high time for tea time

It was that time of year again, Mrs Green Tea noted. The nights were getting longer, and the days were getting colder. Just the type of weather that made people want to huddle up indoors with a nice, steaming cup of tea. She braced herself against the wind. It could chill you to the bone if you didn't dress properly. Yes, Mrs Green Tea thought, it was definitely time to have a talk with her children.

The three tea children were very different. Earl Grey, the oldest, was hardly a child at all. She always wore sensible clothing, and kept her hair pinned up in a bun. Mrs Green Tea smiled warmly as her daughter opened the door for her, closing the door quickly after her to keep the heat in, and promptly returning to the stove to prepare dinner. She was always very mature, and was generally liked most by those who were like her.

Rooibos was the youngest. He was sweet, and funny, and liked by almost everyone--particularly those who didn't really appreciate his often bitter sister, or earthy mother. He whizzed down the stairs, calling a quick hello to his Mama and stealing a bite of the dessert, before whizzing back up. He was always at his best after a little cream and sugar, Mrs Green Tea thought, smiling and remembering how alike Rooibos and his cousin Chai were.

Then there was her middle child--Fruit Tea. He was sitting at the table, doing his homework, dressed in a bright purple shirt. Fruit Tea definitely had a hard time in life. His friends differed a lot, from little kids who didn't particularly care for the rest of the Tea family, to old ladies who liked to have him over on Sunday afternoon. It was especially difficult for him to find friends his own age since he had come out of the closet earlier that year, and a lot of teenagers weren't very accepting. He looked up and smiled when his mother entered the room, then returned to his homework while Rooibos zoomed in the door and started setting the table like Earl Grey had asked him to hours ago, according to her.

Mrs Green Tea put away the groceries she had been out shopping for, and took her place at the head of the table. Earl Grey waited until everyone was seated, and started loading everyone's plates with sensible portions, that allowed for them to have more if they so chose. She was very smart like that. Yes, Mrs Green Tea thought, her children certainly were unique individuals. She was happy to see that they were all doing well, especially after a messy divorce with their father, and her husband Coffee a few years ago. They just weren't right for each other.

"Enjoy," Earl Grey said quietly, sitting down and taking a small bite out of one of her scones. That's what the Tea family ate for every meal--scones, biscuits, cookies, miniature sandwiches and cakes, the usual. Mrs Green Tea smiled again and spread some jam on her scone. She would save her talk for later that night.