“Finding Their Way”

“How much longer, Luv,” Adam Laughlin asked his new wife, Raine, as their SUV sped down the pitch-black winding road. “I’ve gotta take a piss.”

“Just around the bend here... I think,” Raine replied, biting her lip, as she balanced a small penlight in one hand and a map in the other.

“Maybe you should give him a ring, make sure we’re on the right road at least,” he told her, a bit impatiently. This was the first time he’d be meeting any of his wife’s relatives, and Adam wanted to make a good impression on them. He didn’t think getting lost in the dead of night and having to have them come out and rescue them was a good start.

Raine looked at him, smiled, “No, no... really, I know where we’re going. It’s just up ahead here... see? There’s the sign now,” she pointed to the lighted sign just ahead of them on the side of the road which read, “Welcome to The Glen”.

“You did at least let him know we were coming, didn’t you?” he asked, skeptically. He knew how Raine was, knew she liked to spring her little surprises, but he’d really hoped she had the mind to call ahead and let her brother know to expect them.

“Umm...well...,” she replied, coyly. “I’m sure he won’t mind. Our family has never been one to really keep up with one another, and we’re pretty used to going years without seeing each other, just popping up out of the blue. It will be fine.”

“Raine, please luv...please tell me this isn’t going to be like that time we popped in on you’re old friend back in Sydney,” Adam told her, pleaded.

“Oh now, stop, Adam, really,” she replied, brushing the matter off, “That was really rather...fun, remember?”

“Luv, you hadn’t seen the gal in like 15 years... since you were both like 10 years old and in pigtails!”

“So? Shelly was my best friend! So she didn’t recognize me straight off, but still...”

“Raine, sweetheart, she didn’t even remember you, luv!” he chuckled.

“Oh pa-sha, of course she remembered me... after a bit,” she waved it off and continued, “Besides, this time will be different, this is my one and only brother and I’m positive he’ll know who I am right off.”

“And how long has it been since you’ve seen him, then?” Adam asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

Raine thought for a moment. Clearly, it had been a few years more than she had remembered since she had seen her big brother. She looked up at Adam, an apprehensive look on her face, “Well...about twelve years, I think...”

“Twelve...years?” he asked, shaking his head, “So, what... you were in...grade school, then?”

“Umm... maybe... I think,” she replied, nervously.

“Well, I hope for your sake he does, luv,” Adam teased, as he pulled the SUV up in front of a large house and put it in park, “because we’re here.”

Raine looked up at the house, “Lights are on inside, that’s good, right?” she commented, as they opened their car-doors and stepped out.

“So, what’s his name again, your brother?” Adam asked, quietly, as they stood on the front porch and prepared to ring the doorbell.

“Colin,” she told him, “Colin O’Brien.”

TBC...