That evening, Mother drove her three daughters in her red sedan to the city. She brought them to a little diner on the outskirts oddly called Mack and Chee's. It was a pretty mundane eatery, family-owned and operated. The fare were the usual diner favorites - burgers, fries, sandwiches. Framed photos of the available food were displayed throughout the place.
"This is the special place!?" Second Sis whispered incredulously once they were seated and were handed the menu.
"Yep," Mother, seated beside the birthday girl, said, "The Double Chocolate Banana Split here is very good."
Carrie's jaw dropped. "You chose this place for your dessert!?"
"Yes, honey." Mother gave a big grin. "I chose the place for that!" She pointed past Carrie to a photo on the nearby wall.
It was a picture of a banana split with two scoops of chocolate ice cream. The ice cream was covered in thick syrup and ringed with cream. The top was sprinkled with crushed nuts with a cherry planted on each scoop of ice cream.
Carrie stared at the picture for a moment. "Can I have one too?"
"Sure you can!" Mother said, "That's why we're here!"
"Mum, we should order something to eat first," Big Sis advised.
"We're having chocolate for dinner!" declared Mother.
Marie covered her face and groaned. She did eventually succeed in persuading Mother to order some proper food, though. After they had placed their orders, Mother and Carrie went on their usual chatty trip of nonsense exchange.
Big Sis listened to them with both hands on her lap. Seated beside Annie, she appeared to be comfortable. The younger girl tentatively leaned against her elder sister's shoulder. In response, Marie rather unconsciously reached over and brushed Annie's long black hair with her fingers.
The little girl looked up to her sister. "Hug?" she asked cutely.
Marie smiled and embraced her younger sister quite naturally.
That confirmed it! Big Sis only acted distant when she was alone with Annie. Here, in the presence of family, she was okay. It was as if the awkwardness between the two sisters had never existed.
But Annie missed the private conversations with Big Sis, those times alone when she shared her secrets and listened to wisdom. Hopefully, she will have that again, one day.
The Double Chocolate Banana Split was every sweet as heavenly as the picture promised. Well it was, as far as Annie could tell by the enthusiasm the two blonds opposite her had with their desserts. Both Annie and Marie had opted for lesser treats. Big Sis, it appeared, was concerned about her weight. Annie simply had no desire for something so extravagant, at least, not at that moment. Perhaps she would have one on her birthday. Maybe.
"Was it good?" Mother asked Second Sis when they were done. Finally. Annie's own dessert was long gone by then.
"Yes, Mum," Second Sis replied, "Definitely better than what those two sisters of mine gave me."
"Oh? What did they give you?" Mother asked mildly.
"Let's see, Annie gave me an eraser. And Marie gave me a chocolate cupcake." How convenient of Second Sis to neglect mentioning Saturday.
"Chocolate cupcake?" Mother glared at Big Sis. "You gave Carrie my cupcake!?"
"The last of the cupcakes that I bought," Marie replied calmly, "You had already eaten all but one of the rest."
Mother turned to Carrie. "We're going shopping after this, just the two of us. Let's go get something special for you."
"Thanks, Mum." Carrie gave one of the happiest smiles Annie had ever seen on her.
"I'm going shopping with my favorite daughter," Mother told the girls sitting opposite her, "The two of you can find your way home, can't you?"
Annie was sure that Mother had separately used the term 'favorite daughter' to describe each of her girls by now.
"Yes, Mum," Marie agreed indifferently, "Have fun."
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