Myshuno! 2012 Prompt: “Sunday brunch with the girls” (414 words)
The prompt for this story was “Sunday brunch with the girls,” submitted by docnerd. This story fits into Chapter 52 of Already in Progress, Chapter 23 of Ruth’s (un)Officially Wacky Boolprop Challenge, and Chapter 3 of Jack Point’s Home for Pedestrian Playables.
Yes, all three at once.
No, none of them are out yet.
No, I don’t think this will spoil anything.
Rating: PG-13, for innuendo
Dramatis Personae
Leila Shankel, the eldest, playable in an asylum and determined to become a fairy.
Lisa Shankel, her slightly-younger twin and heir to the OWBC.
Phoebe (Shankel) Couderc, the middle child, talks in Elizabethan and married to a plantsim.
Rose Shankel, the youngest, newly married.
Setting
The corner booth at the local diner. The sisters are seated in this order: Phoebe, Leila, Rose, and Lisa.
LISA (archly, to Rose): So, how’s married life treating you?
ROSE (back at her): Oh, very well indeed. Although maybe not quite as well as it’s treating you. (waggles her eyebrows and glances meaningfully at Lisa’s belly)
LISA: Ugh, don’t remind me! Seriously, this is it. No more out of me.
PHOEBE: Aye, thou didst say that last time. And the time before.
LISA: This time I’m getting my tubes tied. If Glen wants any more, he can have them himself!
(All laugh)
LISA: No, but seriously, Rosie, there aren’t any… problems?
ROSE: Why would there be?
LISA: Well, because of, uh…
ROSE: Oh, the dress thing? Dmitri is a cross-dresser, not gay. I would say that he is… adequately excellent in the bedroom. (impishly) And the bathroom. And the living room. And the kitchen…
(Squeals of delighted horror)
LEILA: (clamps her hands over her ears) I did not need to hear that!
PHOEBE: I mind me that I will not be eating at thy home again, sister!
ROSE: What? Everybody’s tried the kitchen at least once, right?
PHOEBE: Nay, never! (shrugs) If ’tis not our nuncle and his grilled cheese or his husband and a new receipt, then ’tis Fantine or Saigon baking cakes and pies to sell. I tell ye, the room is ne’er empty!
(Lisa, Phoebe, and Rose laugh)
LEILA: Our kitchen usually smells like burned and rotting food. When the piano’s working, one or another of the residents is always pounding on it. And about half the time someone’s peed on the floor.
PHOEBE: O, Leila! Why dost thou stay in that terrible place? Come thou and live with me! Aye, and mayhap our wishing well can find thee a good man!
LEILA: I don’t need -
ROSE: Everybody needs a good partner. And when you find one, maybe you won’t want to be a fairy anymore.
LEILA: What’s wrong with wanting what I want?
LISA: Oh, it was fine when we were younger! And I understand that you might want something to create that sense of wonder and excitement and mystery. But it is kind of childish for someone our age. Don’t worry, though - you’ll grow out of it eventually.
LEILA: I’m not worried -
PHOEBE: Aye, Leila. Find thou the right man, and thy mind will change. All will be well. (pats Leila’s hand, and then looks at the menu) Now: an I order a chocolate-filled waffle, will one of ye assist me in the eating?