I was in the kitchen with mom, cutting vegetables.
At that point, I was mixed up in my own self pity staring at the mess of uneven turnips and potatoes that lay before me.
I glared at the knife.
This is why I stick to fruit dishes.
"Now remember dear, don't mix the turnips with the potatoes in Elliot's plate. He like's his vegetables separate."
I rolled my eyes.
Mother didn't need to remind me.
Elliot, was my older brother but he might as well have been the younger.
Picking and whinny he insisted on only eating his food a certain way.
He was never any fun to do anything with and didn't even know how to cook!
' He's not like Pierre....' I thought, who was the best cook around.
He could beat all of us at cooking.
" Natalie?" my mother's voice shook me out of my thoughts.
" Go outside and tell your brother to come in for dinner and I'll get your Grandfather."
I sighed and set down the knife I was using and headed towards the front door.
I walked out into the cool night air.
It was already 5:00, and it was getting dark.
Not that I minded.
I was more of a night owl, morning just wasn't my thing.
As I walked down the road past the diner, I saw to shadows walking back towards the house.
One was Elliot carrying a large box.
He was sweating and looked like he might collapse any moment.
Typical.
The other was my best friend Juila, who with her mother ran the animal store.
I hung out with her a lot, not only because she lived close by, but she was the best girl on the island.
Lanna was okay, but she was a bit annoying and was always talking about her boyfriend Denny.
Sabrina, Regis daughter was a complete mess.
She mostly wandered around the island, muttering about books and stuff like that, and blushing whenever Vaughn, the animal trader (and Julia's cousin) came near her.
As they came closer I heard bits of their conversation.
" Thank you for carrying the box for me Elliot! You're so much stronger than you look."
I bit my lip to stop from laughing, from not only Julia's supposed compliment, but as well as the look on my brother's face.
Elliot sighed.
"Everyone always thinks that. Especially my sister."
Julia frowned.
"No! I meant it as a compliment. You really are strong. I wonder if your not busy tomorrow, you could help me move some more stuff around."
I raised my eyebrow. So Julia was asking for my brothers help?
Even though it was dark out, I could see Elliot blushing.
"Sure...I'll drop by tomorrow!" He said smiling.
"Thanks Elliot! I have to get back to the store! See ya tomorrow and tell Natalie I said hi!"
And with that she skipped back in the opposite direction.
I moved out from the shadows in front of Elliot.
"Hey big brother. So you and Julia have a date?"
Elliot nearly dropped the box in surprise.
"Oh hi Natalie. And it's not a date. I'm just helping her."
I rolled my eyes and prodded him in the side.
"Sure you are. I always wondered where you went on rainy days."
Elliot didn't answer, but in the light of the diner window I could see if face.
Dark red.
I laughed and grabbed the box from him.
"Gosh. What did Julia make you carry? Weights."
Elliot laughed softly.
"I wish. No this is stuff she wants shipped to Harmonica Town. Apparently a rancher needs some supplies."
I nodded.
"Speaking of ranches, who's gonna work at Gramp's old ranch. That place has been empty for years."
Elliot shrugged again.
"I don't know. He keeps saying that he's almost found someone. This kid, from the city wants to come and take care of it. Gramp's was so excited he almost gave the ranch away!"
I snorted.
"A city kid?! Here? He couldn't last one day."
As we approched the house, I dropped the box of stuff in the shipping bin and went inside.
Dinner was on the table and Gramps sat waiting impatiently.
" Why there you youngsters are! While you were chit-chatting my dinner was getting could!"
I crossed my arms and glared at my grandfather.
"We were only out there for a couple minutes!" I snapped back.
Elliot said nothing and quickly hurried to the kitchen to get glasses.
As my mother brought in the salt and pepper, Gramp's complained.
"Felicia! That daughter of yours! Late for dinner again!"
As my mother put down the garlic salt, she smiled.
"Oh father dear. She was only out for a while. Come let's sit. The dinner is still warm and I'm sure they want to hear the good news."
Good news?
Gramps face cleared.
"Ah! Yes! The good news. Come sit."
I smiled gratefully at my mother.
She was always happy and peaceful.
I always wondered how she managed it with us.
As Elliot gave each of us a glass of water and sat down, we quickly dug in.
I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Elliot had pushed his turnips far away from the rest of his food.
Gramps ate three forkfuls of turnips, before turning to us.
" Now! About the good news.....um what was it again?" he asked my mother.
Felicia smiled gently.
"The ranch father."
Gramps nodded, repeating her.
"The ranch! Yes! Someone's finally moving into it!"
I rolled my eyes to who knows where.
You had to be blind, deaf and stupid to move into that place.
Really stupid.