We're Not Related Anymore...

New Jersey

Part Three: Starting Again

Maddie: Three Years Ago

"He can't possibly go. He's too sick," Lilian tells my mother. Over the past few days, whatever it was that Josh has come down with has only gotten worse. Right now, he's wrapped in a blue blanket on the couch, sniffling while my dad tries to feed him a roll. 

"But I've already bought and paid for everything," my mom complains. After landing at the airport, she came straight here to pick us up for our trip to New Jersey. She's still holding onto the handle of her suitcase, looking worn and annoyed. "Maybe he'll recover. I mean, it's the whole weekend. If he sleeps it off, he'll feel better by the morning. What do you say to that Josh?" My mom, asks, breaking her staring eye contest with Lilian to get my brother's answer. 

Josh's face is puffy and red. He shrugs at our mother in answer to her question. The movement causes his blanket to slip down his shoulder, and he grabs the end of it, tucking it back under his chin. 

"If you take Josh, you and Maddie might end up getting sick too, and then the whole weekend will be ruined anyway. But if you and Maddie go, you can have a girl's trip! It will be fun." Lilian says, smoothing her hands over her skirt. 

My mom looks at me and I nod my head in understanding. She doesn't want a girl's trip. She wants a trip with both of her children. We haven't really seen her since she and my dad got divorced. This was supposed to be the weekend where she got her time. We were going to bond as a family. 

My mom blows out a breath and tucks her blonde hair behind her ears. "Ok. Maddie and I will go. But you mister," she says pointing at my brother. "are going to recover and then we'll plan a trip just the two of us." 

Josh sinks into the couch, not looking particularly thrilled by that prospect. I think he's worried a solo trip with our mom will be a never-ending shopping trip.

"Have you got your bags ready, Maddie?" My dad asks, glancing up at me. I nod my head, rounding the corner to pick up the small carry-on I packed this morning. 

"I'm ready to go," I say, watching him stand up from the couch. My dad wraps me up into a hug and squeezes until I pretend to wheeze. "You're going to kill me," I say as he releases me. 

"Be good. Have fun. Make sure your mom doesn't get into trouble," he says, placing his hands on my shoulders and squeezing them. 

"Real funny," my mom mutters.

"Call me if you need anything. And I mean anything-"

"I get it, Dad," I say, rising on my toes to kiss his bearded cheek. "I'll let you know when we land." 

"Don't forget Jacob's doing his interviews at Princeton if there's an emergency," Lilian adds when my dad takes a step back to stand next to her. 

"Jacob as in your son?" Mom asks, looking at Lilian. "Why didn't you tell me he was in New Jersey at the same time as us, Maddie? I could've organized something."

"It slipped my mind," I lie, toeing my shoe into the carpet. It didn't really. The fact that Jacob and I will be in the same city together without our parents has been on my mind constantly. But it's a non-issue. He's only there for today and then leaves early tomorrow morning. 

"Maybe it's a good thing," my dad says, interrupting my thoughts. "Since Josh is sick, why don't you let Jacob spend the weekend with you guys? That way, he can go home with Maddie on Sunday and make sure she gets on the plane safely."

"I can get on a plane myself," I mumble, red like a tomato. I don't need Jacob to stay in the city one day extra just because I need someone to hold my hand as I go through the airport. It's like they think I'm twelve years old and not almost finished high school.