Love Me Back(2)

After we finish my MASH I am married to Jimmy Schmidt, the class clown with one child in Alaska driving a minivan. Not even close to my best life. I throw my binder on the bench in front of me leaning back letting the vitamin D soak through my skin.

“Let’s do it again.” Mackenna says eagerly.

“No, I’m tired. Let’s just relax.” I don’t open my eyes. I want my mind to empty and enjoy the peace knowing it will end when Jack and I go home.

“You go ahead, I am going to play some football.” Mackenna walks down the bleachers over to Bryan, Trent and the other boys.

I open one eye peering down at her. I am jealous of her confidence. She just walks right up to the guys, grabs the football from Trent and throws it to Bryan. The boys seem annoyed that she is interrupting their game but they let her join in. I see Trent trying to show her how to throw a football but she just pushes him away taking the ball again. I love that girl.

About fifteen minutes later Mackenna comes running up the stairs grabbing her bag. Practice is over and the football team is making their ways to the gates that enclose the field.

“Move your asses little’s” Doug, Trent’s brother yells over to us. All the latchkey younger siblings are called the Little’s. We are Madeline Jennings (aka Little Jennings), Trent Basso (aka Little Basso), Mackenna Ross (aka Little Ross) and Bryan Edwards (aka Little Edwards).

None of us say anything as we venture down to the end of the gates to meet our older siblings.



“Let’s go Mad, we’re going over to The Basso’s for dinner.” Jack motions for me to hurry up.

“I will be right there.” I hold up my finger and give Mackenna a hug even though I will probably talk to her in a couple hours. I walk over to Jack climbing into his Mustang. Doug and Trent are already there waiting for me. I guess we are taking them along. Doug pushes the front seat forward so I can climb in the back next to Trent.

“Hey Maddy” Trent says turning his head to stare out the window.

“Hi Trent.” I stare out my window. That sums up our friendship lately. I have tried to figure out what happened to us but came up with nothing.

We arrive at the Basso’s ten minutes later. They live on the outskirts of town. They have acres of land that include horses. Their house has a wraparound porch with hanging flower baskets from every opening. It is something out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. As the Mustang comes to a stop at the top of their gravel driveway Dixon, their yellow lab, runs up greeting us.

I bend down and let Dixon climb on me while I pet him with both my hands. I stand up and Dixon follows me to the front porch and into the house. I know this house as well as my own, I have probably eaten dinner here more than mine. As soon as we walk in Trent goes up the stairs to his room, Jack and Doug go into the basement to play pool and I venture into the kitchen.

“I was wondering when you guys were going to get here.” Mrs. Basso says to me over her shoulder while she prepares the dinner.

I sit on the stool at the breakfast bar taking out my homework. “Hi Mrs. Basso. Thank you for having us for dinner.” I am thankful I didn’t have to make it for Jack and me.

“Oh Maddy, you are always welcome. You know that.” Mrs. Basso turns around smiling at me. She is the epitome of the perfect mom. She works at the local library, always has dinner on the table for her husband and boys. She volunteers for all the school functions and fundraisers.

“I know.” I turn my head down focusing on my homework.

I am able to finish all of my homework while Mrs. Basso finishes dinner humming to herself. She is always happy. I wonder what she knows that my mom doesn’t.

“Dinner Boys.” Mrs. Basso takes her ponytail out shaking her golden blond hair back and forth letting it fall. She is a beautiful woman and doesn’t look her age at all.

All the boys come running in while I set the plates and silverware down.

“Hey Madgirl. Long time no see.” Gabe, Trent’s older brother shakes my hair with his hand.

“Hi Gabe.” I softly say. Gabe is fourteen, a freshman at the high school. He doesn’t have to wait for Doug at practices because he is old enough to come home by himself.

“Where’s dad?” Doug asks while stealing a roll out of the basket and devouring it. I can’t imagine how much food this house must go through with three boys.

“He had to work late, I have a plate for him prepared in the fridge.” Mrs. Basso answers.

I wonder why Mrs. Basso could stay at home when her husband wasn’t home. Not like my mom who would leave as soon as my dad left town for a couple days. They couldn’t be more different moms.