Assumptions

Rocky Roads

"What kind of Ice Cream did you get Casey?" Kira asks from across the table. She has little bit of ice cream on the tip of her nose and she's looking at it through crossed eyes.

"Wipe your nose Kira. You have Ice cream on it." She passes her a napkin.

"I know Ma. I happen to like it there. I wanna see if it'll melt down my nose and land in my mouth." she says all matter of factly.

I can't help but laugh then stop when she glares at me. Damn!

"I'm having Butter Pecan what about you?" Casey asks Kira

"Oh I've got Crazy Chocolate Chunk with a scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip and M & M's sprinkled on top. It's awsome." She says lifting her face up from her bowl of ice cream. Kira has even more ice cream on her nose now. I stifle a laugh but am surprised when her Ma starts laughing instead shocking the hell out of me. Even her laugh is beautiful.

I'm staring at her with what I'm sure is a goofy smile because I can't help but feel happy she's let go a little. She's staring back and doesn't turn away. I like it.

"What about you Clay?" Kira interrupts.

"Oh, I got my favorite - Rocky Road." I answer.

She squeals. "That's Mara's favorite too. You guys can be like twins!"

"Mara? Who's Mara?" Casey asks. I didn't even catch that she said Mara. Curious.

She points to her and rolls her eyes. "Mara - my sister Mara."

"I thought she was your Mom." Casey says. I keep quiet because I assumed the same thing and never bothered to question it. I feel stupid for it and hope she doesn't notice my embarassment.

"You aren't her Mom?" It comes out of me before I can think.

"No silly. She's my sister." Kira gigles and looks at me and my brother shaking her head.

"But you call her Ma." Casey says

Mara finally answers. "Short for Ma-ra. She's always called me Ma ever since she learned how to talk." This she says to me.

"Cole?" I ask.

"My brother."

I nod aplogetically. "Sorry. I guess we probably shouldn't of assumed."

"It's ok. We forget what it must sound like to other people cause we're just used to it. So no big deal Davis -okay?" She offers a smile.

"Where's your Mom and Dad?" Casey asks unapologetically like any other nosy 8 year old.

I give him a small nudge with my elbow.. "Case, don't be nosy. It's none of our business." I give him a look. Then turn to Mara. "Sorry about that."

Kira answers, "We don't got a Dad. But Mom is sick right now. She'll be back when she's done getting her sobering medicine. Right Ma?" She looks to Mara for confirmation. Mara just looks straight ahead with her mouth in a straight line and doesn't answer. Kira continues, "Ma is taking care of us till she comes back for us. She's coming back right Ma?"

Mara finally looks at Kira noticing the look on her face, she gives her a big reassuring smile then says, "Yeah Kira she will."

"Well, you guys are lucky. Parents can be moody bone heads." Casey says breaking up the seriousness. Kira is laughing at his 'bone head'  comment.

I sit there watching her. She smiles and I'm in awe of it because I've only seen it a few times but then when I really look at her I notice how it doesn't really hit her eyes all the way. I wish that I could see her smile fill her whole face. I bet it would be spectacular.

She must feel me staring because her eyes turn to me. But this time I don't want to turn away. I want to to really look at her. I want to to know that I see her  I look at her straight in the eyes. She looks at me and gives me her signature head tilt. For some reason, that makes me feel even more brave so I smirk challenging her with my own head tilt. I can tell it surprises her because she quirks an eyebrow then smiles at me. And it's just like I thought it would be. Beautiful - spectacular.