The sun warmed the rosewood deck, the gleaming wood casting faint light in all directions. Dala Carmoly sat on the benches placed all around the deck, her morning tea in a white clay mug, steaming in her hands. It was 5:30 in the morning, yet most of the Popin household, as usual, was up and about.
Zinnia and Alitza, who had grown closer over a short time, were out in the garden, currently planting Poppies, their red blooms bright against the green grass. Halen was kicking the soccer ball with Vesper who, even after however many years, never seemed to have gotten the hang of soccer. Esther had taken her usual position in the blue wing chair on the screen porch, Pride and Prejudice lightly held in her milky hands.
Orion was out back, stacking plants in the garage for safe keeping. All was silent, until the cry of "Beakfast!" came from the kitchen in doors. Seven people immediately stopped what they were doing, running inside to sit and eat the pancakes, eggs, biscuits and fruit that was set out on the table. As they began to talk about their plans for the coming Sunday, the squeal of tires broke the excitement in the room. Everyone looked at the other.
"Orion, is someone visiting today?" Alice asked, peeking curiously out of the glass windows. Orion shook his head. They gathered outside, spying a beat up black car in the driveway. A tall girl, arm linked with an obviously older man, was walking up the drive, scraggly black hair with bleach-blonde streaks waving in a great lump in the wind. Zinnia began to look uneasy as the couple ascended the stairs, and the girl was now completely recognizable.
"Alina?" Halen broke the silence. "Halen!" cried a hoarse voice from the woman, who's face, although still fairly unchanged, looked a bit more wrinkled than a girl of Alina's age would have. "Well, mom, dad," Alina smiled sweetly, her lips coated in fifty cent red lipstick. "I've come home for the day," All was silent for a few minutes, as Alice and Orion followed Alina, dressed in a short and tight fitting black dress and eight-inch heels, and her companion back inside.
Zinnia and Halen exchanged glances, while Alitza gripped Zinnia's hand, comforting. Vesper simply stood there, slightly dumbfounded, beside Dala, who's lips were pursed. At about noon, the family sat down for lunch, Alina and the man sitting side-by-side. It was awkwardly silent until Esther began conversation.
"So." she said resolutely, setting down her knife and fork. "How long have you and..." she trailed off, glancing at the man. "He... Been together?" she asked, trying to hide her grimace. Alina giggled. "Three months. Our honey moon was about two..." she sighed, giggling again. Alice squeaked. "You're married?!" Alina nodded happily. "But you're only eighteen!" she cried, standing up. "And none of us have ever seen this man before!"
Alina's husband looked rather sly, stroking Alina's hair. "Brent. My name is Brent." he said, straightening his shabby-looking tie. Alitza, who had been silent beside Zinnia, blurted, "Is he, like, a Pimp, or something?" Halen choked on his food. Alice made a frightened face, and Alina reddened. No one cared to continue the conversation to find out the answer.
By the end of the day tempers were flaring. Alina gave her farewells from the stairs as Brent made his way to the car. As the rest of the family went inside as soon as the had said goodbye, Zinnia stayed outside on the deck.
"Why did you leave?" she said after a while. Alina smiled. "You know more than I do that I didn't belong," she snapped, fiddling with her black leather, elbow-length gloves. Zinnia clenched her fists. "So? Why'd you drop out of Hogwarts? Magically graffiti my wall? Become a whore who is paid by some slob for..." she trailed off, making a disgusted face. Alina scoffed. "As if it could have turned out for the better." she turned her head, and followed Brent to the car, and a few minutes later she was heard squealing out of the driveway.
-- Edited by Alice Newman on Wednesday 7th of October 2009 07:28:42 PM
