(Thirteen years old)

“I hate you!” I screamed at Dad. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!”

Dad just laughed and patted me on the head. His rough hand messed up my hair so much that it took twenty minutes of brushing to get untangled.

“Go back up to your room sweetheart.”

I turned on my heel and stomped back up to my room, throwing my bag on the floor and collapsing on my bed in tears. All I wanted to do was go to Olivia’s house, was that so bad? I mean, I knew I was grounded, but so what?

My mobile rang and I swooped to pick it up. The ring tone was one my friend Grace had picked for me. It was Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson. I was starting to hate it.

“Where are ya?” Olivia asked.

I groaned. “I’m grounded. Dad won’t let me go. Wanna come over?”

“Can’t,” I heard Olivia sigh. “I’m grounded too. Mum caught me on the phone last night instead of doing my homework. How stupid is that?”

I agreed and we hung up. I knew I had to do something, so I opened up my email and read Rosa’s last letter.

Hey Josie,

How are things at home? I’m doing good. Right now I’m in Paris, France. I’m sitting in a café typing away and waiting for one of the handsome waiters to bring me a crepe. I’m telling you sis, the men in France are gorgeous!

So how’s dad treating you? I got a phone call from mum today, she said she had the baby. A Boy, isn’t that wonderful?

Well, I’ve got to go now. Say hi to everyone for me,

Rosa.

I envied Rosa. As a birthday present, she was allowed to go traveling around Europe for a year! I wanted to go traveling around Europe for a year. I pressed reply and slowly typed a letter back.

Dear Rosa.

I’m good, I’m good. I saw the baby, he’s really big. Dave say’s they’re going to name him Marshall, but mum say’s that’s a stupid name. I’ll take some photos of him and send them later.

Bye,

Josie.

“Will you play with me, Josie?”

I turned around. Five-year-old Benny was standing beside my bed. I couldn’t say no to his big blue eyes, so I was stuck playing make-believe until dinner.

“When are we seeing mum again?” I asked over dinner.

Dad looked at Eliza fleetingly, and then turned back to me.

“We'll see her tonight.”

I nodded.

"Good."

Eliza picked up my plate.

“Finish your homework and we’ll leave at seven," Dad said

Just before seven I stepped into dad’s black four-wheel drive and leaned back in the leather seat, wishing Dad would hurry up. Benny sat in the back, but Eliza was staying behind.

“All ready?” Dad asked, poking his head in the car door.

I nodded hurriedly. “Yes, now get in and drive!”

Dad slipped into the driver’s seat and reved the engine. We were stuck in traffic for a long time when we got on the main roads, but finally we made it to the hospital. I jumped out of the car and hurried up the stairs to Mum’s room.

“Hi Mum!” I grinned, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Where’s Dave?”

“Gone to get coffee,” mum said, kissing me on the cheek. “Hi sweetie.”

I looked around the room for my little brother.

“Where’s the baby, mum?” I asked, standing up and opening a box of chocolate that was sitting on mum’s chest of drawers.

“One of the nurses took him a little while ago,” Mum smiled. “So I could have some rest, but I don’t think that’s going to be happening now that you’re here. Who else is with you?”

I shrugged and put a chocolate in my mouth. “Just Dad and Benny,” I answered after swallowing, the creamy taste of rich milk chocolate still present in my mouth.

The door opened, and Benny rushed in with Dad and Dave following. They got on alright when they saw each other, but always kept the conversation strictly about work and sport. Benny had always loved Mum, even though he wasn’t related to her and hardly ever saw her.

“Hi Marianne,” Dad said, leaning over to hug Mum. “How are you?”

“Fine,” Mum said. “I’m doing fine. What about yourself?”

Dad nodded. “I’m alright,” he glanced at Dave and then back at Mum. “Listen, Josie, there's something we want to talk to you about."

I sat on the bed casually.

"Yeah, what?"

Mum sighed. Her expression was pained and I didn’t think it was fair of my dad to do this to her just after she had the baby.

"We think you should go and stay with your Dad for a while."

"We think it would be better now that Mum's got a new baby. Just for a few months, so everyone can adjust."

They all stared at me, and it made me nervous. I turned to Mum.

"Is this true?"

She nodded.

With that one small gesture I felt my heart break again. Tears welled up in my eyes and I shook my head.

Mum started speaking to me, trying to hug me, but I just pushed her away and ran out the door.