This story is from the INDY’s Portrait of Pride series. You can read the rest of the pieces here.

On a bright sunny day, Rain woke up to everybody in the living room. Except for Rain’s mother Lilac. 

“Orchid!” said Rain. 

“What?” said Orchid, making a face at Rain.

“Can I borrow your phone, please?” said Rain. 

“Why?”

“Just ‘cause,” said Rain, making a worried face at Orchid. 

“I want to know why first,” said Orchid. 

“Stop fighting! Orchid, just give her the phone,” said Money. 

“But Dad!” said Orchid. 

“No buts!” said Money. 

Orchid groaned then shoved the phone into Rain’s hand. Then Rain started dialing numbers in the phone.

Then Lilac came out from the deck. 

“What happened this time?” said Lilac. 

“They were fighting over a phone,” said Money.

“Girls! I cannot believe you. You guys were fighting over a phone?” said Lilac. 

“I know!” said the girls rolling their eyes. 

“Go to your room! Give me your electronics, too,” said Lilac. 

“But mom!” said the girls.

“Go!” said Lilac. 

The girls stomped up to their rooms. 

“I can’t stand those girls,” said Money. 

“Neither can I. Literally a phone, like what, it’s just a piece of metal,” said Lilac. 

“Calm down,” said Money, 

“OK, I’m sorry,” said Lilac. 

“It’s OK, I think you should say sorry to the girls,” said Money. 

“OK, I will.”

So Lilac goes to the girls’ room and opens the door. 

“The girls aren’t here!” screamed Lilac. 

Money ran to the room. 

“What! They must have snuck out!” said Money. 

“We need to find those girls,” said Lilac. 

“Don’t worry, we will,” said Money. 

“I’m not worried,” said Lilac. 

“OK, we still need to find those girls,” said Money. 

“Okay, I’ll help you find our kids,” said Lilac. 

So Lilac and Money got in the car and started calling their kids’ names. 

“Orchid! Rain!” said Money and Lilac. They shook their heads and called again.

“Orchid! Rain!” But this time, Orchid sees something. So they pull over and jump out the car. 

“Oh, hi Mom. Hi Dad,” said Orchid.

“I missed you guys so much,” said Rain. 

“You girls are in so much trouble! But we missed you guys, too,” said Money. 

Then they got in the car and drove home.

“Group hug!” said Rain.

“You guys are still in trouble. So you’re grounded for a month.”

Then everybody laughed. 

The end.

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