The Metaphorical Beginning

            I sigh as I put the vegetables on the counter.

            The cashier woman frowns. "You sure you want to buy these? Sounds like you're being tortured into it or something."

            I spread my hands. "Please just do your job." And that's the last time I'll have to touch the broccoli directly–at least for a long while. The cashier hands me a plastic bag filled with the stuff along with my money and I walk home.

            I try not think about eating broccoli for lunch, and instead, think of something to do today. Maybe I'll go to Matt's house to borrow some books after this. I don't read much, but his books are always somewhat exciting. Besides, I get easily bored lately.

            I reach the front of my house, but something is different. The garage isn't closed, and the old man's car is still inside. So is he. "Dad? Aren't you supposed to be working at the office?"

            He's quite startled when I stand beside him and ask. There's no suitcase in sight, the one that he brings to work, and he's dressed in a simple tee and shorts. He looks like an aging man who'd suddenly forgot where he is, who he is. He replies with a distracted tone, "Oh, um, I took the day off. Your mother called a meeting earlier this morning. I just phoned the company."

            I nod understandingly. If Mom is calling a family meeting, she'll have none of Dad's business work. Or any of us' business in that case. But if she called it after I left, it couldn't have been that early…

            We walked together to the door, the distasteful vegetables still in the grocery bag in my hand. I know something is definitely up when I notice Mom pacing around near the coffee table. I've never seen her that anxious other than the time when Grandpa died. I find Clara sitting on the couch, boredom smack-dab on her face, but Josh is nowhere to be found.

            "Where's Josh?" I ask Clara.

            She shrugs. "He's attending that stupid anti-bullying campaign, the one he's been at for months. Honestly, I don't get why people bother doing it."

            As expected, Josh is just the type to join such activities. Not only he is really eager to help other people, he also hates oppressiveness a lot. He'll do anything to stop a dispute, even when it isn't his problem. Another great thing Clara can get to learn from him.

            As I sit on the couch between Dad and Clara, Mom turns around to face all of us and clasp her hands together in enthusiasm. "Now that most of us is here, let's start the family meeting!"