"Mom, I really don't want to do this. We don't know these people, and I could be doing something more productive then going over to a family barbegue. This isn't even July, it's January. I mean look at this neighborhood. We don't deserve to be here, we live in a run down apartment mom. These people are obviously to rich for our blood," Sarah complained to her mother, as they drove over to the Hanson house. Looking out the window, Sarah saw large two-story houses with multi-car garages and expensive looking cars in them.
"Sarah I don't want to here it. We've already been over this and your going to act decent or we will leave. These people are very nice and they knew your father, so I expect you to at least put some form of effort into it," her mother said and concentrated on driving. She finally pulled into the carport of a large two-story brick house.
On the outside were two red and green bicycles and a yellow water hose sprawled on the grass.
"Well here goes," Sarah sighed and got out of the car.
_________________"Walker! Can you answer the door? My hands are full of dish deturgent," Diana called loudly to her husband who was out on the backporch cooking hamburgers.
"I'll get it mom," Jessi replied from her perch at the table. She was setting the table, and had just put down the last napkin. She ran to the door, and opened it to see Sarah and her mom.
"Hey your early, come on in," She said with a smile and allowed them to come in.
"Oh, Hi Linda. Sarah is it?" Diana asked comeing into the foyer and drying her hands on a dish cloth.
"Sorry we're so early. I just didn't want to be late and I wanted to find the right place," Linda smiled and they all went into the kitchen.
"That's fine, we don't like to be late for things either. Especially important things," Diana smiled and put the french fries on the table.
"I hope you don't mind having, burgers and fries, its a Hanson family favorite," She said and told Jessi to call for the others to come inside.
"Oh great. I could've just gone to McDonald's if I wanted burgers and fries," Sarah said softly to herself, hopeing no one heard her. Luckily they didn't seem to notice.
The back door was opened and Taylor came bounding in with Mackenzie on his back.
"Okay, Mackie time to get off. Your heavy," Taylor said and started to pluck his brother's body off of him.
"No Tay! I want to stay on!" The small boy replied and kicked his brother in the side."
"Ouch Mackie get off!"
"No!"
"Mackenzie, get off Now!" Diana warned and gave her son a serious glare.
Mackenzie quickly jumped off his brother's back and ran to wash his hands, just as his father came in with a tray of hamburgers. Taylor followed suit, and gave Mackie a paper towel, he couldn't reach.
"Well now that we're all here. How about some introductions?" Diana smiled as every gathered around her.
"Okay, This is Linda Johnson and her daughter Sarah. This is Taylor, Avery, Zac, Mackenzie Zoe and I think you already know Jessi," Diana replied pointing to each person. "Our other son Issac is with friends this weekend, but he'll be here later on next week," She said and everyone gathered around the table.
"Any one want some more peas?" Diana asked motioning toward Sarah and her mother
"No thanks," Sarah mumbled just as her mother kicked her under the table. Sarah reluctant took some more peas onto her plate. She was sitting between Jessica and Mackenzie, who was bumping her arm every now and then, as she tried to eat.
Suddenly, as Sarah was picking up her glass, her arm was bumped hard by Mackenzie. She didn't have a good grip on her glass, so it fell and all of her Dr. Pepper poured out all over the table.
"Oh...Sh..oot..mom get that stupid kid away from me!" Sarah yelled and stood up from her seat.
"Sarah! How dare you talk that way! We are guests in their home, and I'm suprised that you would get so upset over a little spelt Dr. Pepper," Her mother replied in an embarrassed tone.
"Well, he's bumping my arm on purpose. Im sorry, Mrs. Hanson but I think you should try to control your son, or at least get him out of my way! Before I do something that I will regret!" Sarah said to Diana in an angry voice.
"You'll do no such thing, young lady! My son is not stupid, and I am offended by you saying that. I advise you to settle down, or all have to ask you to leave," Walker spoke to Sarah eye to eye, in a serious voice.
"Oh. Don't worry Mr. Hanson. I won't bother your precious little family anymore, Im leaving," Sarah replied and ran out the door.
"Im terribly sorry Walker, I didn't know she would act like this. She's had problems in the past, but nothing like this. She's never threatened a child before. I'm sorry, I have to leave," Linda looked embarrassed and ashamed at the same time. She grabbed her coat and ran out the door, just in time to see Sarah speed away in the car.
"She took the car!" Linda cried and Walker offered to drive her in the van.
"We'd better try to catch up with her. I think I know where she's going," Linda said as she and Walker rushed out the door.
Chapter 6