my family fell silent. I made a beeline for the coffee. My mother rushed over, grasped my hands, and turned me to face her.  "Oh honey, you are a vison," she said,kissing me on both cheeks.

" It's a skirt, Mom." I wrenched free. " Get over it."  I grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured coffee. At the last second I managed to push my long hair out of the way before blond tendrils dunked in the black liquid.  Ansel tossed me a luna bar and tried to hide the smirk on his face.

Traitor, I mouth as I sat down. Two bites into my breakfast, I realized my father was gasping at me. " What?" I asked around a mouthful of soy protein. He coughed, blinking several times. Then his eyes darted from my mom to me. " Sorry calla, I guess I didn't expect you to take your mother's suggestions to heart." 

She glared at him. My father shifted in his seat and unfolded the Denver Post. 

"You're quit fetching." 

"Fetching?" My voice jumped up a couple octaves. The coffee mug shook in my hand.