Chapter 33

It is most often when things are going smoothly there's a branch in the road, a rock, a wall and they go so, so, so wrong. ~ Angel Hunter

It was a swimming kind of day and the Andersons were celebrating by going to the pool near their house. It was at some country club. I never heard of it but Mrs.Andersons had the work and Mr.Anderson needed help with keeping an eye on the twins. He also had a few colleagues that would be there with their families and just wanted an extra on the kids.

"I ain't watching them. They are not my kids." Lillian said when her mom asked her to help out before she left the house this afternoon. I changed upstairs with Lillian which wasn't awkward at all. I tied her bikini suit for her and she tied up mine. I was sporting a simple, yellow bikini and brought a pair of loose shorts to wear over my bikini underwear. I threw on a white shirt and was ready to go. Lillian wore a pink bikini with black hearts all over both Pieces. She changed into a pair of blue, short jeans and left her top bikini showing.

I knocked on the twins door and they were both ready with Henley in a Aurora one piece bathing suit and Hunter in green swimming trunks. I decided to leave my bag in Lillian's room for safekeeping but brought my phone. The four of us met Mr.Anderson in his car. He was wearing a dark blue shirt and dark blue swimming trunks. I sat in the front, Lillian behind my seat and the twins beside her. Lillian had her earbuds in and I made casual conversation with Mr.Anderson.

"This club is phenomenal. They host events all throughout the year for families. For Easter they are doing an egg hunt which Kennedy and I are going to bring the twins." Mr.Anderson told me as he took a left at the left. I watched as Lillian rolled her eyes in the side mirror. I guess her music wasn't up that loudly.

"That sounds fun. Henley and Hunter are going to love it. Are there any rules I need to know for the pool?"

"No, it's all pretty standard. You just have to keep an eye on them and make sure they don't run and no kids in the big pool. The pools are separate so that shouldn't be a problem."

"Okay. Will it just be me and the twins on the kid side?" I asked as we were stuck in place. Traffic wasn't heavy but numerous lights made it hard not to have to stop every five seconds in downtown Atlanta.

"No, I'll be on that side as well most of my colleagues will be as well with their young kids. I'll just be talking with them so if you need anything don't feel shy to ask. There's plenty to eat with food all set up at a table and drinks. Lillian likes to do her own thing which is fine. There's other things to do like the arcade room, tennis, golf and volleyball outside."

Mr.Anderson parked the car and we all exited together. As expected the club was dominated by white people. I saw a few other black people and fewer people of other ethnicities. I stuck out like a sore thumb with the Andersons. I didn't mind. . .that much. It felt a little strange but everyone was so friendly and warm it was hard to feel too uncomfortable in such an environment.

The club was beautiful. I couldn't see much with so many adults and kids swarming around plus the twins immediately dragged me back outside. We walked through a pair of double doors and I was met with some exquisite aromas of barbecue foods. There were three pools all separated by tall, black gates. Three winding pathways led to the pools and behind the pools was the golf court. Right beside the green, grassy area was a volleyball court. Light, brown sand met luscious, apple green grass. The twins led me to the kid pool and I took their belongings to an empty chair.

"You want something to eat?" Lillian asked me pointing a finger to a table filled with food. Fire-grilled burgers, hotdogs, ribs and fish. A rainbow assortment of fruit from watermelon to blueberries. Platters of baked mac and cheese baked to a delicious brown and vegetables like corn on a cow, greens and carrots.

"Sure." Lillian and I made our way over to the table. I picked out a burger, corn, and some mac and cheese with a sweet tea. Lillian opted for a hot dog with baked beans and strawberries. "Glad to see you're still eating. I meant to ask how you've been but I see your eating just fine.

Lillian took the empty seat beside me before responding, "Yea, turns out I love food too much to go without. I mean I also just try to eat a little healthier. I want to look good for my girlfriend."

"Well, your girlfriend says you're perfect when you're not being an annoying child." I teased taking a bite out of my burger. My provolone melted into the warm burger perfecting it in every way.

Lillian opened her mouth to respond before a ball bounced into her plate. The contents flying every which way. Lillian threw her plate to the side and looked to where the ball had come from. My gaze followed hers and I feared the worst and guessed correctly. Hunter came walking over. Fear obvious in his light, baby, blue eyes. He wiped his hair from his face and moved to apologize.

"What the hell Hunter!" Lillian roared at her brother. "You don't know how to hit a ball. Aren't you in baseball?"

Hunter looked like he was about to cry as his sister tore into him, "I'm sorry Lillian. I didn't mean to. I-"

"No excuses. Sit down until I tell you to get up," Lillian commanded in a firm voice. Hhnter sat on the concrete with his face in his hands.

Where there was one twin there was the other, "Your not the boss Lillian. Mi'a is and it was an accident." Henley said to an already angry Lillian. The two sisters glared at each other fighting to break the other. I never saw them get into it. The twins were always with me and Lillian somewhere else. The exchange might look like regular siblings fighting from an outsider's point of view. It normally would have been very comical to me.

Except Lillian really did despise her siblings and I needed to intervene asap before the situation got out of hand. "Look Lillian, it was an accident. Let me help you clean up and you two go back to playing just be a little more careful, deal?" I said in a peaceful tone. The twins nodded their heads and left. I felt good about settling the situation before I saw Lillian's stank face.