Surviving the Andersen Brothers

Vacation: Searching For A Southern Belle

Zach, Jacob, and I sat in the courtyard of our vacation home in the village of Merichas on the island of Kythnos in Greece, relaxing in the noontime sun. It was already our second day here. The entirety of our first day was spent down by the water—just Vincent and I for the first hour then some of the other boys joined us.

            “So I heard that a certain Southern Belle might be on vacation somewhere in Greece, too,” Zach whispered just before taking a sip of his lemonade.

            “Is that so…,” I murmured. “Maybe we can go out all over Greece and look for her.”

            “That might not be necessary,” Jacob joined in.

            “A little birdie told me that she might be staying on the same island,” Zach clarified.

            I nodded. “That narrows things down. We can adventure the island to look,” I suggested.

            My chair suddenly lifted off of the ground and began shaking violently. My face contorted in fright and three of the brothers erupted in laughter.

            I recognized Michael’s arms holding on to the arms of my chair before he even started speaking, “Are you guys planning Operation: Southern Belle missions without me?”

            “And you’re complaining?” I questioned, facing Michael. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with this whole thing?”

            “I’m not too keen on the whole scheme—mostly because I am fearful of you turning it on me also—but I’d like to go on an adventure too!” Michael explained.

            “Liar,” Zach accused playfully.

            “You just want to get a look at all the foreign women!” Jacob threw in.

            Michael feigned innocence. “I am shocked!” he gasped, placing his hand on his chest dramatically. “The three of you share such a low opinion of me!”

            “You are quite the womanizer,” I added.

            Again, the simulation of betrayal played on Michael’s face. “You have slain me!” His fist closed over his chest as though he was grabbing his heart and he pretended to fall over dead.

            We all burst into laughter at the sight of Michael on the ground.

            Everything was so easy with the Andersen brothers. We laughed, we played, and we explored together.

            The feeling of family, of belonging, had become so alien to me since my dad died. It was coming back to me, though, the longer I stayed here with people who thought of me as family. I welcomed it.

            “Well, what are we waiting for?” Michael asked, standing up.

            “Lets go find us a Southern Belle!” Zach hollered, fist pumping his way to a standing position.

            Jacob was quick to cover Zach’s mouth. “Do you want Walter to hear?” he asked.

            Zach just shrugged.

            My accomplices started off to the road to begin our journey.

            “Wait!” I called. They looked back at me. “I need my hat and my wallet!”