Japanese Tea

"Joh-eun achim-iya, Omma, Oppa." She bowed to her parents.

"Good morning, dear." Her father said

"How many times have I told you that we aren't Korean? We are Canadian and I don't know why you and your sibling have to learn foreign languages." Her mother ranted.

"I am sorry, Omma." She dashed to the kitchen and took the kettle of water to her parents room and poured some for them. Zeke had appeared in the living room, fixing his tie.

"You look so cute, Zeke." Her mother cooed.

"Stop it, Mother. You are ruining my hair." Zeke stepped away from his mother and her face turned red.

"Sorry dear." Lorna glanced around, looking for her husband. He must have slipped away and gone to take his bath.

She has to buy new clothes for the whole family. That could wait. There wasn't even one tear, loose thread or spoilt zip in any clothes that they owned. She tried her best to make them happy but seeing Alora work this much was killing her.

Ally walked out of her sister's room wearing her favourite sky blue dress and black shoes. She looked gorgeous but those shoes looked worn out. She has pinned her hair and paused, probably waiting for her mother's approval.

"You look dashing, sweetheart." Lorna said and Ally resumed walking and stood next to her brother. Ronnie came out of the bedroom, looking like a movie star than a father of three.

"Hurry and take your shower, Lorna." Ron said, watching his wife and daughter exit the living room.

He was proud of his family, poor or not, he was content with what he had. He turned to his twins, looking identical as usual and he smiled.

Alora took the kettle to her room, poured some water and hurriedly bathed. She wore a long pink gown with white floral designs on it.

She pulled the pins out of her hair and let it fall to her waist. She gazed at her image in the mirror and smiled.

Wearing her peach shoes, she stuffed her ballet flats and tutu into a duffel bag and ran out of her room. The tray of tea was on the table and all eyes turned to her.

"You look nice, nim." Zeke said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Thank you Zeke."

Lora made her way to the table and everyone took a cup of tea. After a short prayer, they sipped their tea and simultaneously sighed and said, "Warm." They ate the bread and biscuits then, she led her sibling ms outside while her father locked the doors.

There were other colourfully dressed adults and children who were all walking in the same direction; the direction to a big church that wasn't far from Lora's house.

She spotted her brown haired freind, Leslie and her older brother, Sean. Leslie pulled her brother and they both crossed the street and joined Alora and her family.

"Good morning Mr and Mrs Silver." Leslie and Sean said.

"Good morning to you, Leslie. Good morning Sean." Lorna smiled and Ron shook hands with Sean and nodded a greeting to Leslie. Alora turned red went she saw Sean wink at her. She had a tiny crush on him which, judging by its name, wanted to crush her.

The feelings were so intense that she has to hold on to a railing anytime he passed her. Leslie stood in between the two and they walked all the way to church.