Probably the most frustrating thing is this entire world is family gatherings. They are, to put it bluntly, emotionally draining. I'm certain that these things appeal to a certain character but I happen to be in the minority where family equals annoyance. Half the people here I saw when I was about 10 and the other half I don't really speak to. On this occasion, it is my grandmother's and her twin sisters 73rd birthday party. I stand in the corner of the room while my dad is busy talking to one his cousins. I take a huge gulp of the lemonade and secretly wish for there to be vodka. Finally, my dad tears himself away from the riveting tales his cousin tell and leans over in my general direction.
"Having fun sweetie?" He asks in a pathetic whisper. I flash him a what-do-you-think-look and simply sighs and sips his drink, probably wishing for alcohol too. Suddenly, my cousin Angie beams at me in a plastic way and saunters over to my corner.
"Oh my God Michelle! I didn't think you would come! Aren't you busy with work?" She continues to play the interested relative when in actuality she couldn't give to shits.
"Well, family's family right?" The perfect generic answer. I want to pat myself on the back.
"Of course. And you know speaking of family, I pretty much know everything that's happening but you remain a mystery Michelle so…" She nudges me and I am this close to throwing my drink in her face.
"Um, well it's been pretty much the same for me." I mumble into my glass. Angie frowns in a fake way.
"Really, because I had heard that you left or something?"
"Nope, still in the LAPD but maybe you heard I was promoted… 1 year ago." I say a passively as I can. Angie pulls an oh-really face and pretends to be impressed.
"Wow, that's amazing but isn't it dangerous?" She leans in further.
"Yep, 'cause I'm a cop." I say blankly. Angie stares at me as her face goes from curiosity to annoyance.
"Well," she clears her throat, "I mean don't you think that doing something less dangerous would be more beneficial?" Her smile is back but now I'm pissed. One thing to note is that I have been getting this shit for a while. Aside from my grandma and my great aunt, my entire family feels the need to make it their personal mission to warn me of the dangers of being a cop. First, I'm a homicide detective so I'm not in constant danger. Second, my family fails to realize how insulting it is to say to someone that their job sucks. Holding back the rage, I smile as best I can.
"Very true, but I enjoy my work as you do." I say as slowly as I can. Angie looks like she's about to argue back but I quickly walk away into the kitchen. I open up the fridge and all the cabinets in search of something alcoholic but the house is dry. I hear a clink of glass and I turn to see my father in the doorway.
"I thought I heard a hurricane pass in here." He chuckles.
"That's not funny Dad."
"Well anyway, your grandma and great aunt are opening presents."
"What are they, five?"
"No, but Ruth got a crystal ball from Tom."
"Who's Tom?" I ask confusingly. Dad laughs and sighs. He walks up to me and places his hand on my shoulder.
"Look I know you don't like these things but at least try to remember the family will you?"
"Never." I say quickly. Now I'm smiling. He nods his head towards the reception room. I make sure to get in a frown before taking the first step. Back in the reception room, everyone is crowding around the main event. My grandma, Margret and her sister Ruth are perching on the couch. Grandma looks as though she just walked off a plane from Paris. Her head is raised slightly and accompanied with her crossed legs; she completes her high society nature with sharp white shirt and black trousers. Her neck is draped with pearls and her hand is decorated with her engagement and wedding ring. Her sister on the other hand is the complete opposite. She has a loosely fitting floral shirt and long skirt on. Her hair is in a complete mess compared to her sister's pixie cut. At a glance, they seem nothing alike. Just as Dad said, a crystal ball lays next to Ruth as she now fiddles with a bracelet her own daughter gave her. Grandma, on the other hand, is smiling approvingly at a hardback copy of Harper Lee's new book. They continue to unwrap and say the usual thank you's to people when finally the last present is unwrapped. Grandma slowly stands up and clasps her hands together.
"Thank you all for coming here, it's been lovely to see the family again." She smiles. Ruth stands up too and rests her hand on Grandma's shoulders.
"Yes and I'd like to think that you'll be buying more presents long into the future!" Everyone laughs and even I muster up a chuckle.
"Anyway-" Grandma continues, "Hopefully, you all had a nice time but I also know you will have things to do so I won't keep you."
"But I might!" Ruth chimes in. Again, everyone laughs. A big round of thank you's come from different relatives as most people leave. Grandpa this whole time had been sitting in his armchair slowly nodding his head but now he's up and saying goodbye. I was about to leave with Dad until Grandma called us both over.
"Hello you two. We're you going to leave without giving your grandmother a kiss." I groan and lightly kiss my grandmother's wrinkly cheeks. Dad even pecked her cheeks and then, only then, did she beam.
"Thank you, both of you, for coming. It's a shame I couldn't see my grandson but this will have to do." She sighed.
"He sends his love." Dad quipped.
"I'm certain Tim does." She mumbles. My brother is most likely in his dorm doing nothing, classic Tim.
"And Michelle?" Grandma looks me dead in the eye. I hate when she does this because this means that she giving a long ass lecture.
"Yes?"
"Don't let people do that to you. Make you mad and all that. You know that I am proud of you and that's all that matters. They think they're looking out for me ad Ruth but honestly we don't care." She whispers.
"Thanks Grandma, but actually why does everyone care?" Grandma stares at me blankly and then rolls her eyes.
"How does she not know James?" She scolded Dad. He shrugs his shoulders.
"Never mind. Well, my father was in the LAPD but he, uh, died when I was only 5. The family is just worried that the same might happen to you." She slowly nods her head. Meanwhile, I'm busy calling bullshit in my head. Why would anyone care about a dude who died in the line of duty? Also, she failed to answer my question anyway and it was clear Dad feels that way too. I knew that already, but what I didn't know is why that matters. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is more going on here.
"I see Grandma. Thanks." I say quickly and turn to leave. As I'm almost out the door I can hear my father say, "Come on Mom, she'll figure it out." I knew it.