The family is gathering for a celebration but Sarah is looking for some respite but finds some Fredricks Fancy instead.  Hopefully the drink will not do anything beyond turning her skin blue this time.

This is short story number 14

The Blueberry Reaction

I yawned as my sister Brucine continued to argue with my mother. It was the second day of a forced family road trip, and already I wanted to tear my hair out. At least today, I wasn’t at the center of the arguments. My sister was trying to defend herself on why her husband wouldn’t be joining us on our trip to the Seaside Inn for my brother, Tommy’s, celebration of his latest addition to the family.

“Well, at least I found someone, unlike Sarah.” Brucine suddenly said. “I doubt she will ever get married, mom.”

I rolled my eyes.  Just like her to try and force the subject onto someone else.

My mother looked over at me for a brief moment from the driver’s seat. “Sarah, I haven't seen you in ages. Are you seeing anyone these days? Whatever happened to that Matt fellow that you were telling me about before?”

“We ugh, broke up.”

“Were you not doing enough to please him?”

“Mom, that is not any of your business.”

She shrugged her arms. “I just know that with your dad and me. . .”

I held up my arms. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“I think you should. You don’t exactly have the best track record with men.”

I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Oh, honey, it isn’t anything to be ashamed of. You just need to learn and find the right man.”

Brucine chimed in. “Don’t waste your breath. Sarah is a lost cause.”

I crossed my arms and looked out the window. I should have gone in the other SUV with Tommy, even if I would have to deal with all the screaming kids.  I wasn’t going to tell my mom about my love life. For one, she was invasive and pushy as it is, but I was also starting a relationship with Carien. I didn’t know how to break that kind of news to my family. My mother wanted me to marry a strong and sturdy man like she did, and well, if I didn’t give her grandkids before she died, I felt like she was going to haunt me.

We finally came off the highway, and our destination came into view, a twelve-story hotel with a front-row seat to the shoreline. I was happy that we were here.  First thing I am doing when we get here is seeing if this place has a bar. I want some time to myself after the drive here.

As we came into the parking lot, my mother said, “I want to see you in the dining hall by six. Dressed and presentable for your brother. This is a special occasion, so don’t mess it up.” She pulled the car to a stop and then stepped out the door.

Brucine sneered at me before stepping out. “You know she was speaking to you. Who else would muck a family event up?”

I narrowed my eyes as she left the vehicle.  I am thrilled this car ride is over with.

I stepped out to see Tommy’s SUV pulling in beside me. He then stepped out to embrace me; his auburn hair had grown out since I had seen him last. He was wearing a t-shirt that said Best Looking Father on it. “Sarah, it is good to see you.”

“Hey. Long time no see.”

I saw Greta rushed out of the other side of the vehicle by Daniel, Junior, and Alex. I waved to her as she was carried away, “Nice to see you again.”

Greta waved to me. “Hello, Sarah. Hey, play nice with your cousin. I don’t want to tell you twice.”

I smiled as I looked back at my brother. “It seems like you had an eventful ride.”

“If you are asking if my time was better than yours, doubtful. Junior threw up, and the SUV smelled like eggs and milk all morning.”

I started walking towards the hotel. “I would still have traded places.”

“So, how have things been? It’s been what? Since you had us over for the family get-together months ago?”

“It’s been going alright. I have a new job now.”

“No longer working at that department store.”

“I had to move on.” I shrugged. “Difference of opinion with my boss.”

We came up to a glass revolving door. My brother went through first, and then I followed. Once though, Tom responded, “Where are you working now?”

“I have a job with Fredricks Fancy.”

He laughed. “Is that why you are in all those weird commercials?”

I sighed. “Maybe.”

He straightened his jacket. “Well, it was nice seeing you, Sarah. I have to make sure Greta isn’t being eaten alive by the kids. See you later tonight. He rushed off towards the elevators.

Finally alone. I looked around the hotel lobby. The room had a lovely velvet carpet and stain glass windows that looked out over the ocean. I smiled as I watched the waves crashing against the beach.  Too bad it is still winter, or we could actually go down and have some fun in the water. At least there is no snow to ruin the photo my parents want.

I walked up to the windows and could see my reflection in them. I had recently trimmed my hair so it would be back up to my shoulders. For months it had been widely long. I had my evening wear on as I didn’t want to change later tonight, a dark blue jacket and dress pants. There was a fancy-looking belt around my waist that I had been saving for an occasion like this.

