Cracks Within

Chapter 19

Thursday 24th August 2034.

Sun washes over my face. I feel the sand beneath me, moulding to the shape of my body. Children shout happily in the distance. Waves lap as a shadow looms over me. The shadow of my seven-year-old son.

"Mom, can you come and play catch with me? Izzy and Dad are flying kites and I don't wanna do that."

I laugh. "Obviously. I hate kite-flying. You got a ball?"

I stand up, wiping all the sand off me as I run with Mike, trying to not hit him in the head when I throw the ball.

He giggles, his face full of happiness. I can't help but smile when I see my family like this. Sam playing with Izzy, showing her the different animals that they find on the beach, her little face filled with delight. Spanish sun blazes on my back.

"Guys," I shout out. "Shall we go back to the hotel to change and then go to dinner? I also need to put sun cream on because I'm gonna look like a tomato otherwise."

Sam laughs hysterically as he picks up Izzy and puts her on his shoulders. He chases after Mike, who runs faster than anyone I've ever met.

Walking to our hotel, we chat about how beautiful Majorca is, how idyllic and hot it is. Mike raves about the sun and the beach. Izzy tells us how much she loves the stalls that are in the market. Sam talks about how beautiful the architecture is. I love the history and the nature aspects of this beautiful place.

The hotel is built with beautiful, white stone. We walk down a tranquil path, palm trees swaying slightly on both sides. The floor is made from black and white marble. Taking the lift, we pick the sixth floor and patiently wait. The lift finally dings and the doors open, creaking. Mike and Izzy runs to our door, fighting over who gets to use the key card.

"Guys," Sam warns. "Stop fighting and open the door."

Mike rolls his eyes and gives the card to Izzy. Her face is triumphant.

"Thank you, brother." she says, sweetly.

Mike looks at me; a look that I know so well. I laugh, startling Sam and Izzy.

"What are you laughing at?" Sam ask, puzzlingly.

I wink at Mike. "Nothing. I tax the shower first!"

"Wha-!" Sam starts to say. I push him onto the bed and run for the shower, locking the door behind me.

"Sorry, but I'm dying here! My eyebrows are sweating and I'm burnt, so you're gonna have to wait!"

"You're such a pain! C'mon kids, we'll watch really bad tv while YOUR MOTHER," he shouts the last two words, "enjoys the comfort of a lovely, cold shower."

I giggle to myself. I turn around to face the shower. The room is painted a crisp white, with a plain black floor. A huge bath dominated the corner of the room; big enough to fit two people in. A separate shower was in the opposite corner. It was large, with glass sides. I walk across the floor and take off my clothes, wimping as I try to unhook my bra without touching my sunburn. I step into the shower and turn it on, letting the water beat against my burnt back. Lathering my hair, I think about how amazing this holiday has been. It was a last-minute decision that Sam and I had made when we thought about ow much we've accomplished in the last year. We deserved a break away from home. We let Mike and Izzy decide where they wanted to go (after giving them three choices) as it was their first time abroad and we wanted it to be special.

The water was a pleasant, cool temperature that transported me to another world. Until I heard Sam.

"Anna!" Sam shouts. "You've been in there for twenty-five minutes. Using all the lovely icy water. It's thirty-eight degrees out here, get your ass out so I can try and cool down!"