Ella awoke in the morning and prepared to depart for work. There had been an unpleasant quiet between her and Mischelle, which she felt was becoming more intense with each passing day.
Her mother was not ready to chat, and she was giving her the necessary time. However, their quiet was doing nothing to draw them closer together.
Ella was about to leave the room when Mischelle stopped her.
"Don't leave without breakfast," Ella said, stopping in her tracks to glance at the breakfast table, which was laden with various foods.
She was aware that Mischelle enjoyed making food, which she later inherited, but seeing that much food for breakfast was overwhelming.
She took a chair for herself and sat down, nodding quietly as Mischelle assisted her in filling her plate.
"You have been out until late at night. Aren't you aware of the risk of getting a cold in such a chilly climate?" she said, offering her some herbal tea.