Shipwrecked

Chapter One

June's sun finally came early one Tuesday morning. I finished packing my little brother Liam and my bags, then headed downstairs for the last time. Our mom died in a freak accident a week ago, leaving no one to look after us. So, the social worker decided our best option was to head to the Hamptons in his old blue SUV to reunite with our aunt.

The last time I saw her was when I was five and still had two pigtails flopping around everywhere. My mom never really talked about her after that trip - I assumed they got into a huge fight. And yet, somehow, she was willing to take us in despite that.

The social worker, Dan, arrived with a clipboard and an overly passionate smile.

"Hello, my favorite Byers!" he greeted, walking up to our small porch. "Who's ready for a road trip?"

He beeped his keys, unlocking his car. He scooped up our bags while Liam and I got situated in the back. We were set to drive for 8 hours. However, soon we were out on the road.

I rolled down the window as songs jammed through the car radio. I stuck my arm out of the window and let my hand roll like the waves we were sure to see on the beach. We didn't have much money, but my aunt was ridiculously wealthy. Her husband was a big-time lawyer who left her loaded. He didn't die; he is just always away on business and sent home big checks.

After making a few pit stops, we arrived at her needlessly large coastal home on the beachfront. It was white with bright blue trim and shutters to match. Most notable was the wrap-around porch that covered three sides of the house. The house's yard was covered in plush green grass, making it seem out of place compared to the beach sands that coasted the ocean.

I clutch Liam's hand and wave goodbye to Dan, who is already zooming away down the windy roads.

I rolled our bags up the sidewalk and gently knocked on the yellow door. Nervously I waited to see my aunt. It's been years, so I was scared she would change her mind after seeing me as not the cute little kid I used to be.

A woman answered the door with blonde curly hair that barely came down below her jaw - just like my mom's. She wore white capris and a blue blouse.

She looked down at us and then released a strong breath of frustration. "Hurry inside now. You two can pick whichever guest room you would like."

I nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Layton."

Sam looked at me and said, "Yeah... thank you."

She leaves the door open but walks towards the parlor room without further greetings.

Liam hustled up the stairs to see which room he wanted. Of course, he chose the big middle one with blue paint and center wall lining. He threw his stuff in drawers and tried to make it feel more like home - messy.

I smiled a quick grin before heading over to a coast-facing room. It was smaller than the others, but the view compensated 10-fold for that. This room even had its own bathroom.

I folded my clothes into the drawers and set out some old trinkets. Finally, I placed the old family portrait of the three of us - my mom, Liam, and me - on my bedside table.

I laid on my bed for a second with my feet still dangling, staring at the speckled white ceiling. This house was beautiful and grand, but it wasn't home.

Liam peaked open the door and climbed into bed with me lying the same way as me.

"Clem," my brother asks as his eyes drift away from the ceiling and towards me. I think he registered my mournful eyes. So, he punched my arm.

"Ow!! What the heck Liam?" I scolded, grabbing my arm as if it was stronger than it was.

"We agreed on not being sad after we left home, and you are kind of failing right now." Liam rolls over so that his whole body is facing me. "It is what mom wanted - us to have a normal summer. Especially the last one you'll have as a senior."

I shifted my body so we were facing. I ruffled his hair with my hand and smiled. "Hey, I am supposed to be looking after you."

Liam was 14 and three years younger than me, but he always found a way to make it seem like he was the oldest.

He smiled. "I always was the more collected, smart, handsome-"

I punched him back for earlier.

"-sibling," he finished, way too proud in his jest.

We both laughed so hard our eyes began to tear.

"Dinner is ready," my aunt informs, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. "Wash your hands before you come down and remove your shoes - I don't want any more dirt tracked through the house."

We both nod before heading to our designated bathrooms to clean up quickly. I slid off my beat-up white converses that now looked slightly gray.

I walk downstairs and see my aunt sitting at the dining table, serving my brothers some kind of pasta with a brown sauce. Liam looked up at me and gestured at the seat next to me as if he were an usher at a wedding.

My aunt soon served me and then herself a plate. "I am not much of a cook - never had to serve more than myself...."

Liam and I each took a big bite: it was awful.

"It is great, ma'am," I squeak out with as much sincerity as I can muster. Liam nods while flashing me pleading eyes.

My aunt nods, then takes a bite of her own - she freezes then slowly swallows. She lets out a huge sigh and then massages the temples on her head. After grabbing her plate, she walks to the kitchen. "I will hire a chef tomorrow."

Liam waits for her to leave the room, then looks at me and mouths, "Thank God!"

We both chuckle quietly before finishing our plates - bad food is still food to hungry bellies. And honestly, no matter how bad, a home-cooked meal was still better than all the takeout we had after our mom passed.

Liam and I did the dishes, then wiped down the tables. By the time we finished up, it was ridiculously late. Liam shuffled off to bed like a zombie, but so did I.

After getting out of the bathroom and changing into PJs, I plopped into my mattress. The bed was softer than snow and felt a cozy warmth like the sun. It was not hard to drift off into a strong slumber.