Oh Sœur! [FACE Family]

Anglaise

Ever since Granny Gwendolyn returned to England, Matthew's been hearing French and French only. Just to make sure Michelle feels comfortable in her new environment.

"Passé le sel!"

"Non merci."

"Dieu est mort."

Sure, Dad and Alfred are a little rusty. But at least they are still easy to understand. And it's also not like Matthew minds speaking French around the house. It is his first language after all. His only problem is the fact that Michelle starts school in less than a month and has barely picked up any English.

Going to an American public school and being an ESL student sucks. They pull you out of class just to go in a room and make vowel sounds for two hours. Which causes you to not only miss learning, but also valuable time hanging out with and meeting new friends. Trust him, a few of Matthew's friends always tell him horror stories about those sessions (despite the fact they always ended up with stickers or candy afterwards).

He doesn't want this to be the case for his sister, so today he decided to conduct an experiment.

Being grounded has its perks. While Dad is away at work and Papa is out running errands, Matthew is left alone to babysit little Michelle. He isn't too strict when it comes to rules. Most recently, Michelle has been absolutely obsessed with candy. And Matthew was letting her have as much as she wanted. Well, only if...

"You have to ask for it in English." Matthew ordered, holding the candy jar high above his head so his sister cannot reach it.

"Matthew! Arrêtez! Je le veux! Donnez-moi!"

"What's that? I can't understand you."

"Matthew!"

"C'mon, say 'May I please have the candy, Matthew?'"

"Non! Je ne sais pas!"

"Yes you do. C'mon. May I..."

"Ma-May I..."

"Please have..."

"Ple-ease have..."

"The candy..."

"The ca-candy..."

"Matthew?"

"Matthew. Ma-May I please have the candy, Matthew?"

"Good job! Here you go Michelle!" Matthew smiled as he handed Michelle a single pixie stick. She frowned.

"Est-ce tout?"

"Hmm, what was that? I can't understand. Ne peux pas comprendre."

"May I please have the candy, Matthew?"

Matthew smiled and handed her a Jolly Rancher this time. Only because it would be the last time he goes easy on her.

Michelle still frowned at the small candy in her hand. That's not what she meant. One measly little hard candy will most definitely not suffice. "Je ne veux pas ça... May I please have the candy Matthew?"

"Sorry Michelle, but I'm not gonna let you continue repeating yourself." Matthew chuckled at Michelle's frown, and pulled out a few pieces of candy. "Lequel veux-tu, which one do you want?"

"Le chocolat."

"Okay good. Now say chocolate."

"Choc-co-late. Chocolate!"

"So now you have to-"

"May I please have the chocolate, Matthew?"

Matthew's eyes widened. He didn't expect her to put that phrase together that quickly. "Very good, Michelle! Here you go." He smiled and handed her a few Hershey Kisses.