The movie had been a rather good idea, and worked like a charm; all three girls were talking again, without a worry in the world, never even thinking of the impending separation lurking around daybreak ready to pounce on them.

After the movie we went to Shank’s, out of habit, and got some ice cream on the way home. We sat around and talked on the park bench for over an hour before we realized that Sam needed to get home and pack for her flight tomorrow.

“I’m going to miss you. Both of you,” she said as she embraced us both.

“Hmm, I might miss you, if it happens to fit in my busy schedule.” I remarked with a smile.

“What busy schedule? I thought we were your life!” exclaimed Alex in shock.

“Just because you guys are leaving me alone does not mean that I’m doing anything. I will be emptying the dishwasher two to three times a day, you know where to reach me.” I managed to say without a smile. They both looked at me wondering whether or not I was serious before I burst out laughing at their confused expressions.

“Haha, you guys should learn to relax a little more, I mean, you are the ones who get to get out of this place!” I said.

“I guess you’re right. But I can’t help feeling guilty,” said Sam.

“Guilty? For going to volleyball camp? Really Sam, I appreciate the sentiment, but 9 hours of volleyball a day is not exactly my idea of fun,” I chuckled.

“It’s not that,” she replied, looking down at her tattered Addidas, “I just feel so stupid about not telling you before. I really am sorry,” she sniffled.

“Yeah, me too,” choked Alex. And before I knew it, they were both crying in my arms!

Ah, they were gone now. “Looks like it’s just me and you Paulie,” I sighed while the dog gave me a rather quizzical look.

“Liv, are you busy?” my mother questioned as soon as she walked into the house.

“Um, yes…?” I muttered, quickly trying to look busy while watching the Lord of the Rings in my pajamas while eating soggy cereal. “really really busy. Extra assignments and what not…”

“Well, since you’re not doing anything, I was hoping you could run a couple of errands for me.”

“Aw Mom!”

“I’ll pay you,” she said in a singsong voice.

“Let me go get ready,” I said as I jumped up off the couch. 10 minutes later I was jogging towards the local grocery store with a list in my hand, and money in my pocket. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to be greeted by…

“Liv!” yelled a voice that might have been mysterious if I hadn’t heard it before.

“Mack? What are you doing here? Summer job?” I asked.

“Yeah. I have to pay for my car, but I’m almost done here. Hold on a second. Will that be paper or plastic ma’am?” I searched for my cornucopia of random objects for my mother while he attended to the other customers in line. Birthday balloons, string, safety pins, cheese, bread, and eggs; my mother sure was a strange one.

“Will that be all?” Mack asked.

“Yes sir. So Mack, I didn’t’ know you had a car, let alone drive. How old are you?”

“I’m 16 and a half. You really didn’t know I had a car? I’ve been driving it for my entire second semester at school.”

“Are you serious? Wow, I must be a real dullard,” I said as I shook my head in disbelief.

“Yeah,” he grinned, “it’s that loud grating sound. Kind of like a wheezing cow.”

“OH THAT! That’s your car? Wow, what kind of car do you have?”

“A yellow El Camino,” he said smiling like a psychopath.

“NO WAY! THAT IS ONLY THE COOLEST CAR EVER!” I screamed. Then I realized that people were looking at me. “Ahem. Hey, do you think I could get a picture of it sometime, I have this automobile website that I like to keep updated with pictures. If I take the photos myself, I don’t have to worry about asking permission.”

“Sure, anytime. Actually, my shift just ended, do you want a ride home?” he asked.

I was about to say ‘no thanks’ but then I looked down at my hands and realized that I couldn’t possibly run home holding a bag that contained safety pins and eggs. “Sure, that’d be nice.”

“Yeah, I brought my car,” he smiled as he opened the door.

“SCORE!!!!”