''When on Earth will the boys be back?'' Ness's mother paced the kitchen. She and Tracy had set out the table beautifully and honestly, calling it beautiful was an understatement. Fine china lay out in front of every individual seat and elegantly crafted cutlery lay perfectly in line with each delicate plate. Stunning folded napkins of the colour soft violet settled on the table underneath every plastic diamond encrusted glass. It was an astonishing sight. Almost as if it was the Royal Palace's dining room. Not to mention the whole house was spotless. How they had managed to completely turn the house into something so perfect within the time the boys had done something as measly as shopping was unbelievable. But on the other hand, they were females... So it was probably in their nature to be talented at kitchen work and cleaning.
''Mom! We'ah back!'' Suddenly a familiar voice emerged from the hall as the front door opened and slammed shut. The sound of plastic shopping bags could be heard rustling as the children gently placed them on the floor.
''Ness! Jeff!'' Ness's mother sprinted, quite literally at the same speed as an olympic runner, into the spotlessly vacuumed hall. ''Oh! And Paula! How grand to see you!'' With that she grabbed a handful of bags and transported them to the kitchen with Jeff kindly taking care of the remaining bags.
''Sorry we took so long, M'am.'' Jeff gave his apologies and began to help stack the shopping on the counter.
''No worries. You didn't take that long. I appreciate the help more than anything, honey.'' Ness's mother smiled down at Jeff and ruffled his hair. Jeff smiled warmly and then cleared his throat in preparation to ask a question. ''What did you need such a large number of eggs for anyway?''
Ness's mother didn't look away from sorting out the ingredients but answered anyhow. ''Oh, Hinawa mentioned that her children have some odd obsession with omelettes so I'm going to make sure they get as many as they want.'' She opened the box of eggs and counted them before closing it again in satisfaction. ''Surely they won't want ten each, but I'm coming prepared.'' She pushed the eggs aside and began to gently rip the cling film from a chicken before putting it into the oven and then rinsing her hands in the sink. ''Ness, Jeff, Paula... I'm afraid you'll have to go out for a couple of hours while I prepare dinner. I have enough stress on my back and I don't need you accidentally or perhaps even purposely increasing it. Take Tracy with you.''
''But mom! I don't wan-'' Tracy protested.
''No buts. Except for the one that you're going to get out of the house.'' Ness's mother sternly interrupted as she lightly tapped her daughter's bottom to get her to move out of the kitchen. ''Go.''
''Okay, mothah. See you in a couple of houahs.'' Ness cheerfully said as he grabbed Paula and Tracy's hands and raced down the hallway with Jeff sensibly walking behind.
''Have fun!'' Ness's mother called out just before the front door slammed shut. Now, she can finally make an amazing dinner in peace. ''Right, the chicken is in... Now whe-''
RING! RING! RING! RING!
''Oh for goodness sake.'' The sighing woman rolled her eyes and reached into the kitchen drawer to retrieve the house phone. The LED screen read the name 'HINAWA'. Ness's mother instantly became worried as she expected some sort of late cancellation. ''Hello?'' She pressed the answer button.
''Oh, hello hun!'' Hinawa replied with an overly happy tone.
''How are you?''
''I'm great, thanks. And yourself?''
''I'm good, thank you. So, is there anything in particular that you wanted?''
''Yes, actu- hold on. CLAUS, WOULD YOU STOP SHOUTING? I'M ON THE PHONE. Sorry, about that. Anyway, I was wondering if you're still on for today? And the whole dinner thing?''
''Of course! I'm just making dinner now! It IS omelettes that your boys love, right?''
''Love isn't the word.'' Hinawa smirked. ''They're CRAZY for omelettes.''
Ness's mother giggled slightly as she heard a small voice on the end of the phone shout 'WHO SAID OMELETTES?'
''I can tell.'' Ness's mother replied.
''Yeah, so I guess I'll leave you to it then? Don't want to hold you up!'' Hinawa grinned although her friend obviously couldn't see it.
''Yeah. So half seven, right? Is that okay?''
''That's perfect, honey. See you then!''
''See you then.'' Ness's mother got the final word before hanging up.
She ran a hand through her hair as she took a glance at all of the food she had to prepare. ''The things I do to maintain a sturdy friendship.'' She muttered to herself before continuing where she left off.
