4th Of July Adventures

Meet The Farrells Chapter 8

In this chapter my characters from Cousins and Holiday Memories Gloria Frank, Jonathan and Patrick Feldman will be deeper explored. This is Oliver's younger sister and her family. Oliver's other relative Gene, his family and their relationships with Annie and Molly are explained in great depth in Holiday Memories. Time to b ring in some new characters.

Summer had always been Grace's favorite season of the year. When she was younger she always enjoyed going to Maine with her parents and sisters and spending time at Wells Beach now that she was grown and had her own family it was time to make new summer memories.

"Mom, what are we doing for 4th of July this year?" Annie asked one day in mid- May.

Grace shrugged. "It's only May Annie I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

"We haven't really spent a lot time with Aunt Gloria and her family."

Grace nodded. "Very true. They've never been here to visit New York. Your father has always found it strange that they've never come to visit. I suppose they're just not big city people."

"Well, I'd really like to meet Aunt Gloria and her family. We spend a lot of time with Eli and Bella but we haven't really gotten to know Patrick and Jonathan yet. I'd like to get to know them."

Grace kissed her daughter on the forehead. "I'll talk to your father. I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

"That'd be swell."

Annie left the rotunda to go do her science homework. Grace decided she would talk to her husband later that evening to ask why his sister had never come to New York.

At dinner Annie was not shy at all about bringing up this subject.

"Daddy, why hasn't Aunt Gloria ever come to visit us?"

Oliver shrugged. "I haven't a clue Annie. I only just contacted her after you did your family tree project. She was busy the night we invited everyone over to dinner. I haven't seen her in years so I really hope we can see each other soon."

"What's holding you back from seeing her?" Grace asked.

Oliver looked embarrassed. " I always got along better with my brother.. we just connected more. Gloria was so much younger than me. When I left go start my business after Frederick died she was only 5."

"So she was younger than Molly?" Annie asked.
"Yes, she was."

Grace looked at her husband curiously. "Annie and I were wondering if maybe we could go visit them for the 4th of July or perhaps we could have them up here for a pool party and invite my mother and sisters too."

Oliver's eyes grew bright. "That's a fabulous idea Grace! I'll give my sister a call in a few weeks to find out what she's doing for the 4th and we'll figure something out from there."

Annie grinned broadly at her father. "That'll be real tremendous Daddy. Molly and I can't wait to meet Patrick and Jonathan."

Two days later the phone rang in the midafternoon on a Saturday. Oliver answered and grinned broadly after he found out who was on the other end of the line. "Hello Gloria, we were just talking about you the other day. I have not seen you in a while."

Oliver chatted with his sister for a little while then asked the question. "What are your family's friends for the 4th? Annie was saying how she hasn't meet Patrick and Jonathan and she and Annie would love to meet them."

Annie was sitting at the kitchen table doing science homework. She glanced up at her father and smiled

"Excellent. We can't wait! Would it be okay if Grace's mother and sisters come over as well?"

"Great then It's settled then. We'll see you all on July 3rd around 4pm."

Oliver hung up the phone and smiled at his daughter.

"Well Annie the fourth of July plans are all set. We're going over to your Aunt Gloria's for a barbeque on July 3rd there's a town fireworks show that we're going to watch that evening at the local beach."

Annie's grin was a mile wide. "That's swell Daddy. I am so excited. What time do you think we'll leave for Massachusetts?"

"We can probably take a noon train from Grand Central to South Station. I am going to talk to your mother to see if your grandmother and aunts are able to go. I figured we could all drive to Quincy together from South Station. It's not too long of a drive."

"I can't wait to tell Molly!"

"We'll tell your mother and sister that wonderful news at dinner. This is very exciting!"

At dinner that evening Grace noticed that her husband looked incredibly excited about something.

"Have you spoken to your sister about the 4th of July?" Grace asked

Oliver nodded. " They invited us for a barbeque at 4pm on July 3rd. Do you think your mother and sisters are going to be available? Gloria said they are more than welcome to join us"

Grace smiled. "I'll have to call my mom and ask. They usually go up to Maine for 4th of July but it's always good to have a change of pace. Quincy is not very far from Boston either."