I turned around and headed towards the elevators. As I neared them, I noticed a lounge to my right.  Well, I have an hour before the dinner. A few drinks won’t kill me.

There was smooth jazz playing as I walked into the room. I saw an old couple sitting at one of the tables sharing a drink together, and at the bar, a young man with light brown hair was watching a hockey game. I didn’t see the bartender at the present moment, so I walked up to one of the seats and sat down to wait.

After a few minutes, a man with grey hair walked out of the backroom, washing a glass. He went immediately to polishing up the bottles on the wall. After a few moments of him ignoring me, I said, “Excuse me.”

He turned around, wiping his hands on his red shirt. “Yes?”

“Do you have any beer that I can purchase?”

He shook his head.

“Scotch?” He shook his head again. “Tequila?”

“I am sorry, miss, but this is a nonalcoholic establishment.”

“What?”

“We have nonalcoholic wine here, but that is about it.”

“Fine, fine, I will take some red wine.”

“That will be fifteen dollars for a cup.”

Why don’t you just rob me while you are at it?  I handed him the money. “Here.”

He poured me a cup. “There you are.”

I took a tentative sip. The liquid was cool and crisp. Without hesitation, I finished the glass. I then asked, “Where did this come from?”

“It was a shipment from the Fredricks Fancy company. It is their new line of wine. Are you ok? You look pale?”

I have a family event in an hour. What am I doing? This wasn’t the drink I was supposed to have.  I stood up from the bar. “Thank you for the wine; I have to go.”

“Umm, sure. Hey, wait, haven’t I seen you someplace before?”

I rushed off before without answering. I wasn’t in the mood to say, “Hey, I am that giant lady from the commercials,” today. I ran to the elevators and pressed the button. I could only hope that the effects would wait until after dinner.

I tapped my foot as the elevator came down.  Hurry up. A full minute passed, and the doors still wouldn’t open, so I ran for the stairwell. My room was only on the third floor, so I wasn’t going to wait on a slow elevator.

I zoomed up the two flights of stairs, stopping at the door to the third floor to catch my breath. “Ok, running was a bad idea.” I then walked down the hallway towards my room. I had the key card in my pocket, having pre-ordered our rooms online. Ok, room number 348, 348. Ah, there it is.  I saw a lovely-looking wooden door with a small peephole on it and the white number 348 in the center. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my keycard, and almost cried out.

“My hand. . .”

It was turning blue. In fact, my entire arm was the same color as my jacket. “The drink is already affecting me. I need to get inside now.”

I ran inside and shut the door behind me. I then took deep breaths waiting for something to happen. Minutes passed, and all I could hear was the sound of the blaring television in the room next door to me. I looked again at my hands which were a deep violet in color, and said, “What is going on? Did that drink just cause me to turn blue?” Even my hair had turned from dark black to blue.

I walked into the bathroom, and in fact, my skin was now a dark blue. I touched my face, rubbing my dark violet cheeks. “Well, it could have been worse, I guess. I can just tell my family I tripped into a can of paint and didn’t want to look so mismatched in color.” I walked into the other room and sat down on the bed. I picked up the remote and turned on the television. “I don’t have much else to do now but wait until tonight’s main event.”

***

A half-hour later, I shut off the murder mystery program I had been watching and made my way down to the dining hall. I starched at my arm as I walked down the stairs trying to think of how I would explain things. “Umm, the reason why I am blue is. I am blue because. Ugh, this is not going to go very well. I pulled at my hair, wondering if I should just head back up to my room and hide there for the rest of the evening. But as much as I wished it that wouldn’t be an option, Brucine would just holler at my door until I came out.

I reached the hotel's ground floor and tentatively opened the door, checking to see if anyone was in the lobby. Not seeing anyone, I dashed out, heading for the dining room: the fewer people who saw me, the better.

I turned a corner and ran right into the back of the broad shoulders of a man. “Hey, watch it.” I fell down onto my rear end as the man turned around, and I recognized the bartender from earlier today. He looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, it’s you. I thought I recognized you. You are that Fredrick’s Fancy woman.”

I stood up, brushing the dust off of me. “Ya so.”

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t have served you. I am just glad you didn’t grow and break our establishment apart.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Ya ya.”

