Chapter 2

I eagerly began to make my way towards our home. The idea of filling my stomach with as many grilled cheeses as I want excited me. 

Though the sun was shining, a cool breeze recently began to threaten the once warm weather. A warning that winter was approaching.

Knowing that winter was coming, the craving for something hot has become a familiar occurrence. It usually happens when winter begins to roll around. Beef and potato riddles stews or spicy chili are my favorites for times like this. But since I'm hungry now, and papa doesn't have the time to make either one, I'll happily settle on a cheesy grilled cheese. 

I flung the door open, skipping into the kitchen. I tossed my gloves in their usual spot beside the door before making a bee-line towards the living room. 

I was tired from working in the garden all day and I wanted nothing more than to snuggle into my blanket cocoon and watch cartoons.

Diving for the piles of blankets that I left on the couch, I easily manipulated it into a mold that I favored. Pulling and tugging, folding until the blankets were fully entwined with each other, I smiled in satisfaction at the sight of it. 

“Boys!” Papa bellowed, “I’m making sandwiches!”

I huddled deep into my cocoon of blankets, gaze glued onto my tablet. The warmth that came from the quilts and the growing smell of melted cheese, it wasn’t hard to fall into a haze. The characters that came across the screen, merrily singing intune with each other, danced and wiggled with the beat.

“Dance, dance!” A fuzzy looking squirrel sang, “Yeah, yeah!”

I giggled at the sight. 

Just as I was about to fully succumb to my cartoon, I could feel a presence beside me. The gentle smell of warm bananas tickled my nose. I absentmindedly cuddled into the familiar feeling of warmth, grumbling a low, “Hey, Joaquin.”

My brother grunted.

As Joaquin turned his attention to his phone, lazily scrolling through his book, we ignored the loud thumps that were coming from upstairs. A loud yell came from the staircase. “Can you add more ham to my sandwich, Papa?!”

“There’s no need to yell, Antonio!” Papa yelled back. “And yes!”

Antonio skipped down the stairs, a giddy grin glued to his face. “What are you two doing?”

“What does it look like?” Joaquin grumbled.

“I hope your sandwich is dry.” Antonio huffed as he plopped beside me. “What are you doing, Noémie.”

“Watching cartoons.” 

Antonio peered over my shoulder, “That sounds fu-oh! Is this Animal Palooza?”

“Mhm,” I nodded smugly, “I’m on episode eight.”

“Let me see!” He snuggled into my side, gaze glued to my screen. It was long before both of us were entranced by the dancing animals. They giggled, wiggling goofily on the screen as another animal loudly bellowed about a song on friendship. 

“I understand Noémie's enthrallment when it comes to this mindless cartoon. She’s a child.” Joaquin began. He gave our brother a pointed stare, “You are not a child.”

“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a show with your sister.” Antonio argued.

“You're watching a mindless cartoon about animals dancing.”

“It’s entertaining!”

Joaquin rolled his eyes, “You're a child.”

“Yeah, well-” Antonio scowled, “Your-”

“Sssssh!” I shushed at my squabbling brothers. “I’m going to miss the best part!”

They grumbled out a sheepish apology. “Sorry.”

I mustered up the sternest glare I could. They know I hate it when people talk during my shows. How could I properly focus on my show when someone’s talking in my ear? It’s impossible. 

Antonio reached over to pinch my cheeks, “I forget you can’t multitask yet.” 

“What-”

“There’s no need to get huffy, Noémie.” Joaquin reached for my other cheek. He gave the flesh a gentle tug, "Antonio is merely teasing."

“Lemme go!” I fussed. I swat at their hands, grumbling as they cooed over me. “I just want to watch my show!” 

Antonio squealed, "You're so cute!"

Joaquin snorted at his statement. He snatched his hand away when he noticed I was trying to claw at it. Joaquin moved his hand to my hair, gently tousling my poofy curls to further annoy me.

"PAPA!" I yelled. Wriggling deeper into my cocoon, I yelled again, "PAPA! ANTONIO AND JOAQUIN IS BEING MEAN TO ME!"

"You liar!" Antonio loudly accused. He leaped off the couch, running into the kitchen. "Papa, don't listen to her!"

Joaquin rolled his eyes at our brother. "He's an idiot."

I giggled. 

We listened to Antonio blab to our papa, overdramatically telling a tale about what happened.