Goodwill Academy

Chapter 3 : The Mercedes

I woke up to my phone alarm blasting 'Cheap Thrills' by Sia. I just love this song. It is so full of energy that I love starting my day listening to it. I got out of the bed and finished my morning routine.

I go downstairs in the kitchen to my mother squeezing fresh juice from the oranges. I drink the glass full of juice she prepared for me and eat a banana. Once she is done with hers as well, she puts the glasses in the sink and turns to look at me. She has a fake smile and a sad look in her eyes. I can tell she is taking a mental picture of the moment. I am an only child and I know my mother is going to miss me when I go to Goodwill Academy. Too emotional to vocalize her feelings, she just asks me to get ready for the yoga class that we are taking together this summer.

I run upstairs to get dressed. For a minute I consider taking a shower but what is the point; I' m going to have to take one after the class anyways. I wear my sports bra and white tank top with black shorts. I generally prefer tights but it is summer season and I hate getting sweaty. After wearing a headband and braiding my hair into two plaits, I grab my tote bag and go downstairs. While I am waiting for my mother, I fill the water bottles. I go to the living room to see my father has showered and is watching the morning news in his bathrobe.

"Good Morning Dad" I greet him giving a kiss on his cheek. "I think there is pancake batter in the fridge if you want to make breakfast. Mom and I are going off to the yoga class."

"Dad," I said after checking if mom was coming down, " I have a small request... Can you ask mom to make her special lasagna today? If I ask her she will start talking about carbs and fats and healthy stuff. Just say you want to eat it. Please. I know she won't say no to you." I said as I pleaded with dad.

"No can do sweetie. Even I can't stand your mother's health talks. I am not going to ask Thea for it." Dad replied.

"What are you not going to ask me Helios?" mom questioned dad.

"Hey mom! Dad just wanted to eat your special lasagna for dinner but he was too scared to ask you to cook." I chimed in, not feeling guilty at all for throwing my dad under the bus.

"Sweetie, I know it's you who wants to eat lasagna. Next time, just ask without lying straight to my face. I am your mother and I was a lawyer, so I know how to read your face. All the health talk is for the benefit of the both of you. Now come or we will be late for class." said my mom and stormed off to the door but not without saying bye to my father.

The yoga class went as usual. We did lots of poses, some breathing exercises and meditation. We came home and opened the door to the smell of pancakes and chocolate syrup. Dad was in the kitchen, wearing an apron over his formal white shirt.

He must have heard the door open so he asked if we wanted anything to eat. My mother and I declined because we have to wait for at least an hour after exercising to eat anything.

I washed my hands and sat down on the dining table with my glass of water to give company to my dad, who just finished cooking his last pancake.

"Did you drink the juice I kept in the fridge for you?" mom asked dad.

"Yeah, I drank it before I started making the pancakes. So, are you making the lasagna tonight? I might be coming home early today." dad said winking at my mom.

"Sure, I will make it. Sweetie, if you have any other demands, regarding what you want to eat, just tell us. You are going to be gone until thanksgiving and I don't want you to feel that you have some unfulfilled wishes. It will only be a few more days that I can enjoy your presence everyday." mom said.

"Oh mom! Please don't get emotional in the morning. And they haven't even given a conformation call on whether I am getting in or not." I replied.

"You are going to get in. I am sure." Dad insisted.