Edge of the Light

Three

The light blue house on the corner of Evergreen Drive and Shirley Avenue was the perfect size. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a finished basement, and a beautiful, recently refurnished kitchen. A stunning building but I like to think of it much more than just a house. It's a home. A home where I got to grow up with my parents and my little sister. A home where memories were made. Where I lost my first tooth, not that I remembered that day very much since I was so young, four to be exact, but I do remember that brand new, crisp dollar bill. The first one that I ever earned actually. I remember refusing to spend that one dollar for the longest time before I finally saw a small candy bar that I just couldn't resist. Nonetheless, I kept that dollar for about a year before spending it.

My lungs expanded to their capacity right before deflating after I let out a long disappointed sigh as I stared directly at the for sale sign standing in front of our home. While I understood the reasoning behind our move, I was still having a hard time saying goodbye to the only home I ever knew. As I walked inside, suitcases were scattered across the floor of our family room. 

"Maia, were you trying to set up a maze or something?" I asked as I was careful not to trip over any of my little sister's luggage. While my parents offered us both the opportunity to miss the first day back to school to keep packing for the move, I had declined their kind offer but Maia was more than happy to take an extra day off from school. 

"Very funny, Joshua." I heard Maia's voice say before she turned the corner, walking downstairs. "I was trying to get all of my suitcases in one spot so I figured the family room would keep them at least somewhat out of the way." 

"And why can't they stay in your room? We're not moving for an entire week so can't you just keep them upstairs?" The expression plastered on her face made it seem like she thought my idea was ridiculous. Seeing her open her mouth to speak, I rolled my eyes; I figured that she must have already filled her room with boxes full of her possessions. "I don't understand where you even got all of this stuff from or where it all even fit before you packed it away." 

"Honestly, a lot of this stuff I had completely forgotten about," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. Knowing my sister, that statement wasn't too surprising to hear. When Maia walked over to me, I ruffled her blonde hair with a smile. "Hey! I just finished brushing my hair!" I simply laughed at her attempt to be upset with me. Maia and I had always gotten along great; we practically did everything together, so I could identify her fake pout anywhere. 

"Alright miss pack rat, how about taking a little snack break? I think you've earned it." She smiled up at me not minding the nickname I just gave her. Those blue eyes could melt anyone's heart and her sweet smile always helped too. In my opinion, anyone who gets the chance to get to know Maia is one lucky person. 

"Actually, Mom and Dad should be back soon with food. We skipped lunch so they left to grab something just before you got home." I nodded at her words, setting my backpack on the ground just as Maia jumped on my back and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Come on, just one time around the house, please? Just like old times?" I was going to ignore her pleas, but even though my sister didn't show it, she was definitely going to miss this home too, and for that, I agreed to her request. It was like we were kids again, running around the house with Maia on my back, our smiles brighter than the sun. I was going to miss all of these times that we shared together especially since as we both get older, we'll be spending less and less time together. The door creaked open and our mother walked through, our father holding the door open for her like a true gentleman. 

"Careful you two, I don't want you getting hurt," our mother, Jessica, told us just as I bent down to let Maia get off of my back. The two of us went to greet our parents. My mother was already past the seventh month mark in her pregnancy, only by a couple of days though. This was why we were in desperate need of a new house; this one was too small for our growing family.

"How's my new baby brother doing, Mom?" I asked after giving her a quick hello. 

"Baby brother?" Maia interrupted just as our mother was about to speak. "It's going to be a girl; our new baby sister, not brother." 

"You're both just going to have to wait a little bit longer before you get to know," our mother stated with a small laugh. Our parents had decided to be surprised on the gender of their third child, just as they had done for Maia and me. I reached my arm out, holding the door for my father, David, so he could get all of the bags inside. 

"Thank you, Joshua," he said as he walked inside, offering me a smile. I shut the door and met everyone in the kitchen for late lunch. Maia had already taken her salad, topped with grilled chicken, black olives, and Italian seasoned croutons, over to the couch where she sat and turned on the television. 

"We got you a little something too just in case you're hungry," my mother told me, handing me an egg salad sandwich. "How was your first day back at school?" 

"It was good Mom, as usua," I told her as I placed the sandwich in the fridge for later.  "Autumn and Travis are good too. We actually got to meet some new girls; Adelaide and Lynnette. I invited them to have lunch with us." 

"Well that was sweet of you; to offer for them to sit with you and your friends," she told me with a bright smile. "You'll have to invite all of your friends over to the new house once we're moved in." I sighed, thinking about the move. While the bigger house was necessary so we would have plenty of space for the whole family, I was still apprehensive about it. For the moment, I decided to ignore my thoughts about moving and thought about Travis instead. He'd probably love to have a party at the new house; maybe I'll see if he would like to organize it. 

"Hey, Mom?" I asked as she turned her head to look at me. "Have any of your friends ever acted differently before?" She seemed surprised by the question but after how strange Travis had been acting today, I was curious to see if my mom had gone through anything similar with her own friends when she was my age. 

"Every once in a while, but usually only when they were exhausted. Fatigue can make people do a lot of strange things, Joshua. That's why you always have to make sure you get enough sleep. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering, that's all," I answered as I went to retrieve my backpack. "I'm going to head up to my room; I have a lot of homework to complete."

I walked up the stairs, opening the door to my room. I set my backpack down next to my desk, and then took a seat in the comfortable computer chair in front of it. Maybe Mom was right. Maybe Travis was just tired today, and that's why he was acting so weird. I shook my head; that wasn't important right now. I leaned over and grabbed the first assignment I found, my pencil wrapped in my hand as I began to work out my calculus homework. By the first question, I knew this would be a long night.