Heart strings

Kept within

(*clack*) (*clack*) (*door opening*)

A worried female voice echoed in the living room.
?: "It's late young man, where have you been? I was worried !"

As the female stepped forth while rubbing her hands, it was clear to see worrisome on her face. She was an alligator around her 40s and she was wearing a blouse and a nurse outfit with a badge showing her name "Dr. Grace Adams". She had some keys in her shaky hands. She was addressing Matthew who just got home. The taller alligator came in for a hug and said reassuringly "It's fine mama, I was just training and didn't see the time fly." She pulled back and grabbed his cheek to bring him down to her eyes level.

Grace: "Dontcha make mama worry boy. It's 9 and half. Your brothers are already sleeping, your grandma is chatting with Maya while she cooks something for you. The boys completely annihilated dinner"

Matthew: "(*trying to speak as best as he could*) I'm shawrry mahmah"

She let go and smiled.

Grace: "You better text next time you are gonna get late home. Anyway i got to go, please be kind and take the trash down please"

Like that she took off in a hurry almost slamming the door behind her. Matthew sighed and chuckled before letting his bags down for a minute. He took out his phone and texted Wyatt "Home🙂" he pocketed the phone and walked towards the kitchen. Matthew and his family lived in this medium sized apartment.

It was not big but it was enough to handle 7 people and maybe 8 if they tried. The living room was quite cozy. A large grey couch with polished wooden features was placed in front of a 56" TV. A game console was lying next to it. There was a table lying a bit lower between the TV and the couch. On the sides some smaller ones were placed. They were arranged in a fancy manner allowing everyone to look at the TV without bothering the others.

There was a great shelf where the TV was on. It had some wood and silver frames. Some sculptures were placed here and there without saturation, enhancing some cultural touch. Those were from various parts of the world yet they seemed completely in accordance and harmony with one another.
The white walls were perfect to balance this show of colors and patterns. Matthew made his way and reached the kitchen. He leaned on the door frame.

He saw Maya his young and only sister. She was the second born and was working hard to graduate from high-school this year. His grandmother was sitting on a chair around the table cracking her best joke apparently as she was laughing hard. He couldn't help but chuckle which eventually got their attention. His grandmother turned her head to see him and said "Hey Aaron, you home at last (*laughing*) I was telling your sister that maybe you just busy humping around"

Matthew blushed. Aaron was his middle name and only his family called him that. He sighed and said "Hi Grandma always so happy to see you"

She replied while slamming her tail on the floor.

Grandma: "Hey boy, was it good? (*laughing*)"

Matthew: "Aren't you too old for such dirty jokes?"

Matthew made his way to his sister while his grandmother kept laughing like crazy. He noticed his sister was cooking some delicious dish as it smelled remarkably good. Sometimes her cooking was a bit better than her mother's which got some praises. She said not looking away as she cut some vegetables.

Maya: "Trust me I tried to make her sleep. But she is really resistant (*chuckle*)"

Matthew: "Yeah I've figured. So you cooking for me that's so sweet of you (*joking*)"

Maya: "Aaron, say another word and you might be eating your last meal tonight."

Matthew chuckled

Matthew: "Just saying"