Chapter 3

Papa hated it when people disturbed him while he was cooking. It doesn't matter what he was making. He could be boiling water, the second any of my brothers or my dad tries to talk to him, they get his wrath.

It wasn't long before Antonio's dramatic tale turned into a squeal of pain. 

"What have I told you about coming into my kitchen while I'm cooking?!" Papa hollered. 

I peered around Joaquin, watching as papa dragged Antonio into the living room. With a firm grip on his ear, papa continued his scolding. "You may look like your dad, but you have my brain! How could you do something so stupid?!"

"You just said I had your-ow! Papa!" Antonio screeched as papa tugged, "This is abuse!"

"I'll show you abuse if you finish that sentence!" He threatened. Papa scowled down at my brother, rolling his eyes at the pout that grew on his lips. "You pout like your dad." 

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Do that." Papa turned his attention towards me. "Why did my second gremlin come barging into my kitchen, Noémie?"

"Were you not listening to me?"

"Not at all."

I forced down a giggle, "Antonio and Joaquin were being mean to me."

"Were they?" He twisted my brother's ear harder, glaring heartedly at Joaquin. "Were you?"

"Antonio was." 

"HEY!"

Joaquin shrugs, "You were."

"How about both of you leave Noémie alone, hmm?" Papa finally released Antonio's ear. He ignored Antonio as he scrambled away. Fingers frantically reaching for his ear, trying to help soothe the pain. 

"My ears are going to fall off one of these days!" Antonio grumbled, "People from the village will judge you for it."

"Like I care what they think." Papa scoffed. "They'll judge people about anything and everything. Old bastards that need to drop dead."

"Dad said you shouldn't wish death on people around us." Joaquin pipped up. "Especially around Noémie."

"Dad's not here." Papa huffed, "And Noémie is too busy laughing at your brother to notice what I said."

I cackled as Antonio whined and moaned about his ear. He was obviously being overdramatic about it. Something he knew I would find hilarious. 

"The pain!" He howled, "The pain, Noémie! I can't bear it!"

“Stop playing with it!” I reached over to move his hand away. He playful swatted at my hands, continuing his act as overdramatically as possible. He flopped to the floor, laying down on his back as he screeched once again. 

“Would you quit it!” Papa scolded. I could see the smile that was trying to worm its way to his face. He was fighting it, wagging a finger down at Antonio. “You look ridiculous rolling around on the floor like that!”

“It’s your fault for damaging my ear.”

“Perhaps your dad and I should increase your training if-”

“I’m good!” 

“Thought so.” Papa huffed. We all watched as Antonio lifted himself off the ground, a pout glued to his lips. Rolling his eyes at the act, papa turned his attention to me. “Food will be done in a few more minutes so finish the show you're watching.” 

I nod, “Yes, sir.”

Satisfied with my answer, papa wandered back into the kitchen. It wasn’t long before the sound of the sizzling butter bread and meats spewed from the kitchen. I quickly turned my attention back to my tablet as Joaquin returned to his phone. Antonio huffily plopped down on his spot on the couch, arms crossed and pout sulky. 

“Stop pouting.” Joaquin grouched.

“Leave me alone!” Antonio whined, “Let me be the sulking one for once.”

Joaquin glared, “I don’t sulk.”

“Who said I was talking about you?” Antonio shot back, “I could be talking about Noémie. She is a child and children sulk.”

Joaquin continued to glare.

“It’s not my fault your-”

“Finish that sentence and I’ll tear out your throat.”

Antonio paused, taking in the threat that was coldly sneered towards him. The pout on his face grew as he returned back to his sulking slouch. Antonio grumbled to himself. “Violent psychopath.”

I ignored their squabbling, attention focused on the animals that were singing on my tablet. “Dancing is fun with friends!” A fox bounced, “Let's dance, dance, dance until the very end!” It finished with another hop.

The other animals cheered. 

I smiled happily at the sight. 

The episode finished with each animal getting a solo. Some were graceful, spinning happily on their toes. Others danced goofily to the rhythm of the beat. Wiggling their hips and bouncing their shoulders. There were few that merely bopped their head or snapped their fingers, not really into the whole dancing thing.

The screen slowly began to fade to black as they all joined each other again.   

“Gremlins!” Papa yelled, “Food is ready!”