Nate and Eric both trudged up the steps to the two bedrooms upstairs, their duffel bags slung over their shoulders as their parents got settled into the the master bedroom downstairs. Nate took the bedroom right off the stairs as Eric walked down the down the balcony to the bedroom next door.
Nate flicked on the light and walked over to the bed, dropping his duffel bag on the bed and the backpack he was holding in his hand was dropped next to it. He walked over to the windows and opened up the drawn curtains. He looked out and the scenery and then down, noticing first the roof to the porch on the front of the cabin leading up to his window and then to the family SUV parked in front of the cabin. He watched as his parents continued to unload the car. They also appeared to be arguing. He let out a sigh as he thought of an entire week long vacation stuck with squabbling parents. Thankfully he couldn't hear what they were saying and silently hoped his brother couldn't either. He could just imagine what it was.
Eric meanwhile was solely focused on finding an outlet for the charger for his phone, having worn down the battery on the way to the cabin. He thankfully was able to find one by his bed and got his phone plugged in. He then went downstairs to help his parents bring in the rest of the stuff, his older brother close behind. The stepped out of the way as their parents brought in the cooler, each person holding an end. They then went out and pulled out the remaining groceries that were bought for the weekend, along with a box of various entertainment options including board games and some DVDs.
After they got settled, Nate and his mom started preparing dinner while his father relaxed in the bedroom and his brother played games on his Nintendo DS in the living room. The family then gathered in the dining room and began to eat.
"I was thinking we could all go down to the beach together tomorrow and have some fun swimming and lying on the beach," said Sarah.
"I guess," said Doug, sounding disinterested.
"Can we rent a boat and drive it around the lake?" asked Eric.
"Maybe. We'll have to see what they have."
"Of course you'd probably just hog the wheel the whole time," said Nate. His brother always did things like that and he knew this time would be no different.
"Well, if you two are going to fight about it, then we can all just stay here in the cabin then," replied Doug with a firm tone.
The two boys immediately apologized and resumed eating. They ate in silence for a few moments until Sarah loudly dropped her fork and let out a loud sigh.
"What?" growled Doug.
"Is this how it's going to be? You holed up in the bedroom, reading your precious newspapers and magazines, isolating yourself from the family? I thought we came up here to be together as a family!"
"Honey, can we talk about this later?" asked Doug. Sarah slumped back in her chair and let out another sigh. "I did promise to spend time with you and the kids, just not..."
"Whatever Doug. You do whatever you want." Sarah resumed eating her food.
After that, Eric helped clean up and each family member retired to a separate room. The boys each went to their respective bedrooms, Doug to the master Bedroom and Sarah to the couch in the living room. Nate laid on his bed, staring out the window into the starlit night, his fantasies from earlier returning to him. Likewise, Eric was in his room, playing his video games and hoping this vacation brought some fun and some excitement. Meanwhile, Sarah laid on the couch, wishing her husband loved her more. That it was more like when they first were married before they drifted apart. That he was more of the loving, dashing younger man she fell in love with and not the older, fatter and sadder present day counterpart. Doug was similarly wishing the same, that his wife was less nagging and more live in the moment, not one to want to plan every moment of his life out.
As each of them drifted off to sleep, little did they know the magic of the resort was beginning to work it's magic on each one of them in ways they couldn't have even imagined.