Meat Family

Chapter 5

Bee

Fame is bee

It has a song

It has a sting

Ah, too it has a swing

A dark-skinned woman sat on a bed, holding a book in her hand. Her blonde braids were gathered into a single braid, and she wore a white turtleneck sweater. Her light green eyes looked up at Brock.

"There you are, Orange," Sabine smiled warmly at her brother.

"Hello, Bee," Brock smiled back and hugged his sister tightly. It was wonderful to see her again. They had been close since childhood, often playing outside together when the weather was nice. But since her curse worsened, they hadn't been able to do much together.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and asked, "So, how are you?"

"Pretty good. My cough isn't as bad as it was a few years ago, but it's still hard to do things," Sabine explained, trying to appear happy, though Brock could see the burden she carried. Sabine had lost the feeling in her legs when she was nine and had to use a wheelchair ever since. She had tried repeatedly to draw or craft, but she became so quickly exhausted that she stopped completely.

There had also been some winters when she was bedridden with high fever that wouldn't subside for days. Their parents weren't sure if it was due to her curse or just an illness.

"It's nice to see you again. I heard what happened," she said gently.

"Yes..." Brock sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "I really made a mistake."

"Cheer up, now that you're back with us, we'll surely find a solution," Sabine spoke softly and placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Brock placed his hand on hers and smiled at her.

At that moment, the bedroom door opened, and Michael entered the room. "Dinner is ready. Brock, will you help me with Sabine?"

After they had carried Sabine downstairs and settled her into her place at the dining table, Marie had already served the meal. The dining room and kitchen were connected by a small passage. There was no door; only thin silk threads blocked the view to the kitchen, forming a pattern of marigolds.

Tonight's meal was enchiladas, and the whole room was filled with the delicious aroma that made Brock's stomach growl. Marie was an excellent cook.

Brock sat in his place next to Sabine. The seat next to him was empty; Jeremy usually sat there. The twins took their seats across from him, and there was also an empty spot next to Sera where Chilly would have sat. Mom and Dad sat at the ends of the table. Before they began eating, they took each other's hands and closed their eyes to pray. Who did they pray to? Their ancestors.

The Brock family lineage had existed for thousands of years. Family was something very special to them.

After they had finished their prayers, they began to eat. Brock savored every bite of the warm meal.

"How is Jeremy?" his mother asked, looking at him with her bright blue eyes.

Brock quickly swallowed his bite before answering, "He's good. His grades could be better, but he's doing okay otherwise. He still enjoys cooking."

"Hopefully something healthy as well." She then looked at her husband. "I need to go to Ilum Estrela; the fridge is getting empty."

Michael just nodded in response and took a bite of his food.