I knew Joanna too well to even think she wanted to go back. But I did. I wanted to be with my parents so badly; I was willing to do anything to gain that. I wanted to be loved by them. To love them in return. To be there for them. For them to be there for me.
Now, don't get me wrong, Joe was great. She was the best sister. She did everything I asked. She broke her back to do what I wanted. She'd die for me. She always had her best interest for me in hand. She just did it all for me. She did everything she could. I was all she had. If it hadn't been for me, she probably wouldn't have left. We would've still been in that hell hole of a house.
But she took me in her heart, and she saved me.
She knew what to do, when to do and how to do. She knew how to talk to people. How to charm people into doing her bidding.
And she was wrapped around my finger.
The only girl I knew who was always by my side, no matter what.
I looked out the window, and slightly frowned. I wasn't too sure about the decision I had conned her into. I knew she didn't want to return, but I wanted to give my parents another shot. I mean, they are my parents, and though she refers to them as Sperm Donor and Incubator, she has the right to. Slightly. She never used the terms in front of me, but I knew she called them that. It was in her nature.
I glanced over at her. She was lost in thought, like always. She never stopped thinking. She was one of those philosophical people, like I said, she knew what to say and when to say it. Most of the time.
I stared out the car window at the rolling hills and passing trees. There were farm houses and duplexes. At one point I thought I saw a boy walking that looked like an older version of Kel, Joe's elementary school sweetheart. She'd never admit it, but we all knew it. She had a heart of gold, a heart of stone, and a very soft spot for Kel.
I glanced at my sister. She was more sophisticated in looks than she was at heart. She loved to party. She enjoyed getting wasted, and if she could she'd probably get laid. I wasn't ready for a niece or nephew yet though. I begged her not to go that far. I didn't mind her drinking, or smoking pot or cigs, I minded if she got wasted or high. One or two drinks or puffs were fine. It was when she went over that one or two that I would throw a tantrum for.
She knew that. And, like always, she gave in to me, and did my bidding. She gradually stopped drinking as much, and now she only drinks on occasion. Sometimes. I knew her moving back here would probably drive her to the drinking scene again. Of course.
I sighed quietly, thinking about football. I hoped it wasn't too late to try out for the team here. I really wanted to play. It was my favorite past time, and Joe usually would play the game with me.
I looked back over at Joanna with unmistakable admiration in my heart, and mind. She was the perfect role model. Everything she did was perfect, except her party lifestyle. She wouldn't fail at anything. She couldn't. Her standards of herself were so much more than any seventeen year old's should have been. She was pretty, and smart and so much more than anyone else ever deserved. No one but Kel deserved her. No one. She was his perfect match and though she denied it, she knew it.
“Joe, what do you expect when we get back?” I finally asked, bringing her back to earth.
She stared straight ahead, frowning slightly. I knew the wheels in her head were turning to come up with a good response. That's what she was good for. I watched her as she came up with something to say.
“Honestly, Wes, I'm not sure what to expect. I hope they've changed, and they're willing to love us for who we are, not who we've become. It's going to be strained a little on both ends, since we parted ways on such terrible measures. We'll make it work, as long as they're willing to make it work. I know we'll make it, even if it kills us.” she finally said, looking straight, glancing at me every so often through her movie star sunglasses.
I nodded as she spoke, and in the distance I saw the house. I knew she was still thinking about turning back, going back to our foster home. “We can't go back now.” I reminded her. And then she nodded and slowly pulled into the drive way. Staring at the house that our parents, our real parents, lived in.
“Time to face the music.” she said, and we got out of the car.
