Splinters: Part One

Part One | 52

She punched me in the arm lightly. "Yeah! What's up with that?!"

M.G. smiled. "We'll let you guys catch up. Seth, Malorie, let's go."

Malorie objected. "But I-"

"These are Josie's friend," M.G. reminded. "Let's go. Come on."

She huffed, leaving Grady, Jo and I alone in the kitchen.

I raised an eyebrow. "Josie?"

She shrugged, obviously a little embarrassed. I smiled at her. "I thought it'd be nice for a change."

"I'm going to still call you Jo."

She giggled. "That's always been your nickname for me."

Grady cleared his throat. I sighed and nudged him. "This is my best friend in Rhode Island, Grady. Grady, this is Josephine."

"It's nice to meet you," Jo grinned.

"Likewise," he nodded.

I laughed at them.

"So?" Jo urged, nudging my shoulder. "What's been going on?"

"Oh, he's had quite the life back in Rhode Island," Grady blurted out. I gave him a flat look. He pressed his lips together. "Sorry."

"What does he mean?" Jo inquired.

I rubbed my forehead, slightly frustrated for some reason. "So much has happened, Jo."

She shifted in her seat and placed her hands on her knees. "Start from the beginning."

"The Piersons are amazing. I'm so glad I have them in my life."

She leaned forward. "Is being a big brother hard?"

"It's more fun than hard. A couple days ago, I took my two sisters swimming. That was cool. Ursanne, the oldest, you'd get along with her great. She's just as feisty as you."

Josephine laughed. "She and I would be best friends then."

"Want to know something crazy?"

"Sure."

"Melissa, the lady who took me in, she's my aunt."

Josephine's eyes basically popped out of their sockets. "What?! She's your aunt?"

I nodded. "My mom's alive too. I've met her."

"Oh my gosh, Brayden!" Josephine jumped up and wrapped her arms around my neck. "That's so amazing! I'm so happy for you!"

I smiled, touching her upper arm. "Thanks, Jo."

She pulled away and resumed her spot, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How is she? Is she good?"

"She's in prison but she's getting out soon. It's still a little hard to talk about things with her, but I've reunited with her."

"What about your dad?"

Grady didn't know this. I'd only said it to Collie meaning I hadn't admitted it to anybody else. I just shook my head. Jo didn't seem to understand, unfortunately making me vocally tell them both.

"He killed himself, Jo," I mumbled.

The both of them tensed, quiet gasps leaving their mouths.

"Woah, Brayden," Grady said quietly.

I shrugged. "Anyways, that's who the Piersons are."

Jo cleared her throat. "Well, what about school? Is that fun?"