Into the Unknown

“Morning sleepy head” I heard Tata as I was walking into the kitchen. Tata was my grandma. I had been living with her and grandpa ever since the accident twelve years ago. “Leave her alone, it’s the week-end” I heard grandpa reply in my defense. I watched as she smiled in annoyance. “Good morning Tata, good morning grandpa” I looked over to each one of them as I was saying it with a smile on my face.  “So where’s Steve?” I asked with a confused look on my face as I started shoving the delicious pancakes down my throat. God, Tata made the best pancakes in the world. Steve was my mother’s youngest brother, basically my uncle. He didn’t live with us but he’d made it a habit to visit and eat breakfast with us every day. We’re actually kind of his carbo stop on his daily run into the woods. We were also kind of the lounge where he’d bring his friends, but it didn’t really bother us. It was nice to have people around the house, instead of it being just the three of us.  Now that I’d brought it up, it’s true, we live somewhere into the woods right in front of lake. It’s a beautiful place, really. It was a quiet, peaceful and relaxing sight to see. I loved growing up there. It was also a great training place. “Steve called yesterday to inform that he was bringing his girlfriend to introduce us over dinner, so I demanded that instead of that morning run, he’d use that precious time to take a long and deep shower” Tata replied with a grin on her face. “Well, I just hope she’s as a pretentious snob as the last one” I said as my eyes widened. “Oh God, she was awful” I heard grandpa whisper. I loved the fact that we both agreed on how awful she really was. Tata on the other hand tried to hide her disgust with the woman. “She was not that bad,” she said as if trying to defend her. “Oh no! Eating meat is murder!” Grandpa and I cut her off trying to imitate the woman. She eventually gave in to our mockery and started laughing with us. After what felt like an hour of jokes, we suddenly heard the phone ringing in the living room. I rushed to picke it up and immediately recognized the voice, Steve. “What’s up?” I answered with the laughter from earlier still evident in my voice. “Nothing. What’s up with you?” He joked. “Oh you know the usual. Do you want me to speed this up and hang up?” I continued. “Hahaha” he answered sarcastically. “I know, I know, I’m hilarious. It’s a curse I have to bear” I responded returning his sarcasm. “Did you take the shower as ordered by her majesty Tata?” I don’t know why but he seemed to stiffen at my words. Did I say anything wrong? I didn’t think so. So what could it have been. Where they hiding something from me? Before I knew it Steve was already pulling me out of my deep thinking and once again back into our conversation. “I was just calling to make sure that you realize how important this is to me…” I could feel he was hesitating in saying the next part so I tried to give him a little push, “and…” I said waiting for him to continue. “And I just wanted to make sure that you guys are going to behave yourselves” He said almost too honestly. “What are you talking about? We are delightful people” I responded with a grin evident in my voice. “Uhm? Remember what happened with Olga?” He said accusingly. “Seriously? Her? She was a snob who didn’t deserve you and you know it! Maybe at the time you were a bit blind to see it, but you finally came to the conclusion thanks to us. And if her behavior wasn’t convincing enough just look at her name” I kind of snapped. I liked the fact that we could tell our honest feelings to each other in this family. “Fine, fine. Maybe this one was a little over the top, but Clara is different. She’s special, so please maintain your best behavior. For me.” He begged. “Okay fine I’ll try. No promises though.” I said finally. “Hey, is the rest of the family going to there?” He inquired. “Nope. After a very important meeting held in the kitchen between grandpa, Tata and I, it was decided that we get to meet her first and if the relationship is approved, she will join us next week at the traditional barbecue. Don’t get too excited though.” I pointed out teasingly. “Seriously Ally? Are you kidding me? What did we just talk about? Behavior. Please, consider acting as any other nineteen year old?” He begged once again, and this time I couldn’t hold in my laughter. “No promises” I reminded him of our earlier agreement. I could already feel his annoyance radiating through the phone so without a second thought I started to wrap up our conversation and hung up.  “So that was Steve,” I say walking back into the kitchen, “He’s just called in to make sure we’re going to behave tonight” I added informing them. “What do you mean he wants us to behave? We are delightful people” Tata responded with shocked expression on her face. “That’s what I said” I agreed with widened eyes. I heard grandpa laugh at what just happened. “Anyways,” I start, “What are we having for dinner tonight?” I inquire. “I was thinking maybe we go with Italian” grandpa suggested. “Ooh, I’ve been craving it for days!” I said with hungry eyes, “And I’ll be handling the desert, it’s a surprise!” I added.