Below the Sky

Chapter 26: Elijah

Part 3: 

I hated the sand. I also hated water, and the ocean, and the sun. These thoughts were racing through my mind as I lay on a towel, the hot sun blazing down on me. I wore a pair of sunglasses, and also swim trunks.
The reason for all of this was because I was on a vacation, at the beach. Except it didn't really feel like a vacation, because it wasn't the most enjoyable, and I would have preferred to have been home, than here. Still, my parents had dragged me along, wanting me to reunite with my family again.
My name was Elijah McAllister, and I was twenty four years old. I had graduated college last year with an English major, and currently lived in Upstate New York. I had a quiet life. I didn't have any roommates, but I did have a cat. I wasn't dating anyone, though I wouldn't have minded if I was. I lived freely, with no one tying me down, until now.
I saw my family a few times a year, during holidays or whenever I came to visit. My parents saw fit though that I should come with them on this putrid vacation to the beach, with my siblings, to try and be with my family again. It was after all summer, I wasn't in school anymore, and my mother assured me that my boss would let me take a week or two off.
"Elijah, let's go we need to go get ready to go out to dinner," a voice snapped me out of my daze. I knew who it belonged to immediately, my mother, Alicia. Her tone was shrill, and you could depict it from very far away.
I groaned, having finally gotten comfortable in the horrible sand, and stood up. I shook my towel out, and hurried towards my mother.
"Come on Elijah," she said, let's go get ready.
"Fine," I followed her back to our hotel.
My mother rounded up the rest of my siblings, all three of them. I had a younger brother, Michael. He was fourteen, a lot younger than me. We got along pretty well though. Then the twins too, Veronica and Eliza. They were sixteen, and mainly stuck together.
Finally we called my father out. He was in the ocean, playing in the water. Once everyone was rounded up, we headed back to the hotel.

A half hour later, I was showered and dressed in a nice shirt and khaki pants. I stopped and looked in the mirror for a second, admiring my outfit. My blue shirt complimented my dark skin tone nicely, and the pants were simply formal, perfect for a nice dinner out.
I had never considered myself gorgeous, but I was quite attractive. My nose was the perfect size, and my hair was curled in ringlets off my head. I was strong, muscles bulging out of my shirt. I was also pretty tall, maybe six foot one or two. Still, I had dated once or twice before, and was pretty popular.
"Elijah, let's go," my mother yelled at me. She grabbed my arm, pulling me away from my reflection in the mirror. I didn't fight her, and instead let her drag me to the restaurant.
We were eating at a Japanese restaurant tonight, getting sushi. I was excited, sushi was one of my more favorable foods.
When we arrived, a waiter sat us. Eliza and Veronica stuck their heads together when they sat down, whispering about who knows what. Micheal chose a seat beside me, and Mom and Dad were next to us too.
"Are you sad that the trip is almost over?" Michael asked. He picked up a menu, and started scanning the options.
"I guess," I replied.
Michael looked up at me, shocked. "Why aren't you sad?"
"Well Michael, I'm excited to go back home, and start work again." I worked for a company located in my small town. It wasn't huge, but it still did well. My company made parts for types of transportation, such as airplanes or cars.
I was the technical writer for the company. My job wasn't too important, I mainly read over everything and wrote pieces to other companies or for advertisements. It wasn't a hugely paying job, but it made do, and I enjoyed it. That was what I wanted, to work in something I loved doing, like writing.
"Elijah, do you like your job?" Michael asked.
"You know what Michael, I really do like it," I said.
"I want to find something that I really love doing, and make a living out of it one day," Michael said. I smiled at him, then reached up to tussle his hair.
"I bet you can do it Michael," I told him.
Just then the waiter came by, and everyone ordered. I asked for some different types of rolls, then sushi. I also asked for just a water.
Me and Michael talked until our food arrived. I didn't know exactly how long it took, but I estimated that it must have been at least a half hour before my sushi came. Me and Michael talked about simple stuff. He asked if he could come stay with me sometime, and I said yes maybe before school started up again. Then he asked what high school was like, and I gave him some advice.
At the end of the evening, when we were all full and happy with our meals, we left the restaurant. We waked back to the hotel, smiles on our faces, but tired, ready to sleep.
When I got back, I changed into my night clothes, and climbed into bed with Michael, pulling the covers over me.
I lay, deep in thought. Very soon I would be back in my own bed, in my own home. I would be back at work, writing again. And I would finally see my cat, Mouse. I was content, knowing that my life would be starting up again right where I left it off.
The vacation had been fun, slightly. It was really nice to see my family again, but I hardly talked to the twins the entire week. Mostly it was good to catch up with Michael. It was sad to leave them again, but I loved my life. I really loved living on my own, and working. I was ready to go home, and excited for that too.