An hour had passed when Peter's Mom came out of the kitchen and handed me my phone with the call already ended.
"I have to discuss something with my wife," Peter's Mom said, "But I'll send Jesse down first with a bunch of his toys. Can you make sure that you all stay down here until we finish discussing things?"
"Sure," Peter said, "We'll keep Jesse occupied."
"Okay," Peter's Mom said and she went upstairs. A few minutes later, she came downstairs with Jesse and a bag of his toys. "Play nice while us adults talk, okay?"
"Okay," Peter and I said. Jesse pouted and crossed his arms.
"Hungry?" Peter asked.
"Yeah," Jesse said. I went into the kitchen to see if breakfast was ready, but there weren't even ingredients out yet. I went back out to the living room.
"Mom didn't make breakfast yet," I said, "So, if there's anything you want that is food from Marish, just let me know and I'll make it." I remembered how to cook Marish dishes from Connie's memories, but I had been looking to learn dishes from Peter's Mom, because she knew dishes from different countries.
"I want pancakes," Jesse said. Peter looked thoughtful for a second.
"I'm sure if you make enough for everyone," Peter said, "It might be enough to lighten the mood."
"Okay," I said, "I have to go check to see if I have the ingredients, but we should have everything. Mom did say that she liked to bake." I went back into the kitchen and was able to locate everything I needed for the pancakes. I quickly whipped up some pancakes and strawberry compote. Then plated four regular plates and one kiddie plate. I brought them to the table in a few trips. "Peter, it's ready!" I shouted when the table was set and ready for us to eat. Peter came into the room holding Jesse and quickly put Jesse into his seat.
"Yummy!" Jesse said as he took the first bite. I looked over at Peter, who looked a little apprehensive as he was cutting his pancakes.
"Is this strawberry compote?" Peter asked, "I didn't know you knew how to make that."
"Please just try it," I said. Peter took a bite and his expression changed to a more positive one.
"It's really good," Peter said.
"What's that smell?" Peter's Mama asked as she entered the room, Peter's Mom right behind her, "Oh, pancakes! Did you make these, Connie?" They sat down in their usual seats.
"Yes, I made them," I said as I was cutting my own pancakes.
"Connie's pancakes bess," Jesse said. Peter's moms made happy faces when they took their first bites, but Peter's Mama started tearing up.
"What's wrong, Mama?" Peter asked.
"It tastes just like how my mom made them." Peter's Mama said. I learned this recipe from a cookbook written by Sophia Keagan.
"Was Sophia Keagan your mom?" I asked, Peter's Mama's eyes widened, "Because I memorized it from her cookbook."
"Yes, she is my mom," Peter's Mama said, "I didn't realize that she wrote a cookbook."
"It was Mother's so I don't have it with me," I said, "But I memorized all of the recipes from that cookbook, as well as a few other cookbooks."
"You never mentioned anything about wanting to cook, Connie," Peter's Mom said.
"It's because I didn't know if you'd think of me as a nuisance if I asked to learn from you," I said, "And also, I was worried that you wouldn't like my cooking because it's only food from Marish."
"Oh..." Peter's Mom said, "Well, I didn't think you thought about it so much. I'd be happy if you'd learn from me a few times a week and maybe make a meal or two a week."
"So, um," Peter's Mama said, "The phone call and discussion results were that we are going to adopt Jesse and keep only temporary custody for Connie, until Peter and Connie come of age and can get married. The reason for us making this decision right now is because your mom is no longer with us and your dad is very sick and can't take care of you any longer. It's up to you if you want to go to your mom's funeral, Connie, we won't judge you either way, but your uncle advised us that Jesse shouldn't go."
"I don't want to go to the funeral," I said, "Mother's other family members weren't very nice to me either, aside from the one uncle you spoke with."
"I'm glad that you decided that on your own, Connie," Peter's Mom said, "We didn't think it was a good idea, but you're old enough to make decisions on your own." Peter put his hand on my shoulder, causing me to turn to him.
"I love you, Connie," Peter said.
"Why don't the two of you go on a date today?" Peter's Mom said, "It's the weekend and there's probably plenty of things you could do."
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