1.22 Some Privileges

It's Sage's day off, a Sunday. She sleeps in until 10 before showering, getting dressed, and heading into the kitchen for breakfast. 

"Naomi, why is this dirty plate on the table?" 

Naomi looks up guiltily from her new toy oven. 

"I was practicing cooking, like you said I should. So I can make my own food..." 

"Are you talking back, Naomi?" 

She shakes her head vigorously in the negative, "No, of course not! I just forgot to put the plate away when I was done." 

Sage tuts, "Excuses, Naomi. Well, I'll clean up after you then. This time. Finish baking your cupcake." 

Naomi does so. 

"Do you want to taste it, mommy?" Naomi's already had one and sugar's not too good for her. 

Sage mulls it over, "I don't see why not. Bring it over here." 

Sage frowns when she sees the muffin. "That's a lot of icing. Can you make a plain muffin?" 

Naomi gets right to her new task. 

"I'm done," Naomi announces proudly. 

"Put it on the counter, I'll have it later." 

"Now, Naomi, why are you still in your pajamas?" 

"Well I don't have to go to school today..." 

Sage tuts, "When you leave your bedroom in the morning, you have to look your best, Naomi." Too many memories of her own mother not being ready to go anywhere or see anyone, even the doctor or her teachers for conferences, flash through Sage's mind. Children need good examples to become good adults. 

"But I'm not going anywhere..." 

Sage sighs, "Don't talk back, Naomi." 

Sage ruffles her daughter's hair. 

"You don't want to disappoint me, now do you, Naomi?" 

"No..." 

"Of course not. Now be a dear and put on your dress, Naomi." 

Once Naomi is dressed, it's right back to baking. Sage wants her daughter to be as self-sufficient as possible, which means mastery of the toy oven is a must. 

It takes many attempts... 

And many more mistakes... 

"Again." 

And criticisms... 

 "Now a cookie."

And waiting... (So much waiting) 

But eventually Naomi's made every single recipe to perfection. 

"Mommy, I'm finished."

Sage looks up from her sound equipment manual, "Hm...that's good enough for now. Put your food in the refridgerator, clean up the oven and dishes, and then go play in your room."

Naomi cleans quickly, eager to get away from the oven. 

Sure, playing with blocks alone isn't as fun as it was with Calvin, but Naomi's happy. Her mommy's happy with her!

All is right with the world.

Of course Monday rolls around and Sage eagerly goes to work. 

She supervises practice sessions, ready to film or critique a performance at a moment's notice. 

However, her career is now moving in a much more classical direction. Soon she'll be conducting symphonies, not supervising bands. 

"Your C string is out of tune, Irene," she remarks. 

Irene nods, and motions to John to stop playing. 

"Thanks, you have an eye for detail...well, an ear." 

Sage smiles thinly, "It's the small things that make all the difference." 

As Naomi grows older, some privileges are granted. She gets a phone so she can talk to her friends (and call Sage, in an absolute dire emergency) as long as there aren't any boys on her contact list. Naomi uses her phone sparingly, fully aware of how much chatter bothers her mother. Right after school, however, the bathroom is a safe enough place to talk to her classmates. 

"That's so cool that your mom lets you bake," her friend Brianne says over the phone, "My mom's too busy to show me." 

"My mom's busy a lot too. But on her days off she helps me a lot! I got to make every single recipe from the easy bake!" Naomi brags. 

"Wow, really? What did you do with all the food?" 

"Uh...put it away?" 

Michelle tuts, "Silly. You should have a party and share 'em! Or bring all of it to school so we can share during lunch!" 

The conversation gets the gears grinding in her head. A tea party would be really nice, wouldn't it? She could invite her friends over, eat sweets, play some games... 

And she can already make her own desserts! 

She bites her lip. Maybe Sage won't be easy to convince. Maybe it'll be talking back, or speaking out of turn. 

Naomi furrows her brow at the charred pie. 

"Aw, man..." she left it in for too long while she was thinking! 

She quickly whips up a new one. 

Too bad she doesn't have anyone to share it with... she probably won't get to have her party. Mommy doesn't like surprises. 

But there's no reason she can't have fun by herself, right? 

"I, the Queen of...Kitchen Kingdom, say that this pie is mine!" 

"It is mine and I will eat it and have seconds!" 

None of the subjects of Kitchen Kingdom dare challenge their sovereign lord. 

When Sage comes home she frowns at Naomi's costume. 

"What are you wearing?" 

"I'm a Queen of the Kitchen!" 

Sage rolls her eyes, "Because you baked a few decent pies? It takes more than that to be a good cook, Naomi." 

Naomi looks down at her pie, suddenly not hungry. 

She decides to put it away in the fridge and get out real food. 

"Mom?" Naomi speaks up hesitantly. Her palms grow slippery with sweat. 

Sage glances at her with annoyance. "Is this important?" 

"C-can I have a...tea party with my friends from school?" her voice shakes so much that Sage doesn't understand her request at first. 

"Hmmm... well, a tea party. That sounds very lovely, actually. You and your friends can wear nice dresses, and I can teach you meal etiquette! Yes, you can have the party, Naomi. We can talk about the guest list and date later." 

Naomi sings happily to Buttons that night. 

"She said yes! I'll have some friends over!" she hugs Buttons tightly. 

She can't wait! 

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AN: Naomi's childhood is nearly over and I've never tried to have a random legacy styled tea party before, so this seemed a good a time as any. It's exactly the kind of proper gathering that Sage would love, so why not? XP