In less than 24 hours there was to be a collision of forces. A force is any influence that causes a free body to undergo a change in direction. So it was, that on Friday several free bodies began to move in the direction of Hallsville, Texas. We are bound to make this annual trek just like electrons of an atom are bound to the nucleaus. I was noticeably charged up at work. I had my suitcase packed and ready to go in my car. Once dad arrived we were off. First stop, Richardson to pick up my brother-in-law. We did not get out of Dallas until 6pm. On the road, I ignored the bone dry pastures, instead paid attention to my book. I’ve been reading Barbara Kingsolver’s The Lacuna. The sun was setting, thereby directing soft light on everything. As we approached East Texas, I was excited to see the trees change from short, flower-bearing angiosperms to tall, cone-bearing conifers. We arrived in Longview around 8:30pm and quickly evacuated the vehicle. My legs had been sleeping and they tingled as they regained consciousness. Inside the house, I saw the smiling faces of my sister, mother, grandmother and grandad. Commenting on my braids, my sister exclaimed, “Hello Heidi!” We passed around hugs and kisses before sitting down to eat a light supper. My grandparents grow increasingly frail each time I see them. We went to bed soon. The journey had zapped us of energy and we needed to recharge. I slept on the sofa in the front room surrounded by mirrors, polished wood, curtains, glass and crystal. I always feel like a princess visiting this house on Willow Oak. I dreamed as I slept. My dream was not pleasant. I awoke to voices whispering in the den. Sound travels easily through the thin wall that separates the two rooms. It was my grandparents. They are always the first ones up. I shut my eyes. I did not get up until I could hear many voices present in the other room. I noticed baby immediately. He looked bright eyed, bushy tailed, full of smiles and cooing sounds. I held him. His skin is so soft. Coffee drinking began and spread rapidly like a wild fire. Fortunately, it was Starbucks Christmas blend because I don’t drink community coffee. Grandad picked up his great grandson and took him outside to watch the squirrels. We dined on a simple breakfast of cereal and muffins. At 10am, we left to go to the reunion. We navigated through the streets of Longview until we arrived at Super 1 Foods. Apparently, it is impolite to attend a reunion without bringing fried chicken. Once we had acquired this cooked bird, we drove to Hallsville in an astonishing 15 minutes. Some towns are memorable, this one is not. The water tower is about the size of a large TV. In a white community center, two families collided: the Singletons and the Langfords. Seventy free bodies drifted inside... some alone, some attached and signed in. Name tags encouraged conversation. It is natural behavior for mammals to first establish and mark territory. Consequently, we found a spot at the end of one of the tables to call our own. I am such an odd bird, at times outgoing and at times withdrawn. I was mostly quiet, but there was a microphone and a stage. I looked longingly at the microphone. I knew in 15 steps or less I could be up onstage, talking, beaming my forceful personality down upon these unsuspecting life forms. My inner critic reminded me that that action would be inappropriate. I think too much. I sat there observing, reading nonverbal communication. I felt like I was in junior high again (minus the pimples) looking around for where I belong. It is hard to be different. AJ was a sensation. He doesn’t talk, but his facial expressions entertain and delight. We blessed the food, then ate. I waited until the line died down. The food was good. I was too full for dessert. The teenagers sat together. They were busy typing text messages on their phones. My smart phone had been playing dead ever since we arrived in East Texas. I have TMobile and it said no service. No cellphone service is extremely annoying. Seeing these teenyboppers texting left me feeling bewildered and betrayed. Instead of seething, I got up and walked outside. There was a park across the street. My sister was already there. I started swinging. The heat from the sun was powerful, like a bully that keeps applying pressure. The back and forth movement of the swing combined with the heat, left me feeling dizzy and nauseous. I rested on a bench before retreating inside. We stayed one more hour. Finally, our caravan departed: two vehicles carrying our party of 8. Once we arrived back in Longview, we rested. Happy hour is mandatory in my family. I tried mead for the first time. It’s a fermented beverage made of water, honey, malt and yeast. I can recall hearing mention of it in stories. I think Friar Tuck drank mead with Robin Hood’s Merry Men. I was not impressed with the taste, but I’m glad I tried it. It was an exciting conclusion to an eventful day.
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