As I drive down the dusty road, leading the U-Haul truck. I pause, putting my blinker on, then pull into the driveway that I will now call my home. The old, faded blue of the outside of the house smiled at me. I wish I could smile back, but the cloud hanging over my head forbids it. I’m startled by the voice of my cousin Joey as he climbs out of the truck. What was that next to the house? A run down flower shop. Odd.
“Who’s going to fill up that old house?” His voice is teasing.
“I’m 22. I’ll probably find someone to share it with.” I say longingly.
“Then you better get going with that.” He mocks.
Hot, angry tears fill my eyes. All he’s thinking about is my love life. In another time, it would have been funny. Not now. Not ever. Not anymore.
“It would’ve been much easier if Emmett and Peter were here. Wouldn’t have?” I ask innocently.
His expression is enough. He understands that he went too far and he tries to take it back but I don’t let him. The guilt and anger of losing them overtake me and I lose it.
“Answer me Joey! Wouldn’t have been!” I shout. It started raining. Marvelous. I’m cold, and wet, but the rain doesn’t bother me.
“Mia, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just joking.” He pleads.
I don’t let him take it back. I stare him down. My ice blue eyes must be piercing his soul, hanging him there. Gaping mouth.
“Mia.” He whispers.
I cock my head, waiting for a response. When I don’t get one, I ran swiftly to my car, grabbing everything my arms can carry, and start for the door. I feel a hand lock against my arm and I spin around.
“Let go of me Joey.” I say through gritted teeth. His grasp doesn’t loosen.
“You have to listen to me first,” he says. I wait. He continues. “I was trying to make the mood light. I obviously failed. I am truly sorry Mia. Forgive me. Please.”
I can’t stay mad at him for long because suddenly, I’m in his arms as they tighten around me. He pulls back, and I laugh. For the first time since Peter died, 2 weeks ago. He takes my hand, stealing some of my pain and we begin to load the new house.
