The Cold Ones

Chapter Sixteen - Party

Today was Friday, the 15th of May. Ben and Brad’s birthday. Joy.

Apparently, tonight they’d be having some sort of party in the garage that my dad promised. Oh well.

I did what I usually did on school mornings: brush my teeth, clean my bedroom and get dressed.

I wore a frilly white blouse and brown skirt and my usual brown cowboy boots.

I straightened my hair and let it fall loosely down my back.

Walking downstairs, I hear singing from the kitchen.

Jasmine had made cupcakes for my brothers and my father was eating almost the whole batch.

‘Wow. Save some for me.’ I laughed, flopping onto a barstool.

Everyone’s eyes lit up as they saw me.

I hugged and kissed my brothers lovingly.

‘Oh my god. I just realized that all three of us are sixteen!’ I laughed.

Everyone burst out laughing at my comment.

This is what breakfast should be like, I thought. Happy. Joyous. Like they used to be. Not sullen and dreary.

My dad stood up from the island, taking his mug with him to the sink.

He cleaned it and then came back over to where everyone was seated.

He pecked my cheek and ruffled my brothers’ hair.

‘Bye, guys. Oh, and Brad, Ben, don’t mess up the garage okay? Marney and Jasmine will be looking out, alright.’ My dad said adjusting  his gun belt.

‘Yes, dad.’ My brothers nodded.

I laughed quietly into my cupcake.

‘Wait, dad, where are you going to be tonight?’ I asked, realizing what my father’s words meant.

‘Things have been going haywire in the woods. More attacks. More than we can keep up with.’ My dad sighed.

‘What?’ I choked on my cupcake.

‘I’m sorry, Marney, that’s what’s  happening.  I don’t like telling you guys this stuff, because it’s not really stuff you should know.’ He said with no emotion.

‘We need to be informed…’ I trailed off.

‘The Council said we shouldn’t tell anyone. But it was bugging me.’ My dad admitted.

‘It’s good that you let us know, dad.’ I kissed his cheek.

He gave one last wave and then he left for the station.

Shortly after, Ian hooted.

My brothers scooted off their seats and so did I.

‘Bye, Jasmine.’ I kissed her cheek.

‘Your brothers leave without money.’ She sighed.

She gave all three of us our lunch money and I headed for the car.

When I climbed inside, Ian and my brothers were having a fervent conversation.

‘And why are you three so chatty?’ I asked.

I leaned in and kissed Ian’s stony cheek.

‘Talking about the party.’ Brad grinned.

‘And Ian got us presents!’ Ben exclaimed.

I laughed.

‘Here’s you’re money, birthday boys. What did you get them?’ I asked raising an eyebrow.