The Whole Family
“How are you?” Kate said to a confused-looking elderly woman who might have been related to her.
“She doesn't speak English,” her uncle said slowly. “She can’t understand you.”
“Oh,” Kate said, and looked away. She picked up a piece of celery lying on a tray on the table and chewed it slowly. The television was playing “A Christmas Story” for the third time.
“Is it snowing outside,” someone said.
“It’s a wintry mix,” someone else said, “but it might turn to snow later.”
“Oh,” the first person said.
The confused-looking elderly woman walked into another room. Kate’s uncle picked up a piece of celery lying on a tray on the table and chewed it slowly.
“It’s nice to have the whole family here for once,” someone said.
“Yes,” someone else said, “it’s nice to have the whole family here.”
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Devon Branin has been published in Metazen and Staccato Fiction, and recently released an ebook. You can also follow him over at his twitter, @amusedbycats .