Rosa is learning, reluctantly

“Where are you going young lady?” asked George putting down the newspaper he had been reading while sitting on his deck chair. Rosa, who had been sitting next to him sunning herself, had got up and headed towards the door which led to the dining room.

“Going to bother Julia,” she replied matter of factly as she put her hand on the door and was about to push it open.

“Why do you want to do that?” Geroge continued with a smile as he had heard this line from Rosa many times before. “Julia, I’m sure doesn’t want to be bothered right now. She’s busy cooking dinner.”

“That’s why I’m going to bother her,” George sat up a little more and casually looked down at the beach where Melody was involved in an intense pickleball game with Herman who had practised every chance he got and the results were showing. Melody was being stretched to her limits. However, being the aggressive cat she was, she wasn’t going to give in. George was about to turn back and address Rosa who was still standing by the door, when he heard a shout go up. It was Herman. He was jumping up and down, “what’s the score?” shouted George believing that Herman had won.

“10 1,” shouted Herman.

“Who has 10 points and who has 1?” he asked.

“I have 1!” shouted a proud Herman. “I actually took a point away from Melody.”

Melody shrugged and grinned, “he’s getting better.”

“I can tell,” shouted George adding, “it’s wonderful to see that such small things in life can make someone’s day.” He turned his attention back to Rosa. “You didn’t say why you’re going to bother Julia when she’s busy making dinner?”

“Because she’s being selfish,” replied Rosa.

“Selfish?” asked her father.

“Yes,” Rosa replied and then added, “do you know what we are having for dinner, daddy?” No George had no idea. “I’ll find out at dinner,” he replied and immediately Rosa answered, “Chicken! Chicken! Chicken! Always chicken. She never thinks about me. That’s why she’s selfish.”

“Why, what is it you want for dinner?”

“Shrimp,” she replied and then added, “yes, yesterday Julia flew down to Surf City and got shrimp. But only because I told her to.”

“I see,” George was always amused at his daughter’s logic. “Maybe she’ll cook that over the weekend. Maybe on Sunday.” Rosa didn’t want to hear that, so George expanded on his comment. “What is it you were going to say to Julia?”

“I was going to tell Julia that she’s mean. She never thinks about me.”

“And that will make Julia change her mind and make shrimp for you?” Rosa looked down at the ground, George continued. He felt that Rosa might be in one of her more receptive moods, rare as they were. “Why don’t you go in and say to Julia, Julia, could you please make shrimp for dinner tonight because I’m really in the mood for shrimp. You know what they say, you catch more bees with honey than you do with mud.”

Rosa looked at her father intently and shook her head. “No daddy. It’s you catch more flies with honey than vinegar,” and then not waiting for an answer she opened the door and went into the nest. Geroge went back to his newspaper for a second before he was interrupted by a shout of joy, but this time the voice was unmistakenly Melody. He didn’t need to lower his newspaper.

“I won! I won! I won!” screamed Melody. Followed by a shout from Herman.

“I know, the drinks are on me again.”

Drinks? thought George what drinks? Maybe he had missed something, but he didn’t care enough to find out. He heard the door open and he glanced over. It was Sybil. “Hello honey,” he said and then patted the chair next to him, “come and sit down. I believe Herman is buying drinks for everyone.”

She just rolled her eyes and sat down. “You won’t believe what I just saw,” she said as she looked up at the bright sun.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Rosa was being nice to Julia in the kitchen.”

George lowered his paper, “she was?” he asked rather loudly. “Was she asking her to make shrimp?”

“Yes she was,”

“And what did Julia say?”

“She didn’t say anything, but just asked Rosa to look in the pot on the stove and she did. Yes she did.”

“Shrimp I guess?”

“Shrimp Fra Diavola,” replied Sybil grinning.

“Really? So, I guess my asking her to ask Julia nicely paid off.”

“No it didn’t,” replied Sybil indignantly, “that was all me.”

George heard his name called from below. It was Melody. “George!” she shouted again and then seeing Sybil, she included her, “would either of you like a drink? Herman’s buying.” “Buying what?” asked Sybil scoffing slightly.

“Coca cola,” Melody replied.

“No thank you,” Sybil replied laying back down, “I only drink Pepsi.”

“I’ll have one,” replied George watching Rosa walk out onto the deck quietly. George smiled. He loved his family.