Annie smiled at her sister.

"Molly, isn't this so great?! We're finally going to meet Patrick and Jonathan."

Molly returned her sister's grin. "Yeah, Annie. It's going to be so much fun to go to Quincy for the 4th of July. I'm sure we'll get along with them just as well as we do the rest of our cousins."

Oliver was thrilled to be reuniting with his little sister. He had not seen her in over 20 years.

On July 3rd the Warbucks family headed to the train station at 9am to meet the train to South Station. Rose, Catherine and Anna would be meeting them at the train station and they would drive 15 minutes to Quincy. They arrived at Gloria's house which was a green Victorian at around 1:15pm.

Gloria greeted her brother and his family at the door.

"Oliver, It's so great to see you!"

Oliver returned his sister's squeeze, "It has been quite a long time. This is my wife Grace, our daughters Annie and Molly, my mother in law Rose and my sister in laws Catherine and Anna."

"Nice to meet you all. Everyone is out back."

Annie ran out to the back yard smiling immediately when she saw her cousins. Grace, Oliver, Rose, Catherine, Anna and Molly were not far behind.

"Eli Bella!" she squealed.

Isabella hugged her cousin tightly. "Hi Annie! We're so happy you came." She walked Annie toward two boys who were about 11 and 9.

"Pat, Jon this is our cousin Annie one of Uncle Oliver and Aunt Grace's daughters."

The oldest boy extended his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you. Bella and Eli have told us so much about you and your sister."

Annie reached for her cousin's hand and shook it." It's nice to finally meet you too Patrick. You have such a nice house. Something sure smells good."

Bella grinned. " Daddy and Uncle Richard are cooking up burgers hot dogs and salmon on the grill. Come on! Let's go play some horseshoes!"

Molly joined her sister and cousins a short time after. Grace went into the house to help Anne and Gloria prepare the salads.

"You have a lovely home." Grace said to Gloria.

Gloria smiled. "Thank you! Isabella was ranting and raving about how big your house is. We really need to come out to New York one of these days to visit you all. I don't get to see my brothers as often as I'd like."

Grace smiled at her sister in law. "You're always welcome to stay at the mansion. There's plenty of space."

"Annie and Molly are lovely girls. They seem to get along well with Isabella and Eli." Gloria noted.

Grace grinned. "Isabella and Molly get along splendidly. I really wish that they went to the same school."

"Molly is the youngest out of the cousins right?"

Grace nodded. "Yes, she'll be seven in November. All of the other kids are so close in age.. it's kind of hard on her but I think as she gets older age will matter less and less to her."

"Does your sister Catherine have any children?"

Grace shook her head. "No and unfortunately her fiancée had to work today and tomorrow so he couldn't make it. Cathy is set to get married next October."

Gloria put her arm around Grace. "Welcome to the family Grace. I am so happy my older brother has such as wonderful family."

Grace's eyes grew misty. "Thank you so much. My life has changed for the better since I married Oliver. He and the girls mean everything to me."

"I hear your relationship with Annie is quite a special one."

Grace nodded. "Most definitely. When I asked to her to come home so spend the Christmas Holiday at the mansion three years ago I never would have imagined that she would have such an impact on my life. She changed my life and Oliver's life for the better."

"Dinner is served. " Richard Feldman said peeking his head into the kitchen.

"On our way out!" his wife replied.

At 7:00 they headed down to the beach for the fireworks display which would start at dusk. Oliver spread out a picnic blanket on the sand. Annie and her cousins were tossing around a Frisbee and a football.

"Come here darling." He whispered to Grace patting a space next to him on the picnic blanket.

Grace snuggled into her husband's side.

"Aren't you happy we came here today?" she asked

Oliver grinned. "Most definitely. I am hoping now that my sister and I have reconnected our relationship will only grow strong. Annie and Molly seem to be having a lot of fun with their cousins today."

Grace smiled. "Yes, they certainly have been."

Oliver's lips grazed her forehead softly.

"I love you baby." He whispered.

As the first firework lit up the sky above them Grace smiled and wrapped her arms around Oliver tightly.

"I love you too Oliver."