See You Again

IV

I spent most of my night doing homework not due until weeks from now, and about 3 hours sleeping. I envy people who can sleep all night long.

I turned off my alarm clock, but I was already up when it started ringing. I headed downstairs, knowing my siblings wouldn't get there for at least a few more 'just five minutes'.

"Good morning, Maria." I greeted the maid as she placed breakfast on the table.

"Good morning, sir." She smiled. "How was your night?"

"Same as always," I complained as I let myself fall into a chair.

I could see her smile falter. Maria was like a second mother to me. Well, grandma if we go by age. When my parents were out of town, she was the one who took care of us; I think I've spent more of my childhood with her than with them. She cares for our family.

"Have you been to that sleep clinic I suggested? It made wonders to my sister."

"What's the point, Maria? They're all the same charlatans. Besides, why would I want to depend on pills to sleep?" I said, "I just need a cup of coffee."

She snorted and hit me on the back of my head before pouring the steaming liquid on my mug. "Aren't you dependent on coffee?"

I massaged my sore nape. "To keep me awake, not to make me drop dead in the middle of the street."

She shook her head. "What about the psychologist?"

"I'm not crazy, Maria, stop insisting."

"I never said you were. But if something is keeping you awake at night, you should know what it is, shouldn't you?"

Before I could answer, we were struck by a tornado. Sadie and Nate weren't even here yet, but I could hear them loud and clear yelling about something petty, shoving each other down the stairs until they reached the kitchen.

"Keep it quiet," Maria instructed them, but they paid little attention to her. Somewhere between crawling and hitting the two digits, they stopped listening to her. They figured out that she technically worked for them and decided that she had no business babysitting them anymore.

"Shut up." I rose my voice, and they stopped mid-battle and looked at me. "Sit down." I hissed.

"Why?" Nate challenged, but Sadie had already taken a sit.

"Because I said so."

"And why should I care about what you say?"

"Because if you don't, you'll sleep in the street tonight." I threatened.

"Yeah, right." He mocked.

"I heard it's raining tonight," Sadie added. "You should get a raincoat. Or you can sleep in Sky's kennel."

I smirked at that and Nate sat down with a scowl and demanded to Maria go make him waffles.

"I don't think so. I know you're trying hard to get fatter, but you should stop now or we'll have to make bigger doors. Why don't you take the day off, Maria?" I suggested.

"Seriously?" she asked with uncertainty.

"Of course not! You work for me. Go make my waffles."

"Of course, yes. You already do so much... You should go to the beach with your sister."

Her smile grew bigger, and she thanked me before excusing herself.

"Why did you do that?" Nate asked, and Sadie couldn't stop giggling over her brother's red face.