Our Last Summer

Chapter 17: Storytelling

(Madelyn's POV)

The boys were upstairs cleaning up and changing while I was helping Kristine with dinner and making the table. Jason finally came in and he sighed as he walked over to the counter with a bunch of grocery bags.

"Jason, guess what!" I exclaimed, walking over to him with a plate in my hands. He barely looked at me while he grabbed different items from the bag. "Hello? This is important." He sighed and walked to the pantry.

"What?" He asked, no excitement feeding into my news, but I know when he hears it, he will be happy.

"I found them! They're here!" I gripped the plate I was holding, hoping he would get excited.

He stopped and I watched as he thought over my statement. It looked as if something switched in his brain from anger to relief. He quickly walked past me and I watched curiously as he ran over to Kristine.

"Oh, hey, Jason, I didn't know you--" She said as she walked into the kitchen, but she was quickly cut off.

"They're here?" He interrupted.

"Yeah, they're cleaning up." His face lit up and he looked as if there were tears in his eyes.

"Where are they?" He asked, looking around, and starting to run to the stairs.

"The boys are upstairs showering," I answered, making him stop in his tracks. He looked over his shoulder at Kristine and his face dropped slightly.

"Where are the girls?" Kristine and I looked over at each other with the same look. I pressed my lips together while she rubbed her palms and breathed in. "Kristine, where are they?"

"They're not in their right head right now. I'll explain it all at dinner, but they're safe." She assured, making him question what was happening. Kristine quickly walked back into her room. Jason walked over to the grocery bags and started to unpack them again.

"So, no thank you?" I asked, filling the awkward silence between us. He didn't answer me and I huffed in frustration. "You're not going to ask me how I found them or at least say a good job?"

"Thanks." He muttered, putting the last can of food in the pantry and balling up the bag. He walked past me, putting it in the trashcan and I turned to face him.

"Jason, this is ridiculous now. Don't you think this has gone on long enough?" I asked and still no answer. "Jason!" He finally stopped and I crossed my arms.

"All I need to talk to you about is when dinner will be done. Other than that, I have nothing to say to you." He explained. I felt a wave of sadness pass over me and tears slowly came to my eyes. He walked up the stairs, leaving me alone in the kitchen, wondering where it all went wrong.

"Just give him time, sweetheart. You did break his heart." I heard Kristine say, making me look over at her. I nodded, knowing she was right, and she gave me a small sweet smile. I put the plate on the table and helped Kristine with the rest of the dinner.

After about five minutes, the boys slowly finished their showers and came down one by one. First, it was Ethan, who got all of the drinks ready for us. Then, Jason came down and sat on the couch. Next was Noah, who joined Jason and made Ethan come over to them.

"I smell something good." I heard Tyler say as his feet running down the stairs. Kristine chuckled and he rounded the corner to see us cooking the meal. "Oh, yes, lemme help." He came into the kitchen and started to mess with some of the pots, eating some of the bread, and making Kristine laugh.

"Alright, dinner is ready, boys," Kristine said, placing the last dish in the middle of the table and the boys immediately jumped up, cheering and running to the table. I've forgotten how much I've missed the boys.