Strawberry Island (girlxgirl)

The Ainsworth B(r)unch

The Ainsworth family brunch took place every Sunday at The Rosebud, a restaurant on the southwest part of the island, it sat on Thornmere bluff and was a few yards from Pinewood beach. It was one of two dining establishments on Strawberry island, the other was Hoppers' Diner which stood downtown, it was right next to the chapel, grocery store, volunteer fire station, and thrift store. 

The party of thirteen headed to their reserved table, it was split in two, one half the table designated for the adults and the other for everyone under twenty. Evangeline sat beside Clara as they argued about their plans for the following day. Evangeline wanted to spend the day drinking lemonade on the tennis courts and taking on every worthy Ainsworth opponent in a doubles match. Clara on the other hand was more interested in spending time exploring the island.

Florence grabbed a clean napkin and began sketching an outline of a dinosaur so Nunzio and Jasper could color it in with their crayons. They played this little game every time they went out to brunch, Florence would usually talk to Evangeline too but she was now cautious to not be roped into a conversation with her since that meant conversing with Clara as well. 

Malcolm was discussing Huckleberry with Gwendolyn, they were trying to figure out what they were going to do with the property now that it was unoccupied. "Well we cannot sell it, its on our property. Whoever would buy it would be living right on top of us. And that would be the last thing father would want." Malcolm figured as he scribbled notes and ideas down on a notepad. "I am not saying that we sell it Malcolm, I'm saying that we ought to keep an open mind. I'd hate to see Huckleberry go unused, its a part of our family history." Gwendolyn assured her brother as she took a sip of her black coffee. "Pass me the layout of the property again." Malcolm put on his reading glasses as he surveyed the land, trying to work out the logistics of keeping Huckleberry in the Ainsworth name. None of the other family members wanted any part of the discussion, no one had ever prepared for the day when the head of the family would be gone, so now it was their responsibility to pick up the pieces. 

"Its nice to see you all again, I'm assuming we'll be having the regular order of brunch?" The friendly young waitress, Ms. Kenna made her way to the Ainsworths. "Yes, thank you honey." Ophelia answered knowing that the entire family ate the same thing every Sunday as tradition. "Oh, sorry I didn't see you. You must be the newcomer, what can I get you?" She smelled of peaches and honey and always spoke sweetly. "Could I please have the Belgian waffle with strawberries and powdered sugar." Clara responded, handing the menu back to the waitress. "Of course, we'll bring that right out to you shortly." She responded and shuffled back to the kitchen. Conversation commenced once again amongst the Ainsworths. 

Florence couldn't help but slightly scrunch her face at the girl sitting across from her, a part of her knew that Clara couldn't have possibly known that the Belgian waffles were her go to order but it was more convenient for Florence to lean into the idea that she did. 

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Evangeline asked Florence as she sipped her orange juice. "I have no plans, I'll just let tomorrow decide for me." She responded even though she had initially prepared to paint and relax on Tanglewood, their privately owned beach.  "Well if you have no plans, you can show Clara around the island." Evangeline concluded, making both Clara and Florence left with opposite expressions on their faces. One with intrigue and the other with dread. "And whats keeping you from showing your own friend around, Evangeline?" Florence growled, knowing that once her cousin had an idea, she'd stick with it. "Flo' you know how much I've been meaning to practice my backhanded swing and tomorrow's weather is supposed to be perfect for playing." Evangeline countered, Clara sat awkwardly fiddling with her silverware. 

Florence debated in her head before giving an answer. "Fine, but only because I need to stop at the grocery for... something." She hesitated and let out a defeated sigh as she watched Evangeline's eyes light up with gratitude. "Clara is that okay with you?" Evangeline inquired. "I'm sure Florence will make an excellent guide." She smiled directly at the curly brunette sitting across from her; knowing that it would get on her every nerve. "Then it's settled- and maybe on Tuesday we can all meet up with the Cadwell boys." She grinned ear from ear. Evangeline had been in love with Liam and Logan Cadwell ever since the first time they stepped foot on the island with their sandy surfer boy blonde hair and Minnesotan accents. "The who boys?" Clara turned her head to Jasper who had a scrunched nose of disgust. "They're complete dimwits and Evangeline believes that she's going to marry both of them." He gagged as he continued to scribble with his green crayon. "I so do not, and they're not 'dimwits' they just talk funny and throw kickbacks on the beach." Evangeline gushed. 

Florence sat with her hands interlocked on her lap watching the back and forth between Jasper and Nunzio as they fought over the perfect colored crayon for the drawing. She had a look of dread fall upon her expression, she did not want to be alone with Clara for any longer than she already had. 

The food came and went. The family had a habit of never finishing their respective meals and it was quite rare that they ever found themselves with a completely empty plate in-front of them.  Clara scanned the plates of half eaten hash-browns, pancakes, French toast, and scrambled eggs. She had only been with the family for less than two days, yet she had already began picking up on the oddities that the Ainsworths held. Clara had boarded the ferry expecting to be greeted by an elitist and snobby family, so far she wasn't off target. The Ainsworth's were less arrogant than Clara had anticipated, they were condescending and overbearing, and they lived in their own privileged world of riches. 

Clara Graham was not familiar with the stability she saw in the Ainsworths, her mother and father separated when she was seven years old, whenever her parents were having one of their ginormous fights, they would have her pack and send her off to church camp for a week or two. The previous summer was Clara's last year at camp, she was set to return for her senior year break and then once she was in college she was planning on becoming a camp youth leader to make a few bucks when she was away from school. This plan was derailed after her junior year stay at camp.