Broken Bridge

9

I was one of the first to leave Castle Ivory. We all left Grannie and Grandpapa at the same but I pulled ahead. Outside it was even more cold and windy. I carefully trekked down the steep hill towards Broken Bridge. I remember when I was a kid and me, Willow, and my cousins would turn down the hill as fast as we could. When it was windy, like this, we would trip often but get right back up, laughing. I reached the bottom of the hill and shoved my hands tighter into my pockets. For some reason, what happened three summers, now four, ago was hanging down harder. At dinner, Autumn had talked to Grandpapa about stopping Rose's punishments.

"Sounds like a good idea," Grandpapa had said, "It's been years and both Rose and Luna are big girls, they can work it out." Work it out? I don't think so. We were probably never going to work it out. I heard my name and turned around to see Cassie running up to me.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit off." She said when she caught up to me. "Did something happen last year?" I shook my head.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yes." Massie nodded.

"Cassie!" Carol called from outside Hyacinth. "Come on!" Leo, Rose, and Autumn were entering Orchid and Massie, Olive, and Jack were entering Carnation. Willow, Aurora, and Mom were gaining on you.

"Gotta go." Cassie said, "See you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow." I said. Cassie ran off to Hyacinth. I turned before my siblings and mom caught up and walked the remaining way to Broken Bridge. When I finished getting ready and plopped onto my bed. I rubbed my eyes and pulled the blankets up over my body. Goodnight. I thought to myself. Goodnight Luna. Sweet dreams. I closed my eyes.

The next day I got out of bed and quickly got ready ran down to the dinning room where breakfast was ready. Willow and Aurora were still eating and mom had already finished. I sat down in my usual spot and started breakfast in silence. Once I finished I cleaned my plate and put it in the dishwasher. When I was heading back to my room Mom stopped me.

"Where are you going Luna?" She asked.

"To my room." I said, turning to look at her.

"Uh, no you're not." Mom said. "We're meeting our family at the beach for some swimming. You're coming with us."

"Can I at least just get ready?" I asked.

"Yes you can." Mom nodded. I ran up to my room followed by Willow and Aurora. I got into my swimsuit and grabbed sunscreen and a towel. I followed my mom and siblings to the beach. Grannie had made some lemonade and Grandpapa was sitting under and umbrella reading a magazine with some lady in a bikini on the cover. It was sunny, unlike yesterday, and I knew that I was going to have to re-apply sunscreen. Olive, Jack, and Cassie were already in the water. Rose was sitting on a chair sipping lemonade. I layered on some sunscreen and waited for it to sink in. After that, I followed my siblings into the water and joined my cousins. Soon we were splashing each other and laughing. After a while we were called in to re-apply sunscreen and drink some lemonade.

"How's the water?" Massie asked.

"Good." Olive said as she sat down on her towel. I sipped my lemonade and stared at the water. I felt someone rub my shoulder and looked up to see Mom.

"Are you okay?" She asked. "You were kinda reclusive at dinner last night and breakfast."

"I'm fine." I said, giving a convincing smile. Mom smiled back and turned back to my aunts and Grannie. Grandpapa was still rapped up in his magazine that I couldn't figure out what was about and Rose was putting on sunscreen. Finally when the sunscreen had set in I followed my family into the water.

Once I got out of the water and took a shower. It was just after lunch time (sandwiches on the beach) and everyone was doing their own thing. Mom was talking with Autumn, Carol, and Massie, Leo was playing soccer with Jack, Rose and Aurora were doing makeup, and Olive was reading with Willow. Grandpapa was reading another magazine and I didn't know where Grannie was. Probably somewhere in Castle Ivory. I decided to take a walk around the island. I walked out of Broken Bridge to be stopped by mom and my aunts.

"Where are you going Luna?" Mom asked.

"I'm just going for a walk." I said.

"You went for walk four summers ago." Mom said.

"I go on a walk every summer." I pointed out.

"She'll be fine." Carol said. "She's older and so is Rose." Autumn and Massie nodded in agreement. Mom said.

"Just don't take too long. Get back before dinner." She said, leading Autumn, Massie, and Carol into Broken Bridge. I began walking as the door closed behind me. It was a nice day with blue skies and very little clouds. There was a small wind but no need for warm clothes. I walked down to the beach and began walking around the island letting the water curl around my feet. You went for a walk four summers ago. The water was cold. I go for a walk every summer. It's usually always cold. She's older and so is Rose. Except on some days. Hopefully. It's all up to the weather.

It had happened in early July when the water was slightly warmer than usual and there were no clouds in the sky. It was passed noun and I had just fully finished digesting a big lunch. I told mom I was going for a walk and stepped out of the house. There was no breeze and mom pulled me back in to apply sunscreen.

"Be careful." She said, finishing rubbing the sunscreen on.

"I'm always careful." I re-assured her.

But little did I know, this was going to change everything.

I finished the walk with a little run because I had to catch up with my family who were heading up to Castle Ivory. I usually take a slow time on walks so it wasn't a surprise to them when I showed up late. I struck up a conversation with Cassie and Olive as we walked into Castle Ivory. Dinner was served as usual and a conversation started. Just as usual.