"Oh, there you are big brother", says Melissa in her customary flat tone, "So what dragged your sorry little ass out of bed this morning."
"Oh, nothing but the sweet smile and dulcet voice of my darling little sister", he says, reaching for the coffee and finding an empty chair with Carol, Francois and Sarah.
"Oh, you always did have a way with words", she says tonelessly. "That is why the men all love you."
"Oh, don't start", he mutters, loudly stirring his coffee with a musically tinkling spoon. "What needs to be done?."
"Too late baby, it's just too late. We're almost ready." Only one of the pannekoeks seems a little bit scorched, otherwise, Jennifer has declared perfection. Melissa picks up a huge serving plate loaded down with banana, pineapple, papaya and melon and kiwi and strawberries. I pick up one of the platters laden with gigantic pannekoeks, languishing like monster crepes one on top of the other. In the breakfast room, wait standing each behind a chair at the table, George, Jeff, Maureen, Aaron, and Jesús. I cannot quite make out the theme of the conversation that we have all walked in on. The morning sun streams in like a divine revelation through the French door windows, and, for this reason, there remains no question as to why the room has been appointed for the first meal of the day Carl comes in carrying two small pitchers, one filled with maple syrup, and the other with a mysterious, probably Dutch, concoction. He takes his place at the head of the table, and intones a gentle "Thank you, Jesus, for all and for all of us here", and we all resound in unison the Amén, then one by one we each take our seat and now begin together this gift of divine love, this gift of the new day together...
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