Maya
The movie room was like nothing I'd ever seen. It wasn't just a home theater—it was a full-fledged cinematic experience. The room was enormous, with high ceilings and deep-red velvet drapes framing the massive screen. The plush, oversized seats were arranged in perfect rows, each equipped with reclining options, cup holders, and even small trays for snacks. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, giving the space an old-world, elegant charm, while the lighting was dim and perfectly adjusted to create an ambiance of pure indulgence.
"Lily, this is amazing," I whispered, my voice filled with awe.
Lily's eyes were just as wide as mine. "It's like our own private movie theater!"
We wasted no time exploring every corner of the room, testing out the chairs, fiddling with the controls, and marveling at the selection of movies. There were classic films, the latest blockbusters, and even a collection of timeless animations that made both of us squeal with excitement.
Victoria and Samantha joined us a few minutes later, both of them looking around with amused smiles. Samantha plopped down on one of the seats with a playful grin. "Well, ladies, what are we watching first?"
Maya and Lily exchanged looks. "Aunt Victoria, Samantha…you look really nice. Are you sure you want to watch movies with us?"
Victoria and Samantha exchanged a glance. Samantha was the one who answered. "We do seem a bit overdressed for a movie day, don't we?"
"Yeah. Not that you don't look really pretty, but maybe we should all put back on our pajamas?"
They all agreed, and fifteen minutes later, they were all back in the movie room.
Victoria grabbed the oversized remote. "Alright, my little darlings. What shall it be?"
"Action thriller!" Lily called out, "or horror!"
Everyone looked at Lily, bewildered. "What?" she said. "IT changed my life?"
Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Like, as in the demonic clown, IT?"
"Stephen King is a genius," Lily nodded.
I snorted. "How about something funny?"
Victoria, who had settled into a chair next to Samantha, nodded in agreement. "I could use a good laugh."
The movie started, and the room filled with laughter, gasps, and delighted chatter. We had chosen a classic comedy that had everyone in stitches—the perfect way to forget about the storm outside. For a while, we were all just a group of women enjoying each other's company, letting go of the tension from the night before.
We got through the first movie and started a second—one from Disney with a talking crab and a demigod. Before long, everyone was commenting, talking, and singing along to the songs. The second movie ended, and we decided to do a romantic movie—one about sparkling vampires.
Lily loves that movie. Team Jacob, for sure. We watched parts one and two in relative silence excluding the girlie commentary.
Partway through the third installment, Samantha turned to me with a curious look in her eye. "Maya, this may not be the right time, but I was hoping you might tell me a bit about your dad?"
I looked up, caught off guard by the question. "Sure, what do you want to know?"
Samantha took a deep breath. She sounded nervous. "Honestly, I don't even know where to start. You tell me. What do I need to know about him?"
I glanced at Lily, who was munching on some popcorn, before answering. "Dad's pretty awesome. He and Mom had me when he was super young, so he has worked for like a really long time. He was in the military. He won't tell us what he did there. He had to quit because of an injury. He was gone for a while because of deployment, but I don't remember it very well."
"I don't really remember it at all," added Lily.
I continued. "Dad…he's had a rough--well, he has had it rough for a while. He's been through a lot, but he's always there for us. He's strong, kind, and really good at, like, everything."
"Yeah," Lily chimed in. "He's the best! He cooks, he takes care of us, and he can fix anything. And he's super tough. The boys and even some of the parents at school are scared of him."
Samantha smiled, leaning in slightly. "He sounds like a great guy. What's his favorite thing to do?"
"Cooking is up there," I said with a grin. "He loves it. He's always trying new recipes and making the best food ever. Wait until you try the PIE."
Lily considered it. "He also likes the outdoors—fishing, hunting—but only with a bow. He says hunting with a gun is cheating. What else? He likes old movies and the water. Oh, and old cars—he really likes cars."
I laughed at this. "Daddy would collect cars if he could."
Victoria, who had been quietly listening, hesitated for a moment before asking, "What about your mom? I noticed yesterday when I mentioned her, you two quickly changed the subject. Is it okay to ask about her?"
Lily and I both tensed slightly at the mention of our mom. The thought of her made me angry. I took a deep breath; I knew that Daddy wouldn't want us to talk badly about her. Lily shifted uncomfortably beside me.
"You can ask. It's just hard," I said softly, trying to keep the mood light. "She is with that other guy now, and we don't like him much. He likes to buy us stuff but only to show off. He's a creep. Dad has full custody because apparently, he is important to some people. Or something. I am not sure."
"We hate going there," said Lily in a soft voice.
Victoria nodded, sensing the tension. "Can I ask how long your mom and dad have been separated?"
