Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 111 - New Year's Day

New Year's Day of 2008 began at mid-night. Ten minutes before the start of the new year, everyone staying in the Abernathy's house was gathered in their living room ... even the children. The youngest of them was surprisingly awake, watching the grandfather clock tick down the last minutes of 2007. Each of them held a fluted champagne glass or a small tumbler in their hand containing champagne or ginger ale in anticipation of the clock striking the hour.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six." The young people started the countdown as the second hand moved around the clock. The youngest of the children all stood up from the floor, picking up on the anticipation of the teens and young adults in the room.

"Five, four, three, two, one ... happy year!" they crowed.

"Happy new year," the adults echoed.

The sound of clinking glassware filled the room as fluted champagne glasses were touched to the glasses of those nearest to them and individuals wished one another a happy new year. Everyone drank and the married people kissed, welcoming in 2008.

"May it be a good one," Malcom said.

"I'm all for that," Greg said.

"Here, here," Liam agreed.

"Absolutely," Alan said.

Cindy smiled, and Noah yawned. "I think he agrees too ... although perhaps it is time for bed?"

"Yes, I think it might be," Greg said. "We have a busy day ahead of us in the morning."

"Yeah, we don't want to forget about that," Adam adamantly agreed.

"What time do we need to get started in the morning?" Liam wondered.

"Some time after breakfast," Susan told him. "I don't think we need to start particularly early."

"Don't we?" Malcom asked. "From what I understand, the round trip visiting your cave takes between five and six hours, longer if we want to take our time ... and we might need to if all the kids are coming along."

"Do you have a time in mind?" Greg wondered.

"Maybe we could be ready to go by nine?" Malcom suggested.

They all looked at one another.

"We can do that," Alan agreed.

"We can too," Liam said after consulting with his family.

"In that case, it is time for us all to go to bed," Greg said.

With that, their little celebration welcoming in the New Year came to a close. Everyone went to bed as quickly as possible.

But they were up again, dressed, fed and ready for their excursion by nine o'clock the next morning.

c

Greg's extended family gathered in the family room after breakfast. Each of them wore jeans and boots, or other sturdy clothing and footwear appropriate to going down into the cave. Susan had several daypacks prepared with food and drinks they would take with them. Alan and Cindy carried backpack-style carriers for their children. Greg had an additional three backpacks loaded with supplies, including a pre-prepared climbing harness for Melody. The rest of the family carried assorted personal supplies in anticipation of the day's adventure.

"Are we ready?" Greg asked Susan as she took a moment to count the heads of those who were coming.

There was Malcom's family of five, and Liam's three family members. Alan's family made four more, plus five of the Abernathys. Matt and Ashley decided to spend New Year's Day with Ashley's family instead of going down in the cave.