A Family Together

[WillowMcDaniel 0]

Willow looked around at what had once been the room she shared with her sister. Since she had left home, Abby had taken it over. She pulled back the curtain and looked out the window.

 

There was the yard she had played in as a child. There was the tree she had fallen out of, and the ground that had broken her fall, as well as her collar bone … twice. Her nephew Jay was swinging from the same tire swing she had swung in so long ago.

 

“Willow?” Abby came bounding into the room. “Mom’s almost ready for dinner.” She walked over to where he sister was. “What’cha lookin’ at?”

 

“Just the whole place. I haven’t been back for a while.”

 

Abby snorted. “And you won’t be anywhere near here for a while either.” She looked out the window. “Hey, Thomas and Terrence! I can see them comin’ in their truck.” The two ran down stairs and out of the house to greet the twins.

 

Thomas and Abby walked up ahead. Terrence, hanging on his sister Willow as they walked into the house, grinned. “So? Space, huh? Well… you always did like lookin’ at the stars. We’ll miss you, though.”

 

“I’ll miss you, too.” She put him into a half-nelson and wrestled him to the floor. “’Sides, who’s going to beat you up now that I’m goin’?”

 

“Uncle! Uncle!”

 

“Children! Not in the house!” Their mother, Alice, walked up to them, laughing. “Get to the table you two; we’re waitin’ for ya’ll.”

 

When they had taken their places they joined hands and bowed their heads. Hugh smiled at them all. Then he blessed the food and nodded at them to start eating. “Glad to see you two boys could make it,” their father said to the twins. He looked around the table, grinning. “Just like old times… with the addition of Jay and his mamma, Leslie, ‘course.”

 

Eric stood, holding up his glass of iced tea. “To Willow: may your travel to the stars be eventful and all your patients live to see another day.”

 

Willow shook her head, smiling. “Sit down, Eric.”

 

Everyone else raised there glasses to her with a “Here here!” Willow also raised her glass, and nodded for Eric to sit down.

 

Jay, seated next to Willow, pulled on her sleeve. “Whe’e awe you gowing, Aunt Wiwwow?” The three-year-old left a food smear on her sleeve. She smiled at him, but wiped off the mess.

 

“I’m goin’ far, far away. When you look up in the sky each night, say hello to me. That’s where I’ll be.”

 

“Weally Aunt Wiwwow?”

 

“Yes Jay. I’ll be in a space ship, makin’ sick people better. Remember, we talked about doctors? While I’m up there, I’ll ask the stars to twinkle for you, to let you know I’m sayin’ hello.”

 

“Wow, Aunt Wiwwow.”

 

“And you can send me drawin’s, and I’ll look at them every day, and write you back, okay?”

 

“Okay.” Satisfied with her answer, he went back to his dinner.

 

Christopher looked over at Willow. “Aw… that was so pwetty Aunt Wiwwow.”

 

She grinned at the boy’s father and spoke through her teeth. “One more word and I’ll yank you from this table and teach you some respect, boy.”

 

He grinned back at her. “Yes ma’am.”