Where Do We Go From Here?

It wasn’t long until my mother and Ronnie pulled into the driveway. By then my father had already came home as well. Callie and I had helped him carry the rather large bags from Le DuPonte into the house. When Ronnie entered the house, I pulled her in for a big hug. It seems that over the two weeks of us being gone that Ronnie had put on a microscopic amount of weight. Her collarbones—which once resembled tree roots jutting out from her body—now look better, considering there was more than a thin layer of pale skin coating over it. I wasn’t sure how well Ronnie would take it if I commented her on her weight gain, so I kept any and all commentary to myself.

“How was your Christmas?” I asked her as we—meaning Callie, Ronnie, and myself—made our way to the living area.

At the moment my parents were arranging the food on silver dish platters to make it look as if we actually prepared the meal ourselves. .

“It was okay. I got to prepare a Christmas spread myself.” Ronnie answered. “What about yours? I wish I could’ve seen the family.” She added.

I offered a sympathetic look before indulging her with how everyone was doing. Ronnie smiled happily as I explained how we were expecting a new addition to the family from Alexander.

“I can’t believe Alexander would be the one to give Yia Yiá a great-grand child.” She commented before adding “And I’m not entirely surprised that Alexine is a lesbian.”

I laughed. “I would have thought Marcus would be the one to do it.” I joked.

“Oh, Ronnie.” Callie interjected. “We got you some gifts.” She added before hopping onto her feet and bounding up the stairs.

I smiled because Callie was incessant about wanting to bring back gifts for Ronnie. Callie felt bad that Ronnie couldn’t go to Santorini and therefore felt the unyielding need to bring back a copious amount of gifts that would (hopefully) lighten Ronnie’s spirits. Callie returned shortly after with a large bag hanging from her hands.

“Merry—belated—Christmas.” Callie giggled.

“You guys didn’t have to get me anything.” Ronnie remarked.

I rolled my eyes. “If you couldn’t go to Santorini then it only seemed fit to bring Santorini to you.”

Ronnie smirked before humbly taking the bag from Callie and opened it. The first thing she pulled out was an old corked bottle in which Callie and I had filled with sand and seashells from the shoreline in Santorini. Ronnie smiled appreciatively before digging out the scarf and maxi dress Callie and I both bought—I tried to pay for it myself, but Callie was adamant on chipping in. The final thing Ronnie pulled out was a small book that Callie and I had put together. It held various pictures from our trip with a small section where my family got to write in. It was then that I noticed the way Ronnie started to tear up as she began reading everyone’s words.

Callie looked worried. “You hate it?” She asked hesitantly.

Ronnie laughed while wiping away her tears. “No, this—this is beautiful.” She stammered before looking up at the both of us. “Thank you.”

I smiled. “It was mainly Callie’s idea. Personally if gift giving was up to me, then you’d only get a post card.” I joked, earning another laugh from Ronnie.

Ronnie pulled me and Callie in for a hug before she hugged the small book to her chest. “Why didn’t Yia Yiá come down?” She asked.

I sighed. “Unfortunately, both Yia Yiá and Uncle Cadmus were swamped at the Inn so she said she’ll visit once things start to slow down.”

“Oh.” Ronnie replied. “When will Jason and Cassandra get here?”

I looked at the time before saying “Soon, actually. Jason said they were trying to get here by noon.”

Ronnie smiled. “Well, what’s new with the two of you?”

Callie bit her lip. “Nothing.”

“You suck at lying.” Ronnie pointed out.

I laughed. “That much is true.”

“C’mon, I know when something’s different, so spill—both of you.” Ronnie remarked.

I rolled my eyes. “Mom made us both go on birth control.”

Ronnie snorted. “What?!”

“Yeah, there was an awkward situation that led up to that decision.” Callie muttered.

“What the hell? Where have I been?” Ronnie asked incredulously.

I laughed. “Let’s just say that a certain person had a condom malfunction which resulted in Jason having to buy the Plan B pill for aforementioned person.”

Ronnie stared at us with her jaw hanging open. “You’re serious.” She stated.

“Like a stroke.” Callie mumbled.

“Wow.” Ronnie said before adding “Well, at least you guys are safe now.”

Callie rolled her eyes while I snickered quietly.

“So, do I only have to be concerned about one of my little sisters or both?” Ronnie asked suspiciously.

Callie snorted before saying “Both.”

“Callie!” I exclaimed defensively.

“What, you can spew about the Plan B story but I can’t say that you and Tony have done it.” She retorted while giggling.

Ronnie gasped while I just cringed awkwardly. “Oh my.” Ronnie breathed.

“Please don’t make this anymore awkward than it already is.” I begged.

Ronnie stifled her laughing. “This…this is interesting.”

I narrowed my eyes at Callie who giggled in return. “It’s something.” I mumbled.

I hate you. I mouthed to Callie.

She laughed before mouthing I love you, too.

Rolling my eyes, I faintly heard a car pull into our driveway. “I bet that’s Jason.” I quickly said while clambering to my feet.

I walked away from Ronnie and Callie who were still silently giggling at my expense—well, at least at my reaction. It was then I heard more than two sets of footsteps climbing the front porch steps.

“…You look fine mom.” I heard Cassandra say from the other side of the door.

“Ready?” Jason’s voice asked.

A silent confirmation must have taken place because it was then that I heard the knock on the door. I gave a second or so before I opened the door to find Jason and Cassandra, hand in hand, smiling broadly at me. Behind them were—at least I’m assuming here—Cassandra’s parents. Cassandra’s mother had a few age lines, but other than that it was apparent as to where Cassandra got her beauty from. As for Cassandra’s father, he was a tall lanky guy with gray hair and had a slight slouch to his frame.

“Hey Jason, Cassandra.” I greeted since I didn’t really know the names of Cassandra’s parents even though I was sure she might’ve mentioned it before.

“Verity, this is Cassandra’s parents Lawrence and Caroline Matheson.” Jason introduced. “Mr. and Mrs. Matheson this is my youngest sister Verity.”

I smiled cordially at them as the two held their hands out to me. “Verity, that’s an interesting name.” Mr. Matheson commented before adding “You know, its origin means truth.”

I smiled politely when, in fact, I was well aware of what my name meant.

“This is a beautiful home.” Mrs. Matheson commented while looking around.

“Thanks, um—mom and dad are in the kitchen.” I blurted out.

“Is Ronnie here?” Jason asked.

“Yeah, she and Callie are in the living area.” I answered.

“Great.” Jason smiled then ushered Cassandra and her parents to the living room.

I followed behind begrudgingly only because I wasn’t ready to face my sister after she just found out I was no longer a virgin. My embarrassment comes from the fact that I was still coming to terms with having a boyfriend, let alone a boyfriend I have screwed…twice!

Notes