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Marista was up early the next morning. She had told her kitchen staff they could have the day off. Sometimes she just wanted to cook and bake herself. She had loved helping her mother in the kitchen.
Her head was full of memories. She could hear all of them laughing, throwing food and having a great time together.
"Why do things have to change?" She whispered to herself. "Time is not the best friend of anyone."
Marika had heard her, but not clearly. "Are you okay?" She asked in concern.
Her mother looked up, her eyes wet from crying just minutes ago. "The past always makes me cry. Sometimes happy tears and sometimes sad. That's just how life is, dear."
Marika sat on a stool at the Island counter. Her mother was on the other side flipping some chocolate chips pancakes on the small stove. The larger stove area was behind her.
Marika felt her pain. "I wish I'd known my grandparent's better. If I could have one wish that's what I'd want the most."
Marista nodded her head and tried her best to smile. "Me too." She put the panckes on a large blue and white floral decorated plate.
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"Can you tell me why you turned Paulie down? He really wanted to take you to the social." Marika said to her mother.
Marista looked sadder now. "I'm just too old for that young lad. He can do better than me."
Marika then said, "He likes you! Mom, don't you wanna be happy?"
Marista cracked and poured many eggs into another pan. She tossed the eggshells into the trashcan. "Please just leave this subject alone, Marika. I'm better off being single."
Marika got off the stool. "No one wants to be alone." She walked around the island. "Do you want my help?" She offered.
Her mother was quiet for a minute. "No, I'll call your name when it's all ready."
Marika took that huge hint to leave her alone. She left the room and went to Meranda's. "Nice dress. Are you and Mikey doing something special?"
Meranda turned to face her sister. She wore a dark teal dress that was just above her knees. It ruffled at the bottom and had a heart shaped neckline. "Dancing at SeaCrush!" She said loudly and happily. "We're meeting in about two hours."
"Mom's cooking breakfast for us."
Meranda stopped smiling and now looked worried. "What sort of cooking?"
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Marika smiled tightly. "Pancakes with chocolate chips and other things."
"Heartbroken pancakes." Meranda said. "Paulie broke her heart?"
Marika sat on the bed. "She's breaking her own heart by not taking a chance with Paulie."
"He's not our father." Meranda sat beside her.
Marika laughed. "Try telling her that."
Meranda's face fell in disgust. "Our father is a cheating jerk. I don't even care to fraternize with Kavessa and Wellington."
"We have to be nice to our half-siblings." Marika said, rolling her eyes.
Now Meranda laughed. "They're snot balls that think less of us even though we're the royal ones. I choose not to even say hello to them. Whatever you choose is your choice, Marika." She stood up. "I'll talk to Paulie in a little while. Are you going to SeaWorthy too?"
