Everything Ripples

05

Chapter 05
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{music for the chapter:// The Tallest Tree by Lunatic Wolf}
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The gravel kicks up behind us as we drive down the dirt road, leaving the concrete behind us. A canopy of trees hang over us, shielding the sun. A warm breeze floats over me, and I cherish it before it's gone and replaced by a cold gust of wind. Shivering, I sink into my seat. Is this what the summer is going to be like? Just cold wind and trees?

Suddenly, we emerge into a sunny field, the dirt path continuing further. Finding my hoodie, I slip it over my head and onto my body, relishing the warmth. Tall cattails wave in the wind as we hurry through the field. I lean my head back, basking in the warm sunlight before it disappears.

We round a corner and see a grouping of houses ahead, clustered together on a peninsula. Lake surrounds the land, rocks and trees on the edges. A small parking lot sits beside the walkway in, and we pull our car into a space. Stepping out of the front, my father stretches and yawns, probably exhausted from the drive. I jump out and grab my stuff, shoving my phone into one of my pockets. My mother has open the trunk, and I swiftly lug my bag out, it landing heavily on the ground.

"Be careful, Sydney," my mother scolds, and I roll my eyes.

"Okay," I reply, pick up the bag and throwing it over my shoulder.

Together, after my father locks the car, we stroll down the path to the houses, and I get a faint feeling of deja vu. Entering the little neighbourhood, I see a small beach at the end, which is probably the best part about this whole trip. We walk through rows of tiny houses till we get to the end, where three relatively large houses stand by the water. Each one plaster white, they stick out from the rest of the homes. My father lead us to the last one, the largest one out of the lot, and walks up the steps, my mother and I trailing behind. Pressing the doorbell, we stand back and wait. I hear someone inside running down the stairs, their footsteps loud and heavy.

The door swings open to reveal a short, plump elderly woman with rosy cheeks and a huge smile on her face. Her grey hair is curled slightly by her shoulders.

"Mother," my father says, greeting her with a short hug.

"Dean, it's been so long. I've miss you," my grandmother coos, hugging my father tightly. She then spots my mother and I, and moves to us, hugging us each with passion. I force a smile onto my face.

"Sandra, good to see you. You should come down more often."

My mother takes off her sunglasses and smiles. "I would if I ever get a break from work."

I know she's lying, but I don't say anything. She hasn't been to work in ages.

"And Sydney! My, you have grown up. Look how tall you are," my grandmother says, taking my face in her hands. I plaster a fake grin on my face.

"It's good to see you, Grandma."

She takes a step back and beams at all of us. Then, realising we're holding all our bags, she quickly bustles us inside.

The interior of the house is grand, with high ceilings and lavish furniture lying around. A chandelier hangs gracefully, its crystals catching the setting sun. The front hallway was spectacular, even though it was smaller. A large staircase stands to the side, with a long gold railing. I stare in awe, not remembering my grandmother with all these expensive things.

"I'll show you your rooms," my grandmother says, leading us up the stairs.

A cream carpet covers the upstairs, its fabric soft on my feet. Everything in here matches, from the walls to the floor to the furniture. My grandmother gestures to a white door to the left.

"That's your room, Dean and Sandra. It's the biggest in the house."

My father nods, and he and my mother walk inside, bearing no second glance toward me. I look over at my grandmother, who has a soft expression on her face.

"Come on, I think you'll really like your room," she says before proceeding down a corridor to the end. Another white door stands, identical to my parent's one.

"The bathroom is to the left, just here. Your room's the only one without an ensuite," my grandmother states, and with a smile she leaves me to enter.

I study the door for some time, for no apparent reason. Somethings feels off in this house but I can't put my finger on it. It's like the whole place is new, like no one has ever lived here. That couldn't be possible, if my grandmother has lived here for the past few years. But something does feel different.

I slowly turn the doorknob, and the door squeaks open. When I look in, I almost gasp at the sight. Sunlight streams into the room through two huge French windows, both leading into a balcony. A four poster bed lies in the middle, leaning against a pale blue wall. A stone coloured desk is by the door, and a large wardrobe is opposite. A small pink rug lies at the foot of the bed, along with a chest. A smaller window is situated above the bed, and looks like it leads to the roof. Clear curtains frame the windows for decoration, as well as huge picture frames hanging off the walls.

I walk into the room, marvelling at the beauty. Placing my bag near the wardrobe, I walk to the balcony doors and throw them wide open, the cold air rushing in. From the balcony, I can see straight into the lake, a beautiful sight. The water gives off a magical kind of glow when the light hits it. Grinning, I go back inside and flop on the bed, sinking slowly. Maybe I can enjoy this summer, I wonder as I look around the room in amazement.