The Crown
KAIA
Breakfast at Estenia was never peaceful.
Five teenagers, four parents, two grandparents, and an architectural design that allowed everyone to walk into everyone else's home had made peace structurally impossible.
"Wolf stole my charger," Erin announced.
"I borrowed it," Wolf replied.
"You cut my name off the cable."
"It was interfering with the aesthetic."
"You replaced it with your initials."
"Exactly. Improved aesthetic."
Across the table, Amara was applying lip gloss using the reflection in her phone.
Sienna sat beside her, drawing something inside an enormous sketchbook while attempting to eat toast.
Aunt Mimi placed a bowl of fruit between her daughters.
"No makeup at the table."
"It's lip gloss," Amara said.
"It is still makeup."
"It is moisturising."
"It has glitter."
"Hydrating glitter."
Uncle Noah lowered his newspaper.
"There is glitter in my coffee."
Amara examined his cup.
"You're welcome."
Mom entered carrying two travel mugs and a folder from Jonas Ventures. Her long dark hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, and she wore a cream suit that made her look far too elegant for seven thirty in the morning.
Dad followed her in a dark suit, speaking into his phone.
"No. Move the meeting to ten."
He ended the call and immediately looked around the table.
"Why is there glitter in Noah's coffee?"
"No one knows," Amara replied.
Uncle Noah stared at his daughter.
"You confessed thirty seconds ago."
"Circumstantial evidence."
Gma Catherine entered through the garden walkway carrying another plate of pancakes.
"We already have breakfast," Dad said.
"You have fruit and toast."
"There are pancakes."
"Those came from the kitchen staff."
"These are made with love."
Wolf reached for one.
Gma slapped his hand lightly with a napkin.
"Wait for your Gpa."
"Gpa has been discussing a tree with the gardener for twenty minutes."
"The tree is older than this family," Gpa Vincent said as he entered. "It deserves respect."
Wolf took a pancake.
"So do hungry teenagers."
Gpa sat beside him.
"You received four traffic violations over the summer."
"Allegedly."
"I paid them."
"That does strengthen the evidence."