I thought for a moment. "A couple of years now. The first year was really hard. Dad did all sorts of odd jobs after his company closed, and—well, after the company shut down. It took a while, but we made it work. Dad will pretty much do anything to make money to take care of us. Mom doesn't work, so her child support isn't much. Dad won't tell me how much. He says its not kid's business. But I know it's the kind that jingles and not folds."
"I understand," she said gently. She paused, then added with a curious look, "Your mom remarried. What about your dad? Does he have a girlfriend? He must have plenty of women interested in him."
I noticed Lily's expression fall slightly, her smile fading. "No. Daddy doesn't date," she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. "Actually, he's never dated."
Samantha and Victoria exchanged a glance, their curiosity evident, but they didn't push further. I could tell they were trying to understand more about Dad, but there were some things we just didn't like talking about.
I forced a smile. "Like I said, our dad is the best. He gets approached; it happens a lot at our school when he is there. But he always tells us that the only women he needs in his life are us. I waffle. Sometimes its cute. Sometimes it's annoying."
Lily smiled like she was remembering something. "There are a lot of single and divorced women that live near us. Dad is always helping people around the neighborhood. It's funny how hard they try to get his attention."
"But he never acts on any of the attention," I said. "I am not sure he even notices it. I know it gets lonely, though. Mom hurt him. Bad."
Samantha made a sad face but tried to hide it. "That's really sad."
Just as the conversation started to take a somber turn, the sound of thunder rumbled outside. The movie continued to play on the screen, but the momentary distraction brought a sense of foreboding to our cozy sanctuary.
Lily shivered and instinctively leaned closer to me for comfort. Despite our efforts to maintain a cheerful atmosphere, the topic of our father's personal life lingered in the air like an unwanted guest. Samantha's next question hung unspoken between us, a heavy silence settling over the room.
Suddenly, a loud crash interrupted our thoughts, causing us all to jump in surprise. The power flickered for a moment before plunging us into darkness. Samantha flicked on her phone light, as did I and Lily.
In the dim glow, I could make out Victoria's worried expression. Lily clung to my arm, her nails digging in slightly as the tension in the room mounted. "What was that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the howling wind outside.
I tried to sound reassuring as I patted her hand. "It's just the lightning."
Victoria and Samantha were by our sides in a moment. Victoria wrapped her arms around me, and Samantha held Lily.
It felt really warm. "Do not worry, child," said Victoria. "The light will be back on in…"
The light turned back on. Victoria smiled at me. "Backup generator."
I gave Victoria a squeeze and said, "Why don't we get back to the—"
I paused. Just then, the rich, mouthwatering aroma of something delicious wafted into the room. My nose twitched, and my eyes widened as I realized what it was. "Oh no…"
Lily sniffed the air, her eyes lighting up. "The Lasagna!"
She turned to me, eyes burning with desire. "He did, Maya. He actually did. He told me he wasn't going to, but he did."
In an instant, both of us were on our feet, scrambling out of the theater room with excitement. "We have to get to the kitchen!" I called over my shoulder, laughing as I ran.
Victoria and Samantha exchanged amused glances before following us out. As we reached the kitchen, the scent of Dad's lasagna was even more intoxicating, filling the entire space with the promise of a meal made with love and expertise.
I burst through the door, my eyes zeroing in on the oven. Sure enough, Dad was there, pulling out a tray of golden, bubbling lasagna, his expression one of focused concentration.
"You made the Lasagna, Father, you lied to me!" I exclaimed, my voice a mixture of awe and delight.
Dad looked up, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "I did. Figured it was the perfect thing for a day like this."
Lily clapped her hands together, practically bouncing with excitement. "Can we eat it now, Dad? It smells soooo good!"
Dad chuckled, setting the tray on the counter to cool. "You know the drill. It must settle first."
Victoria and Samantha entered the kitchen, drawn by the irresistible aroma. Samantha's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the Lasagna, her mouth practically watering. "That looks incredible, Ethan," she said, genuine admiration in her voice.
Dad wiped his hands on a towel, looking a bit bashful under the praise. "Thanks. It's a family recipe—something my mom used to make. I've tweaked the recipe over the last couple of years. It's one of my signature dishes now."
Victoria, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "If it tastes half as good as it smells, we're in for a real treat."
Lily and I both nodded eagerly, already pulling out plates and silverware in preparation for the meal. The kitchen buzzed with the warm, homey energy of a family coming together, united by the simple joy of sharing food and laughter.
As we all sat down to enjoy the lasagna, the storm outside seemed like a distant memory, replaced by the warmth and comfort of good food and even better company.