Picking up the Pieces

32

When Brielle returned home from her work, the hair that she had straightened that morning was again curly, her top was wet as were her shorts. When she walked into the living room they five people that were still at the house were watching some action movie on the TV, and her mother wasn't the least bit interested, focusing more on her drawing than anything. She threw her brown leather bag onto the island and drew everyone's attention.

"Oh honey, you're soaked." Stevie takes her glasses off and looks at her.

Brielle does the same thing, she was told she was farsighted at the beginning of the year, because of that, she only needs her glasses for reading and driving. And since she drove home, she was wearing her glasses. 

"Oh yes, I know I'm soaked. A teenager pushed his four-year-old brother into the deep end because he was bothering him. Mind you, the deep end is six feet and the kid couldn't have been taller than three-six. So yes, I'm soaked. And I'm tired and I still have homework to do and I work the closing shift for the next two days and tomorrow Liz recruited Kenna and me to clean out her office during Pom tryouts." She whines. 

"Bug, it's Friday come on, relax." Lindsey holds his arm out to her.

"Oh no, don't come relax, Go get changed. The Palace closes at midnight." Stevie states checking her Fitbit watch the 10:15 glowing. 

"We're going to the Palace?" She asks.

"We are. We haven't eaten yet, we thought it'd be the best way for everyone to get to know each other." Stevie explains. 

****

Brielle makes her way back downstairs, wearing a pair of leggings and a grey chiffon blouse, one of her mom's sweaters over her shoulders. This one is red and fuzzy. She quickly runs a comb through her waves and throws up into a ponytail before joining her family downstairs. Stevie drives them all to the palace and they get a table set up for everyone. 

"Can I start you out with...Bree, hey! Hi Ms. Nicks." The waitress smiles.

"Hey, Kinz...Oh, Makenzie, these are my siblings. My brother, William, and my sisters Leelee and Stella. This is my dad." She introduces.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Buckingham, hey are we still on for that math project on Sunday?" She asks.

"Yeah...my house from noon to four. Nick'll be there around two because he has to work." Brielle nods.

"Great, anyway, what can I start you out with?" She asks.

"We definitely want two things of Queso with mixed chips. I'll have a strawberry lemonade." Brielle explains. 

"Honey, I'll do a Strawberry Margharita." Stevie grins. 

"Frozen?" 

"No thank you." She shakes her head. 

The orders go around and they're making small talk when Leelee taps Brielle on the shoulder. 

"What's Poms?" 

"Oh, um...Poms is the cheerleading squad for Sault High. We don't have cheerleaders we have the poms they're a dance team. My best friend's mom is the coach. She's also one of the math teachers." She explains. 

"When will we learn about our classes?" William asks.

"Um...well Liz always tells me mine at the end of July because she can access everything through the system. But they send them out in the mail the first week of August." Brielle explains.

"But isn't that when school starts?" Eleven-year-old Stella asks.

"No, in Michigan school doesn't start until the day after labor day. That's why I'm still in school. I go until the first week of June." She explains.