Molly F 5La

Cousin Christmas

We must have looked strange- three girls huddled on an air mattress, our heads so close our hair mingled and it would have been hard for an onlooker to distinguish whose limbs were whose. That is, if there had been any onlookers. This time of night, most of the grown-ups would be retiring, not even sparing a glance towards the basement door, where my cousins and I clustered around Danielle’s DSI. They would be trudging upstairs, ignoring the giant Christmas tree soon to hover protectively over mounds of presents. I could imagine the tree sparkling, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. In my mind’s eye, I could see it as clearly as if I was staring through the ceiling.

             I was the first to speak. “Your DSI is so cool, Danielle,” I murmured, careful to keep my voice down. “I wish I had one.”

             “Yeah, it is cool.” Danielle agreed, brushing aside a strand of flaxen hair. Danielle is twelve. She lives in Ohio and is really interested in technology.

“So what did you want to show us?” Sarah asked, curling her willowy body into a more comfortable position. At sixteen, Sarah is my idol- she’s an actress, dancer, and natural director.  I want to be just like her. She also lives in Ohio, and has probably broken the record for oldest person to willingly hang out with a ten-year-old.

             “One sec.” Danielle deftly scrolled and tapped, her finger flying across the screen. I let my gaze wander across the basement, drinking in the walls, the carpet, the moonlight filtering in through a tiny window, savoring the alone time with my two favorite cousins. Since they live far away, I only get to see them about once a year, but we have a lot of the same interests and are very close. We write to each other as often as possible, but I love the time I actually get to spend with them.

             “Here it is!” Danielle announced. “You say something, and it’ll play it back to you in a funny voice.” Here’s what it turned out as:

“Is it on?”

            “Yes.”

“Oh, Hill of Shame. Say it.”

“Sprite is good for the soul!”  We all collapsed into giggles, clutching at each other affectionately.

            Now, almost a year later, our laughter still echoes in my ears. I relive that happy night constantly, remembering the laughter, the humor, the beautiful together-ness. Soon, I’ll be packing my bags. Seeing my cousins. Making memories to last a lifetime.