Especially Gifted

17 **Cat Out of the Bag**

       The next morning I woke up to birds singing outside my window. I checked the clock to see what time it was, and like usual, I woke up at six-thirty a.m. I yawned and stretched before attempting to get out of bed. I almost fell over from the sudden weight on my feet, but managed to catch myself on the railing at the end of by bed. I fixed my bed, putting the covers back to their normal position, and began walking around to get the sleepy feeling to go away. I could smell mom cooking pancakes while she got a pot of coffee ready for her and my dad. I knew that we still had at least half a carton of my iced coffee, since I never drink it warm, unless I absolutely want to. A smile passed my lips and it felt like old times, felt like we were actually a family again and not just a mom, daughter, and father with a huge hole in their chests. I knew this was all thanks to me finding Xander.

         After I took a shower I got dressed and headed downstairs. As I came down, I could see my mom making the last of the pancake batter and cheerfully humming to the song that was playing in her head. I seen a plate with three pancakes, all buttered and masked with crunchy peanut butter. She hadn't added the syrup yet, but had my glass of iced coffee sitting out with a little ice in it to keep it cool. I couldn't help but smile as I came down the steps. Mom was going out of her way making food like she used to. I heard the t.v. on and looked into the living room to see dad and Xander talking. Dad actually let Xander sit in his recliner. He never lets me sit there anymore. Oh well, they finally got their son back, and it's been way too long. It took me a moment to realize that we also had another visitor. In the chair next to mine, Grey sat humming along to the same song my mom was, trying his best to harmonize.    

     "So, what did you kids want to do today? We have all the time in the world and not a whole lot to do here. There's a zoo and a theme park about an hour's drive from here. There's also a movie theatre in town playing some really good movies." My dad suggested. I was thankful for the interruption. If it wasn't for dad, this would have been a long and awkward silence.

     "Why don't we go to the zoo? It's all outdoors and we'd get to see a bunch of different animals." Xander remarked. We all agreed and mom began to make snacks for the trip. I knew just what she was making too. It was her famous chocolate white chocolate chip cookies. She's won at least thirty contests with those cookies. Famous chefs have tried buying out the recipe, offering her a lot of money, but she always denies them. Just going on to another city to make them for the cycle to then repeat. I told my parents that I was going to go to the local mall and go clothes shopping. That way I could pass the time until we were all ready to go and my mom finished her cookies. Grey and Xander offered to come, but revoked that when they heard I was actually shopping. I just laughed and asked my parents to borrow one of the vehicles. They told me to take dad's truck, so I grabbed the keys and hopped in. I knew all the streets and where to turn. I also knew that I would have an hour at most to shop.

      I hurried into the mall, and made my way over to my favorite shops. I bought eight new outfits, and three pairs of new shoes. Two for work and one for normal wear. I decided that I had spent enough money when I seen something in a mirror that caught my eye. It was a jewelry store and there was a beautiful piece that was on display in the window. The necklace had a round center that swirled of colors of pink, purple, and blue. They circle piece also had some sparkles on top of the colors. On the sides were a pair of silver angel wings. The wings were laid down flat and the piece was breath taking. The chain was about 6 inches and looked like real silver from the lighting. I wondered inside and asked the jeweler about the piece. 

      "Oh! That one caught your eye. Well, I don't know much about the piece of art or where it came from. Normally I could tell you, but this one is unknown. I know that the jewels are real, whatever they are and that the necklace is made of real silver. Normally a piece like that goes for around $300 but I'll give it to you for $200." I thought that over for about a minute. Mom and dad still send me lunch money since they don't know I have a teacher's pass to eat free. That could make up for it, plus I'm getting paid from the school. After mulling it over another minute I decided that I could spare the extra cash and buy the necklace. The jeweler looked so happy that he threw in a pair of earrings free. So now, $378 cheaper, I left the mall and returned home. Just in time too, as the van was packed and everyone was loading up. I quickly dropped my stuff off in my room and jumped in the car.