a tiny drop of water floating in the air “What time are you leaving?” Molly asks softly as she watches Brian packs his suitcase. She had only been living in the Amsterdam apartment for a week and now her brother’s husband was leaving back to America. “In an hour,” Brian replies, double checking his carry-on bag. Looking up, he states seriously, “I’ll be back.” She nods her head, only half-believing him. “I will, Molly,” he repeats. Shrugging, she walks away and goes out to the balcony where Justin is sitting. “Do you think he’s coming back?” She asks him softly once the door is closed. Sipping his drink, Justin continues to stare out into the lake, “Yes.” “Do you think he’ll want to though?” She asks again, taking a seat beside him. “Would you?” He counters. She shrugs. “Jealous?” He asks, trying not to sound bitter. “You want to go too,” She acknowledges. “Like you don’t?” Justin scoffs. Molly shrugs again. Sighing, Justin takes another sip of water. “I’ve been thinking.” “Never a good sign.” “Shut up, Moll.” “You shut up.” “Whatever.” “No,” Molly starts, “What is it? Tell me.” He takes another sip, “I’ve been thinking that maybe we should see someone while Brian is back in Pittsburgh.” ”Like a shrink?” Molly asks, perplexed. Justin slowly nods. “I mean, what could it hurt, right?” “Why?” Swallowing hard, Justin finally turns to face his sister, “Because I miss home,” turning back to the water, he continues, “As much as I like it here… it doesn’t feel like home. It feels like I’m a tourist here on vacation from reality… and as much as I like being on holiday… I miss home. I miss the busy streets and the way the air feels there… I miss my friends… PIFA, Liberty Ave… I miss so much…. That was my home.” “So why are you here? Because of me?” Molly asks, trying not to sound hurt. “No. I’m here because I can’t get past what happened before we left, Moll.” He retorts crossly. Taking his water-bottle, she steals a sip, “I know.” Sighing, he closes his eyes, letting the warm sun rays touch his face. “As much as I have to look forward to if we go back… I have even more that I know I’ve lost forever… and that pain…” he stops himself for a moment, trying to center himself. “Hurts worse than anything in the world,” Molly finishes for him. “I know. I feel the same.” “It’s not fair,” Justin whispers, turning back to his sister, “You’re thirteen. You should be dealing with the typical teen-age angst shit, not this…” “Who said life was fair?” She asks with a smirk. Justin smiles softly, knowing that his little sister had grown up too fast in such a short period because of all this. Would she ever be the same? Probably not. But he was incredibly proud of her. Sighing, she looks over at the view in front of her, “I like it here.” “Me too,” he says with a nod. “I could live here.” She states to no one in particular. “It would make it easier.” Justin comments. “Probably,” Molly admits. “But…” Justin trails off. “But.” Molly agrees. They both sigh again. “I miss my friends,” she states calmly. “They’re good friends,” Justin affirms. “And I really loved St. James.” “Really?” Justin asks, trying not to sound surprised. Then again, he had liked that school too for the awhile… at least the first couple of years. She nods, “I was going to try out for their dance team.” “You would’ve made it.” “I know.” Molly replies. “So…” “So.” “Yeah.” Justin says softly. “Would we be safe?” “I don’t know.” “Would they find out that we’re still alive?” “I don’t know.” “Could they find us?” “I don’t know,” Justin says again. “Is it worth the risk?” She asks, again to no one in particular. Justin is quiet, staring out into the water. He loved how peaceful it always looked. “Maybe…” She begins. “Maybe?” “Maybe we could talk to someone… you know: to help us sort it all out.” She takes another sip of water. “Yeah, maybe.” Taking the bottle from her, he drinks some more of the water before handing it back.