Family games

They sat around the dinning table. If you looked closely it was easy
to see the resemblance. The shape of the eyes there, the size of a nose
here. They were different, yet so similar. The two sisters sat closer
together. Their children lounging around more casually. But not too
relaxed. An invisible cord of tension kept them all slightly on
guard.

The mouths may stretch beyond all recognition at the telling of a joke,
the laughter drowning out all noise, but the eyes kept their weariness.
The mothers led the dance of the mind and wit, reaching out to their
respective children without moving a finger. They talked on, sometimes
excluding the children, drawing together. They were sisters who
happened to be mothers too. For the next few minutes the priority
shifted, the playing field was redrawn.

The children breathed easier when this happened. Playfully,
tentatively, they also drew together. Cousins, who could now show their
bond without fear of the cutting glance that could still the tongue of
any eager child carried away by all the chatter. Any child, who said
too much, smiled too openly, looked too trusting.

Which pawn had rolled off the board? Time to set up again.

Almost without warning, the land shifted from under their feet. The
reins were jerked violently. The whip expertly slashed through the air.
The youthful minds swerved back, eyes darted furtive glance. It was
back to the old game. The less said the better.