Reprieve

Dana plucked the pancakes off the pan at just the right moment - just golden brown, but not burnt, she thought proudly. She put a pancake in front of Gianna and Alexis, who just stared forward. Dana blinked her big blue eyes. They weren't bullying her.

"Ummm ... you okay girls?" she asked. Gianna fiddled with her hair.

"Yeah, great mom," she said, sounding vacant.

"Yeah, fine, thanks mom," Alexis said. They both wolfed down their pancakes.

"I need to get to school," Alexis said. "I found a new shortcut, but it isn't so short." She giggled, kissing Dana on the cheek and heading out the door.

"What about you?" Dana asked Gianna.

"I ... have to go and pay a 20 to the guys that fixed my tires yesterday," Gianna said. "Sorry, I hope you have a good day, mom."

Dana blinked again, watching them both leave. They didn't even bully her. Maybe this was a ... good thing?