The Jump

20 Chaos

Merrill walked back to his home with his fishing gear in hand, strolling slowly while taking in the crisp air. As he walked he thought of his daughter Sylvia. She had kept her promise with visiting more regularly and even called him twice a week just to chit chat. He actually looked forward to her calls now and it started to feel like old times before his wife died. Back when the kids came around once a week and their grandchildren filled their house with laughter. Back when Sylvia used to call everyday to speak with her mother and Louise would rock in her chair chattering away with a smile on her face. Then he thought of his son, Aaron.

The tiny smile Merrill had on his face subsided. He couldn't understand how Aaron had become so callus since Louise's death. However, his becoming distant began years before that. Six to be exact, since that was when the last picture was taken of Merrill and all of his grandchildren. The only regret was that he should have insisted on Louise being in the photo, instead of her taking it. For reasons unknown, Aaron managed to close himself off and keep his family away which caused Merrill to miss out a lot on his granddaughters growing up.

As he got close to his driveway he saw Sylvia's SUV parked there and he quickly picked up his pace. He wasn't expecting her, yet there she was, with her golden brown hair shining in the sunlight and a stern look on her face as she sat in the car on her phone. It appeared she had arrived on her own and part of Merrill felt disappointed that the kids had not come. Nevertheless, he tapped on the glass of the drivers side which startled Sylvia. He heard her quickly saying goodbye to whoever she was talking to and then opened the car door.

"Hey pop," she said as she slid out, her short and petite frame was way too small for the large vehicle.

"You come alone this time?" Merrill asked.

"Oh, no, I told the kids where your hide-a-key is. They're inside. Max really needed to use the bathroom... I hope that's ok?"

"Of course it's ok, Sylvia. My grandkids don't need to ask for permission to go into my house." This was now the third time Sylvia had arrived without her husband and it made him a little concerned. "Hey Sylv, you and the hubby doing ok?"

"Yeah of course," Sylvia said, putting on a smile and shrugging, but Merrill had a feeling she wasn't being honest.

"Honey, if something's wrong you can tell me. I can even help you."

Sylvia stared at Merrill as if trying to decide whether or not to talk about it, but then the piercing sound of a shriek came from the house. Together, she and Merrill bolted up the pathway to find the kids in a dogpile in the foyer.

"What are you boys doing to your sister!?" she shouted at her sons.

A teary eyed Emma was released from being pinned by her brothers and then ran up to Sylvia, throwing her arms around her in a desperate cry.

"Max didn't wash his hands after using the bathroom and Joseph was helping him rub his dirty hands on me!" Emma said, wiping her eyes.

"Boys! How many times have I told you NOT to pick on your baby sister!" Sylvia shouted with her hands in the air as if pleading to God. "And Max, GO WASH YOUR HANDS, NOW!" Sylvia barked. She shook her head and turned to Merrill. "They're becoming more and more out of control. I don't know what to do sometimes."

"They're just being boys," Merrill replied to both Sylvia and Emma. "My brothers use to do horrible things to my sisters, but don't worry, I won't give your brothers any ideas," Merrill said winking at Emma who was sniffling back tears and holding his hand.

For the rest of the day Merrill entertained his family and couldn't help but think to himself how much Sylvia and Lucinda would get along. Especially now that Sylvia was coming around more often, which then made Merrill think again about her visiting without her husband. He just knew something was going on, but what raised his eyebrows even more was when Sylvia offered to spend the night. She claimed that the kids wanted to make him breakfast in the morning and watch the sunrise. The kids of course were excited and suggested building a fort out of their grandmothers old quilts. Merrill didn't want to be a killjoy, despite his suspicions and agreed to the sleepover. Plus, it would give him a chance to talk to Sylvia again about her husband.