The Girl in the Striped Bikini

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

 

Kendal Bryce

　

　

I’m trapped. Forever incased in this room with these smelly old women.

My parents were oblivious to my unsuble hints of misery. Moaning and groaning in boredom was getting me nowhere but in deeper trouble. There are so many other places I’d rather be than ‘The Bryce Family Reunion’.

If I had to use one word to describe my extended family, and one word only, that word would be crazy. Our family reunions were always made up of overly perfumed women cooking nasty food that no one, other than the flies, would touch. I snarl my nose as my great aunt Linda drifted by be with a mic in her hand. Doesn’t that woman know that a little perfume goes a long way? Obviously not.

 Aunt Linda was acting as MC of the event, and doing a poor job, in my opinion. She was mostly getting on my nerves. Always calling me out to help her with one thing or another.

I could feel a pair of eyes burning through my skull. Hunkering down, I try my best to hide from her. I can almost sense when she’s wanting to ask me to do something. It’s like, my auntie senses are tingling. Something like that.

Without looking, I jump out of my seat and head in the opposite direction of her. Maybe if I hide out in the bathroom a few minutes, she’ll forget about me.

I make a beeline for the restroom; going as fast as I could with out running. There’s a chance I may have heard my name being called, but I pretended like I didn’t hear it.

Once inside the bathroom, I shut the stall door behind me and slide the lock. Putting down the toilet lid, I sit down and place my head in my hands. Who knew a family reunion could be so exuasting? There had to be a way out of this.

As an idea hit me, I pull out my cell phone. Maybe I can escape. A sly grin rose upon my face as I dial Jude.

One ring…

Two rings…

 Three rings…

Four rings…

When his phone sent me to voice mail, I groan miserably. Who else can I call? Judes not answering, and Keana is working. What now?

Scrolling through my contacts I see no one I have any desire to call. Starting over from the top, I stop at Carmen’s name. Should I call her? Would that be weird? We just met, so would it be too soon to be asking favors? Desperate times call for desperate measures, my mind responded.

Deciding I’ve got nothing to lose, I press the send button. Almost immediately Carmen picks up. “Hello?”

“Hey Carmen, it’s Kendal,” I say.

“Oh, hey Kendal! What’s up?” Carmen responds in a cheery voice.

“Getting ready to shoot myself,” I laugh.

 Laughter floats into my ears as Carmen says, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m at my family reunion,” I sigh.

“Oh, that sounds like fun!”

“Not if your in my family,” I say. “They’re annoying the crap out of me.”

“Aw, I’m sorry. Is there anyting I can do?” she asks sympathetically.

 “Well, actually… That’s why I’m calling,” I respond hesitantly.