The Chicken

The plates dropped from Mason's hands, shattering to pieces as they hit the tiled floors. He stared at them, fear and guilt swirling in his brown eyes. "Mavis, it was nice knowing you, but it's only a matter of time before our mother kills me now."

The morning sun reflected on the shattered ceramic, making it look like a work of art. "I don't know brother, maybe this is a sign that you should go into art." I gestured at the glittering pieces of the now shattered plate. "I mean take a look at this work of art."

My brother shook his head in amusement as he traveled across the kitchen space to get the brush and pan. "Do you ever run out of vocational suggestions for me, young lady?" He made quick work of cleaning up the shattered evidence.

"Nope, absolutely not." I eyed him wearily. "What were you thinking about, Mason?" I asked while picking up a slice of pineapple from the kitchen table.

The sound of the ceramic being thrown into the bin filled the room. He looked up from his position at the sink. "What do you mean?"

I rolled my eyes in exasperation as I approached him, half-eaten pineapple in hand. "Do you always have to play dumb every time you're asked an important question?" I raised a bushy eyebrow at him.

Mason opened the oven, checking on his chicken, trying desperately to remove my attention from him. "I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean, sister." He grabbed the oven gloves from the kitchen counter, taking a moment to look at me. "On the other hand, I think cooking seems like my real calling." He placed the delicious-looking chicken on the kitchen table.

"Is it about Dad?" Mason froze instantly, his surprised eyes moving to meet mine. The sun rose again, illuminating his features as he looked down, defeated.

"Mavis, I don't think I want to talk about it." He gave me a stoic expression as he moved to grab the bagels from the microwave.

Having finished my pineapple, I rinsed my hands to help him set the table. "I know that. But that's exactly why we should talk about it." I selected the utensils as carefully as I could while occasionally glancing at my brother. "If it wasn't bothering you, that'd be different. But you just broke a plate. You never make such mistakes."

Mason looked at me with wonder. "Sometimes I wish you didn't know me so well." He gave me a low chuckle. "Means I really can't hide much from you." He opened the fridge bringing out a jug of juice, he placed it at the center of the table, finally giving me his full attention. "Yes, Mavis. It's about Dad. I haven't seen him since we found out what we found out. I don't know how I'd act around him, honestly. I don't." Sighing defeatedly, he sat on the stool closest to him.

Walking around the table, I hugged my brother from his seated position. "It's alright. I can't tell you I understand how you're feeling, but I can tell you that I'm hurt as well. But this doesn't change the fact that they're our parents okay? People make mistakes and they probably have a good reason for keeping it from us. We just need to have faith, brother."

Sighing heavily, Mason put a hand on mine. "Thank you so much, Mavis." I pull away to look at him. "What on earth would I do without you, little sister?" He gives me a kind smile.

I wiped a stain off the kitchen table and I suddenly realize something. "You couldn't set the table right for one." I gestured at the empty dining and then at the beautifully set kitchen table.

His eyes widened and he burst out laughing, his hand flying to hit his head playfully. "Goodness me! Did we just set the food on the kitchen table!?" His deep voice traveled throughout the room. I smiled at my brother's carefree features.

Picking up the plates, we began rearranging the food in the dining. The sound of the front door opening grabbed our attention. Our mother came into view, her keys jingling as she shut the door behind her.

"Mother." Mason rushed to welcome our mother with me in tow.

"Hello my loves, how've you been? Sorry, I couldn't let you know I'd be working an overnight shift yesterday. It was an emergency." Taking off her coat, my mother embraced Mason and I. "I hope you're not mad at me because I got ice cream as a peace offering." She handed Mason a brown paper bag.

Dripping with excitement, I hugged my mother again. "Thank you, Mum."

My mother gave me a tender smile before heading for her room. "Okay give me 10 minutes kids, I'll be right down for breakfast."

Mason and I took curious looks at our ice cream before putting them in the freezer. Making our way to the dining, we patiently waited for our mum.

~~~

"Are the library and office ready for your father, Mavis?" She asked as she popped a slice of chicken into her mouth.

I glanced at Mason to gauge his reaction. "Yes mother, I took care of them yesterday."

She nodded in approval. "Mason? What about the garage?"

Mason dropped his fork, before focusing on our mother. "It slipped my mind mother, I'm sorry. I promise I'll have it done before he arrives this evening."

Mother sighed as she gave my brother a stern look. "Darling you should know better. Please make sure to keep your promise alright?"

"Yes, mother." Mason took a long sip of his juice before returning to his food.

"Don't forget your uncle Bray and aunt Cecile will be here, as well as Donatello and Angelo. We'll start preparing by 4 since he'll be arriving by 7." My mother gave me a fond look. "I'm sure you're excited to see Donny, yes?"

"Yes Mum, I have so much I want to tell him in person." I smiled, remembering my best friend.

Mother took a sip of her juice before averting her smile to my brother. "You, my son are one hell of a cook." She said while pointing at him with her fork. "Do you not want to take this seriously?"

I let out a small laugh. "That's exactly what I said, Mum."

Mason gasped in shock, pointing an accusing table knife at me. "You know that's not true! That is not what you said!" He chuckles lowly.

"You can't prove anything!" I laughed fondly at Mason's expense.

~~~

I ran the kitchen towel over the last plate before drying the counters.

"Okay, I'm going to get some rest. Overnight shifts are the worst. I'll be inside if you need me." My mum left the room after turning off the dining lights.

"I'm gonna head up to my room, Mason." I giggled at his embarrassed expression.

"You didn't need to tell Mum about my crush, Mavis. I tell you these things because I want no one else to know." My brother buried his bashful face into his palms.

Giggling even more, I inched closer and closer to the stairs. "Tatiana is a wonderful young lady, Mason. I'm sure she'll make an exceptional sister-in-law." With that, I dashed up the stairs hearing my brothers' heavy footsteps behind me.

"Get back here young lady!"

I slammed my bedroom door, locking it before he could yank it open. "Too slow!"

"Whatever!" I heard his deep laughter as he returned down the stairs.

I picked up my phone, collapsing onto the bed. I quickly texted my best friend.

'Hey Donny, heard you'll be coming over later.'

His response came almost immediately. 'Hey Mis, it's Angelo. Donny's at the hospital right now.'

My eyes widened in shock, as I typed back as quickly as I could. 'What happened?!'

'He started bleeding from his nose all of a sudden Mis, it was really scary. But he's okay now. My mum called to let me know he's stable. So don't fret I'm sure we'll still make it to your place this evening. Donny wouldn't want to miss it.'

My eyes lingered on the first sentence. I sat upright, knowing what was to come next. I stood, walking towards my dressing mirror and there it was. The golden glow in my eyes. I looked down at my hands, gold tendrils surrounding them. Was this normal? For me, maybe. Having no idea what's going on with you. No medical condition but still something feeling wrong inside of you. Or was it right? I couldn't tell. This occurrence only happened when I was extremely angry or scared. Cliché, I'm aware.

When would I know what it meant? I hadn't the slightest idea.