Mom: "You have to go to your father's house in Arizona this summer... I have a work trip. Nonna is too old to watch you on her own for 3 months."

I paused in the kitchen in the middle of taking a bite of my dinner. A plain burger with lettuce tomato Mayo. Teddy: "Wait... What? You can't be serious." I said with my mouth full before I swallowed and continued Teddy: "I had plans with my friends! What am I supposed to do all summer with those brats Ruth and Vienna on my ass?"

Mom: "Watch your language..."

Mom sighed and watched nonna shuffle around in the kitchen with my dog pepper. Occasionally giving pepper bits of cheese and burger meat.

Teddy: "Mom please-"

Mom: "I'm sorry but you can't stay with nonna. I have your plane ticket and boarding pass already ready. Nonna's brining you to the gate tomorrow morning. I have to drive out to California tonight."

Teddy: "I know your job is important but what about my friends? Can't I just stay at one of their houses?"

She didn't answer for a moment... My mom pinched the bridge of her nose and looked at Nona. Clearly a sign she was going to say no.

Nonna: "Teddy... It's for your mother's job."

Teddy: "Ugh! Why do you have to do this to me?"

I said groaning as I stormed upstairs with my plate of food. And later that evening my mom came into my room with a king sized kit Kat to bribe me...

Teddy: "Seriously-?"

Mom: "this job is really important... And this could get me a decent raise... Do you understand? That means more for you and more for us. I'll be gone for 3 months at the most... I promise I won't be later than that."

Teddy: "So you promise?" I paused and cut her off before saying anything Teddy: "You know what? Forget your promise mom. No matter what I do won't change that you're shipping me out to Arizona by plane tomorrow."

Timeskip... I stood at my flight gate before boating the plane. Holding my ticket, boarding pass, and passport in my left hand and my carry on bag on my back.

Teddy: "Bye nonna..." I said softly to my nonna.

Nonna: "You be careful kiddo." she said. And I nodded along as I boarded the plane. The flight felt like an eternity. When it finally landed and I got out of the flight gate... My dad was standing there with a big smile.

Teddy: "Hey..."

Dad: "Good to see you Kid. Damn you got tall over the last year huh? Playing baseball still?"

I paused before responding... It was awkward. I cleared my throat Teddy: "No... I play lacrosse instead now."

Dad: "oh that's cool... We're having a barbeque at the house tonight just to let you know kiddo. Your bedroom is untouched. Besides Simone cleaning up the dust and putting away clean clothes."

Teddy: "Mm... That's nice of her."

The drive to the lake house was pretty much quiet after that. When we drove into the driveway my dad parked with a big smile. The twins and Jameson were outside by the firepit with Simone cooking steaks on the grill... A couple family members there. The barbeque wasn't in full swing yet.

Dad: "go change and get cleaned up kiddo. We'll make you a plate."

Teddy: "Uh- hey dad? How many people are gonna be here? You have a couple tables set up..."