Read Online Alexis and the Perfect Recipe by Coco Simon - Free Book Online

“we are not acting as a fully functioning family unit. There is discord, agitation, unhappiness, malice, greed, envy, you name it.” She looked at both of us until we returned her level gaze. As I was pretty guilt-free, I just sat there, but Dylan did squirm a little.
    â€œYour father and I are disappointed in the turn things have taken. In our family, we do not condone speaking rudely to one another, nor treating one another dismissively or high-handedly, nor do we humiliate one another in public. The Beckers are loyal, supportive, and kind. The Beckers . . .”
    â€œTry harder,” I finished. It was our family tagline. Ever since my mom had read The Seven Secrets of Successful Families , we had to have a motto as well as other “guiding principles.” Never mind that our tagline was the same tagline as some international car rental company.
    â€œExactly right,” Dad said, nodding.
    â€œAnd there hasn’t been enough trying lately,” Mom added, looking at me.
    I was surprised. Why me? “I have been trying!” I protested. “I made the cupcakes, I went to that smelly clothing store—”
    â€œOkay, Alexis. We know.” My mother raised her hand. “Dylan—”
    â€œOh, it’s always me!” Dylan cried. “Why is she never in trouble?”
    â€œBecause I’m perfect!” I gloated.
    â€œThat’s enough, Alexis,” Mom warned. “You need to be more gracious. We have seen to your wishes, inviting your friends to the party and hiring you to create the cupcakes—”
    â€œWait! That’s not a done deal!” Dylan yelled.
    â€œYes, it is,” said my father sternly. “And you don’t have to yell.”
    â€œBut they haven’t even presented a good option yet—”
    â€œI am sure that they will,” Dad replied as Mom nodded in agreement. “The Cupcake Club will be providing the dessert.”
    Yay!
    â€œThat is so unfair!” Dylan said, leaning back and crossing her arms. “It’s my birthday party! I should—”
    â€œDylan, listen to me,” Dad said. “What is unfair is how you humiliated Alexis in front of her friends today. Twice. You put them through the wringer on timing and color scheme. Then you treated them like peons when you sampledtheir hard work. You acted like a spoiled brat and were totally ungrateful. These girls all look up to you, and any one of those wonderful cupcakes is worthy of your party. Then you were absolutely horrid about Alexis in her pretty dress. This party-planning has made you high-handed and inconsiderate. We understand that you want it to be a wonderful event, but nothing is perfect. You must understand that people will still like you even if your cupcakes don’t look like they were made on TV and your sister doesn’t match the color scheme!”
    Dylan was looking down. It looked like Dad’s words were sinking in.
    â€œThe most important thing in life is how we treat people,” he continued. “And you have not been treating any of us nicely. So before things get any worse, your mother and I say stop! Stop it right now! And bring back the wonderful daughter we had before all of this started.”
    I looked sideways at Dylan, but couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
    A heavy silence hung over the table. Then finally, Dylan said, “I’m sorry,” in a very quiet voice. “It’s just . . . oh, never mind. I’m just sorry.”
    My mother came around the table to give hera hug. She kissed her on the top of her head and said, “We love you, honey. The real Dylan. Not this party-planning nightmare person, do you understand?”
    Dylan nodded, tears filling her eyes. My father reached over and took her hand. “We know you want this party to be special, and it will be,” he said. “We will all work hard to make it so. You just need to do your part