Finding Selene

Chapter 11: 13 Years Prior To Present Day

Ultimately, it was Selene who got to decide and after hearing everyone’s suggestions and wants she decided on Denny’s. Bethany said they had French toast with fresh strawberries and a cream filling that Selene was most excited for. Michael, Marcus, and Riley were satisfied because they claimed the burgers there were big and delicious, whereas Mason claimed he was finally going to finish a whole steak AND the mac n cheese. This was up for serious debate amongst the siblings. Selene just listened and followed the flow of conversation, enjoying the warmth of the air and atmosphere.

The restaurant itself was cool, if not a little chilly. Being as Selene did not yet have anything warm to wear, Marcus had taken off the hoody he always wore and pulled it over her head before rolling the sleeves up so she could eat comfortably. The warmth settled across her and her full body went into a rapid shiver. She smiled contently and took a drink of her orange juice, just observing and listening. When the food came out, a hush fell over the table as everyone dug in. It smelled and tasted even better than she imagined. It didn’t take long for the family to scarf through the first half of their meal and start the conversation again as they enjoyed the rest of it.

After the very satisfying meal, everyone loaded back up and went to Ross for their much shorter than planned shopping trip; it may have been shorter, but no less thorough. Selene found a purple bed set, a blue and pink pillow duo that didn’t match her bed set but she loved it anyways, two 6-packs of pink and purple toothbrushes with caps, two bags of clothes, a shampoo/conditioner/body wash dispenser for her shower, a full bathroom set, and two more bags of decorative room items, hair products, and accessories. Selene had even found a special gift for her two new sisters. Everyone was exhausted by the time they checked out; Selene and Riley were both noticeably dragging with their eyelids drooping and feet shuffling against the floor. Riley stopped as the family headed out the door and lifted her arms, giggling tiredly. Michael turned at her giggle and chuckled before lifting her up with one arm under her knees and one under her shoulders; she then rested her head on his shoulder and laid her arms on her stomach before fully dozing off.

Selene watched Michael and Riley with adoration but also, with jealousy. She thought about how she had difficulty sleeping with people close to her if she didn’t trust them and how she hoped one day she could be as relaxed and comfortable as Riley. As she climbed into the van she yawned deeply and missed her footing; Selene yelped as her arms flared trying to grab something to keep herself from falling backwards. As her feet left the step into the van two hands caught her arms and set her back on the step. Gripping the seat in front of her she quickly slid into it while a hand was kept on the middle of her back to keep her steady and up right. Selene took a deep breath and then looked over her shoulder to see who had saved her. Smiling at her with concern in their eyes was Marcus, and behind him Riley and Michael. Riley looked groggily startled but as Selene looked past Marcus to her, she let out a sigh of relief.

“You good, little sister?” Marcus asked warmly.

“Yeah, thank you for catching me,” Selene replied shakily.

“That’s what big brothers are for. Big sisters, too. We will always be there for you.” Marcus gently squeezed her shoulder with a smile before bracing one hand on the door frame and one on the back of Selene’s seat to pull himself up and into the seat behind Selene then scooted all the way against the window to make it easier for the rest of the siblings to get in.

Michael walked up to the van with Riley and Selene moved over so he could easily maneuver Riley into the seat. He tried to wake her up enough so she could get into a comfortable position while buckled but her head kept bobbing, resulting in her chin resting on her chest in an uncomfortable looking position. Michael sighed and shook his head, chuckling.

“I got her, Dad, don’t worry about it.” Bethany giggled as she stood behind Michael watching Riley. Michael stepped to the side and held his hand out to help her up into the van, taking it, she stepped up and scooted past Riley to sit between her and Selene. Bethany leaned over and pulled Riley’s seatbelt loose enough to pull Riley against her side.

