A Lot of Time

Chapter Two of Many More

The crisp air blew against us as we walked to the small park on the outskirts of town. The twins and Max went to play, Marshall and I laid out a towel and sat on it. The park we were at had a, fairly large, river right next to it. We do our summer activities here, swimming, birthday parties, etc.

In between our small conversations, I found that Marshall wasn't actually paying attention to me. He was eyeing down a group of girls at a coffee shop near by. I stopped mid sentence and rolled my eyes, "Go for it." His face turned red as he got up and walked to the small café.

I sat, hugging my knees to my chin. My father called for to come on. Usually, the way this works, is we go out to eat and then she pops the news. Obviously me and Marshall are used to it. Max has only experienced it once, and the twins will be over joyed until they aren't "the babies" anymore.

Marshall had gotten lucky with one number and a kissed napkin. We reached a restaurant that seemed very casual. It had white Christmas lights hanging along the brim of the roof, brick walls, and small rose bushes along the outer section of the building. Not many people were here, but the quality seemed like they got a lot of business.

We were seated in about five minutes. I got looks from the guys at the bar, the tension in my legs almost made me fall. Unfortunately, we were placed in a spot where they could look at me clearly. I shrugged it off and sipped on a water. Our parents took each other's hands and looked at all of us, as if to make a special announcement. I zoned out, the conversation is too familiar. My nails scratched Xs in my napkin when I heard the twins gasp.

Marshall nudged me, "You may want to listen to this." I perked up. My father noticed I wasn't listening, "But yes, your Aunt, Uncle, and cousins will be staying with us for a while." I coughed slightly, as if I don't already get enough attention from everyone else in this family. "Why?" I cocked my eyebrow and sunk deeper in my chair. "If you had been listening," my mother butt in, "They need a place to stay until their house is done being remodeled." I nodded unsure.

The reason I'm cocky about this situation, is because my Aunt is exactly like my mom. She is caring, and nosey, and a perfectionist. Another reason is her kids are irritating. She has a son my age, a daughter the twin's age, and another daughter who is still a baby. They expect everything to be done for them, mostly because their father is a very rich man. He owns his own auto business in West Virginia (where they should be).

***

My mother tapped her nails impatiently my father had been writing a list of chores we needed done by tomorrow night. I sat with my fingers pressed together both index fingers touching my lips. Somewhat of a Sherlock Holmes thinking position. I guess you could say I'm in my "mind palace."

Father handed me a list, I didn't look up when I snatched it from him and read over it briefly. "Have those done by tomorrow, Mabel." He eyed me down as I shoved the note in my pocket. "No promises," I snapped and walked to my room. The twins giggled at my rebellion, and Marshall followed behind me. "You got some nerves, they ground me for just listening to loud music," he scoffed. I shrugged, "Maybe they like me better." My door slammed shut, along with my mind. Enough thinking for tonight, I've got work to be done.