Soulmates •Josh Kiszka•

Antony and Cleopatra.

"If it be love indeed, tell me how much." -Cleopatra

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The next few weeks of summer, I contemplated what I was going to do, never finding my answer. Josh and the boys had gone to a local cabin to practice for the tour this summer, so that left me every second to stare at the letter in all of my petrifying doubt. Ashleigh was still on her summer vacation in Australia with Luke, which surprisingly for the first time in my life- made me sad; I felt like we had just gotten close and now she left. My dad was still in California with whatever woman he had chosen for the week, and my mom had fallen herself- into a deep and dark spot that neither one of us found the courage to look at each other and talk about. There were a few times when Emily would stop by and try to get me to come out of my room, but I just couldn't explain my reasoning for doing either one of my choices. One being to shred the letter and follow Josh around- which sounded amazing but also terrifying because then what happens if that all comes to an end? What would I have to turn to? Realistically. Or, I could tell Josh about the letter- inevitably breaking his heart, and go away to college.

I tore myself apart for weeks, leaning towards a month, of constantly thinking about this. The day finally came where I found myself drifting off to sleep- feeling my body relax and sink down into my bed.

"No- I will not let that happen! She is to go to school, she is not running around with that Kiszka boy! She'll get distracted." I heard my dad shout from downstairs, waking me up from my peaceful sleep. I moved closer to my door to hear a little better.

"Distracted from what? Your dream? You let Ashleigh go with Luke-" my mom replied.

"Yes, because I know Luke and he is a good kid." my dad exclaimed.

"And I know Josh- and he is just as good of a kid." my mom said, my dad scoffing in response.

"Please, Roger- you have always questioned my parenting, like you've done so much better. At least I was here for these girls when you were off screwing other women!" my mom said abruptly, holding nothing back- which surprised me because no matter what, all my life, my mother just followed what my father said, I guess she had finally given that up. I wanted to just go downstairs and tell them enough was enough- but I couldn't stand not letting my dad get what was coming to him.

"Really Audrey? You wanna go there?" my dad snapped.

"Yes- frankly, I do." Mom shot back.

"Well then you will love my parenting choice of giving Luke my permission to marry Ashleigh. They've already done it, and I was there- you, however, were not."

Okay, I'll admit it- my parents had favorites, like I've said before. It wasn't right, no, but it wasn't ever something that obvious- from my mom anyway, so I was more than taken back when my father said this, and I'm sure my mom was too.

"Ashleigh's what?" I said, as I came down the stairs.

"Oh, look who decided to come out of her room." my dad huffed, and turned to look at me.

"Oh look who decided to come back from his mid-life crisis bender.." I chuckled sarcastically, opening the fridge. My mom, unable to hold back her laughter, simply shrugged as my father looked at her to say something.

"She's right, Roger. You're 52, out here acting like you're 17 again.. it's honestly embarrassing."

"Okay- I didn't come here to hear what you two maniacs think is wrong and right with what I do with my life." my dad huffed, crossing his arms.

"What did you come here for then?" I questioned, sitting at the stool and biting into my apple.

"Well, after seeing your sister get her life together.. something told me I had to see it through that you did the same." My dad said, and adjusted his stance as his pride grew bigger at his own narcissistic words.