** REWRITING ** Tidal Wave

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Age Six

"Honey? You about ready to go?" My father called, his voice traveling throughout house.

"One minute!" My mother yelled back.

My dad turned to look at Andrew and I. "You know what that means, kids. Let's get comfortable."

The three of us plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV. Being the older sibling, Andrew got control of the remote. He flipped through the channels one by one, pausing for a few seconds each time.

"Stop!" I screeched.

Andrew sighed. "How many back?"

"Two," I answered promptly.

We got to the correct channel and Andrew rolled his eyes. "Not this again, Ellie!"

I pouted. "What's wrong with a Charlie Brown Christmas?"

"Besides for the fact we've already watched it million times?"

I crossed my arms. "Yes."

Andrew glared at me. "It's annoying. And stupid."

I tapped my dad on the shoulder. "Daddy! Andrew used the 's' word!"

Before he could respond Andrew growled, "Ellie, shut up."

I began to tap ferociously. "Daddy! Daddy! Did you hear that? Did you hear what Andrew said?"

He looked down at me with an amused smile. "Yes, honey, I heard." He shifted his glaze to Andrew. "Just let her watch it, we will be leaving soon."

Andrew hunched his shoulders but didn't say a word. I smiled and leaned back into the couch.

Fifteen minutes later, my mother came down. "I'm ready!" she announced.

My father beamed. "There's my beautiful wife!" My mom did a little spin to show off her dress. The deep, red skirt fell in a perfect circle. I glanced down at what I was wearing. It was almost identical to my mom's. I loved it.

Andrew jumped off the couch. "Let's go, Ellie," he said.

"But Charlie is just about to visit Lucy at her booth!" I protested.

Andrew rolled his eyes. He seemed to be doing that a lot these days. "You can finish it at the Taylor's."

The idea of watching my favorite Christmas special on the Taylor's big TV excited me. "Okay!" I agreed as I practically skipped out the door.

I was bouncing in my seat the whole way to the Taylor's house. When we arrived, their street was already packed with cars. The clock read seven twenty two.

"Shoot," my mom muttered, "I was suppose to help Marissa set up and--"

My dad cut her off. "She probably had one of the waiters do it."

She bit her lip to keep from smiling. "You're probably right."

He walked around the car to open the door for her. "Aren't I always?"

My mom laughed as she hopped out of the car in her heels and then my dad opened my door for me.

He held his hand out. "For my little lady."

I smiled up at him. "Thanks, daddy."

"Anytime, princess."

We made our way over to the Taylor's big wooden door. The enormous size of it always scared me. It was more than twice my size!

My father raised his hand to knock but seemed to think better of it. Instead, he just opened the door. The Taylor's house was filled with a sea of people. I came up to most of their waists, being small for my age, but I managed to find the playroom. Andrew trailed close behind me.