Everyone sits down at the table to eat. This morning, Delia served everyone a traditional western breakfast, bacon, eggs and hash browns. The scrumptious smell of the meal drifts around the three girls and shrinkee, with out a second to think they all dig in. Misty is surprised to find that her plate is Ash free. She spots him sitting in the vacant area of the table where Daisy ate her supper last night, having his breakfast out of a thimble. Upon looking closer, Misty spots him holding two toothpicks as chopsticks. The oversized utensils are difficult for Ash to use and his food keeps slipping out off them.

“Why is Ash eating like that?” Misty asked, her question directed towards Delia and not Ash. Feeling quite proud of herself, Delia tells Misty with arrogance and smugness.

“I thought it would be good for Ash to eat like a normal person for a change. It isn’t right that he share his meal with you Misty.” She sneers when saying her name and Misty sneers back. The two women get into a staring contest, not wanting the other to get a physiological advantage over the other one. Delia was the first to break contact, her eyes wondered to Ash, who was still trying to pick up a fist-sized piece of egg with his toothpick chopsticks.

“Ashley, honey, isn’t there something you want to tell Misty?” Delia said, looking positively evil. Ash looked up from his meal and gulped. Misty couldn’t tell if he swallowed because he was worried or if he had something in his mouth.

“Mist, I think we should stay another day.” Misty was about to say something, but Ash cut her off. “It’s important that we get supplies for the road ahead. I wouldn’t want you to run out of anything like pads or dental floss and have to use me instead.” Misty cracked a smile and Casey nearly choked on her food from laughter. Although slightly concerned about his decision to stay, Ash’s wit proved that his mother hadn’t brainwashed him. The rest of breakfast went off without a hitch. Everyone ate and remained silent to prevent any disputes. Ash still hadn’t mastered his toothpick chopsticks and when ever his mothers back was turned, he would cram his mouth full of food using his hands. Soon, everyone had emptied bowls and full stomachs.

“I’m so full that I don’t think I even have enough room for a shrinkee,” Casey groaned as she patted her stomach, before letting out a small belch.

“Really?” Misty said with a raised eyebrow. She opened her mouth wide and let out a louder belch as soon as she asked her question.

“Probably not, there’s always room for shrinkees in here,” Casey said before grabbing a handful of her stuffed belly. Misty giggled, but a thunderous belch that shook the plates on the table surpassed her soft chuckles. Everyone turned to the belcher with jaws wide open.

“Pardon me,” Delia blushed. Shaking off the deafening belch, everyone took their plates to the sink to be washed. Ash remained in the dinning room, but his mother took his thimble to be washed. It was in the kitchen that they heard someone call out from the front door.

“Knock, knock.”

“Daisy,” Delia happily shrieked at hearing the only girl that she liked around her Ash. She rushed to greet the other female at the door, leaving Misty and Casey alone in the kitchen. Soon the sound of the door opening and closing could be heard, followed by the sound of two sets of footsteps coming back to the kitchen. Misty saw both Delia and Daisy walk in, but also spotted Ash in his mother’s hand

“I’m so glad that you stopped by, Daisy. Would you be a dear and help the girls clean the dishes, I want to speak with Ashley alone.”

“I’d be happy to help, Mrs. Ketchum,” Daisy said happily.

“Please dear, call me Delia or mom.” Smiling at the girl she’d given permission to call her mom, Delia left the kitchen and dishes to the three girls.

“Well look at the time, I promised Pikachu that I’d train him to hit a curve ball, I gotta go,” Casey said, slowly backing out of the kitchen.

“I suppose you leaving has nothing to do with the dishes?” Misty said with a scowl.

“Nope nothing at all to do with the weak manual labor you’re doing.” Spinning around, Casey ran out of the kitchen and then the house. Misty could sear she heard someone scream out ‘FREEDOM!’ outside, but she couldn’t be sure.

Misty dried and Daisy washed, nether made eye contact as they worked and that was okay for Misty. Here she was with someone that Ash had known since childhood. Someone that knew intimate details about him and was considered a close friend. What stung the most was that she was more beautiful then Misty and better looking. This girl could have any guy she wanted and Misty had nothing to offer.

“Ash is lucky to have you,” Daisy said while Misty was in the middle of belittling herself. Misty nearly dropped a plate, but caught it at the last second. Putting it down, she looked at Daisy in confusion.

“What I mean is that Ash is pretty lucky to have found someone that cares so much about him. I can see it in your eyes that you really care for him and only want the best. You know he used to send me letters about you? I believe he once referred to you as the cute redheaded girl that wouldn’t leave him alone about her bike. Not many shrinkees can say they have a guardian angel looking out for them,” Daisy chuckled under her breath and got back to work. Misty stood in front of Daisy, frozen like a statue. She regained her senses and rigidly went back to drying. A smile graced her features and she looked up at Daisy who was washing away while humming a happy song. Misty decided to remain quiet and think about what Daisy had said, one thing was for sure though, Ash wasn’t the lucky one, she was.