The Real American Idol

Sick Day

Even on Monday, the entire family still felt full from the weekend. When the kids returned to school on Monday, Lily spoke with Miley.

"It was so boring," Lily huffed. "Dad showed me a kiddie book entitled Black Beauty. It's about a black horse's life."

"Was it really a copy meant for kids?" Miley asked. "Because Anna Sewell didn't intend to write the book for kids."

"Well, it was a chapter book with 47 chapters, but it was so boring," Lily sniffed.

"What was so boring?" Mirabela asked, coming up with Dulce and Variel.

"Hello, Mirabela," Lily said, deadpan. "I hope you had a lot of fun with your daddy."

"We all did," Variel said. "We took Tío Pedro to Chesapeake Corral on Black Friday."

"And we still feel full," Dulce said. "I can't wait until gym class, so I can get more exercise."

"You said it, Dulce," Mirabela smiled.

"And I suppose you got your daddy's Christmas present on Black Friday?" Lily asked.

"I already bought it back in October," Mirabela said. "I was going to send it to him in the mail before Christmas, but now that he's home with us for good, it'll be going under the Christmas tree."

"And I suppose you'll be putting up your Christmas tree with him?" Lily asked.

"Not until we're done with midterms," Mirabela said. She was really uncomfortable with Lily's interrogation. "Well, I'd better get ready for class."

"But class doesn't start for another 20 minutes," Miley said.

"I just want to get a head start," Mirabela lied.

Mirabela hurried into the building. Lily and Miley had no idea what was going on, but Dulce and Variel knew what was bothering their cousin.

"What's gotten into her?" Lily asked.

"What's gotten into you, Lily?" Dulce asked. "Why are you acting like this towards, Mirabela?"

"Can't you see?" Lily asked. "Haven't you noticed that ever since her military daddy came home, she's been spending all her time with him?"

"That's not true, Lily," Variel frowned. "She's been spending a lot of time with us, too."

"Yes, she went to the mall for kicks with our mom," Dulce said.

"And she helped Lito make the arepas for Thanksgiving dinner," Variel chimed in.

"But she never wants to do anything with me anymore," Lily said. "Now every time she spends time with her daddy, I myself have to spend some time with my dad."

"She has the right idea," Dulce said. "She just wants to enjoy his company while he's still in her life."

"And you should enjoy your dad's company while he's in your life," Variel said. "By the time you learn to appreciate him, it'll be too late."

"I appreciate my daddy because he's famous," Nancy sniffed. "I'll especially appreciate when everyone sees his latest jewels and buys them."

"Good to know, Nancy," Variel said. "Well, we'd better get ready." She and Dulce went after their cousin, leaving Lily, Miley, and Nancy flabbergasted.

"Well, I'm looking forward to seeing your jewels, Nancy," Lily said sweetly.

"Oh, you'd better," Nancy smirked. Then she walked off with her nose up.