Pieces Part 1

Meet the Hnazants

RING! RING!

"Hello, Master? Yes, I have the young madam. Our ETA is 18 minutes. Okay. See you there."

Amber placed her iPad on her lap and looked out the car window. She saw groups and families seemingly enjoying themselves.

"Hey, Albert, do you have a family?" She muttered.

Albert glimpsed Amber through the rearview mirror. "Well, no, the Hnazant family is the closest thing I have to a family." As Amber retched, he smiled, "Why do you ask young madam?"

"I'm curious... are all families this messed up?"

"Hmmm, in my opinion.... Every family has problems, but not many like acknowledging them, so they never fix it."

"Sounds like my family, for sure. I wish my dad would."

Albert cleared his throat loudly. "Well, madam, as the master's right-hand man, I must say that he loves his kids and does everything for you and Master Mario."

"Well, it doesn't feel like it." Amber snapped. She should've known that anyone on her father's payroll would stick up for him, but she wished that someone could see the emotional toll of his 'parenting.' If his conception of being a father could even qualify as that.

Albert shook his head lightly. "You see, young madam, work is a double-edged sword. We work not only to survive but to provide for our family. In my line of work, I can promise my kids a life of leisure, but it comes at the cost of the time I could spend with them."

Amber sunk into her seat. Of course, the one occasion she tried spilling her grievances made her look like a spoiled brat.

Albert said, "It's a parent's duty to provide a better life for their children."

Amber crossed her arms. "But really... IS IT REALLY BETTER at this point, if your children have to raise themselves! How does a child live up to the Hnazant name if they were never taught it."

"Hmm, well, you do have a point. But who are you telling this to? 'Cause I'm not the one who needs to hear it.

Amber looked out the window. She spotted her family's restaurant. "Hnazant's Kitchen," she read quietly.

"We are here!" Albert announced louder as Amber swallowed thickly. When they pulled into the parking lot, Albert exited the vehicle and strolled to her door. He opened it for her. "Let's go, young madam."

"Yes."

As Amber and Albert maneuvered to the dining hall, waitresses and busboys greeted her. Albert pulled out a chair for her when they reached the Hnazant table.

"Here you go, young madam." He smiled.

Amber nodded stiffly. "Thank you, Albert."

Amber greeted Mario, leaning in so she could whisper, "He reserved the whole restaurant just for us? How nice, I wonder what he is hiding. Or should I say who?"

Mario wasn't amused. "Don't start this already; every time y'all fight, I get caught in the crossfire. You know family business should be kept behind closed doors."

Amber looked down at her lap. "I won't, I promise. But can we both agree that it's been a while since we've been a family—" She was interrupted by an eruption of horns. Stern and designer-studded, Master Louis Hnazant strode into the dining hall.

Albert boomed, "Everybody, please stand!"

Mario grabbed Amber's arm and made her involuntarily get up and bow.