Chapter 7

Hank picked at his food listlessly. In his 9 year old mind there were more important things than mashed potatoes and green beans. His mother, however, seemed to have other ideas.

"Hank, are you planning to eat that?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

"Hay Hay, I have question." Hank looked over to his 3 year old brother, who was staring at him thoughtfully.

"Shoot."

"Why is it when you look at Seena your face change color? You know, go red. And you get weird look in eyes Hay Hay. Oh, and your face look like fever. Why you get sick around Seena?"

"What! I... I don't do anything weird around Selena. I don't."

"Selena's that girl in your class, right Hank? The pretty one?"

Hank glared at his mother. "I never said..."

"That's exactly how you described her. 'The Pretty One'."

"Just drop it, okay!" Hank stabbed his fork into the green beans viciously.

"Hay Hay, I have other question."

"What?"

"When you look at people you look at face, right?"

"Right."

"So why is it when you look at Seena you look at..."

"Stop talking! Just stop talking, right now! Right... now."

Don looked a little taken aback, at Hank's outburst. "Why?"

"Because..." By this time, Hank's face was as red as his hair. "You just wouldn't get it."

"What's special about Seena?"

"Well, Don, Hank just really likes her." Hank's father cut in a smirk on his face.

"He likes other people to, but he doesn't get fevers with them."

"Well he special likes Selena." Hank's father leaned in close and whispered dramatically: "He wants to kiss her."

Hank buried his face in his arms on the table, a certain primary color dominating his face.

"Does Seena want kiss Hank?"

"Sadly, no." Hank's father said wistfully, hamming it up for the 3 year old. Don considered this new information, before coming to a conclusion. He stood up on his chair, and started bridging the gap between his chair and Hank's. Hank sat up, ready to catch Don, just in case.

"That's okay, Hay Hay." Don reassured. "Seena doesn't have to kiss you. I will." Having said this, he cupped Hank's face in his small hands, and kissed Hank on the forehead. He pulled away, a bright smile shining on his face. "See?"

Hank leaned on one elbow with a sort of resigned sigh. "Yes Don, that's a great comfort to me."

Satisfied, Don made his way back to his chair. But Hank remained in turmoil.

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- later that night

It was bedtime, and Hank was lying in bed face down, when the bed sagged slightly, indicating his little brother's presence.

"Hay Hay? Why do you want to kiss Seena?"

Sigh "She's pretty."

"But Hay Hay, she's not nice."

"That's not really how it works." Hank moaned woefully.

Don mulled this over. "I don't understand, Hay Hay, but I'm here for you anyway." Don wiggled up under Hank's arm, pressing his warm body into Hank's. And Hank smiled.