"Viktoriya stop eating those! Silly girl they must be bought. I didn't immigrate here just to be put to shame by my family!" 

My brother laughs at this. My grandmother always catches me grabbing one of the chocolates from the displays. I am the only one ever getting caught around here. Her sonar must be only calibrated to know the movements of my hands. Somehow however, my brother never does get caught, let alone in trouble for anything. He knows this because he uses it to his advantage. Well he is on my list. The list where I am as petty as they come, a sibling vengeance where the next time I even see him LOOKING at another piece of chocolate he'll be sent to Hell and back before he could count to two. 

"Why is it that I always get see?" 

My wails go unheard as my grandmother sitting across the bakery's counter laughs. Her smile is still beautiful for her age and struggles. The story she uses when we misbehave, because everyone from past generations uses their hard life to teach lessons. It usually works. She grabs my hand, dumping a few raw almonds into my palm. Her smile is warm and beautiful as her eyes show ingenuity and honesty. She leans over so my brother doesn't here her quietly spoken words. 

"My lovely Viktoriya, those who seek sweetness without stepping over bitter traps will leave them salted with nothing. Those who seek bitterness expecting sweetness, will get tossed over too. But those who seek both expecting nothing, are the ones who truly seek kindness. Be like almonds my dear. A bittersweet victory that mixes well with sweetness." 

I smile as she pats my hands gently.