HOME sweet home. Gavin is back home. His boss granted him an impromptu leave since his paternal grandma's death. Initially, it was a two-week break to mourn his granny. Thereafter, the leave had been extended by another two weeks when his crisis kicked in. He is expected to resume work tomorrow.
First things first, today. Today is The Dynasty's Day. The Dynasty's Day is a family picnic that is held on the last Sunday of every month. It usually takes place in their garden. Every three months, the family agrees on a location to visit for the picnic—it could be a restaurant, an ocean, a park, anywhere.
When they were teenagers, The Dynasty's Day was a weekly picnic and every three months, it transitioned into a short trip to different resorts in different cities. But they are grown now; adults with busy schedules. The Dynasty's Day has been reframed into a monthly basis.
They skipped the family picnic last month. It wasn't their first time skipping The Dynasty's Day but it was their first time having a different reason — granny's death. The other times they missed the family picnic was because Greg or Gavin was suffering crisis in the hospital. The past month, everyone had locked themselves—in their respective rooms—mourning granny distinctly. There hadn't been anything to be said, only grief to be expressed. That was then, before granny was laid to rest.
He will enjoy today before delving into work tomorrow. He steps into the bathroom for a shower. Subsequent to the bath, he slips on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. He reaches for his slides from the base of his shoe rack. He set out to the garden. Other family members step into the garden about the same time.
"The weather is befitting." Greg raises his face to the sky.
"You can say that again." Henry nods.
"You guys are going to love this box of crunchy chicken I ordered," Gem munches a piece of chicken. "It's the new eatery beside my workplace. All their products are awesome but their crunchy chicken takes the lead."
"Your life revolves around work. Several eateries scattered through town but you only eat beside your office. All you do is work. Even your affiliations are work-related." Henry laments.
"Daddy, that's not true. I have a life outside of work." Gem counters.
"What life is that? The life that involves attending only events organized by your company? Or the life that includes working from home when you are in your room?" Gavin intervenes.
"You forgot to mention that the only stores she visits are the ones on the same street as her workplace. She drives from home to work and work to home daily, no detours." Greg adds.
"I articulate these facts to her everytime." Shannel affirms.
"If my busy life fattens my bank account and my cryptocurrency wallet, I don't exactly sense a problem." Gem shrugs.
"My sister is aiming at Forbes' list." Greg laughs.
"My baby girl never listens." Henry shakes his head.
"I brought doughnuts and a bottle of chocolate syrup for anyone that wants toppings." Shannel declares.
"I brought chocolate cookies. Grandma's special recipe. Baked by yours truly." Greg grins.
"Wow. That's so impressive." Shannel commends.
"First family picnic since her demise," Greg smiles. "Thought to pay her some respect."
Gavin displays his aligned dentition through his curled-up lips. Greg magnanimously impressed him. He put out a clenched fist to Greg and attains a fists bump with Greg.
"I brought raw, unprocessed milk. Fresh from farm." Henry states.
"How did you get that, daddy?" Gavin asks in surprise.
"Beat me to it." Gem retorts.
"You and your numerous surprises." Shannel grins.
"That's the charm I have on you." Henry blushes.
"You are keeping us in suspense, Mr. Henry." Greg utters.
"My amazing farmer friend sent us some this morning."
"Uncle Ted? I thought he reared only sheep and goats?" Gem queries.
"He started a cattle ranch recently. He says you children helped his farm a great deal when you were teenagers. Hence, we deserve the honour of sampling his milk produce before he commercializes it."
"Thanks to him. That was a long time ago. I'm surprised he remembers." Greg expresses.
"He reminisces about those years each time he sees me." Henry responds.
"Send our regards to Ted." Shannel smiles.
"Great memories we had on that farm, you know. We fed the animals and packed the dung during our leisure," Gavin smiles. "Like that day Gemma tripped on dung and stunk for days."
Everybody burst into laughter.
"Don't embarrass me like that," Gem mouths, amidst a laugh. "Gavin brought nothing?"
"Perhaps." Gavin shrugs.
"How so? You forgot Dynasty Deal I?" Greg inquires.
"Gavin, that's not like you. Is everything okay?" Henry intercedes.
"I guess." Gavin stands from the picnic mat and walks away.
The other family members exchange glances; prior to trailing Gavin's movement—towards the kitchen door—with their eyes. He opens the kitchen door and disappears into the kitchen before slamming the door behind him.
"Maybe granny's death is still taking a toil on him. Let's give him more time." Shannel pleads.
