When Mommy made breakfast… sometimes it could be interesting, but it meant she was in a good mood. On the other hand, when she didn't make breakfast, when Natalie was already dressed and out of her room and Mommy still hadn't gotten out of bed, that was a sure sign it was going to be a bad day. Those days, Daddy was distracted and didn't talk much, and Natalie had to fend for herself when it came to breakfast.
Rummaging through the kitchen cabinet, she pulled out the little box of strawberry Pop Tarts—there was one left. Natalie took it out, tossed the box in the trash, and clambered awkwardly onto the kitchen counter to get to the toaster. Even at her age, this routine was not at all unusual—you learned self-sufficiency pretty quickly growing up in the Brown family, or you resigned yourself to missing a lot of meals.
"You're gonna get hurt," a voice said as she dropped the Pop Tart into the toaster and pushed it down. Natalie turned carefully on the counter to grin down at her brother, who stood on the kitchen floor looking up at her. He always worried about her, even though he was only a year older. Natalie didn't really mind, though—at least it meant she had someone to worry about her. Someone who cared.
"I won't fall," she told him impishly. "You want half of my Pop Tart? It's the only one left."
He shook his head. "No thanks, kiddo. 'm not hungry."
Natalie rolled her eyes, though she had expected that answer—her brother was never hungry. The metallic noise the toaster made as her breakfast popped up startled her, and she jerked in surprise, nearly falling off the counter. Once she'd steadied herself, she heard a tiny giggle from her brother, which he quickly stifled as Daddy came down the stairs from his and Mommy's bedroom.
Daddy couldn't see Gabe from where he stood, with the counter in the way—just Natalie, sitting up there by the toaster. "Come on, Natalie," he called, his voice clipped, as he started for the front door. "You're going to be late for school if we don't hurry."
Natalie didn't answer him, just grabbed her Pop Tart, ignoring that it was still hot, carefully slid off the counter, grabbed her backpack and lunchbox off the floor, and followed Daddy to the door. Halfway there, she stopped and turned around, waving quickly to Gabe and mouthing goodbye. He grinned back at her and gave a tiny wave in response, and only after that could Natalie turn and follow her father out to the car, knowing Gabriel would be there waiting for her when she came home.