Calliope sighed. She shifted her weight from right buttock to left. When crossing one thigh to rest atop another was unsatisfactory, she crossed instead at her ankles. She sighed again and looked at the clock.
“Would you please let us eat and enjoy?” asked Thalia. “What’s your hurry? We’re already in paradise.”
“It’s 10:13! Over three hours late with BFN.” She let out another heavy sigh and recalled childhood days in the car with her impatient father who was drumming the steering wheel while waiting for her grandmother to emerge from the house. “I don’t like being late.”
“I don’t like being late either, but as they say… sometimes life gets in the way.”
Urania descended the stairs and entered the kitchen. She had her left hand cupped over her left eye. “Man! It’s like Sugar Ray landed a solid hit… and the Advil and warm compresses are like shooting marshmallows at an elephant.”
“Stye… she’s been rubbing her eyes too much,” said Thalia.
“Maybe she’s not rubbing her eyes enough?” asked Calliope. “Seriously — how would we know?”
Urania removed her palm from cheek and forehead.
“It doesn’t really look too bad — just puffy,” said Thalia.
“True… but looks do not trump feelings,” Urania replied.
Calliope was drumming her fingers on the counter. Henrietta looked up to see what was the matter. Would she get some whole grain crust?
“If we’re good enough,” said Urania, “… they’ll wait.”
Thalia seized her opportunity. “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.”
You may not believe this but eating raisins will get rid of a stye!