"Insolent of him," Gem flickers her eyelids. "Let's get on with the picnic."
There came a sound — the turning of the doorknob. Into the garden came Gavin again. This time, with a glassware surrounded by his hands.
"Grandma's favourite soup," Gavin sits on the same spot he'd just left vacant. "A form of homage. Forever in our hearts."
"When did you secretly cook this?" Shannel asks, her mouth agape.
"Early this morning when the house was still asleep."
"He's like me. My son, unendingly surprisal." Henry brags.
"Dynasty Deal I can never be forgotten, kid bro." Gavin faces Greg.
"You kept Dynasty Deal IV in mind as well." Greg nods.
Dynasty Deals are rules set for the Dynasty family picnic. Dynasty Deal I states that each family member compulsorily brings consumables—snacks, beverages, food, any edible—to the picnic, whether purchased or ordered or homemade. Dynasty Deal IV states that no family rule should be overruled by anybody.
"Let's get on with Dynasty Deal II." Gem beckons.
Dynasty Deal II states that, starting with Henry—through a descending order of age, every family member summarizes a breakdown of their month and their plans against next month.
"My cue," Henry clears his throat. "I want to top my vehicle collection. I made an upfront payment this month. I will cop the car next month. It's a drop-top. Roofless when I want it to be."
"My man's coming in hot!" Gem applauds.
"Summer is upon us." Gavin giggles.
"Hot boy summer it is!" Greg chuckles.
"Your father wants to give female younglings something to notice him by," Shannel scorns. "I will paste a sticker on your new car that announces you are happily married with kids."
"Best in jealousy award goes to my wife. You know those promiscuous ladies have nothing on me, absolutely nothing." Henry grins.
"I hear you," Shannel sneers. "As for me, I want to take a solo vacation. I've not concluded on the scenery yet. Might be Mauritius or Maldives."
"Solo is not possible. You wouldn't be going on a vacation without your heartthrob, would you? Why Mauritius or Maldives? We have visited those places before. You don't want us to try new locations?"
"Who's we? Us? While I'm gone on my own, you cruise around in your convertible car. That's a fair trade, wouldn't you agree?"
"Ah. Shannel wants to ditch me. A vacation without me? That is not the vow we said to ourselves at the altar. Is this the depth of your love? Leaving me stranded and alone? I refuse to concur." Henry counters.
"Daddy, chill." Gem chuckles.
"Leave him," Shannel giggles. "He is definitely most dramatic. I know you can't cope in my absence. I'm not vacationing."
"If you want to go, it's cool — as long as I follow. Never forget you are the snail and I'm the shell. I'd go anywhere with you." Henry mentions..
"Mmmm. Love is in the air." Greg proclaims.
"No wonder I can't breathe." Gem playfully moves her hand laterally in front of her face.
"Jokes apart," Shannel continues. "Next year will mark our thirtieth wedding anniversary. I purport resigning next year. We've had it all—properties, cars, good children. I'd call it a wrap."
"I should resign alongside you then." Henry adds.
"I'm your role model. I know. It is okay to copy my steps." Shannel chuckles.
"You have my support. Both of you have worked really hard for all you have. You deserve the relaxation." Gavin attests.
"Two oldies will be chilling in a droptop." Greg teases.
"Isn't it early? What will you both do after resignation? You will get bored quickly from having nowhere to go." Gem disagrees.
"The workaholic has spoken." Henry jeers.
"Retirement age is sixty-five years old. Both of us will clock sixty next year on our thirtieth anniversary. Resigning five years before retirement is nowhere near early. We can travel the world, take care of our forthcoming grandkids, literally relax." Shannel convinces.
Shannel and Henry share the same birthday, the same age. In accord with that, they shared their wedding vows on their thirtieth birthday. Henceforth, they had an annual triple celebration in one day.
"Grandkids, forthcoming? Not so soon, please." Gem protests.
"Of course, not soon from you. You are engaged to your career. I'm counting on your brothers for that." Shannel retorts.
"Gavin, yeah. Definitely. Right, Gavin?" Greg excuses himself.
"You are not serious." Gavin chuckles.
"Gavin, it's your turn. Got news for us?" Greg asks.
"Hey! I got back from the hospital few days ago. I also resume work tomorrow. That's all on today's news. Thank you for listening." Gavin jests.
"Be focused." Gem sulks.
"Nothing much, for real. Would have suggested a new wedding date be fixed but Naomi's cousin isn't back from Paris. Naomi sold her our honeymoon tickets and her cousin has extended the trip because she claims Paris oozes too much love to leave so quickly."
