Curse of the Fountain -6- by Melanie Brown

Copyright © 2024

Part 6

I stretched out luxuriously in bed. It’s Sunday, and no shopping expeditions are planned. I can just relax. I plan to stay in bed until noon. That was the plan until I smelled bacon frying. Does Mom ever sleep?

Mom stuck her head in our bedroom door. “Wakey wakey. Eggs and bacy!” shouted Mom. “Breakfast is almost ready!”

As Riley rolled out of bed, she exclaimed, “Mom! I wanted to help!”

I didn’t, I thought as I pulled my pillow over my head. I wanted to sleep late.

My pillow was jerked away and then I was hit with it. Riley giggled, “Get up, lazy bones. Mom’s made breakfast.”

“Good for her.” I pulled my covers over my head.

My covers were jerked from me. Mom said, “Time to get up, Nellie. I don’t make breakfast every Sunday so get it before Riley does.”

I threw my legs over the side of the bed and sat up and rubbed my eyes. I was wearing my new pajamas. I have no idea who Hello Kitty is but at least it wasn’t wrapped around my neck this time.  Feeling grumpy, I padded into the kitchen.

The smells that assaulted my nostrils was amazing. I love the smell of bacon. Mom had made some pancakes as well. Mom grinned and said, “Help yourself.”

I loaded my plate. I said, “Okay, this was worth getting up for.”

Mom held up a box containing large plastic cylinders. “Let me know when you’re out of the shower. I want to curl your hair. Don’t get excited. I thought you needed some large curls in your hair. Your hair is beautiful, but it’s so flat.”

I frowned at Mom. “I like my hair flat.”

Mom ruffled my hair. “Trust me, you’ll love the way it’ll look.”

And she wasn’t kidding. As soon as I got out of the shower, Mom started rolling my hair up in these large cylinders. Great.

While I had been in the shower, Riley had cleared the table of dishes. She’d placed several brightly color bottles on the table. She looked at me excitedly. “Hey, while you’re waiting for your hair to set, let’s do our nails!”

“Do what?” I asked, horrified. I sat at the table with Riley grinning at me. I felt ridiculous with these things on my head. I was surprised I wasn’t picking up radio stations.

Before I could form a response, Mom’s phone rang. She picked it up and looked curiously at the caller ID/ Frowning, she put the phone to her ear and said, “Hello?”

There was a pause before Mom said, “Well hello, Beatrice. What a surprise.” That was a surprise, for sure. Beatrice is my sister and Mom’s mother. Why the hell was she calling? All of us had stopped talking to each other years ago. Beatrice was very upset when Denise decided to marry Billy. Nobody in the family liked Billy.

I saw Mom force a smile as she talked. “Of course, Mom. We’d love to have you drop by. When will you be in town next? What? You’re in town now and on your way over? No. I’m not upset. I’d just like a little warning. Okay. Love you. See you in a bit.” Mom clicked off the call. “Shit!”

Riley giggled. “Mom said a bad word.”

Mom gritted her teeth and growled, “Double shit!”

“That was Bea on the phone?” I asked.

Mom glared at me. Sarcastically she said, “Yes. Your dear Aunt Bea wants to meet her new niece.”

“Yay. Aunt Bea!” squealed Riley.

I frowned. “Seriously? She’s coming here? Now? Why?”

Mom sighed heavily. “I told you. To see you. It seems when she tried to take possession of your estate since…” she glanced over at Riley, “…since Uncle Neil didn’t leave a will and then she found out the estate is locked by a trustee. It’s being held for one Nell Fenwick.”

“Who’s that?” I asked seriously.

Mom scowled at me. “That’s you, goofball.”

“I forgot.”

“Billy!” shouted Mom. “Get your butt in here!”

Billy stepped wearily into the kitchen from the living room. “What did I do now?”

“Mother is coming for a visit to see…that.” She pointed at me.

“Hey! I’m not a that!” I shouted back.

Looking suddenly ill, Billy said, “Seriously? Bea?”

Mom said, “I don’t want Riley to hear our conversation, so I’ll need you to take her someplace. Maybe a movie.”

Riley shouted, “I want to see Aunt Bea!”

Trying to sound calm, Mom said, “You will. For a minute. Then Daddy will take you see a movie.”

“I want to see Fantastic Mars!” squealed Riley.”

Looking concerned, Dad said, “Is she old enough to see that?”

I said, “I wanted to see that.”

Mom smirked at me, “Maybe your boyfriend will take you.”

“My what?” I blinked. That was unnecessary and totally out of left field.

The doorbell rang.

I shouted, “My hair’s in rollers!” I jumped up. Really, I just wanted to get out of there.

Mom pointed at me. “Just sit down and be quiet. She goes to Walmart with her hair in rollers.”

Mom answered the door. “Hey, Mom. It’s so good to see you.”

“Denise! How are you, my dear?” said Beatrice. “It’s been a while.”

“Not long enough,” muttered Billy under his breath.

“Aunt Bea!” exclaimed Riley as she jumped up and ran to the door.

“Come give your auntie a hug!” grinned Beatrice.

“Come on in, Mom,” said Denise…er Mom. This is going to get confusing.

Everyone walked into the kitchen and I felt a cold flush down my spine as my fight or flight instinct kicked in. There stood my sister Beatrice, who more than once tried to have me declared deceased while on vacation.

Beatrice grinned at me. “And who might this be?” My blood ran cold when she stared at me.

“Mom,” said Denise. “I’d like you to meet my adopted daughter, Nell.”

Beatrice touched one of my curlers and laughed. “Cute.”

Dad said, “Come on, Riley. Let’s go.”

“But I want to visit with Aunt Bea!”

“Later. Let’s go,” said Dad. He sounded like he really wanted to leave.

Mom said, “Bye honey.” Dad tugged on Riley’s hand to pull her out of the house.

Beatrice folded her arms. “So you lose my brother in Brazil, but managed to bring home this?” She poked one of my curlers. “Tell me what’s really going on, Dee.”

I stood up. “Knock it off, Bea. I’m your brother. We found the fountain of youth.”

“Bullshit.”

                    *

End of Part 6