Not So Average Life

46- Summer Plan

Finally after a dreadful year, summer has come at last. It was a cozy Saturday morning as I woke up and made my way to the kitchen wanting to make myself a smoothie. I hear chatters and laughs coming from the kitchen as I entered.

All my brothers were there. They were chatting, calling on their phones and fighting who would get the summer house in Hawaii.

"Oh hey Emma." Sean said then went back talking to the phone.

"Here want some waffles?" Andrew slid me a plate while staring at his phone.

The rest of them just waved at me and went back to whatever they were doing.

"MOMM!" Alex shouted. He paused waiting for mom's answer but didn't get one. "MOMMMM!" He yelled even louder.

"What, god what is the problem?" She said annoyed, while rushing down into the kitchen. "Why is everyone here?"

"We'll I don't know or care. Anywho, MOM, Andrew is taking the summerhouse in San Diego!"

"And?" Mom asked.

"We'll I want it!" Alex whined. "I wanna go there with my friends for the summer."

"Oh mom I'm taking the one in Santa Barbara, can I." Blake added.

"Don't "you and Andrew have the same friends." Mom asked confused. "And boys don't give me this in the morning. Do come out to the living room, I have something to say. And stop all your summer planning."

"Aha too bad." Alex mocked. "Guess I'm getting it."

"Oh me and some friends is planning to go to Italy, hmm or maybe Rome." Sean cut in.

Mom shook her head and made her way out to the living room with her morning coffee.

"Oh fuck you." Andrew spat. "You already got it last year."

Alex mimicked him in an annoying way. Then two of them grabbed each other wanting to start a fight.

"BOYS!" mom yelled from outside. "And Emma, come out to the living room."

"Coming!" Blake yelled, grabbed his cup  and headed out. The rest of us followed.

We sat down around the couch and stared at mom.

"We'll what?" Blake asked.

"We will all spend summer here, together, as a family." She announced with a smile.

There was a moment of silence. We were all staring at each other.

Then the noise came back.

"What why?" Sean gasped.
"Are you serious mom?" Andrew added.
"You're joking!" Alex followed.
"We have plans!" Noah said.
"Come on, like we're not going anywhere AT ALL?" Jay said, shocked.
"Fuck!" Blake bursted.

Mom took a deep breath, "I'll be telling you why Sean, that's why I called you guys here. Yes I'm serious Andrew. Nope not joking Alex. Cancel them Noah. Yes we may be going out but with your family Jay. And..... you're grounded a week Blake."

All the boys were left speechless. I stared at mom with complete admiration like she's definitely been dealing this for years. She's good. Handling this bunch of spoiled kids. Lol.

"But-" Sean popped.

"Not buts." Mom smiled.

She let out a sigh, "look guys, I thought of this because I think we should spend time as a family. Get to really know each other, Emma mainly. She lost her father, and I think she needs time to heal. So we should all help her during this time."