My middle son is a senior in high school and dating this Sweet girl named Cassie. She is a twin the younger by ten minutes. Annie the eldest of the girls is the opposite of the two girls. Where Cassie is always warm, bright, and bubbly, Annie is more like Wednesday Adams dark and always in black. Both the girls are rather on the petite, mousy, short, and nerdy side with thick rimmed glasses.
Every time my son invites Cassie out Annie has to be a third wheel. Every time he gets Cassie a present he gets Annie one also so she isn't left out. Being that he is in high school and doesn't really have a job I will help him out with the money. As the gifts were not big I really did not care or think anything of it. It was a bit of a joke at first. I would ask if he was dating both of them etc but did not pay much attention to it. That was until last month.
The two turned 18 and my son picked out their birthday presents. He got Cassie a locket and Annie he got a little handmade bracelet from a street vendor. He took them to Dave and Busters for lunch. When they got back to my house Cassie and my son disappeared to play video games in his room leaving Annie alone on the couch as I sat on the recliner watching football. I looked over at her and noticed she had her shoes off and feet up on my couch. On her left ankle was the bracelet that my son had given her a couple hours before.
I thought this was strange and my eyes kept drawing back to the bracelet on her ankle. I did not say anything just thought why would she do this. Annie caught my gaze and smiled. She exclaimed, "thank you so much for the present, I know you paid for it."
"You're welcome Annie" I said.
"I think it looks better as an anklet though, don't you?" She asked with a smile.
Again she watched as my gaze went to how the dark stones contrasted against her bright pale white ankles and feet. "Yes, Annie, I believe you are right about that. The bracelet does look amazing around your ankle." I blurted out before realizing what I said.
Annie then asked, "So do you like paying for gifts for Colin to give me?"
I was slightly surprised by the question as I never thought about it until that moment. I did not consider buying her things. I just did it as a help for my son. Before I had a chance to respond she said "Don't worry Brad I have read lots of studies that lots of men like you enjoy giving women gifts."
Now I was really confused. First calling me by my first name and second what men like me? I looked at her with a serious gaze and all she did was wiggle her feet and slide one up her leg. "Cassie, what are you talking about guys like me?" I stammered out.
She looked at me with this icy gaze that was more intense from behind her thick glasses. "Bradley, let's not kid ourselves. Over the last year I have noticed how your "son's" gifts have gotten nicer and nicer. I also know that you can't stop thinking about this bracelet wrapped around my ankle. "