The Fourth of July and the Surrounding Events

CHAPTER 15 (Jayde)

Getting home from Lexi's house was painful. The cold atmosphere that welcomed me the second I stepped into my house, chilled me to the bone. Taking off my shoes and setting them in the mudroom, I looked around at the bright open living room. With all of the tall windows with sunlight streaming through, you would think one wouldn't feel as cold.

A squeal coming from the basement stairs, brought me back to my body.

"JAY JAY!" my little sister, Jasmine, yelled as she ran to me, immediately clutching onto my leg.

"Hi, Jasy," I cooed, looking down at her big eyes. There was a sparkle in them that I recognized as childhood innocence. She's six years old now, so I know that that light in them will last a little longer, but it scares me knowing that it won't stay.

My parents are civil engineers that are both constantly working out of town. They financially provide for my siblings and me easily, but in turn, they've missed out on our entire lives. I've raised Jasmine basically since birth, and well, my brother Jac, ever since he was seven. My parents commute out to Wiscasset for their jobs every day, aside from Sundays. So, Monday through Saturday, I get my two siblings ready for school, cook, clean, and take care of myself. I know they love us, I know they do, but raising two children by yourself is a lot harder than you would think. But I'm old enough. I'm seventeen. I've done this for years, I can continue to do this with no problem.

Her puppy dog eyes begged for attention, "I want mac and cheese," Jasmine asked me, tugging at my shirt.

"We have food in the fridge, love," I told her for about the third time this week. But she persisted, per usual. Arguing back and forth with a six-year-old won't get me any closer to practicing the piano, nor helping my brother with his summer project, so I gave in. "Mac and cheese for lunch then," I announced in a funny voice, getting my sister to laugh.

That was worth it. Seeing her smile was enough. She's always been a momma's girl, so with our mother almost always gone, she rarely smiled. I have spent way too many hours struggling to get her to sleep because she was crying for her mom, so I'll take what I can get.

"Thank you, Jay Jay," she said excitedly, running towards the pantry.

All so she's happy.

Placing a pot on the stove, I called for my 13-year-old brother. He was most likely playing Minecraft or Fortnite in the basement, instead of studying as he should be. Hearing no answer, I yelled a little louder, "JAC! Don't make me go down there!"

He has until the mac and cheese is done.

Feeling a tug on my sleeve, I looked down at Jasmine, "Hi," I said bending down to her level, "whatcha got there?" I motioned to her hand. Proudly presenting her opened fist, she showed me a plastic gem that must've come off the Mother's Day card I bought for our mom.

"It's sparkly," she said with a giggle.

Agreeing with her, I patted her head, standing up to tend to the food.

Spooning out three portions of the yellow mixture Kraft liked to call food, I chased Jasmine down. Catching my little sister, who was twirling around the kitchen in her puffy ballet skirt, I lifted her onto a bar stool. "Eat Jasy, I'll be right back."

"Jac?" I called down into the basement, "I made food."

No response.

This kid, I swear.

Knocking twice, I opened his gaming room door, to find him asleep on his homework, which was on his keyboard. His face red and puffy, glasses askew, and tears stained down his cheeks, he looked the part of a mourning widow. The dog eared summer handout package and scribbles on his notebook explained it all.

Our parents push us to do well, but seeing him like this was a slap to the face. My dad had chosen a summer program for all of us, that he thought would fit our needs and "wants." Jasmine got ballet, I got town council, and Jac got tutoring. It's not that he was struggling in school, he was actually ahead of most of his classmates, but apparently, when my dad was Jac's age he was more advanced. It's literal shit, to say the least, but I guess I was too caught up with myself to notice how unfair that was. Maybe it was a little naive of me to think that I was the only one facing the immense pressure to succeed, but clearly, I was wrong.

Noticing him start to stir in his sleep, I grabbed the three empty water bottles off his desk.

It doesn't hurt to clean a little.

Shaking his shoulder, I brought him back to the land of the conscious.

Mumbling something to himself as he awoke, he scrambled to sit up. "I was doing it, I swear, please don't tell Mom and Dad," he almost begged me, "I wasn't gaming."

Gently placing a hand on his shoulder, I reassured him that I knew, and I wouldn't say anything. "I can help you with your summer project after you eat, ok?" I said, not really giving him a choice. If he turns out anything like me, he's going to need to start healthy eating habits. Looking up at me with a grateful smile, he placed his glasses back on his face, and together we ascended the basement stairs.