"It absolutely does. Couple activities are endless in that bewildering city." Henry interjects.
"Must be nice. I'm also tired in advance for the heap of piled work I will resume to, tomorrow." Gavin sighs.
"I'm sure they won't overwork my big bro," Gem pats Gavin on his back. "As for me, my boss is sending me on an official voyage. I will be gone for three months, starting from next week."
"Oops. No picnic for the next three months." Greg soughs.
"Dynasty Deal III. I also won't be rescheduling my wedding within the next three months. Uh-oh." Gavin adds.
Dynasty Deal III states that the family picnic should be skipped in the absence of any family member. The rule was made because of Gavin and Greg, so they wouldn't feel omitted whenever either of them was away in the hospital.
"If you fix a wedding date for when I'm gone, I'll definitely attend. I will come into state and return to my trip after your wedding."
"Too risky travelling back and forth. We will wait for your return." Henry disagrees.
"The voyage, where to?" Shannel asks.
"Tivas City. A three-hour drive from here."
"You won't fly?" Gavin asks.
"Mm hmmm." Gem shakes her head.
"Or use the train, at least?" Greg queries.
"I think it will be more conducive to have my car with me in a strange land."
"Spot on." Gavin thumbs up at Gem.
"Youngster about to be a rockstar," Greg quizzes. "I have a promotional exam next month."
"Sweetheart, that's splendid!" Shannel leans in to hug Greg.
"Hopefully." Greg pouts.
"How do you mean? Are you not elated about it?" Gem inquires.
"I could say I am," Greg bites into a doughnut and sips some milk. "However, I'm accustomed to being attacked by crisis when I have important tests and examinations." Greg shrugs.
"Don't be pessimistic." Gem corrects.
"Realistic, not pessimistic." Gavin interjects, through a mouthful of cookies.
"So you will simply augment his negativity rather than abate it?" Gem reinstates.
"There's a thin line between honesty and negativity." Gavin affirms.
"If you won't help reduce his fears, you could kindly exhibit some quiet. Optimism has to take the lead here." Gem shuns Gavin.
"I ought to keep quiet? While you go ahead to talk? You? And what makes you audacious to talk? Talk about what exactly? Optimism? Oh. Because you know about, and have seen us in, crisis… you think you could help us out of it with words of encouragement? You can read all the articles in the world on sickle-cell disease, Gem, but optimism can't ever change a thing about SCD. This isn't about negativity or disregard. You…"
"Don't be belligerent, Gavin. That's enough." Henry intercedes.
"I'm not being belligerent. Daddy, please. I'm not finished," Gavin turns to face Gem again. "The only times you ever slept in a hospital were times when you were catering for me or Greg. Not once has your health failed you enough to hold you hostage in a hospital bed. On the other hand, Greg and I have spent a fraction of our lives in the hospital. You are AA. Greg and I are SS. We are not the same, Gemma. No amount of positivity or optimism can ever bridge that gap."
"I wish she would really understand. Being a sickler — you make your plans, crisis makes its own plans. More often than not, the crisis' plans override your own plans. It's not even under the sickler's control." Greg articulates.
"I just don't like that you guys always feel burdened. I apologize if I used any silly term." Gem recoils.
"We are not angry. Challenged is what we are. We might fight the fact or we might admit it but whatever we decide doesn't change the situation. We are burdened. It's our lives' plight." Gavin explains.
"That's okay. I thought you said you are too recent on the job for a promotion?" Henry turns to Greg.
"Supposedly, I am. Surprisingly, my boss says I've impacted and influenced great changes since my resumption. He says despite my intermittent hospital affiliation, I still put in more efforts and effects than other healthy workers. Spontaneously, my superiors are not happy with my possibility of displacing, or replacing, or even surpassing them. I could swear they are praying a crisis befalls me. That's what even scares me more."
"You are Gregory Dynasty. You will write that exam, hale and hearty. Then you will ace it in flying colours." Shannel encourages.
"Hmmm." Greg nods.
"Believe in yourself," Henry urges. "Let's get the family picture, shall we?"
"The final Dynasty Deal V." Gem grins.
Dynasty Deal V states that at the conclusion of every family picnic, a family portrait must be photographed.
They all stand together in a lateral line. Greg steps forward to set the camera on the tripod stand.
"Everybody ready?" Greg asks.
"Sure."
"There," Greg moonwalks to where the others are standing. "Flaunt your dentition in 3… 2… 1!"
Chime!, the camera shuttered.