Rituals

Part I of Essay
It was a cold winter day in December when our parents got us all ready for the long trip to Grandma’s for the annual Christmas dinner. While Jake and I were wrapping ourselves with our newly knitted sweaters and jackets, mom and dad were getting the truck loaded with food a ....

Part II of Essay
.... just not tell them and pretend we do. They would never know the difference anyway. When we got to the truck, I ask mom if Jake and I could ride in the back. “Its too cold to ride back there!You’ll freeze to death! And what if we wreck? There aren’t any seat belts back there!” she yelled back. I was hoping she wouldn’t yell like this. Then dad butted in. “What are you two talking about? Why do I always get left out of the conversation?” “Tina wants to know if she and Jake can ride in the back. It’s too cold and if we wreck or somet ....