Nothing Left But Seven

"Luke? Time to get up now."

The soothing voice of my mother makes me stir in my sleep. A few seconds pass by before I finally open my well-rested eyes. It's so bright in my room from the open window that I know I won't be able to go back to sleep. But today isn't any normal day. So I didn't think twice before I sat up and yawned. I threw the covers off of me and jumped from my bunk bed. I walk over to my closet and find a simple tee and put it on.

When I open my door I see that my mom is in the kitchen and my younger sister is on the computer.

I walk by and say, "Good morning Brandy," I then go up to my mom and give her a hug and say, "Morning mom, happy 10th anniversery!"

"And same to you," she says and goes back to what she was doing and then asks, "Luke, can you go wake up your sister Jolene for me?"

"Sure thing." I then walk down the stairs into our foyer and I see a piece of paper crumpled up on the shelf. I walk over and take it from the shelf and open it up. I stare at the piece of paper and read what it says, "This is the 10th year." I flip the paper over to see if there is anything else but there isn't. "Hmm... That's odd. I wonder what it means." I really start to think about it as I walk down the second pair of steps. I think, 'Ten. Ten. What's so special about ten?' Then it hits me and I feel so stupid, 'Its about our 10th anniversey this year! Duh!' I take a left at the bottom of the stairs and walk into the laundry room. I then find the garbage can and throw the paper away and walk back into the hallway and walk to Jolene's bedroom.

I open the door slowly and I see my sister sprawled on her bed like she was about to make snow-angel except that she would getting a faceful of cold snow if that were actually the case. I chuckle and say softly, "Jolene. Time to wake up for the big special day."

She just keeps her eyes closed and says, "I know, I know. But I'm so tired. Please give five more minutes?"

"I'm sorry Jo but you have to get up. We'll be leaving soon and you know that," I say as I walk over and see that she has one of my books, again. "Jolene, you know I told that you can't just take my books without telling me." I take "The Hunger Games" off of her shelf and stand over her and hear that she is snoring again. I sigh, then I jump on top of her and say, "Come on Jolene! Get up! Get up!"

She pushes me off of her and then says, "Fine I'm up! I'm up! Are you happy now?" She then gets out of bed and looks in her mirror.

"Yep," I say smiling, "Now hurry up." I walk out of her room and through the hall and see Derek walk into, what we like to call, Dad's bathroom at the top of the stairs. I wave to him but he ignores my hand and closes the door behind him. Same old Derek as always. I walk back up the stairs into the foyer and then up the second flight of stairs into the kitchen again. The only difference from when I was in here earlier was that my mom went off somewhere and instead I see my dad pouring himself coffee.

"Good morning," says my dad who then sips at his coffee. "Aren't you going to get ready?"

"Oh, well Derek is in your bathroom," I answer to him and then head to my bedroom.

"Then why don't you just use your mom's? I put in a brand-new shower head so the shower should be better," he tells me as he continues to sip his coffee.

"Okay then," I say and then walk into mom's bathroom which is to the right of my bedroom. I open the door and then close it behind me. I then start my shower. When I'm done I grab a towel, quickly brush my hair, then I walk out and into my room to get dressed. I put on a simple white tee and jeans and then walk out of my room and close the door behind me. I see that my mom is in the kitchen again and she motions for me to sit down at the island.

"Do you want eggs Luke," she asks. I nod and she piles eggs onto my plate. "So are you ready for the day?"

"Yes! I am ready. I really can't wait," I say as I shove eggs into my mouth. Derek then walks out of his room and then sits by me where he nods to my mom request for eggs. Then it starts to feel like a pattern because then Brandy comes out of her room from the left of mine and Jolene enters walking up the stairs. They both sit down and start eating with me. My dad comes back into the kitchen drinking his coffee and the whole kitchen is starting to look like a "Big Happy Family" moment. I then think about the rest of the day and conclude, 'Today is going to be the best day ever!'