Splinters: Part One

Part One | 22

I nodded.

"What's she saying?"

I stared at the phone, wondering what to say.

"Just that she's sorry we couldn't talk."

It's okay :)

Ursanne didn't question further which I was grateful for. I didn't know if she was annoyed that I was texting Collie because usually she is. Soon enough though, if she isn't annoyed, she will be at some point soon. That's just the routine I'm getting used to now.

...

A couple hours later, Robin and Daryl left to go see our other cousins. We said our goodbyes at the front door and watched them leave. When we all went back to the living room to clean up the mess we'd left before church, Greg clapped his hands once.

"Hurry up and clean this mess, guys, or else we won't be able to go sledding."

My head perked up. "Sledding?"

"Yay!" the three younger girls exclaimed, cleaning faster as motivation.

Soon enough, three white hefty bags were filled with present wrap and we all were putting on snow pants, coats, hats, gloves, and snow boots. Scrambling out the door, the girls and I stuffed ourselves in the back and middle seats of our car. Melissa and Greg, now dressed in the proper attire as well, got into the front seats.

We didn't drive for very long. I noticed we'd driven to the park where Collie and I always go to. I smiled as I found our swing set, covered in snow. If anything could make this day even better, it'd be sitting with Collie right on those swings. Her on the left one and me on the right.

As Greg parked the car, the girls jumped out as soon as he turned it off. They rushed toward the hill which was a good half mile from where we were. I stayed behind with Melissa and Greg as the girls ran - well, maybe wobbled because of their snow pants - to the hill.

"Hey, Brayden, wanna give me a hand?" Greg asked from behind the car, the back door open.

My head jerked towards him. "Hm? Yeah, sure!"

I advanced toward him, my arms open. He handed me a blue sled with a yellow rope at the beginning while he held a red one. Melissa held a green one with a white camera in her other hand.

"Alright, let's go," Greg said, pulling down the door.

We made our way to the hill where the girls were already half-way there. Finally, a little tired, we reached the top. The girls were now having a snowball fight, Edaline and Ursanne losing to Odera, Net, and Iz.

"Alright, alright! Mom and Dad are here. Stop!" Ursanne pleaded, laughing.

The girls complied, rushing to us.

"I want to go with Brayden!" Net said.

"What one do you want, Net?" I asked.

"The green one."

"I wanted the green one!" Odera said.

I thought for amoment before bending down to Net's ear. "The blue one's probably faster, anyway," I whispered.

Net giggled. "Yeah."

Isabeau came towards me. "I want to go with Brayden, too!"

I smiled. Iz and Net sat on the sled, me in the back.

"Wanna have a race?" Ursa smirked.

I nodded. "We're gonna beat you."

"Please! Everyone knows green's the best color!" Odera fought back.