You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Four: Summer

The days blurred together after that.

Not because they were boring.

Because my cousins had apparently formed some kind of secret committee dedicated to making sure I was never alone.

Ever.

There had to be meetings.

Actual meetings.

Meetings I wasn't invited to.

One cousin would drop me off somewhere and another would magically appear to pick me up.

Nick, John, and Jim decided I needed to learn soccer.

Apparently my basketball skills were no longer sufficient.

Steve and Mike dragged me into baseball games at the rec center.

Everywhere I went, a cousin followed.

Or two cousins.

Sometimes three.

It was like being escorted by a very loud, very Greek security detail.

And Torri?

Torri would appear out of nowhere.

Like a ghost.

Or a pest.

Or a ghostly pest.

He'd show up, say something annoying, disappear for hours, then somehow reappear when I least expected it.

The worst part?

He barely looked at me.

Not one real conversation.

Not one argument.

Not one opportunity for me to tell him exactly how irritating he was.

Which was somehow more irritating.

Sunday finally arrived.

And for the first time all week, I was excited.

The entire family was heading to the lake park outside the city.

The place was huge.

Part beach.

Part park.

Part chaos.

There were swimming areas, picnic tables, rope swings, and enough people to fill a small town.

The weather was perfect.

Hot enough to make standing still feel like exercise.

I pulled on my black one-piece swimsuit, threw on a pair of Nike shorts, and skipped the extra shirt.

We were heading to the water anyway.

Besides, it was already roasting outside.

The walk to my aunt's house was only a few blocks.

No big deal.

I was halfway there when a familiar voice cut through my thoughts.

"Oh no. Not today."

I froze.

Not because I wanted to.

Because somehow my body recognized that voice before my brain did.

"God help us."

I closed my eyes.

No.

"Nope."