Beyond the Goblin City

Christmas

Grant rarely let me visit my family, but for good reasons. They lived three hours away from us, whereas his parents only lived a half hour away from us. Today, however, we were visiting my parents for the one time a year. Christmas. We did this at my parents house because there were more kids there, and he liked it more.

On the drive over, he zoned out as usual, and I stared ahead. With no kids to bother us, the ride was silent other then my mix of Queen, Elvis, The Beatles, and some others, playing in the car. Grant was a Foo Fighters fan, and whenever one of those songs popped up, he listened, then went back to his place staring out then window.

After the three long, painful hours, we finally arrived at my parents house in Lake Delton, Wisconsin.

Stepping inside was a cacophony of noises. Kids yelling, parents telling them to be quiet, the fireplace crackling, and just a general hubbub.

I walked to the Christmas tree, put down our gifts, and walked to the kitchen, while Grant sat in the living room, surrounded by kids.

Conversation was cheery, typical, and minimalistic. I talked with some other relatives I rarely saw, and glided over the topic of kids whenever it came up. I walked over to my parents as my interest in everyone else dwindled. Karen and I exchanged a hug and kiss, as our relationship had greatly improved in the past decade. Dad and I exchanged a quick hug (he wasn't much of a hugger) and I wandered over to the food, as I was always hungry.

Then came the time for presents, and all of the kids gathered around the tree. Toby was the oldest of him and 10 cousins, as Dad and Karen's other siblings were rather young, and they were closer to my age then there kids were to me. I couldn't believe Toby was almost 12. We was so big compared to when I wished him away.

Don't do that Sarah. You haven't thought about that since you ran
away.

I pushed my silly thoughts away and focused on the kids. I put on a smile whenever Grant looked at me. I don't know how he managed to do that. Beat but still make me-somewhat-comfortable around him.

Be happy Sarah!!

Toby was just opening his gift from Grant and I. Glass House by Billy Joel and A Night at the Opera by Queen. His music taste was almost the same a mine. Oldies but goodies.

After many more presents for the littler children (the oldest after Toby being 9), it was time for dinner. Dinner always lasted till the last kid was asleep. Neither Grant or I were big drinkers (which was probably good for me) so we were able to drive home instead of sleeping in the basement like most of the adults had to. Besides, all of the kids liked to stay together that night, so they had a small excuse.

Dinner was amazing, and I said so to Karen and my aunts Jaqi and Donna. They thanked me and went on to serving dessert. They were all a little a little iffy that night, but I had heard they had fight over who got my grandmas wedding ring. Even though she had died last year they still fought over it.

Dessert was a quite affair as all of the kids had gone to bed. Grant had a conference the next morning, because he worked at a law firm, and they had just gotten a major case, so we had to leave earlier then I wanted to. I said goodbye to Toby, and we started the drive back. It was 11:00, but Grant wanted to sleep for a few hours, so I was on driving duty again.

Alone in my thoughts, my mind drifted. I started thinking about Jareth, Hoggle, and all of my old friends. Usually this wasn't a problem. I could control it, but ever since the '10 year anniversary' of me going to the labyrinth, I had thought about it more. I wondered what they were all doing. I missed Hoggle and Ludo and Sir Didymus. We hadn't spoken since I started college seven years ago.

The car ride ended all too soon with my thoughts going everywhere. I helped Grant into our room, and as I fell asleep, I wondered how my life had gotten so different since then.
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Hey guys. Please star and leave comments about this. Also, I feel like I'm moving to fast, tell me if I am. Also I promise this will be happier later, and I will add dialogue soon.
Enjoy
-Jarethismyking1986