Junie - JJ Maybank

27

"What did you guys need to tell us?" Kiara asks me and John B.

I look at him and he blows out a heavy breath of air.

We are all on the HMS Pogue drinking beers and eating snacks.

Me and John B have been waiting for the right moment to tell them about the letter.

"What is going?" JJ asks us.

I look at him and let out a heavy sigh then look back at John B and he opens his backpack then pulls out the envelope.

JJ moves from his spot next to me and moves to sit next John B.

"What is that?" He asks him.

"Well, I went by the chateau today to see if I left a shirt there-"

"Did you?" JJ asks him.

John B gives him a half annoyed, half confused look, "yeah but that's not the point," he holds up the envelope, "this was sitting in the mailbox when I got there."

JJ goes to take it from his hand but John B moves it away from him.

"Go back to your seat." John B tells him.

I hold out my hand for JJ to take, which he does as he moves back next to me.

"Why can't I look at it?" He says to me in a voice that reminds me of a disappointed child.

John B holds the letter up again, "this is from our dad."

Everyone has confused looks on their faces but none of them speak.

"What are you talking about?" Sarah asks him after a minute.

"Mine and Emery's dad is alive and he is in Barbados." He tells her.

Pope shakes his head, "that is crazy. Anyone could have written it." He tells John B.

I nod, "I said the same thing but the handwriting is the identical to our dads."

"Can I see it?" Kiara asks and John B gives it to her.

"So she can see it but I can't?" JJ asks me.

I look at him with an annoyed but sympathetic look and he closes his mouth.

Kiara and Pope both look at the letter for a minute, then they hand it to Sarah and she looks at it for a while, then she gives it to JJ.

"Finally," he mutters to himself.

It takes him a little longer to read it, but when he is done, he hands it to me and speaks, "you guys really think this is real?" He asks me and John B.

We both nod then Sarah and Kiara speak at the same time, "what are we gonna do?"

JJ and John B both answer at the same time, "go to Barbados."

"That is crazy!" Pope tells us with a freaked out voice.

"We can't just pack up and leave." Kiara tells us.

John B shrugs, "you don't have to go, but me and Emery are."

JJ pipes in, "I'm going too."

Sarah raises her hand, "me too."

Kiara and Pope both look at each other then back at the rest of us.
JJ looks at them then raises her bear, "no pogue left behind."

Kiara and Pope both raise theirs then repeat JJ's words, "no pogue left behind."

John B claps.

"Looks like the Pogues are going to Barbados."