I'll Never Be Little

Chapter 11

I got bored a little bit through the movie Gabriel picked and decided to walk around for a bit. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going until I walked past Ethan's room and saw the raccoon plushie on the plushie shelf. Suddenly, everything else in the world didn't matter.

"Get yourself together, Alex." I said, trying to will myself to walk away. It didn't work.

There had to be some kind of charm or spell on that stupid toy.

There were seven other plushies on the shelf. Ethan wouldn't miss one, right?

I walked up to the plushie. The feeling to hug it, coddle it, pet it, play with it was immense, flowing through each and every one of my veins like a rushing stream.

Get yourself together, Alex.

I closed my eyes, trying to do some deep breathing, hoping that would help build some kind of resistance. I slowly backed out of the room and closed the door, every fiber in my body screaming to go back to the fluff covered demon.

I returned to the pair again, feeling drained from leaving it there. After I sat down, Ethan bounced up, looking at me excited.

"You wanna pway?" Ah, he dropped again.

I wasn't in the mood for playing stupid games and it was already late. Also, that thing was still in his room.

"Not today Ethan, maybe tomorrow?

"But....but, I want youuu," he said, lip quivering.

Gabriel was looking at us and he seemed kind of....annoyed?

"Well, I don't want to play, so go away."

"Pwease, Awex?"

"No."

"Bu-but I asked nicely...don't you give things when you ask nice?" he asked sadly.

"Alex just play with him," Gabriel said, despondent. What was his problem? 

What was their problem?

"Well, I don't feel like it. Ethan can play by himself, or even better, with you."

"I don't want to pway with Daddy," Ethan stated, shaking his head. "I want you!"

I saw Gabriel grip the couch, jaw slightly tight, eyes holding a firm scowl. I threw him a confused look.

"Awex pway!"

"I don't want to!"

"Pway now!"

I was actually so done with this kid. 

I looked at Gabriel for help, but immediately refrained as he looked at me pissed. Was I not allowed to say no anymore?

"Gabriel, Ethan can't rule my life."

"That's not it!" he shouted, before pinching the bridge of his nose. "I've always wanted to do things with Ethan, play with him, cuddle him, care for him. It's all I've ever wanted, but all he wants is you! What have I done to deserve this?!"

He clenched his fists and looked away, his voice becoming softer. "I'm the one who's with him voluntarily. I usually have to force you to spend time with him and what do I get in return? He avoids me! He dodges my care and keeps crying about you."

Ethan started to cry from the screaming and Gabriel tried to comfort him, but Ethan just pushed him away and wrapped his arm around me.

"See what I mean?! It's not even fair," he grumbled, as he left the room.

I looked at Ethan, sobbing into my shoulder. The situation was quite weird, huh. I noticed an odd smell, and concluded he probably needed a diaper change too. Well, maybe Gabriel would get his dream as I was not going to change him myself.