Free T.J. Klune - Bear, Otter, and the Kid 1 - Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune Page B

jumped down from his chair,
running out of the room. His socks made little scuffing noises on the tile.
    I waited until he was gone then sunk back into my chair. My head was hurting. My neck was sore, apparently after spending the last few hours nuzzled into Otters neck. I groaned out loud, thanking God only Ty had found us like that. What would Creed have thought, seeing me sprawled against his brother? What about Anna? What the fuck was I thinking?
    Whatever. I was tired and just rolled over onto his arm in my sleep. It’s no big deal. Who cares, anyway? So what if Creed had seen us? What, he would have called us a bunch of fags? It’s not like we were doing anything. Otter’s not like that. Im not like that. It was an accident.
    Before I could think about it anymore (not that I wanted to), the Kid came running back into the room, holding a big piece of construction paper. He handed it to me then crawled back into his chair and began to eat his cereal again. I looked down at the paper he had given me. It was folded in half and on the outside it said TO BEAR FROM YOUR BROTHER. I laughed quietly and opened it. Inside there was a drawing underneath more words that spelled out HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR and I LOVE YOU. The drawing showed five stick figures standing on what appeared to be the beach. I could tell which one was Ty because he had drawn himself smaller than the others. Anna was drawn having long black hair. There were three others.
    “That ones you,” he said, pointing to the one standing next to the version of himself. “And thats Uncle Creed standing by Anna, and thats Otter standing on the other side of you.” He had drawn us all holding hands. I was holding the Kids hand and Otters. Oh for the love of God, it’s just a picture!
“Thanks, Kid. I think youre going to be a famous artist someday.” “Maybe. Or a detective. I havent decided yet. Can I have some more Lucky Charms?”
    “Yeah.” I was still staring down at the picture, realizing that he hadnt drawn Mom into the picture. I put it down on the table. “Ty,” I said, suddenly unsure of what to say next. I was saved when Creed walked into the room, yawning.
    “Uncle Creed!” Ty yelped and jumped from the chair. Creed caught him and swung him in circles.
“Hey, Kid! Whats the word?”
“Did you know its Bears birthday?”
He stopped spinning Ty and looked over at me. “Sure did, Kid. Your big bros getting to be an old man now.” I could see the concern in his eyes as he realized that I hadnt said anything to Ty yet.
Ty didnt seem to notice anything was amiss. “Yeah, hes an old Bear now. Well have to put him in a home. Are we going to have cake for Bear today?”
“Cake?” Creed said, setting him back on his chair. “I bet we could swing that. What kind of cake do you think Bear wants?”
Ty made a face and grumbled, “Probably something gross like coconut. I hate coconut.”
“Ill tell you what: if Bear wants coconut cake, Ill make sure we get you a cake of your own.”
Ty looked up at him suspiciously. “But its not my birthday.”
“Thats okay. Hey, Kid. Do you mind if I steal your brother for a minute? I have to talk to him about some grown-up stuff.”
“That sounds boring,” Ty pronounced. “Can I go wake up Otter?”
“Yeah, sure. As a matter of fact, make sure you jump on him and hit his face with the pillow okay? Thats the only way that Otters wake up.”
Ty took another bite, then left the table again. Creed turned to me, eyebrows raised. “I take it you havent said anything yet.”
I shrugged. “He just woke me up a few minutes ago. I havent had time to do much of anything.” I heard a roar from the living room, then Tys high-pitched laughter.
“Do you want us to be here when you do?” Creed asked, putting his hand on my arm.
“I guess. Id think it was better if all of us were here, dont you? That way hell see that he still has us.”
“Okay,” he said, getting up. “Ill go get Anna. Its probably best we do this