Family Vacation: >26

"I saved up from working at the Genuardi's the last two summers. It's a little sedan thing. Anyway, that's not the point. I've had other boyfriends, Lemony. They were crappy assholes who only cared about fucking me. Like they could stuff my head and hang it on their wall after. The connection I have with Logan, I can't describe it. Except I don't have to because I know you feel the same way with Liam."

"Like we were meant to be together," I said. It was Disney-like love in a very not-Disney way. But I couldn't deny it.

"Exactly," Marissa said, "And maybe we didn't set out to seduce the two of you this summer, totally? But, if anything, you guys only reinforced my feelings. Also, your tits are awesome."

I blushed. That had been coming up a lot lately.

I heard our parents tromp down the stairs and we started to bring out the food. The adults all enjoyed breakfast -- I think they were a little in shock, seeing what we'd done.

Afterwards, I hung back to wash the dishes and Marissa helped me dry.

"So, we're cool?" Marissa asked, looking over at me.

"We have one day left together. I want us all to enjoy it. Liam does, too," I said.

"That's my girl!" Marissa said.

*

Talking about what we wanted to do and finding a place to do it were two different things entirely, however. Both sets of parents insisted we all spend time together on our last day. Marissa gave me a disappointed look, but there wasn't any way around it.

I went back up to the bedroom to collect my things for the beach. A moment later, Liam came in to do the same.

"Hey, Melanie," he said. He bent down and kissed my cheek.

calling me that," I said. "Like, it's not my

you didn't want

They already

wrapped his arms around me, tight. He kissed the top of my head. "I'm happy they

argue with

to the beach together. After the day before, it was nice to be on the quiet beach. To hear nothing but waves and screaming seagulls. We set up near the water. Everyone did their own suntan lotion. We couldn't take risks with

tell by how my Mom and Dad were looking at each other that they'd been fighting again. I no longer cared. Even more importantly, I didn't need them to stay together anymore. I'd seen the truth of things and I knew that they weren't my destiny. If anything,

piece, a bright red one, and it made me feel a little sad. I knew I'd be shopping for more bikinis

working on our tans in the sweltering Jersey sun. It was nice, a little reprieve from the bad and the good that was going on in my life. A reminder that normal things happen most of the time, even when it seems like everything's going crazy. I caught Marissa's eye at one point. I

sandwiches and drinks. Eating on the beach was strange, it felt like the sand was trying to sneak into my meal any way it

sun.

was a loud rattling noise. I looked over to see my

see my orange

in

"Well it's not."

cooler, next to my Dad. "Huh. I must

always do this!"

"Do what?" Mom asked.

to do one simple goddamned

blow it off, Gary, I just

over and over again. You never fucking listen. It's like that time my car broke down in the rain and you waited

of power. And besides, that was four years ago, and this

"Well fuck you, too!"

see the smoke wafting off them as they flopped into their respective chairs. The rest of us sat there silent, collateral

moment, I felt like having it out with everyone right there. Just pulling the pin and throwing the grenade. At least then I'd be responsible for the explosion. Marissa

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