Run and Hide

Chapter One

 Without a doubt, we were a happy family. We relied on one another to be there, to care for each other, to be a unit together. We were the type of family that accepted anyone into the home with open arms, the type that did not care about your past life; the kind that loved unconditionally. We were that family.

Darting to the other side of the room, I had to think fast. Dane was counting down and Run and Hide was about to commence. It was a game we always played to pass the time, hiding from the "lost soul" who is destined to seek us. Once someone is caught, they help the lost soul trap the other until the last person is found.

Crouching behind the sofa, I stayed motionless. I stared at the coffee-colored backing, patterns of all shapes and sizes stood out. I heard Nate from where I was hidden, his tiny feet slammed against the solid wood as he tried to tip toe away into the other room; everyone could hear him. Because he was so young, we always 'turned off' our ears for him; it gave Nate a fighting chance to win.

It had been a while since I heard any movement, they were done looking. As I stood up from the couch, Sophia screamed, her face pale as a ghost. A huge smile ran across my face, I had won again. "I didn't mean to scare you," I giggled, Sophia glared. "Why do you always hide in the weirdest places, I swear you somehow scare me every time." She was right, Sophia always was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The aroma of sweet corn drifted down the stairs, buttery biscuits and fried chicken made my mouth water. "Dinner in ten," mom yelled, we all scurried to get ready.

One by one, we formed a line into the dining room. Dane and I helped set the table, while the youngest set napkins in their laps, eager to dig in. Once everyone made their plates, mom said grace. "Let's eat!" Nate squeals, taking a humungous bite of a chicken leg. "How were your days today?" Mouths full, we all nodded our heads indicating it was a good day. "Since I have everyone's attention, I have news." All eyes drifted to mom; we were all ecstatic to know what she had to say.

"This is our first home, the only home you ever knew. You all started from babies, look at you now; all practically grown-ups..." Mom started to tear up, thinking about all the memories the house held. "We're moving to a home with a lot more space, everyone will have their own rooms and we'll be close to the beach."

I looked around the dining room, I hadn't even noticed mom already started packing boxes. Tears filled my eyes, it's not that I was upset, it was everything I remembered about the house. The odd aroma the house held couldn't be replicated, the old willow tree wouldn't be in our new backyard; we wouldn't see the same critters that lay on our porch at night.

"That's great, mom," I smiled, wiping tears from my eyes. Mom looked over at me and grinned, "a new start is what this family needs." She was right, we needed the space and experience. "I have already started our move, tomorrow we will finish packing up the house and starting our new lives."

After dinner, Dane and I set up a pallet in the living room for the littles, mom wanted everyone close to her tonight. As they settled down with a movie, Dane and I started packing boxes downstairs. It was going smoothly, box after box was sealed and stacked by the front of the house.

"This is the last box," Dane smiled, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Laying down on the floor with the kids, I fell asleep quickly.

The sunshine peeked in through the white blinds, a rainbow presented itself against the light blue wall; it was beautiful. Gently nudging Dane, he rolled over and sat up. "Ready to start the move?" He nodded, "give me thirty." He grabbed the car keys off the island and looked back at me, "I'll be right back, going to get breakfast for us." As the door shut, Nate sat up. "Morning sissy," he hugged me.