Reach For The Stars

Chapter 4

"D-Do you need any help?" A voice comes from the beginning of the kitchen. Looking up, my eyes fall on the fimiliar curly haired boy.

"Mm, I think it's all basically done here, but if you wouldn't mind, helpping Janes set the table?" I say in a kind tone, hopefully looking up to Stanley.

"Yeah, no problem." The younger boy's voice speaks, causing a giggle to erupt from ny mouth. James comes running in, knowing his timing for his daily job.

"Here, reporting for duty, Sergeant Keke!" Puffing his chest, saluting me after his spew. A soft laugh comes from Stanley, not use to Jame's shenanigans.

"Well, deputy James, looks like you have a new recruit. Stanley here wants to help you in your duties." I wink to Stan as I talk to my younger brother. Noticing his cheeks heating up after my wink, I giggle again.

"Well Stanley, you're have to follow me! Cause I'm a vetewan in this!" James proclaims, thrusting his thumb into his chest.

"Sir yes, sir!" Stanley plays along and salutes the smaller boy.

With that, James shows Stanley where the plates, cups, and utensils are. Luckily for me, Stanley gets everything down for them both, before they both leave to set the dark wooden table.

Getting the hot pads out, setting them, where I will eventually place the hot containers later. Retrieving the Spanish Rice, and the Enchiladas, I set them on their designated spot, smiling at a job well done.

I quietly go to the living a small hallway dividing the kitchen/dinning room, and the livingroom. Waiting patiently beside the two older adults talking. My father after a moment of me standing there, recognizes I'm there.

"Yes Kelsey?" He asks gazing upto me.

"Dinner is ready, if you two want to eat now, or we can wait until after you two are done talking." I explain in the nicest tone possivle, as to not upset my father.

The black haired man smiles, clapping his hand, rubbing them together. "Dinner sounds like a wonderful idea, don't you agree Paul?" His answer sounds more like an invitation. Yet my father agrees anyways, and lets me lead them the way to the table.

The boys have already taken a seat, on either side of the table. Meaning I eaither sit beside my dad and brother, or beside Stanley and the Rabi. I choose the ladder after a quick debate in my head. Both of the men sit at either head of the table, the only child actually sitting beside their parent being James.

A smile envades my face as I give a sigh, trying to get rid of my nerves. "Smells delicious, Kelsey." The Rabi compliments, I smile and thank him for his kind words.

"Well Rabi its an honor to havw you and young Stanley here. I only hope, Kelsey has done her mother's recipe well, and shows you just how honored we are." The long blonde haired man, I call my father says.

"With that dig in." He smiles, and claps his hands, summing us to eat.

"Rabi, would you like me to make you a plate?" The Rabi smiles and nods for me to do so. I make his plate then, moves onto my little brother, then my father. "I hope everyone likes it!" I annouce in an excited tone.

I hear my father cough, knowing that's directed towards me, ny eyes follow upto him. He subtly points to Stanley, understanding the message, I do as I've done this whole time. "Stanley, would you like me to serve you?" Smiling I as the boy to my right.

He looks at me in shock for a moment, the shakes his head. "N-no I'm okay, aren't you gonna have some food though..?" The tilt in his head, indicates he is very confused by probably all of my actions tonight.

Inside my head I start to panic, "Oh no, I don't eat much, maybe later, but I'm fine for right now. Thank you for your concern though Stanley." Finishing with a convincing smile, he nods as he begins to make his meal.

"Yeah, Kelsey's on a diet, wanna make it in for the tryouts, for the cheer team next year." My father says with a little punch of his fist, showing his enthusiasm.

"Oh a cheerleader, isn't that wonderful. If I remember properly you're dad was the star quarterback his whole highschool carrer." Rabi Uris comments, to which my father gladly takes the boast about himself, and starts talking about his Glory Days.

Awkwardly shifting in my seat, a smile never leaving my face. As to not make me seem suspicious, although I can feel Stanley looking at me in question. "You okay, Kelsey?" Stanley asks in a hushed voice not wanting to interrupt the adults.

I look at him suprise in my eyes, but quickly get rid of it. "Y-yeah of course Stanley why wouldn't I be?" I ask in a joking tone, hopeing to hide my anxiety.

"Well you haven't eaten today, and you've been working nonstop since we've came over." The boy states matter of factly.

Ny breathing slowly starts picking up, but I quickly interject. "O-oh no, not that at all, just thinking how I have to put James to sleep soon. Then clean up from dinner as our fathers keep talking in the livingroom." I answer almost too fast.

The curly haired boy watches me then, goes back to his meal. A sigh escapes my lips, as I pray he believed it. The diner comes to a close as we say Grace. Then as listed I do what I told Stan, put James to bed around eight, then clean from the long and slightly awkward dinner.