Reunited
Part 4
By Lara

It was so great to be together with everyone again. Joey, Dawson, and Jen had arrived, excited that their small group of friends were all home. Andie had really missed everyone. They all went to a movie - at Dawson’s suggestion, no surprise there.

Andie was surprised by the regularity. It all felt so normal, as if nothing had gone wrong a few months ago, as if she had never left. She saw it as a sign that things were going to be perfectly fine.

The movie was interesting, although Pacey and Andie only saw about half of it. They were too busy flirting and holding hands between their make-out sessions.

Joey glanced over at them. She doubted if they had even caught the name of the main character of the movie, they were so caught up in themselves. Then she cast a quick glance at Dawson on her left. The two had been far from friendly this summer, but had put aside their conflict to welcome their friend home. Joey had been politely ignoring him all afternoon, and yet somehow had ended up next to him in the movie theater. Her heart ached. There were times when she regretted ending their close relationship, she missed him. But then there were those times when she couldn’t stand him.
Andie pulled her Saab up her driveway the next Friday afternoon. School was exhausting, but Andie enjoyed every moment. Back to my old, over-acheiving self. She thought happily. She noticed her father’s car as she cut the engine to the Saab. He’s back early from Providence. She was a bit wary, but didn’t give it another thought. She and Pacey were going out tonight, and everything was perfect.

She walked in to find her father and Jack waiting for her. “Andie,” her father began, “Will you come here please?” It wasn’t really a question.

Andie’s wariness returned, but she pushed it aside. Everything’s fine. She tried to convince herself. She wasn’t prepared for what her father would say next. As she sat next to Jack, they exchanged a look of confusion and innocence.

“You two are old enough to hear this.” Mr. McPhee began. “So I’ll just be blunt. My business is going downhill . . . fast. We’re not quite on the verge of bankruptcy, but we’re close. I’m going to try to start up another branch of my company. In Georgia. I need to sell the house . . . and probably the Saab.” He finished with an awkward pause and waited for their response.

Andie and Jack stared at each other in surprise. Neither of them had realized it had become so bad. No one spoke, feeling that speaking would give validity to their father’s statement.

After several minutes, Jack spoke. “Are we moving?” he asked.

Mr. McPhee knew this question was coming up. “Well,” he began. “if our whole family relationship had been better or . . . different, this whole time, there would be no question. But since things are . . . as they are, I’m undecided. In my mind, things would be best if you two came. But I have no right to force you.”

His statement hung in the air. What was going to happen?
What IS going to happen? You’ll just have to wait and see. Write me with your comments. Larissa83@aol.com or Maisie5899@aol.com