Dying Fire

More than meets the eye

     "Oh my god, I missed you so much" I got a bear hug from a little woman I call my Grandma. "Your so big!!" She exclaimed.

     "There there Mom," My Aunt said with a smile. "My turn," She lightly pushed my Grandmother out of the way and gave me an even tighter bear hug. "Wheres Cody?"

     "He had basketball, his team needed him" I answered nonchalantly. The truth is I missed him.

     "Oh okay" Grandma said sadly. It was a really long ride back to my Aunts house.

     "Lexi! How are you?" My 20 year old, almost 7 foot, shirtless, cousin, Taylor said when we got back to the house.

     "Uuuuuh," its always awkward whenever we talked, me being 5'5'', he was a good 2 feet taller than me "I'm doing great what about you?"

"You know, volleyball, college" He answered nodding.

I nodded, I really didn't understand, but you know, no time for a whole conversation. My Aunt led me through the house,"You can have the couch, Since Taylor is back from college, his room is being used, you asthma prohibits you from being downstairs because of your Uncles smoking."

     I nodded, this time I did understand "Thank you, I'll get all settled"

     "Sounds great, there's a picnic today with the whole family, they will be over soon, everyone will be excited when they see you." My Aunt had a huge smile on her face and went into the kitchen.

     I turned on the TV and was unpacking while I watched. "A new virus is spreading through New York and Maryland" The news woman droned on about. Geez, that was awfully close to here. "Disease control is blocking off New York and Maryland, No one goes in or out."

     Thank goodness I was not in New York when this all started. I wonder where it came from. I don't care, as long as the disease doesn't come here.

     The doorbell rang and it made me jump, this disease is putting me on edge. Dad said it wasn't a problem, but maybe Cody was right, maybe I should worry.

     I got up and answered it, It was my Uncle Mike and my little 5 year old cousin Dylan. I kneeled down to his level "Dylan, you remember me?" He nodded shyly and looked away. I laughed, "Do I at least get a hug?" I put out my arms, he hugged me quickly and walked past me, I smiled again.

     I got up and hug my Uncle Mike, he looks at the TV "Why are you watching this crap, you should be watching Disney channel"

     "Hey, I'm 15 you know"

     "That age already? Wow, my sisters kid is growing up so fast." He smiled and walked in. People kept walking in and I turned off the TV, I got a bunch of hugs and I met my Uncle Mikes new girlfriend and my two cousins girlfriends. Those two couldn't be different-er.  In fact the brothers couldn't be more different. One cousin is a sport video game playing teenage (Well he is 20 but still) and the other is hardworking at his job and tries his best, and they got girlfriends who were exactly like my cousins.

I went into the kitchen and my aunt and grandma were there cutting veggies and things for the picnic.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, I'm the guest, I have to do something.

The ended up giving me a cucumber to hit, fun. I will take this, its okay. The whole family finally arrived and there was a neighbor, a single dad with a kid. They had the cutest pit bull.  
     The picnic started, one of my good friends who I've met here in Pennsylvania came late but thats ok, I haven't seen her in a year I think.
     Of course I stuff myself, why not? It was a picnic. Who knew this was the laat good meal I would eat?