Always Adam

Chapter 14

We all pile in my car with Donnie grabbing the front seat of course. Adam sits in the back with Ava in the middle. Nat needed more leg room she had complained when they bickered about where to sit. The hour drive was fun with me, Nat and Ava singing along to the top twenty. I think Donnie was enjoying the performance whereas, Adam was pretending it was painful. When we pulled up at Ted and Donna's house it felt odd. I noticed Mike outside on his porch. He looked to be texting on his phone. When I got out, I pretended I didn't see him.

My new friends followed me up to the house. Donnie was practically holding my hand. I tried to put some distance between us. I gave a knock before opening the door to announce I had arrived. Donna came out of the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. "You don't need to knock Carly. This is still your house to," Donna said taking in my appearance. She pulls me into a hug. I stand there not sure what to say or do. I can't remember Donna ever giving me a hug when I came through the door. The only hug I remember like that was when I first met her, after my parents had died. I had never visited them nor had they visited me before they died.

I'm introducing Donna to my friends when I hear a scream from the top of the steps. "Caarrrlllyyy," Olivia screams running down the steps so fast I'm worried she's going to fall. She launches herself into my arms. "I've missed you soooooo much," she says holding on to me for dear life. I laugh and fall to the floor with her. "I've missed you to," I say turning into the tickle monster. She screams as I tickle her senseless. Finally we crawl up off the floor. Donna invites my friends into the living room. Olivia drags me in after them. It takes her about two seconds to zero in on Adam.

Adam and Nat are sitting on the couch. Ava got the only chair while Donnie is sitting on the love seat. I want to roll my eyes, but don't. Olivia slips onto the couch next to Adam and starts chattering away. At first Adam looks uncomfortable, but eventually he relaxes. Teddy strolls in looking uninterested in all of us. "Where you been," he asks giving me a fist bump. "Living my life. Where you been," I ask. He smiles at me. "Living my life," he says. I can tell he's trying to act cool in front of my friends. I introduce him to my friends. He says hello and then wonders off. I excuse myself and walk to the kitchen to see if Donna needs any help.

She assures me everything is fine. I hear the door and figure Ted is home. He also looks happy to see me. I start to question whether I've been too hard in my judgment of them. I introduce my friends and Donna says it's time to eat. Ted and Donna have a dining room, but there was never a reason to use it. Today Donna has it all set up for us. My friends hang back and wait to see where Olivia, Teddy, Donna and Ted sit. Since this is the first time we've used the dining room, I'm not sure where to sit myself.

"Sit wherever," Donna says when she notices no one is sitting. I smile when Olivia sits next to Adam. I sit and Donnie sits next to me. Ava sits on the other side of Adam and Nat sits next to Donnie. Donna and Ted take the ends while Teddy, who was last to arrive, gets stuck on a corner of the end by Ted. Donna made chicken parmesan. It's delicious. Everyone seems to be enjoying it.

"So tell me about yourself Natalie," Donna asks trying to get to know my new friends. Nat proceeds to tell her how she's a foster child. She talks about not knowing her parents. She bounced from home to home until the McKay's took her in. After a couple years they adopted her. She tells her what wonderful people they are and I can tell she really loves them. She talks about all the kids that have come and gone. To her that use to be the hard part. "You get to know someone and learn to trust them. Then just like that they are gone. Sometimes you don't even get to say goodbye," she says sadly. "You learn eventually to just keep your distance."

"It must be really hard," Donna says. "I always worried about Carly when she came to live with us. It was so different from her other life. She adjusted well and we are really proud of her." I'm shocked by Donna's words. "So how about you Ava," she asks next. Ava looks over at Adam. He stares at her for a minute before looking down at his plate. "Um ... well ...," Ava stammers. "Adam and I are twins," she finally says. Donna looks over at Adam. "I thought you two looked a lot alike," she says smiling at Adam.

