The American Princess

Chapter Four

     Emily and David sped through the parking lot racing their grocery baskets to the car as their security ran after them. Easily Emily won and started unpacking the grocery carts. She couldn’t believe it was Fourth of July already all her family was in town and for once there was no family drama.

     “Hello,” Emily called through the silence.

     “Kitchen!” her dad yelled.

     “Mr. B hey!” David smiled.

     “Hey! David good to see you,” Adam smiled. He was surrounded by food ready to be put on the grill on every counter in Emily's kitchen. An old baseball hat from Emily’s high school covered his short black hair and his tired hazel eyes were filled with happiness.

     “Where are the boys?” Emily asked looking around.

     “Jessie is in the pool,” Adam said.

     “Got it David can you go get them please,” Emily said.

     “No problem,” he smiled.

     “You know you should really come home sooner I found stuff from a year ago in your fridge.”

     “I miss you too dad.”

     Happily she hugged her dad then began helping him take food out to the grill. When she was able to get her brother and cousins’ attention she had them unload her car. Over time more and more of her family arrived and the happier she grew. It was the one holiday everyone was in the same place all the other holidays were taken by in-laws and extended family.

     “Only you would bring a Brit,” her twin laughed.

     “Shut up,” Emily smirked.

     “How are things going?” he asked.

     “You seriously want to know Eric?” she asked shocked.

     “No I just thought it was the brotherly thing to do,” he shrugged.

     Eric was her identical twin that was more like a friend than a brother. They had the same dark black hair and hazel eyes like their father. He was extremely tall like their grandfather and played in the NBA. Emily always made sure she had tickets to his games or gave him tickets to her show if they were in the same city.

     “Do you know where mom is?” Emily asked looking around.

     “I saw her earlier,” Eric shrugged.

     “She is probably avoiding dad.”

     “Definitely is more like it.”

     Nodding her head in agreement Emily headed inside to check on everyone inside the house. Emily had fifteen aunts and uncles between her parents and all of them liked to stay inside away from all their kids and their kid’s kids. Making sure everything was all right Emily headed back outside to make sure her cousins hadn’t cornered Jessie.

     “This party is crazy every year,” Jessie laughed.

     “Blame my family,” Emily said quickly.

     “Are you avoiding David?” Jessie asked.

     “No not at all why would you ask,” Emily stuttered.

     “You never told me about Beijing, how was it?”

     “Four days Chinese food Great Wall no big deal.”

     Quickly Emily walked away to go check on her dad at the grill. Happily she announced it was time to eat and moved out the way as the stampede began. With music pounding, tons of food for everyone, and great weather everyone hung out partying and talking. When the sun went down everyone crowded around to watch a fantastic fireworks show.