He walked away. “I love your commercials, though. Big fan.”

I rolled my eyes.  I don’t exactly want fans of my side effects.

I continued on into the dining room where my family was waiting. The moment I entered, my sister let out a snorting laugh. “Oh my, what did you do, Sarah?”

“Someone messed with my shower.” I shrugged. “The water was stained, and well, this won’t come out for a few more hours.”

Brucine laughed again. “Ya right. Why don’t you tell us what really happened?”

My brother came in from the other room, gave me a quick gland, and then looked at Brucine. “Stop harassing Sarah. We are going to be eating soon.” He then looked at me. “Take your seat, smurf.”

I sat down at my seat next to Tommy and Alex. My nephew looked up at me, snickering. They are never going to let me live this down.

Greta and her kids came into the room, and shortly after, we were able to order our food. First came the appetizers, a small dish of salad for everyone but Brucine, who was too picky and would wait for the main course.

I drizzled ranch on my food and then dug in. The salad was nice but didn’t feel at all filling.

The main course came next, a steaming piece of roast and gravy. The food was hot and mouthwatering, falling apart in my mouth.

As we ate, my Greta started up a conversation. “So, Brucine, where is your husband.

I heard that he is back from his tour of duty.”

“He is too busy to be here.” She went back to eating her fish.

Greta pressed the issue. “We are all busy. Why can’t Drew be here?”

“Because he just doesn’t care, that is why,” Brucine blurted out.

There was an unsettling silence that followed as everyone ate the rest of their dinner in silence. When it came to Drew, I worried about Brucine. He wasn’t the most likable fellow in the world, and when it came to being a father, he sucked at his job. Before his time in the service, he would regularly leave Brucine to handle Alex on her own to go and gamble. He was never violent but just was never there. I had hoped the military would have helped him get over his gambling problem.

Lastly came the dessert, blueberry pie, and ice cream.

Before I even had a chance to reach for the ice cream, Junior and Daniel tore into it and started devouring the contents. I sighed. Well, so much for that.

I reached out and cut myself off the pie. As I pulled the slice back to my plate, my brother joked, “Well, that food is fitting for you.”

“Ha ha. I am guessing you never had a painting accident.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t show up to a family gathering painted head to toe.”

“Right.”

I cut a piece of the pie, raised it to my mouth, and ate it. The blueberry’s tasted nice and sweet, the juice exploding in my mouth. “This is really good; you have to try this.”

As I reached down to take another bite, I started to feel a strange sensation.  Hmm, that is strange.  I shrugged and continued eating. The next bite tasted even better than the first, the taste lingering in my mouth. Each subsequent bite was better and better, and when I was finished, the blueberries seemed to stay inside my mouth.

“That was really good.” I squinted my eyes, the strange feeling starting to build in my body. “Really good.”

Brucine shrugged. “Well, it would have been better if we were able to have some of that ice cream. Maybe if you kept better control of your kids, Greta?”

“Can it Brucine,” Greta sneered.

I felt pressure starting to build in my body; I looked down and saw my jacket beginning to turn a dark violet color. My skin started to feel tight, and I felt like I was being filled with some strange substance. I put my hand over my waist, and I could feel my insides jostling around like they were liquid. The liquid quickly spread through my body, finding any and all spaces in me that it could fill up. As it traveled to my head, I was able to find out the source of my ailment as a familiar taste came to my mouth.  Blueberry juice.

I stood up as my waist started to push out, the juice still growing inside my body. “Umm, I need to get something for the photo later. I forgot it in my hotel room.”

My mother gave me a dark look. “Sit down. You know the rules. No one is to get up until we are all done eating. This is a family meal. You have already embarrassed us as it is coming here like a clown.”

I sat back down, trying to hide my expanding waist. I looked around to see who was still trying to finish their meal. Everyone but my mother and Brucine had fished and were now engaged in casual conversation. My mother was finishing up her last bites, but Brucine took her sweet time eating her pie to talk to mom.  Hurry up, sis. I don’t want to be stuck here and expand in front of you all.   I looked down at my waist. My belly was pushing out at a slow but steady pace. At most, it just looked like I overate right now and was bloated. Another minute though, and I wouldn’t be able to hide what was happening to me.

Brucine looked at me. “Sarah, why are you staring at me?”

