The sun was high in the sky. It was beating down through the crystal window on top of the Ricci's front door. Alex, Jo, Summer and Tommy were standing in the foyer of their house. Summer and Tommy were standing farther back, their faces expressionless. Alex and Jo were closer to the door, surrounded by his packed suitcase and single duffel bag.
It was mid July. Alex's eighteenth birthday. They had known of the impending date for moths now, but the two of them had avoided talking about it. It was too touchy of a subject. Now the day was here. The moment was here.
Alex looked down on Jo. She was nearly fourteen years old and had grown so much in the time since she'd arrived on the Ricci's doorstep. She'd shot up at least half a foot and stood almost eye level with him. Her brown hair was longer now, falling almost to her waist. Alex suppressed a laugh after he noticed she had begun to grow into the big ears he often teased her about. The changes were not only physical, but emotional as well. When she arrived she was a scared little girl who had no idea how to survive on her own. Now Alex was positive she was strong enough to make it through the next few years here.
Alex turned to Tommy and Summer. He waved and offered them a smile. "Thank you for everything," He said. 'Everything' did not include much when referenced to Tommy and Summer, but Alex felt obligated to say it. Tommy and Summer nodded. Summer even smiled.
"You're welcome, Alex," She responded then gestured to the front door. "Good luck out there." It was the largest amount of consecutive words she had ever said to him. Alex thanked her again, then watched as they both walked toward the back of the house.
"So this is it," He said, glancing around the house that had been his home for years. Jo was strong. She had grown in the few years he'd known her and she was strong. Independent. But when Alex looked at her he saw the scared eleven year old girl that Maria dropped off on John's eighteenth birthday.
Jo nodded. Her eyes were misty, the tears threatening to spill over her lids. She tried to force a smile, but the gesture just looked pained. "This is it," She managed, her words came out broken and weak.
Alex watched as the first few tears rolled down her cheeks. He sighed and pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her body and giving it a squeeze. "Hey," He whispered, bending over so his mouth was close to her ear. "Don't cry. It's gonna be okay," He promised. "I'm gonna visit every weekend. You can come see me, too. And I'm only a phone call away. If you need anything just call. I'll be there." He pulled away and pressed his lips to her forehead. "You're smart and beautiful. You can do this," He assured her.
Jo pulled away. "Awe, that was really sweet," She said her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Did you write that into a poem?" Her eyes opened in a mocking gesture and she gasped. "And do you also write about ponies and rainbows, too?"
Alex playfully punched Jo's arm and shook his head. The lump in his throat dissolved and he chuckled along with her. "Be good. Call me if you need anything." He said one last time before picking up his bags and turning toward the door.
The used Jeep Cherokee he had bought with his savings was waiting on the curb. He pulled open the locks and piled in his belongings. That's when he heard the Ricci's front door open. He turned just in time to open his arms before Jo launched herself into them. He stumbled backward, his back pressed against the hot metal of the car.
"I'm gonna miss you," Jo admitted. She squeezed him tight around the neck and pulled away to look up at him. Her big brown eyes squinted against the afternoon sun.
"I'm gonna miss you, too, Bud," Alex replied. He breathed in her familiar, flowery scent and knew how much that statement was true.
Jo's eyes were watery. She pulled away and cracked a smile through her tears. "Don't get into too much trouble without me," She mock-warned.
Alex smiled back because hers was so contagious. "I won't," He promised.
She pouted out her lip and looked up at him with disappointment in her eyes. "I wish I could've thrown you a birthday party or something," She said. "Eighteen's a big one."
Alex shook his head. Waving her off. He had never had a birthday party before and he didn't want Jo to waste her money on him. He knew she felt obligated to return the favor. When she had turned thirteen in November Alex had bought a camera for the occasion and planned a whole day. He took her to Pizza Hut and to see some chick flick she'd been talking about for weeks. Everywhere they went he snapped pictures. When they got home he had an ice cream cake waiting for her. "Even if I was staying I wouldn't expect anything."
"I know, but I still wanna do something for you," She said. She silently cursed herself for not thinking of getting him something. She had just been so distracted by the fact that he was leaving.
Alex stepped forward, closing the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. "Listen, don't worry about it," He rubbed her back quickly and then pulled away. "I'll visit next weekend," He promised.
Jo wiped at her eyes and nodded toward the car. "Now, get going," She said. "You don't want to be late for moving day."
Alex peeked at his watch. She was right. He only had a few hours before his first class. He had decided to take summer classes so he could graduate early. And he had arranged it so he could move in and start today. "Alright, alright," He said backing away. I'm going." He slipped into the car and watched as Jo waved goodbye.
