Storms blew around the island all summer long, keeping the family inside the cottage much of the time.  The tedium and tension of being cooped up with members of the family we rarely saw was grating on everyone’s nerves.  We had little to discuss, so we talked about the miserable weather and the past when everything was better.  We remember childhood sailing regattas and foot races on sunny days.  We played croquet and walked to the village for ice cream when Grandma was alive.  Now her cottage was musty, moldy, and dark, used only for a short family reunion each year.  There was talk of selling the property and splitting the money.  People today want different types of vacations.

The hall closet was still full of board games, dominoes, and cards.  We prepared for the storms by stocking up on basics, and choosing our games. It was impossible to know how long we might be trapped without power, so we prepared for the worst.   Monopoly was a big favorite for the group. When we found the Ouija board we had to test it for old time’s sake.  Two of the cousins unpacked the board and sat across from each other at the coffee table.

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