Nuclear Family {Green Day}

Chapter Twenty Two

Nuclear Family

Sorry for any spelling/grammar issues!

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

 On the way home from our horribly eventful day at school, Joey and I explained to Jake and Caitlyn what happened with Brody. They were both livid, verbally expressing their hatred for "the stupid motherfucking cunt", as they put it. When we dropped Caitlyn at her house, she kissed Jake goodbye and told him to defend us to Billie and Adie, no matter what they say. Then she made Joey and I get out of the car so she could hug us. Only Caitlyn, forever taking care of everyone.

Joey drove extra slow on the way home, trying to prolong the inevitable doom that awaited us at home.

"You may as well just go home, man. It's only gonna make it worse when we do get there." Joey simply nodded, knowing that Jake is right, but not ready to face Billie and Adie.

When did Jake get so mature? He's certainly grown up a lot since I first got here. Now it's been a few months, and I finally feel like I have a family, but now it could be gone. Just when I finally felt that I had achieved the life I've always imagined. I don't know how they'll react. They can't abandon Joey, but they can send me away. Mary would just have to find me another foster home until I turn 18. 

I keep replaying every moment I've spent with Joey in my head. Ways we could've been more careful, ways we could've hid our relationship better. Then it hit me- no matter the what if's, I wouldn't go back and change the way things have happened. I've finally found happiness, even if it was brief, and that is what matters. And maybe, just maybe, Joey and I can stand strong together and I won't have to lose him. I can't afford to lose him. I love him, more than I've ever loved someone. And I love Jake. I love Billie and Adie, and Mike and Tre. The whole family I've been gifted enough to be part of. This feels like the end of something, but it also feels like the beginning. A silent bittersweet moment, shared between the three of us, one that I will not soon forget.

I reached across my seat and grasped Joey's free hand as he drove, lacing our figners together. He reassuringly squeezed my hand. In that moment I knew that he wasn't giving up on me, and I certainly wasn't giving up on him.

We pulled into the driveway, and I began to tremble a little. We decided it would be best to treat it as any other night, except Joey and I should try to be apart. I went up to my room to do homework, and Joey stayed in the living room. Jake followed me up the stairs and hugged me before he entered his room.

"No matter what happens tonight, remember that I love you. You will be my sister no matter what."

It took everything in me not to break down right then and there. I swallowed hard, opened my notebook, and tried to work. It was only about fifteen minutes before Adrienne came upstairs and sat down beside me on my bed.

"Hey." she said.

"Hey." I said back.

"Brody called earlier." she said calmy, not revealing any emotion.

"I figured he would." I replied honestly.

"Oh honey," Adrienne started gently. "We already knew about you and Joey."

"What? You did?" I couldn't believe my ears.

"Yes. One night when we were out, Tre came in to grab some lyrics from the studio. You and Joey were asleep on the couch, all wrapped up in each other. Tre accidentally mentioned it one night, then freaked out and made us promise not to say anything to you, because he felt that it wasn't his story to share. We had already suspected something though. When Joey looks at you, it's like his world is centered around your every move. He tries not to show how happy you make him, but I can see it. I know my boy, and I think I'm starting to know you. You care about each other. Who are we to stand in the way of that?"

It took me a moment to process everything she had just said.

"So you don't care if we're together?" I asked.

"If you're happy, I'm happy. You just keep that boy in line." she answered. 

That was all it took for me to shower her with hugs.

"Thank you so, so much Adie. I love you!"

"I love you too, sweetie. Joey's downstairs talking to Billie Joe, let's go talk to them." she said, taking my hand and pulling me downstairs with her.