The Perfect Family

Breakfast as a family

After getting ready for school I head downstairs to where the rest of my family is. Mom making breakfast, dad reading the news paper having yet another drink, and my baby sister Ashley coloring with one of her stuffies

As soon as you enter the room you smell eggs and bacon mixed with a hint of liquor. "What? Because you didn't drink enough last night?" I say walking over to the bread and bringing it over to the toaster

"Well maybe I wouldn't have to drink so much if I could get some peace around here" my father says taking another swing of whatever he's drinking this time

After I place two pieces of bread into the toaster I turn leaning against the counter with my arms crossed staring at my father "Peace? You have a beautiful women who makes three square meals for you a day, a daughter who for a six year old is very well mannered and doesn't cause any trouble, and a teenager who's always in her room studying or doing "teenage things" as you call them. But it's probably the hangovers that prevent you from getting the so called "peace" you 'deserve'"

My mother turns to me and gives me that look that says "it's too early for that" and turns off the stove. My dad just turns back around and folds his papers, setting them down before getting up and walking towards me

We stare at each other until my mother decides to speak up before things got out of hand. "Look, breakfasts ready!" My father gives me one last glare before turning to sit back down in his seat and goes back to reading the morning paper

Just then my toast pops up so I put them on a plate and take a seat at the table. "Pass me a piece of toast" my father says behind his papers

"Get up and make some yourself" I say eating the food my mother out on my plate

"What did you say to me?" My father said folding his paper in half and leaning a bit against the table. That's his way of 'intimidating me'

I did exactly what he did and got right back into his face "As usual you can't seem to understand common English so I'll say it again but a little slower this time. If..you..want toast so bad then get up and make. It. Your. Self" I say before leaning back into my seat and taking a bite of my toast without breaking eye contact with him

"You know what-" he father said more than upset until he was cut off by my mother

"Looks like it's a good thing I made extra toast hm?" He said putting two pieces on his plate. He broke his eye contact with me and started to eat his food. When I finished I put my dishes in the sink

"Don't worry about dishes mom, I'll do them when I get home from school later" I say before slinging my backpack over my shoulder

"Finally being useful" my father mumbled just loud enough for me to hear

I fake gasped "finally sober?"

He gave me such a beard glare that would've killed me if it could but it can't so guess I'll be on my merry way.

"Come on Ash, let's get going" I say picking up her coloring book and crayons and put them in her my little pony backpack that I give to her after she's hopped off the chair and now next to me

"Thank you honey. Have a good day you too"

"You too mommy" Ashley says going over to mom and giving her a hug and a kiss making mom smile at the small gesture

"Go on before you two are late"

"Later"

I say holding Ashley's hand and making our way to school.