After spending a little time with Mrs. Braymore Ravina was able to calm down. Her company had always been calming as her warm personality made one forget recent troubles. As such Ravina made her way home with a warm heart. She knew she was a little later than usual, but she wasn't in any rush to make her way home. Her family had grown accustomed to her occasional absences. She found her arms wrapping around her, curious about the unusual chill in the air.

Soon enough she was stepping up to the familiar broken door. They could fix it quite easily now. Yet this happy thought didn't bring a smile to her face. She found it a little difficult to reach for the handle. Eventually, her slender fingers found their way around the scrap wood that marked their door handle. The rough, unbroken wood scratched at her fingers as she pulled the light door. How horrible is it, that they could now afford something so simple as sandpaper?

She smiled sullenly as she entered the dilapidated home. Closing the door behind her she turned to find that her family was finishing up their breakfast, seemingly unperturbed by her tardiness. She smiled as she felt her heart thump stiffly in her chest. Perhaps it wouldn't take them any time at all to get used to her absence.

Still, the kitchen was a mess, clearly Asher's handiwork, and scraps of cabbage were drying on the wooden counter. The pot was unwashed leaving a thin residue of burnt cabbage to harden at the bottom—forever changing the flavor of any further cooked meal and the lingering aroma of boiled cabbage filled the room mixed in with some meat. Seems like they used the last of it too, judging by the bloody cabbage that was left out uncooked. Her stomach churned, reminding her that she had yet to eat herself.

Finn glanced her way as she entered, then quickly checked the window. The sun was still setting in the sky, its rays not yet touching the nick on the stove that told him it was time to go. There was still time before he had to leave.

While her siblings chuckled and chatted around the table, Ravina moved to the kitchen and grimaced at the sight. Turning back to them, she asked, “Have you all washed up yet?” Her question stole the mirth from their faces.

“Yes.” The lie was as transparent as glass, but Ravina appreciated Lily's attempt. Rose, on the other hand, chimed in a tad too late with a mumbled, “Of course.”

Shaking her head, Ravina declared, “Alright, we have a big day today. Reed, take your siblings to the creek and get yourselves cleaned up. I’ll be checking later, so don't just splash some water and pretend it's done. Remember, I can tell.”

“But, we're not done with food!” Reed interjected a futile protest given their conspicuously clean plates.

“Yeah, we're still eating!” the others chimed in.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The chorus of complaints prompted a rallying cry to their father. “Daddy!” The twins, Lily and Rose, scampered to Finn, hiding from their big sister's instructions.

Finn gave them a comforting pat on the head, grinning down at them. “I’ve got a few more minutes,” he said, addressing Ravina. “Let them finish up.”

“I need to talk to you,” Ravina pressed, her voice taut with annoyed urgency.

Her insistence prompted an outburst from Lily. “No fair! Why does Rina get to hog daddy!”

Rose echoed her sister’s sentiments. “Daddy’s ours!”

“Girls,” Finn softly admonished, his tone was so warm it hardly seemed like a rebuke.

But Ravina was insistent. She needed to talk to him—about the bag of coins she held in her grip. "Reed—"

"No! We always hang out with you, we barely get to spend any time with dad," Reed interrupted her, his voice laced with a newfound defiance.

"It's important," Ravina's retort was laced with palpable frustration

“Ravina, we can talk later,” Finn interjected, unable to bear the thought of disappointing his younger children. As always.

“But—”

“No, go to the creek yourself!” Asher’s outburst was unexpected. His voice strained in defiance, he dashed to his father’s side for support.

Resigned and stung by their rebuffs, Ravina clenched the bag of coins tighter. “Fine,” she muttered, the word echoing her feelings of betrayal. It hurt. The children preferred their whimsical, often-absent father over their ever-present sister. They loved Finn, their fascinating, captivating father.

Disheartened, she moved back into the chaotic kitchen to prepare her own neglected breakfast. Grimacing at the mess, she first had to focus on cleaning it up before she could cook anything for herself. In the end, she just chewed on the few scraps of cabbage that was used to wrap the meat she managed to buy.

Her meal was interrupted by Finn’s announcement. “I got to go,” he said, rising from his seat. Protests erupted from the children at his departure. “Don't worry, I’ll be back later tonight,” he assured them.

As he headed for the door, he turned back to Ravina. “I’m off."

“Don't let me keep you,” she responded tersely, unable to hide her annoyance.

Finn’s departure triggered a flurry of cheerful goodbyes from the children. Their laughter and excitement filled the house, a painful reminder of the familial warmth Ravina seemed to be excluded from. Why on earth did she ever feel sad about leaving them?

Once he was gone, Ravina was left alone with her siblings. “Asher, Reed, come clean up the kitchen,” she instructed, seeking order amidst the chaos.

“I didn’t do anything,” Reed countered, trying to escape the responsibility, with Asher trying to make himself inconspicuous behind him.

“Asher did, and you should help your brother,” she retorted, determined to enforce some discipline. “Lily, Rose, help clear the table.”

Their response was as immediate as it was harsh. “No! You made Daddy sad! Big sister is stupid!” With those harsh words, the twins fled out the door, leaving Ravina stunned.

"Wait! Where do you think you're going?" she called after them, but it was Reed who answered, already on his way after the twins. "I got them." Of course, Asher quickly followed, ever his brother’s shadow.

Ravina's instinct was to follow, but she held herself back. Reed needed to step up. Soon, she wouldn't be here. Left alone, she sat at the table, where six empty bowls sat as silent reminders of the family meal she had been excluded from. It was a sad prelude to the many more she would miss in the coming years.