Another meager offering for my loyal readers. Feel free to give feedback.
Chapter 1: NatureChapter 2: Nurture
Chapter 3: Nurture
Chapter 4: Nurture
Chapter 5: Nature
Mother hummed softly as she bustled around the kitchen. Under her loving ministrations a few humble ingredients turned into a treat fit for a princess. I watched her carefully, hoping to learn, but I couldn’t keep up. It might have been the drool dripping into my mouth and needing constant attention as the air filled with the sweet scent of cookies. As mother pulled out the last cookie sheet, she placed it in the only available space—right under my nose. I licked my lips. My eyes tripled in size. I looked up at her expectantly.
“No! I made these for my Maggie.”
“One?” I pleaded with my most undeniable puppy dog eyes.
She sighed and waved her hands to shoo me away, “Seriously, go find something to do. Don’t you have something to play with?” When I stared at her blankly, she suggested, “Maybe Maggie is watching something you would like to watch.”
Now I sighed, but her suggestion inspired me to go in search of my baby sister. “Okay.”
I padded away. The sound of a chorus of childish voices singing led me to the front room. I found my sister snuggling her blanket in front of the television. Whiled Maggie cooed along with the chorus, stringing together syllables in time with the music, her nanny Leanna gently ran a brush through her delicate blonde curls. They both turned at the sound of my footsteps.
“Sissy,” she hissed happily, racing toward me.
She threw her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly before grabbing my hand to pull me toward her comfortable nest. Moments later, she enveloped me in another hug and her blanket. Leanna finished up her hair and moved onto mine. I smiled as the brush massaged my hair and tangles fell away. Snuggled together, we both relaxed and fell into a comfortable sleep despite the cheerful singers on the screen before us.
I woke later chilled and alone. As I realized where I was, a soft murmur drew my attention.
I followed the sound of hushed voices to the kitchen. Mother and father stood on either side of Maggie, who held court from her high chair as she scooped yogurt awkwardly toward her mouth. So entranced by the mess she was making, she didn’t give me away.
Mother and father’s attention centered on their own conversation. “I wish you could have found something better. Did you even look?” Mother kept her voice low but my straining ears caught every word.
“Of course it isn’t as good as my old job. I had ten years with that company.” Father’s neck muscles strained as he tried to keep his voice low.
“I guess it is better than nothing.” Mom sighed.
“My thoughts exactly. I will take care of our family. We just need to cut back on some expenses.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed, “Such as?”
His eyes rested on Louise for a moment as she bustled through with a pile of neatly folded kitchen towels. Mother shook her head.
“We’ll have to look at the budget again.” Father took his turn to sigh.
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