Early Saturday morning Cassie and Mel were busy washing the dishes, while their mom was sweeping and mopping the floor. The girls always helped their mother with the house chores on weekends when they were all at home.

“I can’t believe it’s been three days and Mike hasn’t come back to any of us,” Mel said while passing a plate to Cassie.

“I’m beginning to lose interest in this whole thing,” Cassie said.

“No, Cassie you have a very beautiful body and modeling suits you very well,” her mother assured her.

“No mom, you can’t force Cassie to do something she doesn’t want to do,” Mel was getting jealous.

She hated the competition; she just wanted Cassie to quit this modeling for good and she was prepared to do just about anything to make sure that happens.

“I wonder what Christina wants, she’s been texting me since last night,” she went to take her phone to check on the text that just got in her phone. “Oh my God!” she could not believe her eyes “Mom listen to this, ‘Congratulations Cassie Miller! you have been chosen by The Denis House of Fashion to be their model for the year. Make us proud, we looking forward to working with you.” She glanced at Mel her eyes glowing full of excitement.

“Well done baby,” said her stepmother.

“Thanks Mom,” she grinned, “oh my word, I’ve got to call my Mom and tell her about this,” she ran into the room and closed the door.

Melody felt like crying. She didn’t know what to do; she just stood there, still, like she was lost.

“This is not fair at all. I did way better than Cassie,” tears started falling from her face. Her mom went to comfort her daughter.

“Don’t worry baby, there will be other opportunities for you too. It’s not the end of life; it’s just the beginning,”

Mel said nothing, she just felt empty. Cassie returned from the room and saw her sister crying; that broke her heart.

“I’m sorry Mel, I know how badly you wanted this,”

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t get it, you got it so please spare me,” she moved closer to her and looked at her from head to toe. “Enjoy it while you still can sister,” she then walked away.

Cassie was not surprised at all by all of this. She just went back to the sink and continued with the dishes alone, singing. Daniel came back from the gym, he was so surprised to see Cassie in such a great mood, he hadn’t seen her that happy since he got married two years ago.

“Wow, someone’s in a very good mood today, wanna tell me why?”

“Well Daddy, you are looking at the newest, youngest and hottest model of the Dennis House of Fashion! They chose me Daddy, can you believe it?” she turned to him and went to hug him.

“Wow I’m so proud of you baby,” he said.

“So am I Daddy, I just told Mom too,” she turned back to the sink and continued with the dishes.

“What did she say?” he demanded to know.

“She was just happy for me like every other parent would be. And yeah, she wants me to go to Joburg during the September holidays,” she was not sure how her father was going to take that one; he had no problem with Cassie visiting her mother but he disliked her stepfather – nobody really knew why though.

“Oh… so what did you say?” he sounded unhappy.

“Well I told her that I’m gonna have to talk to you first, to see if you are okay with it. But Dad, I haven’t seen her in almost a year now and I kinda miss her a lot,” she turned and looked at her stepmom with pleading eyes.

“Well I’m gonna leave you two to it then,” said Tracey and left the room.

“You know how I feel about her boyfriend,”

“Husband,” she corrected, “but father she’s my mother too and I miss her. This is not fair at all, and besides, I miss Joburg too,” she pleaded. She wasn’t going to give up. And plus, I need to get away for a while from Melody, she thought to herself.

“Ok then, but as long as we are clear that you are only leaving for a week,” he finally gave in; he did not have much of a choice.

“Thank you, Daddy you are just the best,” she gave him a huge hug.

Melody came back from the room, she was a bit calmer now than before.

“What just happened here?” she demanded to know.

“Well if you must know my dad just allowed me to go to my mom during the Spring holidays,” she grinned at both of them.

“What about your modeling?” Mel wanted to know.

“I’m leaving after everything. And I wouldn’t chose it over my own mother,” she turned away and cleared the table.

***

What do you think: Isn’t is harder for the parent or the child to adjust in new family? How could Daniel handle the situation with his daughters?