"Am I getting on your nerves?" Tyson asked me.
"Yes, you are and you're making me mad. Get away from me." I gently pushed past Tyson because he was standing in my way as I was trying to walk out the back door. I climbed into my treehouse expecting Tyson to take the hint but he didn't. When I saw his curly hair climbing up, I started to yell at him. "Go away!"
"No, I want to know why you're mad at me," Tyson said.
"You know why!"
"No, I don't know why!"
"I'm gonna kick you down."
"If you do, I'm going to tell Uncle Don!"
"I don't care."
"Let me in, Tia."
I had barricaded the entrance with my body but relented when Tyson gave me a jolly rancher as a peace offering. I stuck it in my mouth but glared at Tyson who looked at me with his usual confused and dear in headlights look.
"Why are you mad at me?"
"Because you made me kiss you when I didn't want to. I wasn't feeling well today."
"I thought if I gave you a kiss, you'd feel better?"
"Today I just wanted to be left alone."
"Oh. I'm sorry for kissing you."
"Apology accepted."
"Do you still want to be left alone?"
"I did but since you gave me a jolly rancher, I'll let you stay."
"Thank you."
Tyson pulled out more jolly ranchers from his back pocket to give to me and I happily accepted them all. But before we continued to eat them, I asked Tyson a quick question: "Can I gave you a kiss?"
"Of course."
Tyson wanted to kiss me on the cheek but I took his face in my hands and kissed him on his lips. He grabbed ahold of me so he could give me a big hug while we gave each other the biggest kiss ever.
We were only twelve but we knew no meant no and yes means yes.
He wanted to make up with me because of his crazy actions that he did in my dressing room. I decided why not and allowed him to take me to the fanciest restaurant he could find in order to make up for what he did. A seafood place was the spot that we decided on and since I love seafood, that was a good place to eat and talk. Before we even ordered water, I demanded Tyson look at me and promise me that he wasn't packing any alcohol in his suit that he was wearing.
"No, I'm not. But I do have my medication with me."
"You want me to hold it for you?" I was about to grab it from him to put it into my purse.
"No, I got it. I know I said it before but I'll say it again: I love you and I love seeing you in your dress."
I had on a little black dress, Audrey Hepburn influenced, and it was strapless. It showed enough of my legs for Tyson to continue to comment on how he'd love to eat them for dessert when we returned home. I chuckled at that comment but held him to it since he wanted to devour me so bad.
"Thank you for the nice compliment," I replied. "Tomorrow, I want to go up on the mountain behind the house so we can talk. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Haven't been up there in a minute."
"Sounds like we need to go then. What do you want to order?"
"Lobster."
"That's it, just lobster?"
"Yup. Just lobster and a salad".
"Whatever you want, my lady."
The entire evening went great and better than I expected it to. Not that I thought it would go bad but me and Tyson were genuinely laughing at each other's corny jokes, laughing at each other if we spilled something on our clothes, and legit had the best time. Tyson seemed to be better which made me happy as I hated seeing him down. He talked about his travels and how he wishes he could take the kids and me with him all the time. I told him my cousins wanted to visit again which made Tyson squint his eyes at me.
"Which ones?" he replied.
"You know who I'm talking about," I said.
"Pft. Those two are something else. Always being a menace to society," Tyson said.
"Oh, I know and that's why I want them to visit again."
"We will see. How do you feel about Don staying with us?"
"I don't mind it. He's been looking after the kids which is nice…I actually thought he was going to be too…..eccentric."
"He can be but when it comes to the kids he's told me numerous times he really loves and adores the kids. One day he asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas."
"Let me guess: more books?"
"That and they want Timmy to have books, too."
"Oh lord. My kids want to teach the cat how to read."
"We have been teaching them to read and I've been teaching them Japanese a lot. I sometimes don't realize just how much I've taught the kids until they have full blown conversations with me about random things. They're such smart kids…kids I will never regret having with you. I firmly believe the kids are here for a reason: the kids have taught me to slow down in life. I have a career but the kids have taught me that there's more to life. I'm reading to them and it reminds me of when we used to read to each other. Just the quiet and peaceful time with you and the kids remind me that I need that peaceful time to slow down."
"If we could escape somewhere for an entire month, I'd make you sleep and really catch up on a lot of sleep."
"Of course you would! I love getting sleep so I do need more. I'd make sure you're well taken care of as well. I'd massage your feet and legs as you're always dancing. Your legs remind me of Tina Turner's legs."
"That's the best compliment ever. Whenever I get mad at you, I play "What's Love Got To Do With It"."
"Interesting. Whenever I get mad at you, I play "End of the Road". It's the song that I listened to a lot as a kid when I first developed feelings for you and I still listen to it often to help me calm down."
"I love how we both have a song to listen to whenever we're angry with each other."
"Music is always great to listen to. Can't wait to see your performance soon."
"One more week until it happens. Oh, I meant to tell you something: I've been offered a job at the theatre to teach some dance classes."
"Really?! Baby, that's so fantastic! I'm proud of you!"
"I honestly can't believe it but I got a call earlier today about it and it's amazing."
"This makes me so happy, Tia. I really am."
"Everything is working out like it should…I wonder what else life has in store for us next?"
"You think whatever else is next is going to make us stronger or break us?"
"I hope it makes us stronger…we only break when we get angry with each other and start yelling."
Tyson reached for my hand to squeeze it.
"We'll be alright, T," he said. "Dessert time?"
"Sure. Chocolate cake with ice cream, please."