Morgan's Tea

"Morgan, try this," her mother told her, thrusting a mug into her hands, "I'm trying something new. Tell me what you think."

"What is it?" Morgan asked, sniffing the hot drink.

"A new type of tea," her mother sat down next to her on the couch, a mug in her own hand. She had changed out of her work clothes and into her grey sweats and a t-shirt, ready to settle down for the night finally, "Someone at work gave me some to try out. It's quite different."

Morgan had been totally engrossed in the renovation show on the television. Currently, the overly attractive hosts were in the process of demolishing a bathroom in an overpriced bungalow. She sniffed at the mug again. Out of the corner of her eye, her mother was taking a sip of hers, then licking her lips. If her mom was enjoying it, how bad could it be? Lifting the drink to her lips, she took an experimental sip.

She almost gagged. It tasted... there was something familiar in the taste, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Some ingredient that was almost overwhelming the sugar, the milk, even the berry taste that the manufacturer was obviously going for. Whatever it was, it took a lot of self control to keep from spitting the drink out right then and there.

"Pretty good, isn't it?" her mother said, smiling, taking another sip. How she could stomach the drink was beyond Morgan. Just like the hosts of her show couldn't stand the sight of the tub tile (I mean, come on, cobalt blue?!), she couldn't stand this drink.

"It's disgusting!" Morgan said, "How can you drink that stuff?"

"It grows on you," her mother said soothingly, a knowing smile in her eyes, "I thought it was gross at first too. Give it a minute, then try another sip. If it's not any better, I swear I'll leave you alone."

A deep sigh escaped from Morgan, but her mother was usually right about things like this, so she would give it the benefit of the doubt. The hosts of the show had split up, one staying with the demolition, the other now shopping for fixtures. This was the part of the show Morgan always liked best. One day she dreamed of being able to be an interior designer, shopping for stuff to make homes look beautiful. Maybe it was the artistry, maybe it was the idea of spending other people's money, but the idea seemed so fun. Just that afternoon she'd sent an email to a school to ask about the admission process, to see what it would take to start pursuing her dream.

It could be that it was only that, though, just a dream. She knew that real life wasn't like her shows. The woman was finishing her shopping spree on the screen, then heading over to the work site to deliver what she had bought and touch base with the landscaper. She seemed so in control, so in charge of her own destiny. That was the kind of woman Morgan wanted to become. Could school do that? Maybe. She knew she wasn't a go-getter like her mom. Even her brother had a job, albeit a lame one, but he wasn't sitting around all day. Morgan had a thing or two to learn still.

At the commercial break, she squeezed her eyes shut and took another sip of the disgusting drink. To her surprise, Morgan's mother was right. It wasn't great, but it was much improved. Not the kind of thing she'd ever make herself, but if someone gave it to her sometime, she wouldn't reject it.

"How does it do that?" Morgan asked, staring at the mug.

"Get better?" her mother asked, to which Morgan nodded, "I don't know. Maybe because it's so different it takes a bit of time for your brain to catch up!"

Morgan giggled at the thought, then took another sip. A long sip. Even better. Every time she brought the mug to her mouth it was like a new drink. A new, better drink.

The show came back on, but Morgan didn't notice. Instead, she brought the mug up again and quickly swallowed the remainder of the drink. Then, leaning back, she let a sense of euphoria wash over her, the pure bliss of drinking your new favourite drink, of consuming something perfect. A new sigh escaped from Morgan, but not one of frustration, but of satisfaction.

"That was amazing," Morgan said, her body completely relaxed, "Do you have any more?"

"That was the last of what I had," her mother replied, "But William has some. Why don't you go ask him?"

William? Why would he have some of this tea? It didn't matter. Morgan loved it. At the very least, she had to go find out what it was called so that she could buy some on her next trip to the store. Standing up from the couch, completely ignoring her show, Morgan decided that it's time to start acting like the woman she wanted to be, a woman in charge, in control. She walked out of the room and straight up the stairs, to find herself knocking on her brother's door.

"Come in," came his voice from inside.

And, of course, she obeyed.