Mason sat next to Marcus; Sierra and Michael got in the front with Michael driving. Once everyone was settled the family got on the road to head home. Upon arrival at the families home Sierra looked back at her children and the sight that greeted her brought tears to her eyes. Marcus had turned sideways in his seat and had one arm resting over the seat in front of him on Bethany’s shoulder; Mason had laid down with his head on Marcus’ thigh; Bethany had her arms around both Selene and Riley with her head leaned back against the head rest and both younger girls were leaned against her side sleeping while Riley snored softly. Obliviously, Michael dropped his hands from the steering wheel and took a deep breath before opening his door and starting to slide out - triggering all the overhead lights to activate.

“Michael!” Sierra hissed at him in a loud whisper, exasperated. He turned back towards her, eyes wide, as he stood with one leg still inside the van. Sierra gestured towards the back of the van where the kids were starting to wake up with groans and the slight cracks and pops that come with a good stretch. Michael mouthed ‘sorry’ as he cringed and finished exiting.

Selene was the only one who hadn’t begun stretching and groaning upon being startled awake. She stiffened as her eyes slammed open and she quickly took in her surroundings. Once she realized what had happened, her fear turned to shock as she realized she had fallen asleep and snuggled against Bethany. She unbuckled slowly, waiting for Bethany and Riley to be awake enough to slide out of the van rather than try to slide past them. Michael went around to the back sliding door and pulled a sleepy Riley out then Marcus and Mason climbed down. Marcus stood to the side and waited by the door. Bethany chuckled when she looked over at her eldest brothers tousled hair, and in turn he stuck his tongue out at her which just made her laugh harder.

“Are you waiting to carry me inside, big brother?” Bethany chuckled.

“Is that a challenge, Bethany?” Marcus lifted an eyebrow at her.

Bethany laughed as she started climbing out the van and shook her head. Suddenly, she shrieked, and everyone turned their heads in her direction then simultaneously burst out laughing. Marcus strode towards the front door with Bethany hanging over his shoulder, her long hair almost brushing the ground as she pressed her face into his back while squeezing her arms around his middle in fear of him dropping her. Marcus laughed as her shouts were punctuated with laughing.

“Be careful on those stairs! I don’t want any hospital visits tonight!” Sierra laughed and shook her head, having gotten out waited for Selene, “Do you want carried in, love?”

Selene hesitated, then shook her head but held out her hand to Sierra, which she happily took. Sierra helped Selene jump down from the van and smiled broadly at her when Selene giggled when she landed. Selene yawned and put the back of her free hand up to cover her mouth. Starting to walk forward, still yawning and not wanting to make Sierra wait, Selene stumbled over her own shoes. Mason, who had been waiting by the back on the van ran forward and caught her shoulders. She smiled at him sheepishly and together the three of them walked inside.

Bedtime went smoothly, everyone was so tired that teeth were barely brushed before snores were coming from each of their bedrooms. The shopping haul would be left in the van until the following day when the Marcus, Mason, and Michael would carry the bags up stairs while Sierra, Bethany, and Riley helped Selene put everything away, decorate, and make her bed with her new bedding. Everyone was extra careful with Apolo in the happenstance that they had to move him. No one understood how much that meant to Selene, more than the shopping or new shoes. Selene shyly hid the gifts for her siblings, feeling that it was too soon to have matching necklaces and wanting to get something for the boys as well. Together the girls made a list of anything they had forgotten the previous night and placed an online order for it since no one had the energy to add it to the days agenda.

After a hearty lunch of mini subs, salad, and mac’n’cheese, everyone piled into the van and the family of seven went to the elementary school to tour it for Selene. Third grade was already almost over but Selene’s new teacher, Mrs. McCreedy, said that her transcripts look remarkable and that as long as Selene could keep up for the last couple months of school and pass the final, there’s no indication that she wouldn’t be able to move to fourth grade in the following fall. Riley and Mason excitedly showed Selene where the cafeteria was and their favorite toys on the playground. Knowing that all three of them would be in the same class made Selene excited for what school would bring and gave her hope for the future…that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.