Family reunions are something that I have never looked forward to. We have them once every other year, and my older cousins are now at the point where they get to pick and choose which reunions they come to. My older brother, Greg, has decided to come this year because he, and our cousin Seth, used to be best friends, but have not seen each other in like five years. They decided that it would be easier to catch up this way, although I am sure they have no intentions of fully participating in all of the reunion. I am the second youngest of all the first cousins, the others my age are my cousins' kids and my sisters' kids. I am actually closer in age to the kids of my cousins. Maybe that's why I don't like family reunions, I don't know where I belong.
Our family reunions always have some kind of theme that goes along with location; last time was "Family Fiesta" and was in Cancun. I find them stupid, clichΓ©, and never being as fun as I remember them being as a child. This year, the theme is "Catching Fireflies" because we will be camping. There will be cabins, open shelters, RVs, tents and hammocks. On average, there are about 35 participating family members each year. However, this year, I think we are closer to 50. Hopefully, this means that I can easily disappear into the woods without anyone really noticing.
We pull up to the camp site that our family has rented. It is essentially the entire east side of this small lake. Two of my uncles are obviously already here, as their RVs are set up, with their flat screens set up outside with the awning shading them so they won't have to worry about glares. I have my hammock for some relaxing and sleeping in, but I think it may be nice to be in one of the cabins now and then. There are five family-size cabins and five two bedroom cabins. I get out of the car and place my stuff on a bed in one of the smaller cabins. I don't know who, if anyone will be in the other room, but I don't really care.
I go ahead and change into my yellow bikini and put just jean shorts and a loose tank over it. I grab a towel, sunblock, sunglasses and a water bottle, ready to catch as much sun as I can. As I leave the cabin, I quickly grab my hammock as I realize more of the family has invaded the area. I quickly make my way toward the lake, hoping against hope I will not be stopped along the way. I love my family, but after this school year, I'm looking forward to some serious relaxing. I try to keep my head down and avoid eye contact walking quickly to the tree line near the lake.
Umph
. So focused on one path, I bump into somebody focused on their own. I look up at a face that seems distantly familiar. I stare at his lightly bearded face wondering if someone brought a friend or significant other that I just haven't met yet. He is also staring at me as if he too sees someone strangely familiar. He's definitely older, closer to Greg's age. Maybe one of the husbands of my cousins.
"Seth!" Greg grabs my crash partner's hand and takes him into one of those manly chest bump embraces. Oh, Seth! Of course, I see it now. The beard makes him appear older and more refined. It's a good look, a really good look. "Long time no see man." Greg continues, not even noticing me standing there. I try to shake the thoughts I was having about Seth from my mind. Odd, I've never noticed a family member's attractiveness before. The guys laugh and catch up a little about where they each are in life now. Greg gushes about Amy, his fiancΓ©, and Seth nods along while casting eyes at me now and then. I'm trying to read his expression, but he masks it too well before turning his attention from me each time.
I smile and clear my throat. "Uh, so sorry to interrupt," I say sarcastically, "but I didn't get to say hello to long lost cousin Seth." Greg rolls his eyes as I step between him and Seth, who laughs lightly and briefly hugs me. His hand drags lightly down my back as he lets go right at the top of my ass, which sends goosebumps back up to my neck. It happens quickly enough that no one would have noticed, but it puts me on edge enough to take a big step back. He gives me a quick once over before returning his attention to Greg.
"Little sister, ever the attention-seeker." Greg teases me as usual, and Seth laughs along. I cross my arms and pout at them both.
"I'm not an attention-seeker," my tone coming off whinier than I intend. "It's a family reunion, I'm as allowed to say hello to Seth as you are." I uncross my arms, hating how petulant I'm sounding. I can feel the blush warming my cheeks from how I'm embarrassing myself.
"Of course you can," Greg ruffles my head with a chuckle before nodding toward the coolers. "Let's go get a beer," Seth nods, a smirk quirking up the corner of his mouth. I force myself to look away because I was staring a little too long at his mouth.
The guys begin to walk away and continue to catch up, with Seth looking back one last time as I continue making my way toward the lake. I have seen looks like that before, but I don't know that I can believe that that is how Seth feels. Not only is there over a decade between us, nearly two, but there is also the fact that we are
family
. Therefore, the dragging hand, the once over, the lustful look, they must all be in my head. But, if they are all in my head, then something must be wrong with me.
I get to the lake and am suddenly overwhelmed by all of the young kids running around in swimsuits and floaties, wielding water guns and pool noodles, with sunblock sheen glistening on their tiny bodies. I just laugh to myself as I high-five random children and get splashes of water shot at me from the plastic weapons. I wade through a school of young first cousins once removed, nieces and nephews making my way toward their parents.
There are coolers out filled with beer, coke, liquor, juice and water. We are a deep southern family, so day drinking is a normal part of our culture. I pick up a coke and some whiskey and pour the liquids into my water bottle, and then put the bottles back in the overstocked ice chests. I take a sip of the red-amber mix of liquids, savoring the sweetness, appreciating the coolness, and momentarily straining at the slight burn as the drink goes down.