Syreeta

Syreeta wasn't so sure if the cookies were suppose to look like this. She picked one up and looked at the bottom. It was a little brown but not burnt.

"They're almost vegan." Fish smiled, he already had a mouth full of cookie. He looked like an ostrich with that many cookies in his mouth.

Her serious brown eyes watched him. He was such a goofball, but she liked to see him happy.

"I know Mom won't let you, go Vegan yet, but it'll happen." He made it sound like a promise. She smiled back with satisfaction.

Of course, there was this fowled mouth so-called sibling that was here. Syreeta never met Kat until her wedding. After all, Syreeta didn't come along until after Kat left, and that was a few years ago when Syreeta was in grade school.

Syreeta was first a Foster child who came to live with Fish's family. She was only ten then. She was now fifteen, and Kat's old room was her room.

She heard Kat fussing with her mother. Evidently, she was going to be here for good. And the livingroom couch would not do.

Syreeta tried to act as if she didn't care, but she kind of did. She didn't want to cause any problems, but she'd loved it here, until now.

Fish stuffed another cookie in his mouth. There was a knock at the back door. She went to get it. She looked at Fish's friend. They'd never officially met. He usually gave her the brush off, as if he'd have nothing to do with her. That hadn't changed. She remained quiet.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" She could see Fish hadn't expected him.

"I just dropped by, see if you might be in the mood to come over and try to play that song with me. Derrick dropped off the keyboard." He shrugged and looked at the platter of cookies.

"Want one? Syreeta made them?" Fish offered.

He snarled his nose up.

"Aw, come on, dude," Fish winced. "You know you, want one. No dairy. No eggs. Syreeta put a lot of time into these. Just one."

He shrugged and went for one.

Syreeta watched him. His friend ate it without choking.

"Not bad." He finally admitted.

Fish hobbled over the the cabinet. Still the heated argument lingered in the livingroom. He moved quickly putting the cookies in a container. "Lets get Syreeta out of here."

Syreeta looked at Fish. This was a first. She'd never gone anywhere with him nor his friends.

"She's a natural on the piano." Fish informed his friend, but she could tell this guy couldn't wait to play the keyboard. She guessed he was a show off. "Don't worry, she knows guitar."

So they left without even telling their mother where they might be going, and before she knew it they were in Zac's basement.

Yeap, Syreeta was right. Zac was a show off.

Honey-Sweetened Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Dairy & Egg Free!)

Adapted from Food Allergy Mama

Ingredients

    1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, softened
    1/2 cup raw or natural honey
    1 medium ripe banana, mashed
    1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1 3/4 cup unbleached flour (freshly ground is best!)
    1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
    1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
    1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

    Preheat oven to 380 degrees and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper.
    In a medium bowl, combine the coconut oil, honey, mashed banana and vanilla, and blend until smooth.
    In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir until evenly distributed.
    Add to banana mixture to the flour mixture and combine thoroughly.
    Stir in the oats and optionally, the chocolate chips.
    Drop dough by the teaspoonful onto prepared cookie sheets.
    Bake 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool on cookie sheets before serving.