Chapter 21: Polish Words

As soon as Alice shooed the final visitors out of the zoo, Isobel began walking to the penguin's habitat. She opened the fish dish and began climbing down the ladder.

It. Was. A. Disaster.

Skipper was hurriedly sorting through office-type boxes. Kowalski was pouring through assorted notes and advanced science books, throwing them here and there. Private was sitting at the table, happy as could be, humming and making greeting cards. Rico was lying in the corner in a state of denial.

Isobel stepped off the ladder, and took a deep breath. "Everybody, freeze. We need to get this place…Neat freak clean. Private, keep working on décor. Kowalski, slow down; science is not going to help us with this. Rico, get out of the fetal position. It is only your parents! And Skipper, I'll help you file things. We can worry about everything else later."

Everyone set to work. Within an hour, the place was practically sparkling. Private had decorated everything. Pictures and awards crowded the walls of HQ. Unlike Julien's family, the penguins' families were coming in three days and not the day after tomorrow. But they still felt much better now that the place was at least prepared.

Isobel had an idea. "Your holiday, Thanksgiving, is soon. We could have a feast."

"And where do you intend on getting all this food?" Skipper questioned.

"Atlantis is hospitable, remember?" Isobel flashed him a smile.

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"Keep any and all stinking fish away from my side of the table." Julien crossed his arms.

The penguins were conversing with the lemurs in the lemur habitat later that night.

"Considering you're outnumbered, I can assure you there will be fish everywhere." Skipper narrowed his eyes at him.

Julien shook his head. "The smell bothers me."

"Well what am I supposed to do? Keep my parents in an airtight container?" Skipper raised his voice.

"Oh! There is an idea, bossy penguin." Julien said sarcastically.

Isobel laughed. "Stop. We will keep the fish on ice. This way, the smell will not be so strong."

Julien and Skipper muttered but agreed.

Isobel looked to Skipper. "Your parents aren't coming for a few days. Enough worrying."

"But I have to!" Skipper protested. "You have no idea how they are. My father is in the reserved armed forces. I bet he came all the way from Luxembourg to be here. And my mom is a pilot. I, uh, have a little sister too. Amy."

Isobel nodded. "What about you, Kowalski?"

"Uhm, I'm good, thanks." Kowalski looked at his feet.

Isobel scanned his face with her eyes. "What does your mamusia do?"

Kowalski looked up instantly. "How do you-"

"Know that you're Polish?" Isobel smiled. "Kowalski."

Kowalski sighed and nodded. "You're right."

"Why do you not seem proud?" Isobel asked. "Be proud. Polish people are strong. Always be proud of your heritage."

Kowalski smiled a bit. "I know. I just got made fun of at school for have a 'mamusia' and not a 'mom'. They didn't understand! It's just a word for mom. Well, mommy…Anyway! She's an actress part time. And she writes novels. My dad is a surgeon. Neurosurgeon."

Isobel nodded, smiling. "You see? This is not high school, no one cares that you have a different name for your mother."

"Mamusia." Julien snickered quietly.

Isobel shot him a look, and he quieted down. "Speaking of mothers, your step one arrives tomorrow."

"What?!" Julien jumped up. "But I have two more days!"

Isobel grimaced. "I reread the letter when I got back. She has such terrible handwriting! Much too slanted. They are coming in the morning."

Julien groaned and fell back, looking up at the sky, holding his arms out. "Why, Sky Spirits? How have I abandoned you!"

Isobel looked back to Skipper, and he raised an eyebrow at her. "You see? This is a very dramatic time for us!"

"Yeah." Maurice chuckled. "Melodramatic time."