Dots and Zeros [Completed]

32. Madeline

'You just look so tired,' my mother says.

Me and Sam are sitting on our regular seats at my parents' house. Dad is in the kitchen retrieving his most recent baking project. Sam hasn't said a word. Not on the way here, and not since we got here, unless they were asked a question.

'Thanks,' I say. 'It's been a long week.'

'That's not an excuse for those bags under your eyes. You should sleep more.'

'I would if I could.'

'Of course you could. Don't make up excuses.'

I don't say anything back. It's no use. With perfect timing dad walks in with a tray. He puts it down on the coffee table. There are four plates with each a fork. It seems to be some sort of layered cake.

'Here we go,' he says.

'Looks good, dad.'

'Thank you, Madeline.'

He gives everyone a plate.

'And the largest piece for Sam,' he says with a smile.

They smile back at him.

'Thanks,' they say.

'Let me tell you what it is,' dad says.

Mom bends forward and takes the plate from the table. She starts eating it with the fork. Dad only looks at her without saying a word.

'You don't want to hear what he has to say, mom?'

'He already told me.'

'Alright.'

Dad smiles at me a little.

'I did,' he says. 'So let me tell the next generation and the one after that. They're our future after all. Maybe this information will be beneficial someday.'

He chuckles.

'Do you know what a twix is?' he asks us.

'Yes, we do. Right, Sam?'

'Yeah, I've heard of those.'

'Well, the bottom layer, light brown, is very similar to that cookie part. The middle is darker brown which is the caramel. And the top layer is chocolate brownie.'

He picks up our plates from the table and hands it to us.

'Here you go,' he says. 'Enjoy.'

'We will, thank you.'