A Lot of Time

Chapter Four of Many More

My head moved in a slow circle as I heard the door open. The crinkle of bags sent sound waves beating into my ears. "Mabel!" My mom yelled from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes and stood up, why can't Marshall do this? My parents had basically bought then entire store, what is this, Thanksgiving?

My mother and I put up the cold stuff while my dad started working on some type of casserole. I finished putting my portion of the stuff up, so I continued reading my book. The tension and mystery in the old English tale had me biting my thumbnail. Everyone had finished their chores, so now we wait for our "guests" to arrive. Marshall sat at my side, while the twins and Max sat on the love seat against the window.

Slam went three car doors. The nightmare has begun. I don't know what to do really, so I continue my book. "Mabel!" My mother scolded. "What?" I said, continuing the story of Irene Adler. "Say hello, be nice please, don't stay lodged up reading that silly book of yours." She rubbed her forehead in frustration as the doorbell rang.

Marshall was the one to answer, I still say crossed legged reading my book, when hellos and hugs were exchanged. My father yelled his hellos from the kitchen. I stared at the immediate strangers making themselves comfortable in my house. My body moved uncomfortably toward the opposite side of the couch. "Mabel, say hello!" My mother smiled sweetly yet terrifyingly. I nodded, not looking up from my novel. "Hello to you too," my aunt said. My cousin sat too close to me.

He was peering over my shoulder trying to read what I was, he also was holding a book. "You like Sherlock Holmes too?" He smiled awkwardly. I nodded, uninterested in what he had to say. "You've changed a lot, since I've last saw you." I looked at him, "Are you trying to be friendly or are you doing this for your parents?" He looked baffled. "Can I not talk to my cousin normally? I mean I'm going to be living with you for a while, might as well get used to-" he was cut off by a yell. "DINNER!"

I ignored his effort to cut himself back on and walked to the kitchen. Our dining room is fairly large, since my father has business meetings so often. "So, how are sleeping arrangements going to work?" Maryland, my cousin, asked snarkily. "Well we have a guest room for your parents, you'll room with Mabel, and Gary will room with Marshall." She rolled her eyes, "Why does it have to be girls with girls?" Everyone looked stunned at her someone act of rebellion. I took a bite of some sort of chicken my father cooked, suddenly interested. "Because you'll get along better," her mother said lightly. She growled and continued eating.

After we had finished, it was about time for the younger kids to go to bed. They said goodnight to everyone and took off, thought they weren't going to bed. The adults presumed to clean up in the kitchen whilst we watched my choice of show in the living room. Sherlock was on, the reruns are the reason I wake up in the morning. "Why do we have to watch this?" Maryland snapped. "Because I want to," I snapped back. She rolled her eyes and continued texting. Marshall and I shared a blanket, while Maryland and Gary sat miles away from each other. I yawned, "I'm gonna go to bed." Gary nodded, "Same." he followed me to Marshall's room and I took a right at mine. "Night Gary," I said. Before I could turn around and nod his hand grazed my side. "Oh sorry, I um, I was just," he panicked awkwardly. I widened my eyes slightly, but silently continued to my room. I heard him sigh loudly as he went to Marshall's room.

If he's going to pull something, there is definitely gonna be a problem. My back slide from my door to the floor. "Why," my breath hitched as I took a sudden jerk upward. I made my way to my bed, not bothering to put pajamas on. My phone was on my bedside table, I texted Amara.

Me: Wanna hang tomorrow? :)
It was about ten minutes before she answered.
Amara: Sure. I'll pick you up tomorrow :D
I can't stand another second with these strangers. They seem off, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe my Sherlock Holmes senses will kick in and I can figure out what's wrong. Until then, I'll be avoiding them for a while.