Back at home, Annie was pulling out books and notes from her school bag in preparation for her weekday battle with homework. Dinner had been quiet with Mother entertaining both her and Big Sis with tales of her exploits and other trivia. Second Sis was in the next city either bouncing balls or scoping out Darren. And Father was on another of his business trips, right after his wedding anniversary.
Dinner was very satisfying and Annie did not feel like starting work yet. She decided to go downstairs and perhaps help dry the dishes. Spending a few more moments with her family was more appealing.
When Annie entered the dining room, she heard voices from the kitchen.
"Mum, did you buy that red dress for Annie?" Big Sis asked.
Annie stopped at the edge of the dining room and listened.
There was a muted reply before Big Sis exclaimed, "How could you? You said you wouldn't buy it!"
Mother said more words that Annie could not hear, ending with, "I don't want to lose Annie!"
"Mum, you're spoiling Annie too much." More unintelligible words followed.
"She won't," Mother said, "She's even started studying."
"Mum," Big Sis protested, "I don't think that has anything to do with the red dress."
"But what if it's true?" Mother argued, "I won't take any chances."
"You shouldn't give in to all her demands," Marie chided.
"Look," Mother stated sternly, "I bought the dress, I did everything for her and she became better." There were more silent arguments until Mother warned, "Don't tell me how to raise my own daughter."
There were more words after that, spoken quietly and hurriedly. It all ended with a loud smack. Who slapped who?
Whoever it was, the argument had ended and someone was going to retreat in Annie's direction. Annie hurried back up the stairs and into her room, where she listened against her closed door.
Sure enough, someone did run up the stairs. There was a sniff and the creak of a door closing. By that sound, Annie knew it was the door to Big Sis' room.
Annie sat at her desk and opened her books. She had her pen on her assignment but her mind was elsewhere.
Mother had bought the dress. Mother had previously decided not to. Why had she suddenly changed her mind? Had Annie asked for the dress in the past? Had Annie been a demanding person? She was certain she was not at the moment. But what about her past?
Annie glanced through her possessions in the room and tried to recall their history. Her pink handbag? Bought herself. In the cupboard, the black leather handbag that she took to Jean Sheppard's... that was indeed bought by Mother, and she had asked for it for her birthday. The cat stuffed toy on her bed... given by Big Sis one Christmas.
The stuffed cow on the cupboard at the corner of the room. That one was bought by Mother when Annie was small, after the girl had cried her eyes out asking for it. A few of the other stuffed toys in her room had similar histories.
She slowly turned back to her desk. So she had been a materialistic little brat. Well, not at that moment. And not ever again, if she could help it. What mattered that moment was getting her assignment done. Annie picked up her pen again.
There was a knock on her door.
"Annie?" Mother slipped in. She glided over to her daughter and hugged her from the back. "Studying hard I see."
She brushed some of Annie's black hair behind an ear. Then she went back to the door. "Good night, Annie." With a gentle smile, she left.
***
Later that night, before turning in, Annie went downstairs for a drink of water. Big Sis was in the living room, standing by the shelves and examining the picture of the three sisters. When Marie turned to face her, Annie noted that Big Sis kept her left cheek to the shadows.
Marie gave her a little smile. "Good night, Annie." She adjusted the picture on the shelf and went upstairs.
***
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