Invisible

Chapter Two: A Day Off

I woke up after a dream less sleep feeling very lightheaded. Today was Sunday, so I had a day off. I rolled over to check the alarm clock. It read 2:30 am. I groaned inwardly. I couldn't get up until 7:00 because my mom thought we all needed our energy on Sundays. In my house Sunday was considered Family Day. We walked in the park, took the horses out, roasted marshmallows over a fire, etc. Our whole family was required to attend, no excuses. Today, we were scheduled for an afternoon at the park. I pulled the blankets over my head and took a short nap.

"Rise and shine, kids," my mother called from the kitchen. I smiled and struggled out of bed. I could tell my mother was making waffles because it smelled delicious.
"Coming!" I yelled down to her. I undressed and pulled on a yellow shirt and jeans. As I walked into the hallway, I heard my brothers' snores. "Wake up, guys!" I pounder on there door until I heard a growling sound. Andrew burst out of the door and tackled me.
"Who dare awaken the dragon?" Then, the 'dragon' roared. I giggled.
"It was I, Warrior Jennifer!" I said. Andrew swooped me into his arms.
"Why has the little girl awakened me?" He asked sternly.
"The queen invites you to a feast where they will serve waffles," I answered.
"Oh waffles! I am so there!" Andrew ran back into his room and shut the door. I could hear him yelling at Gabe. "Dude, mom made waffles! Get up!" Gabe groaned. I ran downstairs so I could get the first waffle.
"Good morning, mom!" I said cheerfully. My mother turned around and smiled at me.
"Well I see you will be getting the first waffle," I pumped my fists and did a victory dance. I sat down at the table and poured myself some milk. She scooped a waffle onto a plate and set it in front of me. I slathered it in syrup.
"What are we going to do at the park today?" I asked. I took a huge bite of my waffle and waited for my mom to speak.
"Well, I was thinking that you kids and I could have a picnic at the park then maybe take a walk," my mother said unconcerned.
"Where's father? I haven't seen him today or yesterday. Isn't he going to come with us?" My words were muffled as I shoveled more food into my mouth. At that moment, my brothers came tumbling down the stairs pushing each other to get the next waffle. Gabe tagged mom.
"Waffle me, please,"Gabe held out his hand and mother, looking confused, flipped a waffle right into his hand. Gabe sat down at the table and put some of the waffle in his mouth. Andrew clutched his heart and pretended to faint.
"I have been defeated!" Andrew pretended to die.
"Catch!" Mom launched a waffle off of the spatula and Andrew caught it.
"The queen is a most excellent cook!" Our mother smiled. Andrew took a huge bite of his waffle and started chomping it down. Gabe took the syrup bottle and poured some in his mouth. Andrew looked at me and made gagging sound. I chuckled and helped myself to more waffle. Our mother sat down next to us but didn't eat anything.
"Mom guess what! I have the lead role in our school play!" I now understood why Andrew had been acting so fun all of a sudden.
"Are you by chance a dragon?" I asked.
"Ha! No I'm not," Andrew answered.
"What play is your class putting on?" Mother questioned.
"You will have to wait and see!" Andrew rubbed his hands together and smiled mischievously.
"Congratulations, bro!" Gabe slapped him on the back.
"OK kids, do you want to hear our schedule for today?" All three of us looked at her and waited. "Well, first we will take a lovely stroll in the park. Then, we will have a picnic. Next, we will come home and take out the horses. Finally, we will roast marshmallows." Yes, we were going to roast marshmallows.
"When will we leave?" I questioned. Andrew and Gabe nodded.
"Whenever you are ready," she answered.
"What about father?" Gabe interjected. Andrew and I both looked at mom.
"Your father is... not coming today," Mom said quietly. I shared a confused look with the twins. Dad's not coming? What happened to no exceptions? Andrew put his head in his hands and let out a warbled cry. "We will have just as much fun today, you'll see!" Mom tried to reassure us. We all knew it wouldn't be the same without dad. Gabe smiled at mom to try and hide his pain.
"I'm ready to go," Andrew said pushing his half-eaten waffle away from him.
"Me too!" Gabe and I chimed in unison. We looked at each other and shared a forced smile.
"Great!" Mother stood up and pulled out a picnic basket. I helped her pack the basket while Gabe and Andrew tried to communicate telepathically.
"Oh give it up you too. Just because you are twins doesn't mean that you can communicate telepathicly!" They both started to laugh at the same time and I shook my head.
"Alright, everyone out the door," Gabe and Andrew grabbed matching sweatshirts and I wiggled into my coat. Mom pulled open the door and we piled out after her. I knew in my heart that today would be different, but not in the way I had imagined it.