I've been betrayed by my family

Cass and Raymond walked down the stairs together.

The smell of food filled the house, warm and comforting.

For a moment, Cass paused halfway down the stairs and breathed it in. Her mom’s cooking had always made the house feel like home.

Miranda looked up from the kitchen when she heard them. A small smile appeared on her face.

“Look who finally decided to join us."

Raymond pulled out a chair at the table. “Told you I’d convince her,” he said proudly.

Cass rolled her eyes and sat down. “You didn’t convince me. I came down on my own.”

“Sure you did,” Raymond said with a grin.

Miranda placed plates on the table and sat down with them.

Dinner was simple, but it smelled amazing. For a few minutes, they ate quietly.

Raymond leaned back in his chair after a few bites.

“You know,” he said thoughtfully, “Cass used to think salt and sugar were the same thing.”

Cass’s head snapped up. “That happened one time!”

Raymond laughed. “And you still put it on your pancakes.”

“I was six!”

Miranda laughed softly. “I remember that,” she said. “You made such a face when you tasted it.”

Cass groaned and covered her face. “Can we please stop talking about this?”

Raymond shook his head dramatically. “Nope. This is important family history.”

Cass grabbed a napkin and tossed it at him. “You’re so annoying.”

Raymond caught it easily and grinned. “Yet you still love me.”

Cass muttered, “Hah!! In your dreams.”

Miranda watched the two of them with a gentle smile.

It had been a while since the house felt like this.

Light.

Peaceful.

Cass looked around the kitchen as she ate. Some boxes were stacked near the wall, ready for tomorrow. But for now, the house still felt the same.

Raymond noticed her looking. “You packed everything in your room yet?” he asked.

Cass nodded as she shoved pancakes into her mouth “Most of it.”

“Don’t forget your guitar.”

Cass gave him a look. “As if I’d forget that.”

Raymond raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, just making sure.”

Miranda reached over and gently squeezed Cass’s hand.

“You played earlier tonight, didn’t you?” she asked.

Cass nodded. “Yeah.”

“You always played when you were little too,” Miranda said softly. “Your dad used to sit in the living room just to listen.”

Cass’s fingers paused on her fork. Then she smiled faintly. “He still does,” she said quietly.

Raymond didn’t say anything, but he didn’t look upset either. Instead, he changed the subject.

“So,” he said casually, “who’s helping with the boxes tomorrow?”

Cass immediately pointed at him. “You.”

Raymond blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You’re the strong one,” Cass said sweetly.

Raymond scoffed.

“Wow. So now I’m the family delivery truck?”

Miranda laughed. “I think that role suits you.”

Raymond shook his head dramatically.“I can’t believe I’m being betrayed by my own family.”

Cass smirked. “You’ll survive.”

The three of them continued eating, the conversation drifting from one random topic to another.

Small jokes.

Little memories.

Nothing serious.

For the first time in a long while, the house felt calm.

Cass leaned back in her chair when she finished eating.

Her eyes drifted around the kitchen one more time.

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