Remind Me

Chapter Fifty-One

Apparently in Owen's house there's a cleaning night every Saturday. Every single person in the house that night gets a job and completes it before going to bed.

Not only that, but they blast their music on speakers all around the house that practically blow my ear drums out.

"Clarin, Owen, Brinley, and Joey, you guys are on kitchen," Mrs. Michaels says. "We warned you guys," she directs her words at Ian's friends, "not to come over on Saturdays because everyone in the house helps on chore day."

"We'd be happy to help," Parker's cheerful voice calls.

"Lovely," she continues. "Parker, Drake, and Phill on dusting. Jake, Ben, and Ian on window washing. Get it done, stat!"

"Yes, Mrs. Michaels," everyone says in sync.

Owen, Clarin and I head out to the kitchen; me by the help of Owen's guiding hand. How I am supposed to clean something completely with my blindness beats me, but I'll try my best.

"You don't have to do anything, B," Joey says. "We don't force labor on the crippled."

"I'm not crippled!" I protest.

"Fine," he groans. "Disabled."

"Oh, shut up," I roll my non-functioning eyes. "I bet I can still clean better than you."

"Is that a challenge?"

"It's a challenge if I ever heard one," Owen mutters.

"Alright," Joey says slowly. "I challenge you to a wash-off."

"Um, Joey, I actually challenged you. Don't go taking the credit, thanks," I smile and batt my eyelashes sweetly.

"Oh-hoh," Joey says, sounding taken aback. "The sass is real."

"Alright, I'll judge then," Owen says.

"No, you're biased!" Joey exclaims.

"Wow, you're so nervous," I chuckle.

"No," Joey scoffs. "It's just unfair. Whatever. I don't even care. I'll still win. Proceed."

"Okaaay," Owen says. "The person that can clean the most dishes, also the most spotless dishes, in a three minute limit wins."

"What does the winner get?" I ask, crossing my arms. Yes, the pride of beating Joey's butt in a challenge is nice... But everyone knows an actual prize is far more appreciated.

"They don't have to do anything else to help," Clarin offers. "And the loser has to give the winner five dollars."

"That works," I shrug.

"Joey, you go first," Owen says. "Assume your position. Pour the water. Get ready."

The faucet starts and I hear Joey swear under his breath. "Holy crap, that's hot." I laugh to myself, earning a flick in the ear. "This isn't funny."

"And.... Go," Owen says, and the ticking of the timer begins.

Joey breathes deeply as the sound of scrubbing commences. He sounds like he's running a marathon, not cleaning the dishes. However hard he breathes doesn't bother me. I'm not intimidated by his sub-par cleaning skills.

"Chill out, Darth Vader," Owen laughs, and Joey only grunts in response.

"Thirty seconds," Clarin calls out.

"Dang crap it!" Joey exclaims just as a loud bang reaches my ears, making me jump a mile. He must've dropped something heavy. I smirk to myself. Sucks to suck.