Shipwreck

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"The sea does not like being restrained." - Rick Riordan

It was a beautiful bright sunny day. The wind wasn't too strong but not too weak. It was the tenth anniversary of my mother's death. We all met at the old boat house except my father saying he wanted nothing to do with all of us, mainly because my sister was going to be there.

My sister Rosalyn had always been neglected by my father , especially today. It was her birthday but we never celebrate both occasions. I felt it wasn't right to celebrate my moms death and my sisters birth together. We celebrate her death every other year. But this year we celebrated a birth and death. Rosalyn thought it would be best , she felt it was her fault my mother died. I mean my father always blamed her and never forgot to remind her. It pissed me off all the time, all she did was be born. I tried my best to explain to her it wasn't her fault , there was nothing she or neither of us, could do.

For the first time in years , my brother had contacted us and told us he would be there. We invited him every year but for some reason he actually responded and came. He was the first,after me of course, to arrive. He hugged me but didn't say a word. He just sat down and continued to drink the beer he had in his hands. He was wearing black slacks ,a blue button up dress shirt and black dress shoes. He looked better than when he left for college. He looked like he finally was able to figure out what he wanted in life ,like he was able to pull himself together. He had cut his black hair and stress wrinkles had formed around his blue eyes. Probably work. My brother had always been the better looking sibling of the family. Let's just say everyone loved to remind us. Especially Mrs.Roland from down the block. She had a reputation for being with younger men.

While i cleaned and finished setting, he just stared at the floor and drank his beer. He stood up and walked over to the small window on the side. Not taking his eyes off the window, he says

" I'm sorry."

I look at him but he doesn't look at me. he sips his beer and continues talking.

"I didn't mean to just leave but i couldn't stand to be here anymore you know"

He takes a giant gulp of beer.

" I mean after mom died i didn't know what i was going to do with my life. the realization that our life could end like that...."

He paused. He took a sip but there was nothing left. He opened the small blue cooler i never knew he had and opened another bottle and drank even more.

"I'm sorry i left you with him."

He gestured towards the house and before i knew it i was in his embrace. I could tell he had started crying. I hugged him back. I thought maybe i should stay quiet and i did.

"I promise it will be different and I'll get you two out of here and we'll talk more."he hugged me tighter and kissed my forehead.

"I promise." he whispered "I promise."