Brim (Chapter 1)

I don’t remember the first time I was told about the colony, and it didn’t really seem that important to me. It was just some small, recently discovered, unpopulated island several hundred miles north. They called it Purcell Island, after the valiant man who discovered it, Kirk R. Purcell.

It obviously astonished me when my father brought our family together one night over dinner. Dinner was glorious…delicious beef stew with the perfect spices and extra vegetables. We had freshly baked sweetbread with honey butter; a rare delicacy reserved for special occasions only. Mother led us in prayers, offering more petitions than usual, asking for blessings for every one of us. Then father stood at the head of the table, placed his callused hands flat on the table, and spoke.

“We Brims have lived in this area for generation after generation, never traveling far away. Your mother and I have collectively decided to cease this tradition. I believe all of you have heard of the colony on Purcell Island…”

At this point he trailed off as my older sister, Marcella, interjected, with accusing eyes. She was less profound in her argument tonight than she usually was, just stating the simple word that can mean so much.

“Why?”

Father swallowed, and I watched gravely as his Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked solemnly at mother, and she just nodded.

“We used to be completely self-sufficient, but we are struggling now. We’ve decided to take the risk and we are packing up and leaving for Purcell Island. I’m not sure if our risk will ever pay off in the end,” and with a quick glance at mother, “Hell, I’m not even sure what we’re going to do there. All I know is that we’ll be gone in one week, and that you must come with us whether you like it or not. Is that understood?”