Banks Dynasty – Day 2 (Part 1)

I forget about my decision to dislike Ms. Fuller when I’m awakened by her beautiful voice the next morning…

Ms. Fuller: *from the kitchen* ♫ Alarm goes off at seven, and you start uptown. You put in your eight hours for the powers that have always beeeeen. Till it’s five p.m. ♪

Claudia seems to read my mind…

Claudia: We don’t really use alarm clocks around here. Mama Nadine wakes us up with a new song every morning.

It’s a glorious way to be woken up. I quickly change and go into the kitchen and see her preparing breakfast. My mouth waters in anticipation.

(Song: Skid Row – Little Shop of Horrors)

I sit down at the counter and watch her work. She looks like an angel in her white robe. She finishes up and places the serving plate in front of me.

Ms. Fuller: Looks like you get the first plate this morning. *sets the plate down in front of me* Let me know what you think.

I take a bite, not sure what it is, but it’s just as tasty as dinner was the night before.

Alida: It’s amazing! *notices my mistake* I mean…it’s okay.

I’m not about to break that easily.

I’m already done eating by the time everyone else enters the kitchen and grabs their plate. I smile at the satisfaction that I was the first.

After finishing his breakfast, Michael gets up and immediately begins gathering the dirty dishes and taking them to the sink.

It’s time to leave for school. Raul, Michael and I attend the public school in the neighborhood. It’s a fairly short walk away. Claudia’s school is only a few minutes further down the street. We’re all already a few blocks away when Michael comes running out of the house behind us…

Michael: Hey…wait for me!

While I’m at school, I can’t help but think about Ms. Fuller and wonder what she does all day while we’re away. I want to believe it’s something glamorous…like singing in a big concert hall or something like that.

There was once a time when I wondered the same thing about mama. But one day I was sent home early and I accidentally walked on her and some guy. After that…I tried not to think about what she did when I was at school.

I decide that I never want to actually know what Ms. Fuller does. I’d hate to be disappointed like I was with mama. I’ll just be content with my imagination. Some things are better left to your imagination. I’ve learned that the hard way.

Ms. Fuller is in the kitchen when we finally arrive home. The whole room smells sweet like melting marshmallows and sugar. I sit down once again at the counter to see what she’s cooking.

I’m guessing that everyone else is off doing homework or whatever else they all get up to after school. Ms. Fuller sets the plate down on the counter and gives me a plate of warm gooey rice crispy treats. I recognize what it is right away, but I’m extra excited because I’ve never had a homemade one before.

Ms. Fuller: You can taste it, but you’ll have to finish the rest later or you’ll be late for drama club.

I’m not that excited about having to leave for drama club. I’d much rather stay and finish my snack, but I take a few bites and prepare to leave anyway.

(Generation 1 Chapter Summaries)