Let Love Down

Chapter Sixteen

I woke up to the sound of my siblings arguing over candy in the next room, which honestly was no surprise to me. It is now Tuesday, August 14, and I'm so excited about this weekend that I may explode. There are a few things happening on the 18th, one I don't care about, and the other is just perfect.
Mom's coming back!
I look over to my nightstand and see the Pepsi I forgot to drink from last night. I let out a long, tired groan and stood up from my bed. I called for Taylor about seven times before Jessica finally told me that he wasn't even in the house.
I put on a tank-top, some shorts, and some sandals. After that, I walked to the bathroom, half awake, and attempted to put my hair in a bow. It didn't work, so I just left it in a ponytail. I rushed outside and saw Taylor sitting in a chair by the pool.

"Dad," I said with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Dad's not home, he left a few hours ago," Taylor said with his eyes closed.

"Well, if he's not home, I'd imagine he'd think it's okay for me to walk to the store unsupervised."

His eyes shot open, and then he cleared his throat.

"You're not going," he started, "I mean, here's a twenty."

I smiled and waited patiently as he pulled some money from his billfold.

"At least take Jessica," he said unsurely.

"I'm fine. I've got my phone, and I'm just picking up some candy for the road trip."

He let out a long sigh.

"That's going to have to wait, Louise. I don't feel good."

I shifted my weight to my left leg.

"Were you in the wine cellar or something?"

Taylor started to laugh.

"No, your mom told me to drink coffee. It didn't exactly work out."

There was an awkward silence, and then we both started laughing. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, Giuseppe and Jessica come running from the other side of the house. They're yelling at each other.

"Kids, calm it down!"

Taylor quit laughing and instantly seemed annoyed. I turned around to look at them, and the second I did, Giuseppe bumped in to me and knocked me in the pool. The twenty-dollar bill came floating in after me, and it was just as soaked as I was. I gasped for air when I hit the surface of the water, realizing both of my sandals had fell off and surfaced with me.
Jessica and Taylor were laughing, but Giuseppe looked so upset. I could tell he didn't mean to knock me into the water, and I gave him a smile.

"It's alright buddy."

I pulled myself out of the water and fished my money and sandals out as well.

"I'm taking Giuseppe with me, no questions asked. Let me get new clothes on though," I said, grinning at my brother.

"I'm glad he realized that I have feelings before you guys did," I scoffed.

Giuseppe giggled, waved at Taylor, and followed me in the house.

"So, what have we got planned Lieutenant?"

"First of all, I know nothing about the military. Second of all, we're going to the store to get some candy or something."

He followed me into my room an watched me get clothes from my closet.

"I'll just call you a soldier if that makes you happier," he chuckles,"and that's awesome! What store?"

I shrugged and walked into the bathroom.