And I'd Do It Again

Goldfish Part I

Mercedes trudged downstairs after putting on her clothes for the day - a flared skirt dress with purple Jordans and knee high socks. She went to the den to wait for her siblings.

She encountered the twins watching TV. "Hey, babies. What are you watching?"

"Sofia!" Mickey shouted.

"Sofia? Who's Sofia?" She sat down.

"She a princess."

Mercedes tickled her. "Princess? Is she pretty?"

Mickey thought about it. "I prettier."

Mercedes laughed. "You sound like Tia Quinn."

Mickey just smiled.

Marc walked in. "What are you guys watching?"

"Something about a princess named Sofia." Mercedes answered.

"Princess stuff. I don't miss that." He sat down.

"You're just mad you're not a prince."

"I could be a prince! Nobody ever gave me the chance." He sniffed.

"Laura gave you chance after chance but you kept refusing!"

"Boy, that sounds familiar." Marcy said by the door.

Marc ran a hand over his hair. "Not this again! What happened between me and Laura was not my fault! What are you wearing?!"

Marcy walked in with an orange gingham shirt on and a pair of blue jean shorts that put the shorts from last Friday to shame. She also wore chucks with a dragon on them, her moon necklace and her ring. "Let's fight now."

"You're not going outside like that. Period."

"I don't have to go outside." Marcy plopped on the couch. Mally crawled into her lap.

"You're wearing panties." Marc accused.

"Of course I am."

He frowned. "Go upstairs and change!"

"Into what? All I have are pajamas left." She played with Mally.

"Where are all your clothes?!"

"In the wash."

Marc sighed. "Fine. But you can't leave the house."

"I'm not going anywhere." Marcy put her feet on the coffee table.

"What time are the others coming over?" Marc asked Mercedes.

"Um..." She checked her watch. They could hear the front door open and slam shut. "Now."

Mike and Mal walked in. "Hey."

"What's up?" Marc threw up a hand.

"Hey." Marcy didn't take her eyes off TV.

"Hi." Mercedes waved.

Mike went to her and lifted her out of her seat and took her spot. He set her on his lap and encircled her waist with his arms. "How was breakfast?"

"It was okay. Momma has a wedding so she left early." Mercedes kissed him. "How was your breakfast?"

"Maddie's excited for the last day of school." He lifted a shoulder.

"She's also excited about camp." Mal moved Marcy so she was sitting with her back to the arm rest and opened her legs to sit between them. "Are you not wearing pants again?"

Marcy tried to snap her legs closed but he was in the way so she settled for slapping the top of his head. "I'm wearing shorts!"

"Where did you buy those things? I see everything!"