DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal or dangerous acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability in doing the same.
Chapter twenty-eight: Freedom
While Strawberry Shortcake was deeply questioning herself about her "big-sisterhood", while Apple Dumplin' was telling Mulberry Murmur with great excitement the way she managed to get around a punishment, while Angel Cake was wondering which name she would give to her Café, Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte has returned in Big Apple City, working together in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.
Of course, my dear reader, you have already guessed I'm joking.
The two owners of the "Raspberry Meringue" were having a serious argument… once more. As usual, Aunt Edna was checking the order books, waiting for the quarrel to come to an end. As usual, Lem and Ada were lying low under their bed. Nothing else could reassure them better than being in each other's arms; although they couldn't ignore the hollers raising from the first floor.
-HOW did you dare tell her I was nothing else than a COUNTRY BUMPKIN?! Raspberry Torte shouted.
-Because YOU ARE, Raspberry! I knew how to apply nail polish when you were still building mud castle in your garden, with all the other rednecks!
-Let's rather say you smear it! YOU HAVE NO TALENT, Lemon, and you know it! Look at how your "great discoveries" ended! Shall I remember you what happened with the… Glamicure?!
-I can't believe you are so INGRATEFUL, Raspberry! You get everything thanks to ME! Without me, you would be still planting potatoes in your godforsaken hole!
-Thanks to YOU, Lemon? Are you serious? Who have been solicit by Mavis Maraschino herself? You or ME?
-Mavis Maraschino? You give importance to this…
-Anyway, I have been noteworthy, Lemon. ME, not YOU! You believe you are a great star because your aunt gave you everything. In reality, you WON'T be ANYTHING without EDNA! What kind of model were you when you met Strawberry Shortcake? For how many agencies did you pose?
-STOP IT RASPBERRY!
In the third floor, the twins were shivering.
-Can you stand it? Lem asked softly.
Ada, holding her tears, slowly shook her head.
-Me neither. Ada, I think the moment is come…
-Lem… I'm not sure anymore.
-Come on Ada. Don't be scared. I'll always be with you. Everything will be better now.
Lem carefully crawled from under his bed. Ada didn't move.
-Be brave Ada, he said nicely. "I'm with you."
Visibly fighting with her fear, Ada followed her brother.
-You know Ada, I think we would be better anywhere else than here. This is what children do when they are able to stand on their own two feet… As it happens, we have four feet (Ada smiled). I'm sure we would do great thing together, but I can't stand anymore those two shrews.
Ada started and listened carefully, trying to hear if someone was climbing to their room to reprimand them. But Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte were too occupied to hear them.
-Do you think you deserve to be daily, at best ignored, at worst unfairly criticized?
Grabbing her back bag, Ada didn't answer.
-Do you still have the address of this kind young man who visited us, last month?
Ada nodded and pulled a piece of paper out of her bag.
-Good. Let's go now.
Noiselessly, the twins went downstairs. Sputters were still arising from Raspberry Torte's workshop. Aunt Edna hadn't left her office. They tiptoed until the front door. The second later, they were outside.
It was good to walk freely on the streets. Lem and Ada deeply breathed, enjoying to be all alone, left to their own devices. It reminded them their long walks through London, when they were just children, with Sugar Woofer turning around them. But it was over now, and Lemon Meringue had anything to see with Sugar Woofer's warmth and kindness. That was life… And life threw them out of their house. No, that was wrong: Lem and Ada perfectly knew were to go. They weren't scared. Lem didn't allowed himself to be lost: he had to mind Ada. Ada was reassured: Lem would always protect her.
After ten minutes of walk, Peanut Butter's hostel was standing in front of her. Lem and Ada shared a wink: they had found their new shelter.
Peanut Butter used to host tourist passing through Big Apple City, and Lem and Ada appearance wasn't surprising: two teenagers with back bags (even though only Ada's skirt let him know who was the boy and who was the girl). However, he felt like he had already saw them somewhere before. But after all, there were two more customers.
-Did you take bookings? Her politely asked.
-No… Lem answered.
-But we really need you, in person, Ada added.
Two minutes later, sipping a cup of hot chocolate, Lem, with Ada's help, was telling their story to Peanut Butter, speechless. He as feeling powerless. What could he say to the twins? That their big sister loved them and will be more caring in the future?
-Well, Lem ended, "We'll need to spent a couple of days here."
-… Of course, if you don't mind.
-Of course, I don't mind, Peanut Butter muttered. "But I think you should tell Lemon Meringue where you are, otherwise she'll fret."
-NO! they both cry.
-She'll force us to go back with her…
-Please, sir, Ada begged. "Put us up-only for one night!"
-She won't even notice we're gone.
And Peanut Butter had nothing else to do than wondering in which real mess he got himself.
To be continued…