Maggie E. Curtis

Mornings

"Girls! Its time to GO." 16 year old Maggie peered into the mirror, feeling exasperated. Josline could be so pushy sometime.

"Josline, I'm not ready yet! I still have to do my makeup."

"I don't care if your not ready yet. Your father will fire me if you are late on the first day of school."

"But its FASHIONABLE to be late so you can make an entrance. Besides," she muttered under her breath, " Daddy doesn't pay enough attention to us to care."

"Maggie Elizabeth Kurtis, you come down right this minute and put your shoes on. It is time to LEAVE."

Maggie rolled her eyes. "Fine Josline. I'm coming."

"Good. Get the other girls as you come."

This was to much. It was Josline's job to get them up and dressed, why should SHE have to do it. Muttering a few choice words under her breath about where and what Josline could go and do, she went to Mellie's door and pounded as hard as she could.

"Mellie! You had better be up! It's time to leave for school!" She heard the sound of Mellie's Converse hitting the floor and a book being slammed shut. A moment later the door opened and 12 year old Mellie poked her head out.

"Did you need something Maggie? I'm right in the middle of Moby Dick and would really like to continue."

Maggie rolled her eyes. Mellie may have talked like she was 20 but, in reality, she was a little girl who liked to cause trouble for others.

"Yes, I need something. Josline says it's time to leave for school. Are you ready?"

"I suppose," Mellie quipped "that I shall never really be ready but I shall have to settle for less than perfection for now. So yes, I am ready."

"Good. Then go downstairs to Josline and tell her that." Mellie quickly grabbed her bag and started down the stairs. Walking further down the hall, she could here the sound of music being played at full volume. Mazie was next in line to be woken up but, from the sound of it, Josline's yelling had already done that.

Maggie knocked anyways. "Mazie? Are you up?" No answer "MAZIE? ARE YOU UP?"

The music stopped abruptly and a muffled

"Amfst."

"What? Mazie, I can't understand you. Please open the door." The door opened a fraction of an inch and 10 year old Mazie peeked out through the crack. Making no eye contact with Maggie, she whispered,

"Almost." Before quickly shutting the door again.

"Well hurry up. Josline is starting to get impatient." With out waiting for a response, Maggie turned and slowly walked down towards the end of the hall. This door was her favorite to knock on. Pink and covered with ribbons, it belonged to her little sister Myrcie. Pausing a second to relish this moment, slowly she raised her hand and softly rapped on the door.

"Myrcie dear? Are you up sweetie pie?" Maggie opened the door and went inside. The inside of the room was just a large replica of the door. Pink covered every wall and almost everything in the room matched. Peering around the room she spotted Myrcie at the window seat. She was sitting and looking outside at the sunshine.

Maggie walked over to where her beautiful little sister was sitting. "Myrcie? Are you ok baby?"

"Yes, I'm fine thank you. I was just thinking."

"Oh? What were you thinking about?"

"I'm not really sure. When I looked out my window this morning and saw all the beautiful sunlight, I couldn't help but wonder if mother was up there somewhere, looking down on us and smiling. Do you think she is Maggie?"