Something Had to Give Read Free Page B

Even when I would string questions back to back, she would never break stride. She seemed to enjoy the company and sharing her secrets with me. I imagined that Mommy did the same when she was my age and that I reminded her of when Mommy was younger. I wanted to be a great cook like Grandma; I wanted to be proud of my home. However, there was no part of me that wanted cooking and cleaning to be my main purpose.
    The summers spent in Michigan with Grandpa and Grandma was always enjoyable. Shanna was not allowed to be mean to me, which made it even better. Usually for the last week, we were there Daddy and Mommy would come to visit. It was always such a bittersweet time as it was great to have us all together, but sad also since it meant that our visit was coming to an end. Shanna would usually accompany Grandpa and Daddy on their fishing trip, while I would stay behind and hang out with Grandma and Mommy. They both would take time out the day to take care of them. It was so rare that I felt like I had to tag along and see it happen in person. We would do all kinds of girly things such as shop, get our nails done, and get new hair dos. There were even times, when they would just sit on the porch with a pitcher of lemonade and talk for hours. I never joined in the conversation, but enjoyed watching them let loose. The time spent with Grandpa and Grandma was such a wonderful time for us all. My grandfather on Daddy’s side had passed before I was born and my memories of his mother were virtually nonexistent since she had passed when I was four years old. Since he lost his parents, Grandpa had really taken Daddy under his wing. It worked out well for both. Daddy got to spend time with a father figure and Grandpa was able to spend time with the son he never had. Summers made me realize how special families were and how important it was to have them around. The time with my grandparents brought out so much happiness in all of us, even Shanna. It was this kind of feeling I wanted to have with my family one day. I wanted my future children to visit with Daddy and Mommy and feel the same love and excitement as I did.
    The trip back home was always pretty difficult for all of us. Grandma would always stay home when it was time for Grandpa to drive us to the airport. We couldn’t all fit in the car, which I believe was convenient for Grandma who always became tearful during our goodbye hugs. Mommy was a pro at keeping it together during this time. I would always watch intently after she would hug Grandma tightly, waiting to see some form of emotion from her. She would never cry though, but that carefree and happy smile she wore for the week was gone. The ride to the airport was somber. It was pretty much silent with occasional small talk between Grandpa and Daddy, and of course Grandpa yelling at other drivers. Mommy would stare out the window the whole time, while Shanna would fidget nervously. I wouldn’t cry until it was time to hug Grandpa Goodbye at the airport.
    I was always thankful to have Daddy and Mommy on the plane ride home. Takeoff didn’t nearly seem as bad with Daddy holding my hand. The plane rides home seemed to last forever. It was time to put us back in the mindset of going back to our everyday lives. Daddy would go back to working long days and traveling frequently. Mommy would go back to her routine days of cooking, cleaning, and living quietly in the family shadows. School would be starting back in a week for Shanna and me. In the meantime, Shanna would spend the bulk of this time in her room only coming out to eat, shower, or open the door to let her friends in. Then there was me. I would go back to doing my own thing. Though this was the norm for our family, I always felt a sense of discomfort with this set up. It definitely wouldn’t be the dynamic of my future family.
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    I had my wedding planned when I was eight years old. One day after school on a warm Friday afternoon in March, I was riding the