Routine

Every morning was the same. I get up at 6 A.M., and go to the kitchen. I help my father empty the dishwasher and set the table at the same time: two white bowls for my parents, a yellow and green for Mélanie, a yellow and blue for Noémie, and a yellow for me. I put six spoons on the table, one for each person and one for jam. I put milk, butter, a butter knife, two bottles of juice, and jam on the table. When I set the table, my dad prepares the coffee. I put one sugar lump in my mom’s mug and two in my dad’s mug. Then, I open all of the cabinets, looking for something to eat. My dad brings coffee and the radio to the table. We talk together. When the radio speaker announces the preview for the evening TV program, we are quiet even though we never watch TV. My mom joins us. Like every morning, she moves my sisters’ bowls, opens the fridge, takes out a yoghurt and sits at the table. I get up, put all my dishes in the dishwasher, and leave the kitchen.

I knock at the bathroom door in a certain way. My sister, who is taking her shower, knows it’s me and it’s time to get out of the bathroom. I go to my room, make my bed, and pick out my clothes. Noémie and I switch the bathroom.

After her breakfast, she knocks at the door in the same way I did. She makes her bed and joins me in the bathroom. We brush our hair and brush our teeth while talking. The first of us who finishes, wakes up our little sister. Finally, Noémie and I leave for school.

Writen on November 2010, the 3rd

Picture Credits: Getty Images