This was what I had been waiting for. More information about Adam. Well and Ava also. I had always wanted to ask, but never felt comfortable enough. "We live with our grandma. Our mother left when we were very small. Our dad's in jail. He worked at a chop shop and got busted. Ouch," Ava says giving Adam a nasty look. I'm guessing he kicked her under the table. "That's about it I guess," Ava says as she glares at Adam. Donna seems unfazed by the information. She then turns her attention to Donnie. "I live at home with my mom, dad, sister and two brothers. Boring as all he ... heck," he says catching himself from swearing.

"What do your parents do," Ted asks showing some interest. "My dad works at an insurance agency selling life insurance. My mom runs a daycare center," he says sounding proud. I look over at him and he smiles at me. I can't help but smile back. When dinner is over, I help clean up. Both Nat and Ava offer, but I tell them I got it covered. In the kitchen Donna turns to me and says "you seem to have made some nice friends Carly. Are you adjusting well?" I think about my new friends and smile. "I am. My new friends are awesome."

She cuts into the apple pie she made. "I'm glad. That one boy seems to like you," she says elbowing me in the arm. "Oh Donnie. Yes I think he's crushing on me," I joke. She looks at me and shakes her head. "No not the obvious one. I mean the other boy, Adam," she says. I look at her with confusion on my face. "I don't think so," I tell her wondering what would make her think that. I mean Donnie is obvious with his feelings. I think the entire school already knows his intentions toward me. "I think so Carly. When you're not paying attention, he watches you. Not in a creepy way, but in a interested way. He's quiet and seems a little distant though. He's also really good looking," Donna adds with a grin as she scoops the pie onto the plates.

I think about what she said. I'm doubtful. Besides, I find the whole Donna and me bonding thing to be odd. We never had this kind of relationship when I lived here. I wonder what is making her be so nice to me now. I think maybe she misses me. But then I dismiss that thought. She probably only misses the help I provided when here. The help with Teddy and Olivia's homework. The cleaning chores. I can't comprehend the thought of her actually missing me. Me as in the person I am.

I help Donna serve the pie. I can see its getting dark. Olivia runs off to change into her costume. She calls me upstairs to help. I help her slip on the little cheer leader outfit she picked. "I wanted to look just like you Carly," she says grabbing the little pom poms that came with the outfit. "I told mommy that I want to be a cheerleader just like you when I get bigger." I feel my eyes tear up. Sweet little Olivia. I didn't realize how much I missed her until now. I reach down and hug her to me. When I look up, I see Adam standing at the door.

"Sorry. I was on my way to the bathroom," he says turning to go down the hall. I put Olivia's hair into two side ponytails and tie ribbons around them. Donna said she could wear a little make up so I add some blush and eye shadow. The eye shadow has sparkles that Olivia loves.  She so thrilled with the way her eye's sparkle she's jumping up and down. I add some lip gloss to lips and say "You are officially a cheerleader for the night." She shrieks and runs downstairs. I run into Adam in the hall.

"She's adorable," he says smiling at her retreating back. "I didn't realize how much I missed her," I admit watching her disappear down the steps. I can hear her chattering to Ava and Nat. "Do you miss being here," Adam asks. I think about his question for a minute. "I like my new life. I do miss Olivia though," I say glancing back into her pink room. Adam moves closer to me and peeks in her room. We both jump when we hear Donnie say "What's going on up here." We both turn to see him standing at the top of the stairs. "Bathroom break for me," Adam says walking past Donnie and heading down the steps.

I stand at Olivia's door and watch as he walks towards me. He stops when he's almost right on top of me. He looks down at me and reaches his hand out towards my face. At that moment Teddy comes out of his room dressed as a vampire. Donnie steps back and his hand falls down to his side. Teddy looks at the two of us and then continues down the steps. "Carly," Olivia calls from downstairs. "What you doing," she asks. "On my way down kiddo," I yell and walk away. Donnie waits a minute and then follows me down.