It was lunch time at Manhattan High School. Lea, Ray, and Donna were at the cafeteria since it was not too noisy today. The girls noticed that Mickey's not here.
"Hey where's Mickey?" Lea asked.
"No idea" Ray shrugged.
"I heard that she's at home because she's sick" Donna said.
"Oh well might as well call her later to see how she's feeling" Lea suggested.
Ray and Donna nodded.
With Mickey, she was at the graveyard, visiting her mother's grave. Today was a sad day for Mickey because today was her mother's birthday. Her father, Ted, allowed Mickey to take the day off from school and visit her mother's grave for her birthday. Ted will also come visit his wife's grave with Mickey during his lunch break.
Mickey walked up to her mother's grave. She placed a bouquet of white roses and a piece of vanilla cake, her mother's favorite. Mickey got down on her knees and touched the gravestone.
"Hi mom, happy birthday, I wish you the best" Mickey smiled sadly.
"Things are getting a little better for me in my first year of high school, I made awesome friends and learning an ancient Japanese battle art called ninjitsu to defend myself" Mickey said.
"But no one can ever replace you, you are best friend" Mickey started to tear up.
"Oh Mom, I really wish you didn't die, I miss you so much!" Mickey began to cry.
Just then, Mickey felt a hand touched her shoulder.
"Huh?" Mickey looked up and saw Yori.
"Michaela, is everything all right?" Yori said.
"Everything's fine Mistress Yori, what are you doing here?" Mickey sniffled.
"I was walking by and saw you in distress, it worried me" Yori said.
"Oh" Mickey said.
"What seems to trouble you?" Yori asked.
"Today's my mom's birthday, but she passed away from sickness when I was ten" Mickey sniffled.
"I am so sorry Michaela" Yori said with a sympathetic look.
"It's okay Mistress Yori, my mom is the best person I know in the whole wide world, why did she have to go?" Mickey cried.
Yori pulled Mickey into a hug. Mickey hugged her back and rubbed her tearing eyes on Yori's sleeve.
"You're not the only one Michaela, I felt the same way when I lost my parents as a child, and my love Teng Shang" Yori said.
"You too?" Mickey looked up to her.
"When they died, I felt sad and miserable, but I made peace and continue on with my life" Yori said.
"But how did you get over it?" Mickey asked.
"I focus on the friends that I have made, you, Rachelle, Leavanna, Donnatella, and everyone that I befriended with" Yori said.
"Do not forget Michaela, that I am here for you, and you have your friends who love you" Yori said.
"Thank you Mistress Yori" Mickey smiled genuinely.
"But I still miss my mom" Mickey said.
"Do not worry, her spirit will always live within you as long as you love her" Yori said.
Mickey hugged Yori once more.
Just then, a man in his early forties with dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes came. It was Mickey's father, Ted Davis.
"Hi Mickey, sorry I was late" Ted said and saw her with Yori.
"Hi dad, dad this is Mistress Yori, Mistress Yori this is dad" Mickey said.
"Pleased to meet you, Mickey told me about you on how you are teaching her self-defense and taught her good friends as well" Ted said as he shook Yori's hand.
Yori smiled.
"Anything you want to say to mom dad?" Mickey asked.
"I do" Ted said as he walked up to his wife's grave.
"Hi honey, happy birthday, we're doing well, I am now the executive in advertising. No matter how long, I will always love you" Ted said solemnly.
Mickey hugged her father; Ted hugged his daughter back.
"Alright Mickey, I have to get back to work, I'll be home by five" Ted said.
"Okay and in the meantime, I will make dinner" Mickey said.
"Dad, can Mistress Yori please join us for dinner, she really helped me so much" Mickey asked.
Ted thought about it for a minute.
"Of course, as a thank you" Ted said.
"Mistress Yori, would you like to join us for dinner?" Mickey asked.
"I'd be delighted too" Yori said.
Just then Mickey received a text from her phone. She opened it and read the message.
Ray:
Hey Mickey, are you okay?
Mickey texted back.
Mickey:
Yeah, today's my mom's birthday and I'm too sad because she passed away as I once mentioned before. I miss her too much. : (
Ray:
I'm sorry, do you want us to come over to cheer you up?"
