Shit. Can he hear us? Jonah gives me one last glare, and then he turns and stomps down the stairs.
We follow George into the living room. It’s utter chaos. The balloons have gotten free and several are roaming around the room. There are pieces of wrapping paper, popped balloons, and beads from theDragon Princessbracelets I put in the goodie bags. The partially put-togetherDragon Princesscastle is in the middle of the floor, taunting us. Reminding us of our part in all this.
Mom sits on the loveseat, her hair a little wild and her hands clutched in her lap.
Something isn’t right.
Mom isn’t obsessively organized like my father, but she doesn’t like things messy either. Even during a party, she normally cleans as she goes.
George motions for us to sit on the couch, and then he takes the spot beside her.
We each sit as far away from the other as possible. “Is Maisy okay?” Jonah asks, the hardness gone from his face.
“She’s taking a nap.” George takes Mom’s hand and squeezes. She gives him a tired smile.
“Dad, I’m sorry —”
George cuts Jonah off with a shake of his head. “We’re a family.” He glances from Jonah to me. “All of us. The fighting has to stop, boys. We should’ve done something way before now. Back when you were both in school.” He pauses, and Jonah, the idiot, decides this is a good time to talk. He’s never had an ounce of self-preservation.
“Maybe if Vivian would’ve tried to fit in.”
“So, I should’ve changed myself? Just to make you and your jock friends feel more comfortable?”
“Stop.” George leans forward with his hands clasped together. Then he rubs his face, looking more exhausted than I’ve ever seen him. It clicks then that this is not just about our fighting. Something else is going on. Is it related to Mom being so tired? So emotional?
I dart a glance at Jonah, and I can see the worry etched into his face.
“Dad—”
He shakes his head again. “It’s our turn to talk.”
Jonah slumps, and I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
George takes Mom’s hand again. She nods at him, and he clears his throat. “We’ve been saving to go on a trip. A family vacation. And I need to be honest about this part: we considered going without you boys. You’re adults now.”
It’s just like Christmas all over again. They went to Iowa to see George’s mom for Christmas. We weren’t invited. I told Cassandra I couldn’t work—I wasn’t staying in Hopeview alone. Instead, I went to Mule Creek and got a part-time barista job just to have something to do. Of course Jonah found out, thought I was following him, and tried to get me fired.
And then Christmas—but I can’t focus on that. “Is that our punishment?” I ask, and George’s face softens a bit.
“I wouldn’t do that, son. Leave you out just to punish you.”
Jonah had stiffened at his use of the word “son.” But George doesn’t mean it like that.
But I can’t worry about Jonah because my skin is all prickly and hot. Withdrawing love and attention is my father’s go-to punishment. I clear my throat. “So, we’re all going to Disney World?”
Jonah jerks his head around to stare at me. “You knew about this?”
And didn’t tell me. That’s the rest of it that I can clearly see in his eyes. As if we share things with each other. As if we even tolerate each other.
“I mentioned it to Viv yesterday,” Mom says, sitting straighter. “But plans have changed. We want to do something the entire family will enjoy. Maybe spending time together will help you two get along.”
“Or kill each other,” Jonah mumbles.
Mom ignores his remark, which is probably for the best. But my mind is racing. “If not Disney World, where?”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon.” Mom smiles at George. “And then we thought we could go to San Diego. And check out Pridefest.”
I jerk forward. My heart jumps ahead, racing with the possibilities. “Pridefest? Are you sure about this, Mom?” I want to go, but a road trip with the entire family? And Jonah?
