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

Chapter Five: Summer

It was so late when we got back from the lake that Aunt Mary convinced my grandparents to let me stay the night.

Not that it took much convincing.

Yiayia thought everyone should stay everywhere all the time.

The more family under one roof, the better.

The next day was surprisingly quiet.

For most of the afternoon, Aunt Mary and I baked cookies and talked in the kitchen while the boys disappeared to do whatever boys did when left unsupervised.

Since she had three sons, she loved having another girl around.

"So what are you excited about this year?" she asked while pulling a tray from the oven.

"High school."

"Everybody says that until they get there."

I laughed.

"I'm serious. I can't wait."

"What do you want to do after high school?"

The answer came immediately.

"I want to write."

Aunt Mary's eyebrows shot up.

"Really?"

I nodded.

"I think I want to be a journalist."

She smiled.

"Runs in the family."

I nearly dropped the mixing spoon.

"What?"

"You didn't know?"

I shook my head.

"Your great-uncle is a novelist."

"There is a writer in the family?"

"Several, actually."

My excitement exploded.

Suddenly all of my dreams felt a little more possible.

Maybe writing wasn't such a crazy idea after all.

"There is writing in my DNA," I announced dramatically.

Aunt Mary laughed.

"That's one way to look at it."

Our conversation continued until the back door burst open and a flood of boys invaded the kitchen.

The peaceful atmosphere immediately disappeared.

"Hey, Momma," Steve called. "What's for dinner?"

Aunt Mary pointed a wooden spoon at him.

"You people eat every three hours."

"Growing boys."

"Bottomless pits."

The arguments started immediately.

Just another family dinner.

The boys talked about their day at the rec center while food was passed around the table.

Apparently soccer had occupied most of their afternoon.

Now they were heading to the Grove.

"The Grove?"

I asked.

"Football."

My ears perked up.

Football.