Mountain Of Secrets

Little Lamb Pt.2

Charles offered to say the prayer, everyone’s hands held together around the table chins down and eyes closed, our minds focusing on Charles' firm belief in the promise of a great afterlife and all forgiven sins. I can’t say I’m a big god worshiper, but I do believe there’s someone out there watching over us, or maybe we all have our own guardian angle helping us along the path of life. Seated at my left, Morris, Dad and Charles talked about hunting and what they all did for a living, nothing that piqued my interest. And to my right, Mrs. Ammann and Shelby are in a conversation about what produce is the best and from who and going over recipes. Mom would have really loved this. Murtle stayed to herself, picking at her food, smiling when needed. Kale gorged himself on lamb ribs, mashed potatoes and the mixed fruit bowl I made while also keeping up with my dad and Charles' conversation. Even with his mouth stuffed full, he’s gorgeous, youth radiating from his skin, his eyes shimmer with excitement for life, something that died in me the same time as my mom did. Jasper made it clear he didn’t want to be here when he got up halfway through the dinner and left. I don’t mean to judge, but he’s acting like a spoiled brat. When everyone was full, dad tasked me and the other two misfits to clear the table and throw out the scraps. “Hey, make sure to wrap the meat up. There’s more out here than just raccoons.” Dad gives me a stern look, “I got it covered Mr. Gerdy!” Kale takes the lamb carcass from me, shooting a quick grin over his shoulder before disappearing out back with plastic wrap and a black garbage bag. I’m not helpless asshole. I shrug my shoulders at dad as he winks and heads back to the living room with two bottles of expensive-looking wine. I’m glad he’s at least having fun; he’s always had such a charming personality and an even better sense of humor. Murtle lets out a loud sigh as she wipes her hands off on a hand rag sticking out from the cabinets below the sink. “The dishes are cleared.” Leaning against the countertop, she examines her surroundings, looking from the chandelier hanging over the dining room table to the swirling details of the hardwood covering the kitchen floor. Kale returns through the front door with Jasper right behind him, not looking so pleased to be back inside, but I guess since his mom is still here, there’s not really a way for him to get back home without her. Once again, Kale dips out of the room for a quick second disappearing into the living room where all our parents are laughing and talking the fireplace just as lively. Kale came back with a s**t eating grin concealing something behind his back. “Kale, you’re the best!” Murtle smiled for the first time since arriving here, her pretty white teeth standing out against her skin’s complexion. “You’ve always been such a clever girl.” He praises her and for a moment I thought I had felt jealous. Jasper shakes his head and chuckles, “How do you even do it, man?” I’m still trying to figure out what I’m missing when Kale pulls out a large bottle of Smirnoff, a cheap but strong vodka. “Oh, my dad won’t let me drink” I say wanting some kind of excuse to just go back up to my room for the night. Since I worked so hard at school, I never attended the party scene, although sometimes my dad would encourage me just so I would get out of the house, but I always found an excuse to not go. “No worries I already took care of it.” Kale says in a matter-of-fact tone making a beeline for my cabinets, Murtle just put the dishes away, so she already knows where the cups are while Jasper rummages through my fridge like a mad man looking for gold in the dumpster. “Sprite or grape juice?” He has one in each hand with a puzzling look of amusement. “Do you actually drink grape juice?” Murtle teases her finger twirling around a blonde strand of hair as her eyes narrow down on me. “What’s so wrong with grape juice?” Kale comes to my defense; how does she make me feel so embarrassed about simple things? “Sprite it is!” Jasper says as nobody had answered his question yet, Murtle sets down four glass cups, Jasper pours sprite in equal proportions in each cup, Kale repeating the process with Smirnoff. I don’t have the best feeling about this. Do you think anyone would notice if I poured mine out? I’m suddenly sucked back to reality by quiet snickering, “Please don’t tell me you’ve never drank before.” Murtle giggles, swinging her feet from the island she had perched on while I was deep in thought. Jasper moved to the sink while Kale leaned over the island opposite of Murtle. “Hey, don’t be mean, there’s a first for everyone, please don’t feel pressured if it is your first time Devin.” Kale looks at me with pity, Murtle’s lashes sweep her cheeks as she downs the rest of her vodka sprite mix like having tea on a regular Tuesday evening. I think it was the pity in Kales' eyes, or maybe it was the taunting from Murtle that convinced me to take a drink. The last thing I wanted was for everyone to think I was a boring city girl. “Of course I have.” I looked at the deceivingly clear liquid in my cup, if only it had been water, but the second it hit my tongue I wanted to puke. The taste consisted of alcohol wipes with a sprinkle of sprite. f**k it. I suck the cup dry in just a couple of gulps, I can feel my insides warming, and my stomach begins to silently gurgle. OH MY GOD, I’m going to puke! It’s too late I accept my fate, but what erupts is the deepest belch from hell forcing its way past my plush lips. Murtle goes pale as Jasper and Kale immediately burst into laughter, nearly falling over. “Atta girl!” Jasper pumps his first into the air, Kale following with a whistle, a mix of admiration and amusement playing across his face. Murtle pours herself another drink, seemingly annoyed. I’m getting the boys' attention now. The alcohol travels fast to my lightweight brain, confidence starting to ooze from my pours. “Pour me another Murtle.” I raise my glass, grabbing the Smirnoff bottle. She meets me halfway and pours more than what was first in my cup. I don’t protest, I'll play her game. I took the Smirnoff bottle from her hand, giving her the cup she had just filled. Murtle’s eyebrow twitches as she immediately catches on to me. Before I have a chance to put the bottle to my lips, she’s chugging hers. Jasper and Kale both looked shocked, looking from me to Murtle. I just shrugged my shoulders and took a huge swig of cheaply made vodka. This is even worse, gross. Jasper then takes the bottle from me, “Ladies, ladies, you both have big d***s! Now save some for the rest of us!” Jasper tossed the bottle back, making a sour-like face when he came back for air. “WHOOP WHOOPP”, Kale made his way to our side of the island and clapped Jasper on the back, nearly knocking him off the sink. Jaspers is just a bit smaller in build but just as tall as Kale when he’s not slouching all the time. Now that I think about it Jasper is pretty cute too… I catch myself staring a little too long at Jasper's soft but mature features, “I have an idea, everyone meets me on the back deck in five.” The backyard deck is raised about fifteen feet off the ground to deter the bigger wildlife out here from invading our space, its decorated with patio furniture and a self-sustaining marble fireplace in the middle with a string of lightbulbs wrapped fully around the railing protecting people from falling over the edge. I skip every two steps going up the stairs to my bedroom to grab my speaker and iPod from the bookshelf over my bed.