3 Aug 2022, 11:55
The Sour Dinner
| sunday, 7th may, 2022 ~ around 4:15pm ~ taking place in the browns' family household |
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It was the October break for Ivy and her family, and this evening for her was filled with frustration and despair. All four members of the Brown family household had spent the day cleaning, cooking and preparing the house for dinner. They were expecting guests - the Jones' family - to arrive any minute.
Currently, the kitchen was buzzing with last-minute food preparations, Ivy's mother repeatedly watching out the window for the Jones' arrival. The eldest daughter, Natalie, would be standing at the door, ready to open it before the Jones' were even out of the car. Behind Natalie would be nine-year-old Ivy and six-year-old Sophie, who would all guide them into the lounge, where Ms. Brown would be sitting on the sofa.
Dinner would take place in short time, as soon as the Jones' settled in and were ready to eat. Ivy’s mother had spread a buffet-style of dishes on the kitchen counter, for everyone to grab a ceramic plate and utensils and help themselves: trays of baked chicken with gravy, roasted beef and Brussels sprouts (the Brown siblings loved their meat!), and garlic bread, pulled out from the heated oven. A bowl of mashed potatoes, another with salad, and a crock-pot of lentil soup. For dessert, there was homemade chocolate chip zucchini bread and fresh-baked blueberry muffins… plus a store-bought chocolate cake that Ivy really liked.
It had been several months since the Browns had their last get-together with the Jones', Ivy's mother and father, Emily Brown and Jack Starling, had divorced a few months ago, and this was now Jack's new family, the Jones'. Since then, the Starling-Browns and Jones' had kept in vague contact with each other, visiting usually only three or four times a year.
Turning her gaze to the kitchen window, Ivy noticed a car reversing into their drive, recognising it to be the Jones'.
"Mum, they're here." She called. Natalie dashed into her position in front of the door, while Ivy and Sophie stepped behind her.
"Hello!" Natalie and Sophie greeted the guests politely, Natalie nudging Ivy to do the same.
"Hi." Ivy muttered. She crossed her arms and walked into the lounge, not waiting for the others to follow.
Ivy's mother, Emily, was a natural hostess – always in a cheerful mood to serve and socialise with everyone, no matter who. No matter how many long hours and shifts she worked at the hospital, she always came home with an upbeat attitude, a cheerful smile, and never seemed to run out of energy.
“Welcome!” Ms. Brown greeted the Jones'. “So glad to see you again. Oh, you don’t have to worry about your shoes – keep them on.” She waved off the protest of the guests wanting to leave their shoes by the front door. Whatever they were comfortable with; she didn’t mind them wearing shoes inside.
“Hi, Ivy.” Mr Starling-Jones began, while the rest of the family traipsed into the dining room. His eyes landed on Ivy’s outfit - a lilac dress - and noticed how neat her long hair was, tied up in a plaited bun. “Wow, you look nice." He acted as if he were taken aback. “You didn’t have to get all fancy for me,” he said, in a slightly teasing way, though he had also taken the time to add some gel to his own hair, which produced a good shine. Ivy snorted, clearly still in a mood with his family. "Why don't you come into the dining room with us, my sweet pea?" He asked the grumpy young girl.
Ivy shook her head dramatically. "No thanks," she replied, burrowing down in her seat.
"Please?" Jack wheedled, obviously hungry. "You must be hungry after all the chores you did today."
Ivy grunted. "Ugh, fine." She muttered, but she only did it because she was hungry too, not because of her father. She reluctantly stood up, took her father's hand and walked into the dining area, everyone else waiting patiently.
"There's the little princess!" Jack's new partner cooed, which earned her a glare from Ivy. The young girl sat down, letting her mother spoon some tasty food on to her small plate.
"So," Mr Starling cleared his throat. "How are things, Emily?"
Ms. Brown looked up. "Fine," she said brightly. "And you?"
"Fine, fine." He replied, cutting his meat into small, bite-sized pieces.
Silence came over the table again, until Millicent, Jack's new partner, spoke. "How are you, Ivy? Things at school fine?"
"It's okay," Ivy mumbled, stuffing a mouthful of roast turkey in her mouth.
"Ivy?" Emily asked. "Speak up, my dear. No one can hear you when you're mumbling like that."
Ivy glared at her mother. "I said, it's fine." That earned her a stern look from her mother.
Millicent cleared her throat, staring straight at Ivy. "How's your number work getting along?" Millicent knew that Ivy had difficulties with numbers.
Ivy stared down at her plate, wishing that Millicent could just stay at her house. "It's getting along fine, not like you would care, though."
At that moment, Ivy's mother slammed down her fork on to her plate. "Ivy, apologise to Millicent this instant, then go to your room, please."
"But Mum-" Ivy protested.
"Ivy Charlotte Starling! You are asking for it, young lady!"
Reluctantly, Ivy got to her feet. "I'm sorry, Millicent," Ivy muttered. She walked out of the kitchen and started up the stairs. When she was halfway up, Ivy shouted over her shoulder, "I'm sorry that you're such a terrible wife!
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Word Count: 915 words