Oh Sœur! [FACE Family]

Meeting Her

[Quick disclaimer! I take French in school and I do not speak it at home so I apologize for any mistakes that may have been made! If you do speak French, feel free to correct me so I can learn from my mistakes. 😊Thanks!]

"And then, he came up to me with like twenty dollars in his hand..." Matthew stared out into space as his brother rambled on. The two were arriving home from Carvel in the middle of the afternoon.

Alfred had already told this story around fifty-seven times and he was tired of it. As they turned around the corner nearing their quaint home, Matthew heard the familiar sound of the Beatles' Abbey Road album. His parents were most definitely home.

"But it turns out the cats weren't even neutered-"

"Al! They're home!" Matthew screamed, cutting his brother off. The two of them sprinted over to their front porch and peered through the window.

Sure enough, two bright red suitcases sat right atop their brown ottoman. But there were no adults in sight. So using the little common sense they have, the two boys ran into their backyard.

"Papa! Dad!" The two of them shouted, running right over to their parents.

The two men smiled and embraced their sons. "Oh I missed you so much mes fils!" Papa said giving them both a kiss on their heads.

"We did too, Papa!" Matthew smiled.

"Alfred, how's basketball been doing?" Dad pondered, patting his son on the shoulder.

Alfred shrugged. "Eh, it's been alright. Scored our first two-pointer last night."

As his family conversed besides him, Matthew couldn't help but notice something in the corner of his eye.

His grandmother pushing a small little girl on their swing set. Who is she? A new neighbor? Why is she in their backyard? And why is Granny Gwendolyn so content with her? Granny Gwendolyn hardly likes anybody!

Papa seemed to notice his son's curiosity and smiled. "Boys... We have someone we'd like you to meet."

"Oh yes! That's right!" Dad gasped. He waved over to his mother, "Mum, bring her over."

The woman nodded and picked up the girl, taking her over to their small group. Her hair was a nice dark color along with her skin. Said hair was tied up into pigtails with cute little bows. Her eyes were a golden brown.

"Boys... this is your sister." Francis said with a smile.

The two brothers stood there in shock. Sister? What!? Since when?

"Bébé, ce sont tes frères." Francis said turning to the girl. She gasped and gave a shy wave. "She doesn't really speak English. Mostly French. But she can understand a few phrases, though... Tell us your name!"

The girl's eyes lit up and she smiled. "Michelle! My name is Michelle!"

The two boys just stood there in shock. This had to be a dream. When someone's parents come home from vacation they normally bring back a snow globe or a corny t-shirt. Not a new sister!

"Yes boys, I know this may be a lot for you to take in... But trust me, you'll love her! There were barely any children in the orphanage on that little island, so it might take her some time to get used to you. Don't rush her."

"Ah oui, and also-"

Papa's sentence was cut short by an alarm going off on his watch. "Oh mon dieu! I forgot about the flamiche! I'll be right back!" he shouted, before running off into the house to check on their dinner.