Deep breaths escaped my mouth as I laid flat on my back on my yoga mat for a moment to relax my body while the house was still quiet enough to allow me to collect my thoughts. My mind began to wonder just everywhere it wanted to go because it had the reigns today over me. I let my mind take me where it believed I should be at the moment, clearing my head for once so I could have some clarity, and I finally was able to envision another idea in my head in regards to my character. Everything was finally coming to together as I was nearing putting the final touches on my upcoming role that I found time to study for, even staying up late last night typing away notes into my phone so I could remember all of my thoughts to jot into my notebook.

I heard a loud thump come from the kitchen, a loud "DAMN!", and shot straight up to see what was going on with Tyson. The stove light had been on but he still managed to hit his toe on his way into the kitchen and shrugged towards the refrigerator slowly.

"I'm sorry, T.J. Daddy didn't mean to cuss…darn…"

He was out of it. I watched as Tyson grabbed some lettuce out of the fridge thinking it was some yogurt but he realized it wasn't the item that he needed to grab, put it back into the fridge, and grabbed the tub of yogurt that he needed to get instead so he could feed T.J. some breakfast.

"Morning," he said to me. "You want something to eat?"

"I'll make us something because you are exhausted," I offered.

Tyson put T.J. in his high chair but instead left the kitchen after telling me I didn't have to make him anything to eat because he was too tired to eat at the moment. It was almost six in the morning and sometimes T.J. would wake up out of his sleep early which meant that either me or Tyson had to be up early with him. But I didn't mind as I was used to it but today Tyson was exhausted as he slept in for a couple of hours in the room, snoring softly in his sleep with the covers pulled up to his waist, and his back turned towards me as I slipped into bed beside him after I laid T.J. back down to sleep. I laid behind him with my arm around his waist as I fell asleep for a bit so I could have some type of rest before getting back up to do some laundry later.

After I took a shower once the laundry was down, Tyson had gotten up to clean up the house and was vacuuming as he was eating his chocolate chip cookies with Nutella while vacuuming the floor and the kids were on the couch watching Sesame Street with Timmy sitting between them. They too were eating cookies, getting crumbs everywhere per usual until Tyson vacuumed their area real quick before turning off the machine.

"You guys like it?" Tyson asked the kids.

Tyra continued to shove her cookie in her mouth while T.J. finished his then wanted one more cookie with Nutella smeared on it and I knew this would be the start of something. I found the damn chew chocolate chip cookies they were eating and put them up after giving the kids one more for the day because their father loves to sneak them sugary snacks when I'm not looking. I made myself a cup of tea and joined the others in the living room as Tyson turned on the theatrical movie of Street Fighter which is an oldie but goodie. Tyson taught the kids everything about the movie as we all watched it and I couldn't help but remember him inviting me to go see the movie with him and his parents.


Flashback:

"Here's some popcorn," Tyson to me as he handed me the bucket.

"Thank you," I said. "Where's your mom and dad?"

"Down there. I wanted to sit alone with you."

"Aw."

"I'm really going to enjoy this movie! Thank you for coming with me, Tia."

"Thank you for inviting me. Soda?"

"No problem! And yes, please!"

Me and Tyson shared our snacks together while watching the previews until the movie finally started. I would sneak a look at Tyson to see his eyes wide as he watched each second of the movie with happiness because he was watching his favorite fighting characters battle it out on the silver screen before him. It was if the director of the film created it just for him because Street Fighter was a game that seemed to give Tyson the most energy whenever he would play it either at home or at the arcade and it was an energy I enjoyed. I really loved the movie myself and planned on seeing it again with Tyson if we could convince our parents to let us come back to watch the film again which we were successful in doing. I cherished every single moment I was able to have with Tyson as we grew up together and my childhood was more memorable because of his presence.

Present:


"How many times did we see Street Fighter?"

"Five times within a month to be exact." I finished cutting up some carrots and put them into the pan of chicken I was about to bake. "It was quite a good time."

"Aw, man. Good memories. Tyra, would you stop spitting out your applesauce, please?"

Tyson was trying to feed Tyra her snack but she kept spitting it out every time it was in her mouth instead of eating it. Tyra thought it was funny that she would give her father a hard time on purpose because that's just something she liked to do on a daily basis whenever it came time to eat. T.J. had been sitting at the table eating his applesauce while also giggling at his siter's mischievous tactics as she sat in her high chair giggling away. Tyson squinted at T.J. then Tyra before feeding her some more applesauce that she ended up eating but she still needed to get cleaned up.

"Hehe," Tyra said when Tyson lifted her out of her high chair.

"This shit isn't funny," Tyson said to me when he saw me giggling.

"All you have to do is change her onesie! You already changed her diaper so she's good!" I said. "It'll be okay and I promise you that you will be okay, Tyson."

"Pft!" Tyson said.

"PFT!" Tyra repeated.

"Don't copy me, MA'AM!" Tyson said playfully to Tyra as he took her out of her high chair. "All of this darn applesauce. Despite you spitting out your food, I still love you, your brother, and Mommy."

I put the chicken in the oven and gave Tyson a smile as I took off my mittens.

"We love you, too," I said. "And after dinner, I'd love to beat you in Street Fighter. AGAIN."

"You're on," Tyson said. "I'll be back."