The Hierarchy

Chapter 9: Bring it

The birds chirping. Sun shining. Morning Dew. I love the mornings and waking up late. It's all so amazing. The morning breakfasts or brunches. Spending time with your family. I love it all.

Waking up clinging onto Liam McCormick is not one of the things. My arms are wrapped tightly around his torso as my head rests on his chest. He has an arm draped around me and his hand is on my hip, holding onto me. His other arm lays across his eyes to stop the sun from coming through.

"Morning." He says groggily not making an effort to move away from me.

"Uh, morning?"

"How'd you sleep?" Are we seriously going to pretend like we didn't wake up like this?

"Pretty good, actually." I have to admit that.

"Good."

"Um, when did I fall asleep?" I ask him sitting up and pulling my legs close to my chest.

"Somewhere around question fifteen. You were asking me what my greatest adventure was but fell asleep before I could answer." He explains smiling at the memory.

"Was this before or after you called me pretty," I ask smirking at him as the tips of his ears change to a light shade of pink.

"Definitely after," he says nodding and smiling to play it off.

"I'm starving." I whine clutching my stomach and rolling away from him.

"Want to go to Annie's?"

Annie's is a diner just outside of New York. It has by far the best food in the state of New York. It's one of those fifties looking diners with a southern feel only in the North. I love it there. My dad used to take me there before he died and I would visit him in Connecticut.

"Hell, yeah I do. As long as I can bring Leo."

***

We get to Annie's and it's pretty empty. it's busiest on Sunday morning after church and for brunch or whatever.

"Do they have chicken nuggets here?" Leo asks scrambling into the booth next to Liam.

"Probably, bub," I say sitting across from them.

"I really like chicken nuggets." He tells Liam.

"yeah?" Liam asks. "Me too. I like them with honey mustard."

"Me too! That's how my mommy makes them." He says choosing a color from his crayons.

I admire them and their conversation. Liam seems really interested in what Leo has to say. He helps him color the picture on his kid's menu and how to make a house out of the jelly, sugar, and butter packets that are on the table. It's a pretty cute scene to watch. Liam with a little kid. Leo doesn't like most people. Mainly just our family.

"Do you like banilla ice cream? I love banilla ice cream. Reecie doesn't she likes strawbaby." Leo says catching his words on his lisp.

"I like chocolate," Liam tells Leo.

"Leo, why don't you go and get us a gumball, okay?" I ask him handing him three quarters from my pocket.

He grins widely and jumps up to grab them. "Thank you, Caprice!"

"Thank you for being patient with him," I say.

"yeah of course, why wouldn't I?"

"He has ADHD. He can't concentrate on anything and he has so much energy. I'm surprised you haven't lost your mind." I admit shyly. I feel bad for Leo. He's such a great kid, but no one understands him.