Preparations

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 An almighty crash from downstairs shook the entire house—bringing me from a slow wake up to fully alert in seconds. ''What the bloody hell!?'' Before even reaching the end of our hallway down the stairs, the sound of plates clattered, making me wince in pain, as I headed down the stairs to see the commotion.

''Mum, are you mental?! It's 5 am!''

'Ah, Bea, there you are.''

''Where did you think I was? In bed like all normal people.'' 

''You're far from normal, Bea; we all know it. Now that you're up, come to help me.''

Reluctantly I joined her in the kitchen. ''You know it's not normal to prepare to this extent for a party. You have ages left to prepare for, and you did a lot of it yesterday.'' I tried to reason.

''This evening must be absolute perfection, everything in place, cleaned, the atmosphere welcoming, the food stunning. You and your father dressed in something other than Star Wars or sarcastic themed T-shirts. I want you to look nice; the pair of you look like sloths most of the time.''

''Whoa, easy on the insults, mum, what's wrong with telling the truth in bold font to make a point?'' I sassed. ''You're going a little overboard; it's a party with friends, not a wedding.''  I looked at her hands held up. 

''You said there was no pressure for me to be anything, and I always dress nice 'once' a year. If you're like this at this time, you'll put me into a meltdown before it's even started,' I stated, already feeling the stress of expectation. 

A look of guilt on her flashed across her face; she sighed deeply ''I'm sorry, Bea, I don't mean to be... just you've not been here for the last few, and everyone is excited to see you and these parties are important to me not only for business but friends. I know it's asking a lot of you, and you can go whenever you need, but I... forget you're not like me in that respect, though I tried, it's not you, is it.'' She smiled

A few uncomfortable memories surfaced. 'Sorry, mum.''

''Nothing to be sorry for, they were my mistakes, but I wouldn't change you for the world, you know that, right?'' She affirmed.

''Yeah,'' Smiling at her. 

''Right then,'' clapping her hands,'' Why don't you go back to bed?''

''Nah, I'm awake now. So how can I help?''

''Can you prepare this?'' Then, passing over various ingredients '' and will you still be alright to make the cakes?'' I nodded, assuring her as we worked together in peaceful silence for a time. ''Take a break whenever you need it; if you do that, I'll get us some breakfast, the usual I take it?'' She asked.

''I'm a creature of habit, mum, yes, please.'' I beamed, my stomach growling at just the thought of hash browns, let alone the rest. ''Don't I know it.'' She laughed. 

We enjoyed a well-earned breakfast, catching up on the morning's news and discussing various things. ''Honey, have you been going to classes in recent weeks?'' 

''Classes? Oh, right,  pole and aerial, yes, I started a few weeks ago.'' I confirmed. 

''That's great. Just be careful not to push yourself; I don't want you passing out at height, and I know you were training hard before coming here.'' 

''I am an instructor, and don't worry, taking it slowly I am, being extra cautious. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw how much muscle tone I had lost, and I wanted it back. I felt ready, though; great to be back doing it. I have to go home at some point, back to my life'' I assured her it was alright.  ''As long as you're happy''.  

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