Mirrored

A Really Bad Paint-Job

"Girls, this is wonderful!" Aunt Candace says, smiling ecstatically at Katelyn and me. A fork-full of scrambled eggs makes its way off her expensively old dining plate as she shovels it into her mouth, barely chewing it before eating more. "I can't thank you two enough for this!"

"You don't have to thank us, this is a thanks to you for being so nice and understanding." Katelyn assures her, mirroring my aunts smile with barely any effort.

I loathsomely stare down at my food, still evenly distributed on my chipped plate. No smudges or messy crumbs indicate that I've eaten a single bite. My stomach moans hungrily at me, urging me to enjoy the food as much as my Aunt across from me is, but besides my stomach I feel as though I have a loss of appetite. Stubbornly I force my eyes to look away from the breakfast, not moving my hands from my chest where they laid crossed over one another.

On the other side of the table, Aunt Candace and Katelyn continue to make conversation, chatting as if they were best friends in need of "catching up".

"I'm still super pleased. I haven't been treated to breakfast in so long." Aunt Candace continues, holding her hands in her lap so she looks lady-like.

"I hope you can get used to it, then. Because Fiona and I would be delighted to make a meal for you at anytime of the day, right Fiona?" Katelyn says, turning her eyes to me expectantly.

"Anytime." I repeat distantly, focusing on a small bird perched on the windowsill next to me.

"Fiona?" Katelyn asks, frowning at me irritatedly.

"What?" I reply obliviously, meeting her critical eyes with my tired, weary ones as the bird takes off in the air, flying to a nearby pine-tree.

"Okay.. moving on: Today's paint day! Only the kitchen really needs painting, so there isn't much to move out of here. I suggest one of you tape up the corners and cover the floors with newspaper while the other gets paint from the attic." Aunt Candace tells us.

"I call prepping the kitchen!" I say immediately, sitting up straight. Both girls stare at me. "Alright then. I'll get the paints. What color?" Katelyn asks, ending the small silence.

"I was thinking of the light blue one? I'm just worried it won't look good." Aunt Candace mutters, frowning as her eyes wander around the kitchen.

"In this house, anything looks good. I'll go get the paints." Katelyn smiled, standing up and walking out of the room.

"I'll go get some blue tape and newspaper. Any around?" I ask, backing my chair away from the table and standing up. "Kitchen drawer to the left of you for the tape, and by the garage door in a box for the papers! I'll just get out of your guys' way." The cheery Aunt nodded. Aunt Candace reached in front of her to to grab her half-full coffee before shuffling out of the room, leaving her empty plate on the table.

I turn and open the drawer I was instructed to look in. The tape lies on the top of a pile of random, useless items, along with other things like flashlights, pencils, and even some jewelry.

I find the newspaper immediately, to my surprise. When I walk in I find a decently large box laid on its side with a bunch of old, dusty papers scattered in front of it. I pick up the papers and the box and bring them both into the kitchen again, plopping them down on the table next to my still untouched food.

Working quickly, I surround every corner of the room with the blue tape. As Katelyn walks downstairs holding some brushes and an unopened can of paint, I set down layers of newspaper, getting the floors covered in less then five minutes.