“I just. . . ugh.”

“Look somewhere else, will you. I can’t concentrate on eating with your creepy face looking at me.”

I shook my head and then looked down at my waist.

I was starting to look pregnant. I pressed down on my chest to push down and try and hide my growing mass. But my increasing girth was too much. And I laid back, only able to let things happen.

My brother suddenly called out, “Sarah, you are swelling up.”

All eyes turned on me as I tried to stand. My waist was pushing out in all directions; I looked like I had eaten a car tire. “I really need to go.”

No one said a word as I started walking away. Each step was more challenging than the last as more juice filled out my expanding body. Before I could make it out of the dining hall, though, I tripped and fell to my knees. I tried to get back up, but the pain of my belt tearing into my body was too much.

“I have to get this off.”

I reached down, just barely able to touch the rim of my waist, and grab my belt. I tried feverously to unfasten it, but as I continued to swell, I lost my grip and fell backward. “Oww.”

I rolled around for a few moments before mustering the strength to sit back up.

I gritted my teeth as my belt started to tear apart. “Someone help me. I am being squeezed apart.”

A moment later, the belt snapped and went flying into the other room. Now free but now had new issues. My chest had all but vanished, and my thighs were absorbed into my swelling form. I was a minute away from my knees, disappearing into my body.

I rocked back and forth to get my arms on the ground and pushed myself onto the stubs of my legs. Even so, they were so weak that I fell forward onto my every more spherical body and started rolling. The only thing that could have made things worse was if my clothing didn’t stretch to fit my body.

All the while, my family was crying out from behind me.

“What is going on?” Tommy said.

“Just ignore her. We will be fine,” Brucine said. “You know how Sarah is with her attention. This is just a stunt. I am guessing it is one of those suits.”

“What suit are you talking about, Brucine?”

Greta asked.

“You know, the inflatable ones.”

“What kind of kinky shit are you into, and can you not talk about this when our kids are here?”

I yelled at the top of my lungs as my chest started to vanish, “Will you all stop bickering. This is happening. Deal with it. Now come over here and help me.”

My brother ran around, so he was in front of me.

“What do you want us to do?”

“Get me back up to my room.” I tried to look at the others, but my neck was starting to vanish into my blueberry body. I couldn’t feel where my arms and legs were anymore.  How much more am I going to swell?

My head started to itch.  What now?

My mom stood up. “Sarah. I don’t know what is going on, but I won’t’ let this ruin Greta and Tommy’s big day. We are just going to roll you out onto the beach and have you in the photo as is.”

“But I.”

Brucine laughed. “Well, that is fitting.” I felt her hands press against my body. “Time to go.”

Before I could protest, my sister started to roll me out of the dining hall. As she did so, my hair melded together and grew. Every so often, I could catch a glimpse of the changes as my head rolled across the floor, my hair becoming green and plant-like, a giant leaf.

The entire time was still slowly swelling outward. When we came to the door that lead to the beach, both Tommy and Brucine had to squeeze me through the frame. Once through, I rolled through the sand to the water, where I floated on the icy cold waves. I was now almost twice my average size. I wished I would stop swelling, not because I hadn’t been through worse but because if I could just revert back down for this family picture, my blueberry self wouldn’t be immortalized for the family history.

My family fished me out of the ocean and turned me, so I was facing the camera. Thankfully I had stopped swelling up, so they didn’t have to waste time repositioning the camera as I continued to grow. They did have to dig out a seat for me in the sand so I wouldn’t roll away. They set me close enough to the water that each wave struck me in the back, causing the juices inside me to jostle around.  Ugh, the sooner they take this photo, the better.

Tommy took the tripod and walked out far enough so he could get everyone in the shot. He then set the camera on a timer and said, “Ok, everyone say Smurfs.”

“Smurfs.”

My brother then ran back, and the picture was taken thirty seconds later.

After the photo, my brother walked up in front of everyone else. “Thank you for being here with to share with us on this special occasion. Greta and I only found out we will be having another child just last week and are very happy. Thank you all for celebrating this day with us.” Greta hugged him. He looked at the rest of us. “What do you say we take this party inside?”

Everyone started to walk away, heading for the hotel, but they forgot one thing. “Hey, you all can’t leave me here.”

Brucine turned around. “We will come back when you aren’t so bloated. Enjoy yourself, sis.”