| We got ourselves dressed and out the door fairly quickly. I was glad, because I was getting more curious about the things Taylor had brought up about my childhood as time went on. We met Jake at the restaurant just down the street from the hotel, and we all sat and had a pleasant meal, but soon enough the conversation turned to my mother. "Jake," I asked, "how is it possible that we are so close in age when my mother didn't even take me to Grandma until I was six? I am sooo confused, what happened? I mean, you're only what? A year and half younger than me.." Jake put his head in his hands and took a deep breath. I thought he was upset or something, but when he looked back at me he was almost laughing. "Jess..I remember seeing you around school, did you ever GO to your math class?" he asked. "Yes, smart ass, I did..but you graduated after me so I assume you are younger than me.." I grouched. "Ok, Jess, you're excused. But I am actually OLDER than you, Dad took me out of school for 2 years to go chasing around after our mother, he wanted to prosecute.." he said. "What are you talking about, Jake? Prosecute? Why?" I asked, dumbfouned. "Grandma didn't tell you ANYTHING about your mother? AT ALL?" he asked equally at a loss. "No, she never wanted to talk about Mom, we just went forward...it was almost like she knew we wouldn't see her again from the day she took me there..." I said. "Jess, our mother was married to both of our fathers at the same time, she'd show up and stay for a couple of months at a time, then tell Dad she had to go out of the country on BUISNESS... at least that's what my Dad always told me...as far as I know dad found out about it when he found out about you..but he wouldn't let me look for you while he was alive anyway.." |
| "Oh, Jake..I'm sorry.." I said and squeezed his hand. "It's ok Jess. Anyway as far as I can piece it together, my dad found out about you and your dad when you were about six...I assume that that was why your mom left you with her mother. My dad never did find her. If he had, he would have made sure she went to jail or worse. Also from what I can piece together, she made sure that both our dad's had no money left. She either spent it all before she left or found a way to take it with her. Before that, Jess, both of our dad's had money, we would have lived quite comfortably." "Wait, wait, wait...how could she possibly have hidden the fact that she was pregnant, or my birth for that matter, from your father, Jake? I don't get it.." I asked. "She had both of them believing that she had a job that required her to travel out of the country. Dad said she was gone for 8 months one time, he thought she was in Europe, or something she came home once, I think he said, but she was really with your father waiting for you to be born. Her excuse for not bringing us along was my Father's work, or not wanting to uproot ME from school or friends..." he exhaled loudly. "It's a long complicated story, Jess." "Yeah," I said lamely, "I guess it is, but Jake if you knew about me all along why didn't you say something right away? We've been friends a LONG time.." "Jessie, I wasn't sure it was you, I knew about you, but not your name or anything about our grandmother, I wanted to be sure..you always have to walk around acting like you're so tough, and you don't need anybody.." he and Taylor looked at each other, then Jake looked back at me. "And don't go yelling at me in here either, Jessie...because you know it's true. As a matter of fact, you may very well be my full sister, not just half. I swear you have MY father's temper..." he smiled then and squeezed my hand. "We'll get it completely figured out when you get back, Jessie, Ok? If we sit here any longer you guys will miss your flight.." |
| "Alright Jakey, now that you have thoroughly confused me..I will let that crack about me acting tough slide," I told him. "And yeah, we do have to go..." I looked around the table. Everyone, including Zac, had stopped eating and just sat there, almost as shocked as I was at the content of the conversation my brother and I had just had. I laughed. "It floors me too, guys." I shook my head, then turned to Jake. "You still have my keys?" I asked. "Yeah, Jess.." he answered, and I proceeded to show him which keys were for what and to make sure that everything was locked up, "I'll decide whether or not to move later on, I'm not scared of that idiot, I don't think he'll come around anymore anyway.." I said. "Whatever, Jess. I'll pick you up from the airport when you get back, ok?" Jake said. "Bye, Jake, " I said as I hugged him, "I'll see you soon." The rest of them said their goodbyes and Tay paid the bill as we left. I noticed that he and Jake seemed to click, almost as if they were thinking the exact same thoughts at the exact same time. It made me feel good. |
| The ride to the airport was uneventful, but the more I thought about meeting such a large family, Taylor's parents, especially in light of what I had just learned about my own family, I began to feel sick to my stomach. I had a silent war with myself, in my head. "Jessie! Pull yourself together, they are just his parents. If they raised such an amazing human being they HAVE to be just as wonderful. Quit acting like a wuss and suck it up." I told myself and let out a sigh. "Jess," Tay whispered to me as he followed me to the gate, "relax, baby, my parents will love you." he grinned at me. All I could do was smile back at him. I was so nervous that my nerve endings felt as if they extended out beyond my skin. Taylor put his hand on my waist and guided me up the ramp to the plane, and I jumped. All my senses were on overload. I couldn't believe I was so nervous already, hell..we hadn't even left town yet. "Jessie," Tay leaned toward me to say softly in my ear, "please relax, it's okay, babe. You're nervous for no reason. It will be okay..." he took my hand and held it tightly. He found our seats and threw our carry on bags in the overhead compartment. He stood back and let me in, then sat down next to me. Zac, Ike and Lacey were seated across the aisle from us but in the same row. Taylor buckled himself in and then helped me and put his arm around my shoulder. Once we were in the air we loosened our seatbelts and I settled myself against Taylor, leaning my head on his chest. He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. |