I got home just as dad and mom were pulling up from work. Dad got out of the car and strutted up the walkway. Apparently he got a promotion. He’s a trip. He was this big time doctor, invented that green crap that lengthens lives, by the way those two drink a glass every night. I head them talking about wanting to be around to play with their grandchild. Anyways, dad quit his job to go into business. He started in the middle of the food chain but still. I admire him. Not many people would take that chance ya know? The same goes for mom. Those two were made for each other. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t admire how they got together. That was just wrong on so many levels but…I really can’t see them with anyone else.

As we all walked into the house, the ‘rents wanting to know about my day and me asking about theirs, the phone rang.

Looking at the clock mom grinned. Gai always called around this time. No matter what. I think that was a good thing. Mom missed everyone and Neil didn’t call nearly enough. I didn’t want to tell mom that her baby boy, as she called him, was plowing his way through the college girls. I wasn’t supposed to know about that kind of thing and mom probably wouldn’t want to believe it.

“Gai honey! How’s everything? How are classes? When are you going to come for a visit? Have you met any boys?”

“Slow down honey! And Gai doesn’t want to start dating! Do you baby?”

Oh boy! Gai wasn’t going to get a word in with both of them on the phone. Dad was in Val’s old room. They had been talking about changing things around in there since her death. I think that was part of the whole grieving process. Although Gai kept telling me that she was going to bring Val back I just didn’t know. I mean, was it even possible? Gai said she’d seen her ghost before she left but I haven’t seen anything.

Not that I hadn’t been looking. It gets lonely being the only kid in the house. I guess even a ghost would be good company. I looked down when a warm tongue licked at my toes. Grinning I picked up Donna and kissed her nose. She yipped and tried to lick at my face. Laughing I took her into my room and played with her for awhile before I crawled into bed. I had school tomorrow and I want to make sure that I get good enough grades so I can get scholarships. Maybe go to the same school as Gai and Neil. Mom would love that I think…and to be honest so would I.