Chapter 1
The Reunion
Our family reunions didn't necessarily include that much of our actual family; Sally and Paul were often there, with Fred and Sue barely ever showing up. But mostly the guests were our friends, most of which I called my aunts and uncles. There was Piper and Jason whose lodge we used for the party, Hazel and Leo, who ran the most successful jewellery company in New York and Thalia and Nico who together were probably the two coolest people I knew. Frank occasionally stopped by, as well as Reyna and a few others. These were probably my favourite times of the year; I could help Leo play pranks, or gossip with Piper about boys and glamour as if she was my age. Thalia would tell me about her stories from travelling around the world with Jason (who by the way is her brother), I could watch my dad and Jason argue over who was more awesome as though they were 16. But this time I was strictly business, I was determined to find out as much as I could about the secret that they were hiding from me. I remembered my dad saying "Maybe we shouldn't do it ourselves" if he had actually meant that I couldn't imagine him trusting anyone other than the people who would be here tonight, which meant they must know. Realizing this hurt, to think that Piper, with her boy talk and glamour lessons wouldn't have mentioned it, or even more surprisingly Thalia with her enchanting tales of pyramids and mosques . They would have I thought they would've told me if it weren't for mom. After a moment I ignored the pain, I had to find out what was going on.
I started by making a list of people I knew, or more specifically, people my parents knew. Most of them would be at the party, giving me a chance to find out more. I tried to think of anything weird or even just a bit strange that I already knew about them. There was Leo, with the way I had seen him unflinchingly stick his hands in a fire, that was definitely going on the list. Then there was Hazel with the way cutlery would seemingly move towards her… but those two were pretty much the only weird happenings that I could think of, at least right away. But I spent the rest of the trip going through everyone that I knew, and slowly but surely the list started to fill. By the end of the trip I had an almost full sheet;
LEO: Unburned by fire
HAZEL: Attracts metal
JASON: Jumps extraordinarily high
PIPER:
THALIA: Threatened to burn dad into a crisp?
NICO:
SALLY:
PAUL:
DAD:
MOM:
Okay so maybe it wasn't that full, but there were some people where I had no idea what to put down, I mean Piper? Other than the fact that she always seemed to get what she wanted, she was completely normal most of the time. And for my parents? I couldn't exactly put down that my dad loves to swim! Or that my mom was smart? But at the same time I felt like I should have something to put down… after all, they were my parents weren't they? I had spent almost every day of my life with them, and I had a feeling that they were the most important of all, that whatever this secret that had been haunting me for the whole of my life was, they were at the start… I had no time to finish the thought.
"Were here!" Dad said, he hadn't spoken throughout the trip, but there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Mom still hadn't said a word.
The Grace Lodge was a large but cozy cabin, nestled deep in the forest, with a singled dirt road as the only access. It was a strange of simplicity and glamour-which I had always assumed came from Jason and Pipers mixed tastes-and was surrounded by a large clearing, complete with a bonfire pit, and badminton court as well as a small zip line that crossed one side. It seemed fit for a millionaire, which made sense, seeing as Piper as well as her father, were two of the most renown actors of the last 2 decades. As we stepped out of our car, I looked around at the forest, and took a breath I felt as though someone was watching me from above.
"Hey, Zoe, help me with these will you?"
I shook off the feeling and turned around to help Mom unpack the car. I reached out to take mone when my mom shouted suddenly.
"NO!"
"What?"
Silence.
My Dad stepped in "I think what your mother means is that box may be a bit to heavy for you, let me take it for you"
Mom looked at him gratefully as he stepped forward and retrieved the box from my arms.
"How about this one" she pointed to a box full of marshmallows and hot dogs for the campfire tonight.
I rolled my eyes "Mom, I'm not weak, you don't have to freak!"
"Of course sweetie"
And before I could ask any questions she ran off towards the lodge. This was getting really annoying, I knew that hadn't been the real reason for her not letting me take the box, I mean seriously my parents let me carry full dressers on my own. "Whatever" I mumbled. I picked up a box of camping gear and headed inside. Then, as if on que, it started to rain.
After every last box had been brought inside, we sat ourselves down, soaking wet, on the oak benches that sat next to the main fireplace. The benches creaked and wobbled as I sat down, but it was worth it to sit next to the radiating warmth that came from the flames. As soon as I sat down I heard the faked, girlish voice behind me.
"Sooooo…" Piper squealed
Here we go… I thought
"I need details! Crushes, boyfriends, any kissing yet…"
Sigh
30 Minutes later
After half an hour of excruciating interrogation- and several "She's too young to date"'s from my dad- Thalia and Nico, finally arrived. Thalia looked over at Piper and I and seemed to understand my situation
"Hey, Piper" she called "can you come help me with these suitcases?"
THANKYOU I mouthed to her
Anytime, anytime
"Uh… sure" said Piper reluctantly, she gave me her best were not done look and I looked back at her in a way I hoped said oh yes we are! as, she left with Thalia.
Dad greeted Nico with a beer "My, man" He drawled, giving his friend a fist bump. Jason did the s
My mom and I looked at each other, rolling our eyes. "Boys" we murmured simultaneously. I looked my mom over for a moment; she seemed to be easing her stress now that we were with her friends. I could see it in the way she sat slumped on her couch as she drank her beer, her eyes weren't surveying the room like it was a battle field as they often did. I considered asking her about what was going to happen on my thirteenth birthday but shrugged it off; I didn't want to stress her again. I heard Dad and some of the other guys greet someone at the door.
"Leo! Dude how've you been man"
"Yeah we haven't seen you since you went to visit New Orleans"
"How did Hazel handle it, I mean she grew up there…"
"She did okay; she hasn't been there since the 40's dude. A lot has changed."
I froze, the 40's! Hazel was only 35. There was no way…
It looked like I had another piece for the puzzle. But this puzzle already seemed to have too many pieces.