Splinters: Part One

Part One | 15

"Brayden, you're up! Get yourself some breakfast, sweetie," Melissa smiled, pointing towards some paper plates and bowls.

There was a great amount of food all over the kitchen. Cereal boxes that were half empty sat along bowls of fruit and plates of scrambled and fried eggs were waiting to be snatched from anyone who desired them.

I looked over the island and took a paper plate and a paper bowl. I looked for some Lucky Charms but only saw Honey Bunches of Oats and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I tried to not be disappointed and feel grateful. I was here, wasn't I? There's so much food to choose from. I should be happy.

I blinked a few times and shivered for some reason. Shaking my head, I grabbed a fried egg, some fried potatoes, and two sausage links.

"Hey, Brayden," Odera smiled, patting the chair next to her when I entered the back deck.

I sat next to her. "Hi."

"Did you want syrup?"

"Syrup with what?" I asked, almost mortified.

"Your sausage?"

I shook my head slowly. "No thanks."

She shrugged and poured some for herself. My eyes widened as they took in her plate.

"Hey, where'd you get the pancakes?" I asked, suddenly craving them.

"They're on the table."

I frowned and sat back. "Oh."

Odera looked back at her plate and then turned to me. "Do you want one of mine?"

I shook my head. "It's okay."

"Here." She took one pancake and set it on my plate.

"Der-"

"I didn't really want it anyway," she smiled.

I grinned back at her and then began eating. The entire family huddled around afterwards and we decided to go tubing. Gerald took the boat while Robin, Daryl, Melissa, Georgia, and Kevin stayed behind. Bethany and Greg agreed to come along on the boat ride with all the kids. I almost wanted to stay behind, but since all the grandchildren were going; I thought it would only be necessary for me to go.

After putting on all our swimsuits and life-jackets, we all got into the boat. It was extremely crowded with all my sisters and, I guess, cousins, but we all managed to fit easily. Greg and Bethany sat in the back with the kids while Gerald began the boat and tied the tube to the rear.

"You okay?" Ursanne asked me when I sat down next to her in the front again.

I nodded slowly. I felt a hollow feeling in my stomach and realized I hadn't text Collie this morning. I was suddenly overcome with the guilt.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

I shook my head. "N-nothing."

I knew she wanted to press on, but then we jerked forward.

"Sorry!" Gerald shouted. "I forgot how sensitive Dad's boat is."

"Watch the deck," Greg warned.

"I got it," his brother replied quietly.

It was silent as he pulled out, but once we were in the clear open water, he began driving the boat. The giant tube trailed behind us. Gerald drove the boat a pretty far distance before he allowed us to get onto the tube. It had four spots. There was one on the left, the middle, and the right, and one behind the middle.

"Alright, who doesn't want to tip over?"

Edaline, Beau, Net, and Jackie raised their hands. They all scrambled to get onto the tube and after five to ten minutes, they all were set and ready to go. I was scared for Annetta to go on the tube, but since Greg didn't seem to have a problem with it, I tried to calm down for her sake.