra hard to keep this house and feed us. Since Dad is barely home I had to take care of Tyler now that he's old enough to go to school I can focus a little more on myself." I said with tears streaming down my face.

"Gee I'm really sorry Katy. If there's anything you need you can count on me." Peter comforted while sitting right next to me. He placed a hand on my knee and looked at me straight in the eyes.

"Thanks that was a long time ago I'm feeling a lot better, honest." I stated hoping he'd move because he's making me feel uncomfortable. He traced circles on my knee before letting go. "Sissy!!! I need help!" Tyler screamed from his room.

"Be there in a bit buddy." I responded. "It's getting late, aren't your parents gonna get worried?" I asked not trying to sound pushy. Peter smiled and got up. "Yeah, you're right. I'll head home now. Thanks for dinner."

"No problem. Thanks for helping out with Tyler. He really likes you." I stood up and headed towards the front door.

"It was nothing. I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow." Peter proposed. I nodded then closed and locked the door. As I stood at the door I let everything that happened tonight sink in. "Sissyyy!!" Tyler sang, interrupting my trance.

"Coming!" I shouted back. I ran up the stairs and entered Tyler's room and found him full of chocolate. "What did sissy say about having chocolate before bed?". I asked narrowing my eyes at him. Tyler pouted like a puppy. "To not to because the goblin is gonna eat me." he mumbled.

"That's right. Now what do you need help with?" I asked while cleaning up all the chocolate. I pulled out extra pajamas and clean bed sheets.

"With science." Tyler grumbled. I handed him the new pajamas so that he could change. I took the old sheets off his bed and put the clean ones on.

"Alright, let's get started." I said while doing my best to sound excited.

***

Tyler was in bed, sound asleep and I was in my room staring out the window. Well it seems like Peter wasn't an asshole after all. Could I have a chance with him? Nah, he's probably just going to try to play with my feelings then drop me like a rag doll.

"Ahhhhh!!! Nooo!!" I heard someone cry. Tyler. "Tyler!!" I jumped away from the window and ran into Tyler's room. He was curled up, crying his eyes out. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked him as I embraced him in a hug.

"It... it... it was a monster that wanted to eat me!" he sobbed. "You wouldn't let the monster eat me, would you?"

"Nope. Instead, you know what I would do?" I asked. He didn't respond so I continued, "I would battle it. I would be the knight in shining armor here to save you."

"Woah. Really?" he asked so I nodded. "Cool! Do you minded if I sleep with you tonight?" I don't really allow him to but I guess I'll make an exception. "Only! if you don't wet my bed."

"I won't! I promise!.....Pinky promise." he held his pinky out waiting for me. "Pinky promise." I mimicked. I linked my pinky with his to seal the deal.

Tyler fell asleep in seconds. I laid there staring at the ceiling. Ugh I have to get up early tomorrow. I wish I could sleep forever.