Jo waved until Alex's car was no longer visible. It disappeared behind the trees at the end of the road and she sighed. She turned and retreated back into the house. It was eerily quiet inside without Alex. Tommy and Summer had already gone into the den and were screaming at the television, but even their senseless chatter did nothing to liven the house. Jo looked at the digital clock on the microwave on her way to the room. It was only one o'clock in the afternoon. She had hours before it was acceptable for her to sleep. Without Alex the day was going to drag on.
Inside her room she flopped down on her mattress and stared across at the now vacant bed on the other side. Alex was gone. He was eighteen and out on his own. The tears were still running down her cheeks. She wiped at them wildly, but it was no use. They just kept coming. She cried herself to sleep, face first against her pillow to muffle the sound of her sobs.
Hours later she woke up disoriented. The sun was setting outside, the orange light coming through the slits in the blinds. Jo sat up her head hurt from crying and her nose was stuffy. She rubbed at her temples and looked across at Alex's bed. She knew it would be empty, but she had hope. The sheets were neatly tucked around the mattress. It hadn't been touched in hours. With nothing else to do Jo got up, grabbed a towel off the dresser, and made her way into bathroom to take a shower.
Alex made good time getting to Iowa State. When he arrived his roommate had already moved in. He had pretty generic taste. Navy blue and red striped sheets and matching accessories were set up around the room. Alex walked in and introduced himself to Matt. Then began unpacking his belongings.
After Alex's first class he was ecstatic. He liked college so far. There was a sense of freedom that even practically raising yourself couldn't give you. He had always had to answer to foster parents, but now he was truly on his own. He applied for jobs at a few of the on-campus stores and restaurants to earn extra spending money. On his way back to his dorm the sun was setting, making it's way to the west. Alex pulled out the cellphone he bought just for college and dialed the Ricci's number.
"Hello?" Tommy's familiar voice said into the receiver.
"It's Alex. Is Jo there?" He asked, hiking his messenger bag higher up on his shoulder.
There was movement on the other end. Alex faintly heard the other man call out Jo's name. Then the sound of the phone switching hands followed. "Hi!" Jo said cheerily into the phone.
Alex smiled at the sound of her voice. He was happy that she seemed to be handling the situation well. "Hey," He answered, heading in the direction of his dorm.
"How was your first day?" She asked, working to keep her voice light. She was swallowing the urge to cry. She had been doing that all day, but she hadn't wanted Alex to know.
Alex nodded and smiled. "It was great. I really like college. I can't wait for you to come visit."
Jo smiled at the thought. Forgetting her tears for the first time that day. "Yeah, me either. Maybe in two weeks."
"Two weeks," Alex assured her. "After I go there first." He pulled his brows together as he opened his dorm room door. Matt was inside looking through his cell phone. "Hey, how's it going there?" He questioned.
Although Alex could not see her she forced a fake smile. "It's fine. Same old same old. I'm about to make myself soup." She reported. She reached up to pull a Campbell's can out of the cabinet. Then grabbed a pot off the drying rack in the sink.
"Be careful. Don't burn yourself," Alex warned. He knew Jo was capable of making soup, but it was a habit to look out for her.
"Go enjoy college life," Jo told him. "I'll talk to you later."
Alex nodded. "Thanks. You enjoy being the only child for a little bit. I'll call you tomorrow." They both ended the call.
Alex sunk down on his new bed and pulled out his textbooks to start his homework. He was still reeling from his great first day. Jo, on the other hand, put the pot on the stove and suppressed her tears. After her dinner was ready she sank down into a chair at the kitchen table and began eating in silence. Every so often her eyes would dart to the empty chair across from her. She half expected Alex to be sitting there eating his own soup.
It was easier for Alex. He was in a new environment with new people. There weren't reminders of Jo on every turn. Unlike Jo. She was stuck in the Ricci's house. Every time she turned around there was the place Alex liked to study or where he hung his towel after a shower. Reminders of him that made a lump rise in her throat and the corners of her eyes burn.
Only a few more days and he would come back to visit. Jo kept that thought at the forefront of her mind as she trudged through the week. It was summer and there was nothing to do. When Alex was here he was her friend. So she hadn't bothered to make other friends. Now she was alone. Stuck in the house to miss Alex all day. She didn't want to be pathetic and wallowing, so she got herself up and onto the bus. Her plan for the day was to finally get herself a job. With Alex hours away she needed to earn her own income.
This was definitely not my favorite chapter to write. I had to write it to move the story along. I hope you enjoy it! Leave reviews and let me know what you think!