Then Mickey thought of something.
"Dad, can my friends come over for dinner? They want to cheer me up and I can make a dinner enough for six people" Mickey asked.
"Of course, they're your friends and are always welcome" Ted said.
"Thanks dad" Mickey hugged her father; he hugged her back.
Mickey:
I like that very much, plus do you and the girls want to stay for dinner?
Ray:
Sure, Lea and Donna agreed to stay for dinner.
Mickey:
Great, be at my apartment at 5:00 PM.
My address is 1400 Chestnut Ave. Apt 8B.
Ray:
Okay, we'll be on our way soon
"Alright we're good" Mickey said.
"Very well, if you will all excuse me, I have to get back to work" Ted said.
"Of course" Yori nodded.
"See ya at home dad" Mickey said.
"Bye Mickey" Ted kissed his daughter's forehead and left.
"And here's my address Mistress Yori" Mikey handed Yori a piece of paper of her address.
"Thank you and I will see you soon Michaela" Yori said.
"Bye" Mickey said.
Sometime later, Mickey was at the kitchen of her apartment. She was cooking an Italian dinner, her mother's favorite.
Mickey made chicken parmesan, creamy pasta with diced basil on top, fried ravioli, garlic bread sticks, and a fresh bowl of salad. With a drink of regular and lemon water. And Luigi's real Italian ice for dessert.
After Mickey finished setting up the table, her father entered the apartment.
"Hi dad, you're fifteen minutes early" Mickey said.
"Well I would like to meet your friends whom you have been talking non-stop" Ted said.
Ted saw the table and dinner ready.
"My this looks amazing Mickey, you really out done yourself" Ted said proudly.
"Thanks dad" Mickey said.
There was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" Mickey exclaimed as she ran to the door and opened it.
It was Yori, Lea, Ray, and Donna.
"Mistress Yori, girls you made it!" Micky said happily.
"Of course we did Michaela" Yori said.
"We would never decline your invitation and wanted to cheer you up" Lea said.
"Come on in" Mickey said as she let her sensei and friends in.
"Dad, these are my friends, Lea, Ray, and Donna, girls this is my dad" Mickey said.
"Hello, Mickey told me about you girls" Ted said.
"It's nice to meet you sir" Lea said.
"Please to meet you" Donna said.
"Thanks for letting Mickey having us over" Ray said.
"Such polite girls" Ted smiled.
"Alright now that we are here, let's dig in shall we" Mickey said.
After everyone washed their hands, they began to eat.
The girls, Ted, and Yori were enjoying Mickey's dinner.
"Hmmm this is really good Mickey" Lea said.
"I agree your cooking has the most exquisite taste" Yori said.
"You cook better than I do Mickey" Ray said.
"Who taught you to cook by the way?" Donna asked.
"My mom, we would always cook together to prep a good meal for dad after working so hard" Mickey said, but became a little sad as she mentioned her mom.
"Hey hey don't be sad, I bet she's proud that you are an amazing chef" Lea said.
"Thanks Lea" Mickey smiled.
After dinner was over, Lea, Ray, and Donna helped Mickey cleaned up. She thanked them for their help.
After that, it was time for dessert.
"I brought some of Luigi's real Italian ice" Mickey said as she brough the box out and grabbed spoons for everyone.
Everyone enjoyed their Italian ice.
"Thank you again for inviting me for dinner, I had a great time" Yori said.
"You're welcome Mistress Yori" Mickey said.
"Thanks Mickey, it was the best thing I have ever tasted" Lea said.
"Thank you" Donna said.
"Yeah thanks and I think you make a great chef Mick" Ray said.
"Thanks girls, I'll see you tomorrow" Mickey said.
"Bye" Lea, Ray, and Donna said as they left for their home. They made it safely.
"You two have a good night" Yori said.
"We will, good night Mistress Yori" Mickey said.
"Take care" Ted said as he shook her hand once more.
Yori smiled and left to go back to her home.
"I think you have wonderful friends and a loving sensei who acts like a mother towards you Mickey" Ted said.
"Yeah, I'm pretty lucky" Mickey smiled.
Mickey and Ted called it a night and went to bed.