Meet On The Ledge || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 21

    2015

    The next week went by perfectly. I spent days and days with Jake, just lying around, kissing, listening to music, and doing other things that I am not privy to say. It was finally Thanksgiving day and that meant going to Jake's and spending the day with all the people that I love. "Sweetie, come on! We're going to be late! We have to be there before 9:30!"

    "MOM! IT'S SO EARLY!"

    "I don't like that attitude missy, you get those buns down here now!" She yelled, laughing in her words. I swung my legs around the side of my bed and went to look in my mirror. My eyes were swollen from sleep, but I had to get dressed. I looked through my closet, but it seemed like nothing looked good on me. After about 20 minutes of changing outfits, I settled on my dark red corduroy skirt and a black turtleneck. I put on black tights, my Docs, and a slight bit of makeup. Then I was ready. I walked down the stairs, listening to them creak and there was my family standing in the front hall. We drove over to the Kiszka residence.

    "Make way for ducklings!" My mom yelled as we walked into the house. "Ooo, we're getting to old for saying that." I heard a holler from the other room.

    "Kitchen!" Karen called. We took off our coats and went in. Immediately, we were greeted with hugs and kisses. Karen, then Kelly, then Sammy, then Josh, then Jake, and then Ronnie. When Ronnie hugged me, she whispered "I missed you, but we need to talk." I looked at her and she was serious. I nodded and she pulled me into the family room. I turned to everyone and caught Jake's eye. He gave me a knowing look.

    We sat on the couch. "What's up?" I asked, my voice trailing off.

    "So I was doing my laundry the other day and I found, something. Now I know their not Hannah's because I asked her and I made up a lie that they were probably Mom's, but I know Mom doesn't wear red lace underwear." My mouth opened a little. "So, I did a little snooping and found that a lot of girl's stuff is in Jake's laundry basket. I need you to tell me now if you're sleeping with him." I was silent and I felt like I might cry.

    "Ron, I.. um.."

    "Just tell me, you know I love you, but you need to let me know."

    "Yeah, we- we are." A tear wandered down my cheek and I caught it quickly. "I understand if you're mad."

    "Mags, why are you doing this. I'm not mad at you, I just don't get it. You've got someone and so does he."

    "Actually, I don't have anyone anymore." I felt myself choking out words.

    "Maggie, why didn't you tell me?" She pulled me into a hug and then the waterworks really started. "What happened?" I breathed in and spoke.

    "If I'm going to tell you, I need to tell you from the beginning." I said into her sweater.

    "Shoot."
   
    We sat there for about a half and hour and I told her everything. Everything from when Jake and I were waiting in the parking lot year ago, up until today.

    "So, do you love him?" She asked.

    "...Yeah... I think I do."

    "Oh god.." She hugged me again. "What're you gonna do?"

    "Well, I'm gonna breathe every breath and live every day, he just makes everything better." I heard the floorboard creak. Both of our heads shot around, but whoever was standing there had left. "We should get back." I stood, flattening my skirt out and wiping my eyes.

    "Hey." Ronnie, grabbed my arm. "I support you, in everything you do, I hope you know that." I smiled at her. We both walked back into the kitchen. Music was being played and everyone was chopping.

    "Hey, where have our girls been?" Kelly asked us.

    "Catching up." Ronnie said.

    All the food was ready and we sat down around the big table. I sat in between Jake and Sammy. "Who wants to say grace?" My dad said.

    "I'll do it!" Jake said. He stood up, picking up the grace book, and spoke. "Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." Everyone smiled and we dug in. Jake rested one hand on my thigh and looked into my eye. 'I'm thankful for you.' He mouthed.

    "I'm thankful for you too." I whispered to him. I looked around the table, everyone smiling and talking. Then my eyes fell on Jamie, he looked irritated and unhappy. I shook it off and enjoyed the evening. As everyone sat around, I took to the job of cleaning up the kitchen. I stood at the sink, washing the dishes when I felt someone creep up behind me and hug my waist. It was Jake. He kissed my neck and I put the dish I was washing back into the sink. Wiping my hands, I turned around to give him a real kiss. "Jake, I want to tell you something. It serious."

    "Yeah... Go.. ahead.. and.. tell.. me.." Each word was followed by him placing a new kiss on me.

    "I.. mmm.. I think I might-"

    "WHAT THE FUCK!" Someone yelled, we turned to see Jamie standing there. His fists were clenched. "Are you fucking kidding me right now?! You're sleeping with him aren't you. Actually, you don't even need to tell me because I heard you earlier." He made his way towards Jake.

    "Stop, Jamie. Please don't. Jamie!" He kept walking until he was in front of us, just me to separate him from Jake.

    "You think you can just do this, just fuck my sister and get away with it!"

    "Don't talk about her like that!" Jake yelled

    "Don't you ever talk about her, ever. Don't look at her. Don't touch her."

    "That's not gonna happen." Jake held his ground. Jamie lifted his arm like he once had.

    "STOP! JAMIE!" He was about to his him and I could feel myself wanting to do anything to help Jake. "JAMIE, I LOVE HIM!" He looked shocked. He lowered his arm. "You can't hit him because I love him Jame. Don't do that to me." I was crying, I can't believe I was actually crying.