Joneses – 19.1 The Mistress

Eliza panted harder and harder as she ran from whatever pursued her. Every now and then, she glanced over her shoulder to see who or what it was. The pursuer kept itself from view, but its ominous presence gained on her like a giant snowball rolling down a steep hill. It couldn’t get her. She had children and an important job. The world needed Eliza Pancakes, so she ran through fields and forest, and dodged a sea of people and traffic in the city. Even without knowing what she ran from, she knew if she stopped running, her life would end.

It was only a matter of time before a great obstacle presented itself. If feet could screech like tires, her shoes would have when she almost slid off the edge of tall cliff. The ominous presence had not been thwarted by the forests, sea of people, and traffic and was every bit as close to her as it always was. Giant waves crest against jagged rocks below. Visions of her body crashing onto them almost caused her to faint. She couldn’t win, but there was a small chance she wouldn’t hit the rocks if she jumped; she had to try. At least, if she died, it would be a valiant death. So, she jumped, hoping by some miracle her weight or even some strong wind would lead her away from the rocks.

Something swooped under her like a magical flying carpet saving her from death. At first she thought she had hit the rocks and waited to feel blood pouring out of her or intense pain from broken bones. None of that happened. Instead, she felt cool, salty wind on her face. She felt free! Once she had the courage to open her eyes, she saw she had been saved by a ginormous slice of bacon. After the shock, confusion and embarrassment wore off, she laughed and realized it was all a dream.

Eliza opened her real eyes. The room was still dark, but a faint shaft of gold shot through the curtains across the bed and onto the floor. Morning was still in its infancy. The snoring next to her brought her completely into the present. But, if Robert were sound asleep next to her, why did the house smell like bacon? The twins! Eliza jumped out of bed and ran downstairs hoping the girls hadn’t attempted to make their own breakfast. They insisted they weren’t babies anymore and wanted to be grown. Though the scene confused her, she was relieved it was only Breanne.

“Good morning, dear. You’re cooking…”

“I am.”

“Why?” She knew why, but was more curious about her interests. Eliza loved her to death, but Breanne could be so strange sometimes, showing random interests in random things at random times. She never knew what the young lady would do next.

Breanne regarded her like as if she were a child asking too many questions.  “Because, if I am to be a successful matriarch, I simply must learn to cook, mom. My birthday was two days ago. I’m not sure why I haven’t had daddy teach me before now.”

She had a point. That may have been the most sensible thing she’s done in a while.

Little slippers padded down the stairs; the bacon must have aroused the whole house. Sweet Lily looked adorable in her pink bathrobe like a little lady. The poor child wanted so much to be like her big sister. She was sweet and quiet, just like Robert, and her ways were subtle unlike her twin, Lexi.

“Good morning, my dear!” Eliza bent down and kissed her chubby little cheek. All three girls got Robert’s cheeks.

“Good morning, mommy,” she said sweetly.

The counter behind them was filthy! Either Breanne made quite the mess preparing her meal, or Robert didn’t clean up after himself the night before. Either way, it needed to be addressed immediately. Eliza watched Lily stand in front of Breanne as she crossed the room to clean. The child wanted to be noticed so bad. Though Eliza loved all three of her daughters, she didn’t want Lily to be like Breanne. She liked her just as she was.

Bob, Breanne and Lily were watching a movie when Lily dashed to the window. Little girls were always so lively, so he didn’t think much of it though he did glance out the window to see what captured her attention so. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary and went back to the movie.

“IT’S SNOWING!”

Just as Bob was about to snort and tell her it wasn’t possible, he saw big flakes like cotton balls floating toward the lawn. Just a few minutes ago it was warm! The air conditioner even came on. As if on cue, the air in the room chilled. The weather had been crazy before, but not that crazy. He prayed it wasn’t time to turn on the heat. “What the…”

Both Breanne and Lily quickly changed into their winter wear and dashed outside to witness the magic of the first snow of the season…even though it was only autumn. Regardless of how crazy the weather was, it warmed his heart to see his little girl who was usually reserved so excited about something. He too changed and met them in the backyard. Lily held out her little hands, trying to catch a snowflake. Her chubby little cheeks were so rosy from the cold. He and Breanne couldn’t help but watch her enjoy the weather.

“Is it Winterfest, daddy?!”

He and Breanne laughed at her innocence. It was so refreshing to have a child who acted like a child. “Not quite. Remember we still have Harvestfest in a few days. But, you’re so good, I know Father Winter will bring you nice things when the time comes.”

Her giggle was so cute. “If it snows really hard, can we make snow angels?”

He chuckled and couldn’t possibly kill her spirit. The snow wouldn’t last, and the only angel in the yard would be her. “Of course we can.”

The other one ran from the front of the house with her big personality. “Oh my Watcher isn’t this the best day ever??”

At least he enjoyed the sweetness and quiet while it lasted.