Joe's Point of View
Gretchen invited us to a cookout at her parents house. Andrea, the kids, and I went over there. I let the kids go play, Andrea went to help in the kitchen, and I went to go find my usual gang. I found all the guys outside on the backyard patio.
"Hey!"I called.
"What's up? It's DJ Dangaaa!"My brother, Nick, called.
"No one has called me that since I got married,"I said.
"Joe, catch!"My other brother, Kevin, called, tossing me a cold beer.
I caught it, cranked it open, and took a drink.
"Where's Xavier?"I asked.
"Him and Frank the Tank went to go get some more ice and buns,"Nick said.
"Please stop with the nicknames,"I said, laughing.
Madison's Point of View
"Unbuckle me! Unbuckle me!"Paige screamed from the backseat.
I got out, walked over to her door, opened it, and unbuckled her seatbelt. She jumped out of the car, grabbed Patrick's hand, and helped him onto the front steps of my parent's house in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Caleb and I grabbed our bags and we took them to the front. Loud music was blaring inside.
There must be another Crinkle Cookout going on, I thought to myself.
I opened the front door, which was unlocked, and peaked inside. No one was in the lobby. Caleb and the kids followed me upstairs. We put all our stuff in my old room, which now became a guest room.
"Why don't you get the kids all changed and situated and I'll go find my mom,"I said.
"Sure. Paige, get your brother, let's go find the bathroom,"Caleb called.
I went back downstairs and followed the music outside onto the patio. And I saw him.
Joe's Point of View
She hadn't changed one bit since I last saw her. Actually, she'd gotten much more sexier. Her breast had filled out, she had lost the braces, and glasses. I knew instantly who she was. Her eyes locked with mine. She smiled and so did I.
"Madison!"Kevin yelled, hugging her.
"Hey guys! Long time, no see,"She said, letting go of Kevin.
"Madison Crinkle. As in Crinkle Me Mad-ison? Oh its been way too long,"Nick said, exposing another nickname.
"Actually, Nicholas, it's Madison Zonwaski. I'm married,"She said, holding up her left hand, which held her wedding band.
My heart had this pinch-feeling the exact minute she said that. I don't know why. I was married too. And I had blew my chance with her like 17 years ago. Jeremiah ran into me. He was soaked from being in the pool.
"Dad, can I go get my baseball bat from the car?"He asked.
"Sure, go ahead. The doors are unlocked,"I said.
"Joseph Jonas has a kid?"She asked, when Jeremiah ran off.
"He has three. And another on it's way,"A family friend, Jake, said.
"No way! How old is that boy?"She asked.
"He's 7,"I said.
"Is he the oldest?"She asked.
"Yeah. It's him, then Cynthia who's 3. And last is Michelle who's 1. And in two months we'll have another,"I explained.
She has this everlasting smile on her face. She wasn't mad. But why should she be?
"I have two. Paige, who's 5. And Patrick, who's 10 months,"She explained.
A pretty-boy type guy walked out onto the patio with a small girl and a baby boy. The small girl was dress in a yellow sundress and white flip-flops. Her hair was dirty-blond. Just like the guys. Her eyes were a hazel color. Like Madison's. The girl was sucking on a lollipop. The baby boy was dressed in a blue and white stripped polo, khaki capris, and blue and white tennis shoes. Her hair was shaggy and a little darker than dirty-blond. His eyes, too, were hazel. He was carrying a sippy cup filled with juice.
"Guys, this is my husband, Caleb. This is my daughter, Paige. And my son, Patrick,"She explained.
We all waved. Andrea slowly made her way next to me, from the side door. She grabbed my hand.
"Im gonna go lay down. The doctor said I need rest with this one. Wake me up in a hour, please,"Andrea said.
"Joe, this is your wife?"Madison asked.
"Yes. This is my wife, Andrea. Andrea, this is a childhood friend of mine, Madison,"I explained.
"Childhood friend? Psh! You're in denial! This is his childhood lover!"Nick blurted.
All heads snapped towards Nick. Then at me. Andrea had her eyes fixed on Madison. And Caleb had his eyes fixed on me.
"We dated for a little while, yes,"Madison said.
"But that was a long time ago,"I finished.