Page 17 of The Beach House With You 2
“I think that might be Amanda’s fault,” Javier teased, holding up his empty mug. “I think she made there’s Irish than coffee in these things if you know what I mean.”
“No complaints from me about that.” Jeanette laughed, and everyone murmured their own form of agreement.
“I’m glad you liked them,” Amanda beamed, collecting the mugs on a tray, “but, maybe we should get something to eat before we have any more.”
They all agreed, and as a group they left the game in the sitting room and went to the kitchen. Though nobody really took point, Carmen watched in amusement as everyone seemed to know when and how to pitch in. While Amanda began frying bacon on the stove, Jason pulled out a fresh loaf of bread from the bakery and began to slice it while Franny and Tony pulled out tomatoes, onions, and lettuce from the fridge to slice up. From the pantry, Whitney produced a bag of potatoes and dumped them into the sink. Javier joined her, and as she put the washed potatoes on the counter, he began to peel and cut them for French fries.
“What are you doing, Mom?” Carmen asked, watching Jeanette pull out random ingredients and put them on the table.
“You might not believe this, but once upon a time we made our own mayonnaise. Something about tonight has put me in the mood to make it again, and I thought it could be fun.”
Jeanette looked up from what she was doing and smiled at Carmen. “You want to learn?”
Carmen grinned, and nodded as she joined her mom. As Jeanette began to explain the process, Carmen took another look around her. It really was a sight to see, given what she’d grown up with. Instead of one person taking on all of the responsibility, everyone was willing to pitch in, making the chores easier and seemingly more fun. She took her time, her eyes moving from each small grouping of people, and took in their happiness.
This is family, she realized, suddenly feeling emotional. This is what life is supposed to be like.
“Sweetheart, are you paying attention?” Jeanette asked, pulling Carmen from her thoughts.
Carmen suddenly smiled, and hugged her mom tightly.
“More than you know,” she whispered, feeling suddenly giddy.
“Man, it’s getting worse out there,” Jason said after he finished toasting the bread he sliced. He moved from the counter to the double patio doors, taking in Mother Nature’s wild thrashing. They all looked up from their work to see what Jason was talking about. They had been so wrapped up in the game and their happiness that they had stopped hearing the wind, rain and thunder. Now, though, it was all returning with a vengeance.
“Lord have mercy,” Amanda murmured, moving toward the doors. “Do you hear that? That banging?”
“What is that?” Whitney asked, stepping away from the pot full of potatoes. They all stopped, straining their ears to hear the rhythmic pounding that was coming from somewhere in the house.
“It could be a downed power line getting knocked against the roof,” Tony offered, his eyes on the ceiling.
“I don’t know,” Amanda murmured, taking a few steps toward the kitchen doorway, “it doesn’t really sound like it’s coming from upstairs.”
“Could it be the storm cellar doors?” Jeanette asked.
“Can’t be them,” Jason replied, “they’re padlocked.”
“Maybe it’s the screen door,” Amanda offered. “I’ll go check.”
As if frozen, they all stayed where they were, silently and intently listening to the rhythmic repetition of whatever was banging against the house. Suddenly, they all jumped as they heard Amanda yell for help.
“What is it?” Javier shouted, running ahead of everyone else. “Amanda! Talk to me!”
“Guys, quick!” Amanda yelled. “Someone’s out here!”
