28 Blind Dates: After the Costumes (Part 49)

Future Plans

The rest of the family is in the dining room for breakfast, except for Lia, who is still reading a Gourmet Cook Book in her bedroom. Eventually, she makes her way down.

Merlin:  *to Jamelia* Thanks for joining us, Lia. You’d better hurry and get dressed, or you’ll be late for school.

Jamelia: Don’t worry, I have it all under control, dad.

After everyone else has finished breakfast, Merlin makes his way to the head of the table.

Merlin: So, your mother and I were talking, and we wanted to make sure you three have started thinking about your future and your college plans. If you need help filling out your college applications, let us know. We’re here to help.

Jalisa looks over and notices Lia’s sudden change in demeanor. She looks uneasy.

Melisa: I’m going to apply to Foxbury and Britechester. I need some help with my college essays, though.

Merlin: Your mother and I would be happy to sit down and work with you.

Jalin: I’ve been thinking about applying to college, but I’m also considering joining the military.

Merlin: *surprised* Really?

Jalin: Yeah, either that or I want to become a professional gamer.

Merlin: Both your grandfather and great-grandfather served time in the military. It’s a lucrative career, but I’d advise you to start working out so you’ll be able to keep up with the physical requirements. As far as gaming – I know people who make a living at it, but it’s not as simple as just logging in and playing all day. It takes a lot of skill, and luck plays a significant factor as well.

Jalin: I know, dad.

Again, Jalisa notices the sour look on Lia’s face.

Jalisa: Are you okay, Lia?

Merlin: *turns to Lia* What college are you planning on applying to?

Jamelia: What if I don’t want to go to college?

Merlin: What will you do instead?

Jamelia: I want to study to become a chef.

Merlin: You can do that in college.

Jamelia: I don’t want to deal with all the other requirements, though. I want to cook, not complete a bunch of G.E.’s.

Merlin: Do you have a plan?

Jamelia: I’ve been doing some research, and there’s a skills academy in Brindleton Bay. It’s a place for people to learn skills without the cost and time commitment of college.

Jalisa: Brindleton Bay is not that far. Maybe we should plan a visit and check the place out.

Merlin: Yeah, okay. That’s a good idea, babe. We’ll go check it out together.

Jamelia: Thanks, mom, thanks, dad. I’m going to take a shower.

Lia gets up from the table, feeling pretty good that her parents are willing to support her plan to avoid college. The rest of the family continues discussing college and the military until it’s time to clean up and leave for school and work.

The triplets return home after an interesting day at school. To Me-Me’s dismay, Jay has won the coveted Excellence Bunny award, although he’s nowhere near as good a student as she is. He spends most of the day socializing. But apparently, one of his teachers saw potential in him and nominated him for the award. Me-Me thinks it’s completely unfair, but Lia could care less. She’s just glad to be done for the day.

Me-Me and Lia go to the community garden to complete their volunteer work for the day. Lia does the bare minimum, then leaves as quickly as possible to return home to continue studying cookbooks. Kendra and Shania stay to help Me-Me clean out the chicken coop and feed the chickens, but even her friends can’t help improve Me-Me’s bad mood.

Jay isn’t too happy about winning the award either, because now he feels pressure to work harder at school. He’s still working on his homework when his friend Kory stops by to play video games.

Kory: I just bought the new Sim2K. Wanna play?

Jalin: In a minute – I have to finish these stupid essay questions for Language Arts class.

Kory: I thought you hated Language Arts.

Jalin: I do, but now that I won that dumb award, everyone expects me to actually get A’s in school.

Kory: Good luck with that. You haven’t completed a homework assignment in that class all year.

Jalin: Yeah, but for some reason, I keep doing well on the tests.

Kory: Just skip a few answers and pretend to run out of time like I do. Then people will stop expecting great things from you.

Jay finishes his work and gets up to put this book away.

Jalin: You’ve met my parents. There’s no way they’ll let me get away with something like that.

Kory: My mom’s the same way, but as long as she thinks I’m trying my best – she’s satisfied.

Jalin: Why not really try your best? Wouldn’t that be easier than trying to deceive everyone?

Kory: Maybe, but then when would I find the time to play Sim2K?

Jalin: I see your point.

Merlin arrives home with great news. He’s been promoted and is now at the top of his career. He briefly thought about taking everyone out to celebrate, but he’s still too cheap, so he elects to cook one of his favorite meals instead. It’s also an excellent opportunity to give Lia some cooking pointers.

Merlin: Always add a bit of olive oil to your skillet, and don’t turn the stove up too high.

Jamelia: Why olive oil?

Merlin: It keeps the food from sticking, and it gives everything a nice flavor. I like to add the oil and seasoning simultaneously, so the food is well coated and the seasoning sticks.

Merlin makes a show of adding his oil and seasons. He’s thrilled that at least one of his children shares his love of cooking.

After the meal is done, Lia grabs her cookbook again and studies the recipe she just watched her dad prepare. Jalisa observes from the kitchen.

Jalisa: *quietly to Merlin* She’s dedicated to this cooking thing, isn’t she?

Merlin: I’m proud of her.

Jalisa: Me too, and it’ll be nice having a professional chef in the family.

They can both agree on that.

BDC: After the Costumes Summaries | read from the beginning

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