The Other Side: Growing Pains

13. Dinner Chronicles

SJ's POV

"Amen," my family says in synch before we all start to dig into our dinner.

"This looks amazing baby," my dad says to my stepmom before blowing an air-kiss and causing Owen to frown.

"Thank you, baby!"

California is not home for me yet, but I will admit that it couldn't come at a better time. Losing Milan was tragic. And I don't think I could stay at our old school, knowing I wouldn't see her everyday.

"So SJ, how was therapy today?" My dad asks, referring to the doctor they sent out to ask me a million questions and gauge how I'm feeling mentally and emotionally.

"He was cool," I admit as I think back to the skinny-black guy with glasses who came to visit me today with a pen and pad.

"SJ seems to be doing well with Mr. Davis." My stepmom says and I agree.

Mr. Davis says his goal is to teach me how to be at peace with things I can't control. And I can't lie, I need that.

"Cool," my dad says enthusiastically as he rubs his hands together.

I laugh to myself because he always does that when he's happy. And he's been happy since we got here.

"Is it me or is Jordan harder to reach when we're in the same state?" My stepmom says as she presses buttons on her phone.

"I text Jordan three days ago about looking at some of his old film this week to prepare for the spring and he still hasn't answered." Omari responds as if her question wasn't rhetorical.

"Have you tried Kia?" My dad asks his wife while chewing his food.

"Mom said she's away on business," I say as I remember our phone call from earlier.

"Where's JJ?" My stepmom, Liv, asks about Jordan Jr.

"With our grandparents," I answer, referring to my mom's parents.

She looks over at my dad and he shrugs as if he's not sure about anything I'm saying, which is weird because I could've sworn my mom said my dad knew she would be out of town on the phone to me today.

"I'll call him again later. But anyway, how was school, Munchkin?" My stepmom asks Skyler in between bites of her chicken.

"I liked it. I have ten new friends."

Omari and I chuckle at her innocence before my dad asks Shai about her school day.

"It was good. They gave me a brand new iPad." She says happily.

"They better," my stepmom says nonchalantly. "We pay that prep school way too much."

"Alright little twins you're up," my dad mumbles.

"It's too late to join the Robotics Club," Owen tells him. "But I got a VIP pass to the next competition."

"Unlike my twin nerd... I mean brother, I signed up for spring football camp," Omari adds and Shai laughs before my dad gently elbows her to stop.

"Being a nerd sounds better than a dumb football jock," Summer mouths because she can't help but to take up for Owen.

"I'd rather be a dumb football jock than a sprung underclassmen," Omari counters.

"Sprung?" My dad mumbles. "What's he talking about?"

"Running his mouth about stuff he has no clue about," she answers.

"Only, that's not true," Omari says confidently before smiling with his eyebrows. "I know because I heard you on the phone telling your friend Natalie about him. And by the sound of him, dad wouldn't approve. What high school kid has tattoos on his face and sports blue bandanas as fashion?"