swimming to the edge

"I'm beginning to think you live on Ramen Top Noodles." Leon poured Tyra's favorite soup bowl full. It was breakfast.

"I told you, it helps my sinuses." She looked at him that she didn't need to hear this. She'd just gotten back from her labs, and she needed her noodles which he'd promptly made for her while she was in the shower.

"You know how much sodium you're putting in body?" Leon questioned her. Tyra knew he liked to ask that question.

"I need this." She looked at him. She'd be back in class in two hours. Then off to the hospital for her shift as a nurse's assistant.

"Thank you, baby." She then chimed. She'd always wanted to say it. Usually, too shy to. Really, she wasn't sure if she'd ever have the guts to say it, but some how, Leon made it easy. He kissed her on the cheek, just as the doorbell rang.

He went to get it. Tyra couldn't imagine who it could be. Both Ryan and Roger were at work. Ryan still worked at the Children's Theater and Roger now wore a suit. But they didn't hang out that much. Sometimes, they'd share a Sunday dinner together.

"Tyra." Leon called. She was in the middle of slurping down noodles. She didn't really want to be interrupted. But then she saw the familiar faces in the doorway.

She wiped her face with a napkin. Tyra stared. First thing she thought, someone from the foster home. She'd seen lots of kids over the years. Some she knew longer than others. She just never felt like really getting to know anyone, or close to them.

Suddenly, she felt as if her cold took a turn for the worse. She blinked tears. She felt as if she were in an ocean of murky tears. It was an emotion she'd wanted to forget.

"It is you!" The one with the hat said. She rushed over. "You do remember me, don't you? I brushed your hair, all the time."

Tyra breathed out more tears. She could hardly speak.

"We're sisters." The taller one explained. "Jazmin's older even if she's shorter." She told Leon.

After a few hugs, they went to the livingroom to catch up.

"I think the last time we saw each other was in North Omaha." Jazmin remembered. "You might have been four then."

Tyra  nodded. Maybe. It was like an old dream she sometimes..remembered.

"Mom said you were adopted," Jazmin said.

Tyra shook her head, no. She'd been with a foster family here, possibly the longest. She'd gone to high school not far from here. They felt more like grandparents than parents.

"So what do you two do?" Tyra wanted to think of the future not the past. She told them she was studying to be a nurse. Jazmin mentioned her salon.

"I have a son." Rox told her.

"I'd like to meet him." Tyra smiled. She'd never been an Aunt before.