1988, chapter 26
The two teenagers lay panting and staring at the roof.
That shouldn't of happened.
That cant of happened
That did happen.
"Maria?" Billie Joe whispered in Maria's ear
She lay still, trying to ignore Billie. She wasn't doing a very good job of it and quickly gave up with a sigh.
"Yes Billie what?"
There was a lot of things on her mind right now: The fact Jason probably well won't care at all about her little romp with Billie and there was the fact she was leaving forever soon.
Yes as it turns out the father she thought was hers that died wasn't hers or Jakes at all - just the rest of their siblings father. Her father was apparently helping in Ecuador with the food shortage, and wanted to see his quote "beautiful girl and handsome boy". But to herself and Jake it would be more of a meeting of their actual father. Maria had chucked a psycho when her mother had told her - that's when Tre' got a little scared and became a little more stand-offish of her, strange when she was so used to Tre' following her around like a sick puppy.
"Uhhh.... Wanna see a movie with me today?"
"Ummm..... Yeah sure" she licked her lip
"Uhh cool..... Whats wrong? You don't seem your normal self...?"
"Oh nothing just thinking... "
"I can get out a movie instead - I still haven't seen Top Gun". Maria laughed
"Its not that. Its just-- don't worry"
"Um okay then?"
"Yeah don't worry".
Maria didn't end up staying for Top Gun but decided to go home because she wasn't 'feeling well' but promised to come back over because Billie said he had something to show her - Maria figured he wrote more songs for her.
She quickly fell asleep on her bed and within 5 hours she was up.
"5pm?" she yawned as she looked over at her bedside clock "dammit!"
Rolling out of bed she pulled her newly bleached hair into a ponytail and yawned again. She pulled on a Dead Kennedy's shirt, jeans and flip-flops and made her lazily way over to the Armstrong house.
Knocking on the door she wondered if she should tell him now or later. It was a terribly hard decision for a 18 year old in her shoes to make. After 5 knocks the door opened and Mike stood there in his boxes which Maria blush
"Oh hey Maria! Great party last night ay?"
"Uh yeah uh is uh Billie Joe uh there?"
"Uh uh uh?" he laughed "yeah in the lounge room, but good to see you again Maria"
"You too Mike, you too"
She stepped and looked around the lounge - it has changed a lot since she was there last. Drums and amps were set in there and the sofa had been moved same with the TV. Mike quickly wondered off as Maria walked into the kitchen and sitting at the table with a baby- blue guitar in his hands was Billie Joe. His smile seemed to sparkled as she entered
"You finally made it!" he shouted placing Blue on the table and jumped up to hug Maria. Her mind was else where as she didn't hug back - Billie didn't even notice
"Sit down, sit down"
"Okay...."
"So okay its been a while huh?"
"Yeah it sure has Billie...."
It wasn't like she didn't want to be there but she didn't have the heart to tell him that two weeks from now she was going from California for a while - 2 years a while.
"I uhh wrote some songs while you were umm away?"
"Oh that's nice"
"Yeah the first one is called - Paper Lanterns"
Billie played this song with no flaws - Maria could feel her eyes tear up - not a nice feeling for a girl who had in those months made herself stronger inside than ever before
Billie finished and looked up
"Like it? I have some more too... What's wrong?"
"Nothing.... Continue. It was beautiful"
"Okay then" he smiled and continued on with 'The Judges Daughter' then a very early version of 'Chump'
"Who do you hate so much?" she asked puzzled
"That Jason dude...." He looked down at the floor with a small frown on his face
"Really? Jason is nice, you two should become friends same with Tre'!"
Maria was finally smiling again
"Oh yeah?.... Uhh I don't know...."
"Seriously, Tre' is throwing me a party in 2 weeks - meet them there properly"
"Sure... Fine... Wait!?!? Party? Why?"
"Ummm no reason"
"That's right he is like obsessed with you right?" he asked sarcastic
"No...."
"Admit it babe he was"
Wow. Maria was a little blown back by that comment 'babe'? Already? They weren't even officially back together yet!
"Uh maybe a little but not now, I should be going"
"Huh? You practically just got here"
"Billie, ive been here for like 3 songs - I didn't just get here"
"Fine bye.... Tomorrow?"
"Billie that's Monday - no"
'"but I'm not doing anything except the shitty newspaper job"
"Well I still have school for another 2 weeks remember? We didn't all just drop out like you"
"Hmmmm.... Anyway I thought it was 3 weeks till the semester is finished?"
"Yeah.... I'm leaving one week early"
"Why? Ohh that's what the party is about huh?"
"Uh yeah"
"Yup I'll be there"
"Cool - see ya"
"You too".
Maria walked out of the Armstrong place and wandered back home. She had that moment to tell him but she didn't. She knew the longer she waited the harder he'll feel it and it'll also be harder on herself too. She kicked a stone that bounced along the road and she turned into her house. The air seemed thick today - curse those toxins in the air. You'd think after 3 years you'd used to it but no, she still wasn't.
"Maria! Your home!"
"Jake?"
"Duh"
"Why are you happy to see me?"
"Cause I have news about our little trip"
"What....?"
"Its scheduled a whole week early - we have one week left in Rodeo, left in California and even left in the US of A before we leave to Ecuador!"
"You better not be fucking joking Jake"
"I'm not"
"Fuck, fuck FUCK!"
Maria run to her room. She could hear that Jake wasn't far behind
"Maria open up please"
"GO AWAY!" she nuzzled her head into the pillow, her tears dripped out and dampened the pillow in tiny puddles
"I'm not leaving Maria - mum told me to tell you to fucking start packing!"
"GO AWAY!"
"Maria I'm gonna slip to list dad sent under your door so you can get a start... I'm going now"
"JAKE?!?!"
"Yes Maria?"
"Why can you leave so easily?"
"Hmm.... Jenna dumped me and well I'm sick of the West Coast - actually I'm pretty sick of the whole of America right now"
"Why?"
"Cause.... That new president also looks suss"
"Who?"
"President Clinton I think"
"Oh that dude.... He gives me bad vibes also"
"Can I come in?"
"Fine....".
Jake walked in and sat on the corner of Maria's bed and held her close
"What's the matter baby sister?"
"I kinda got back with Billie—"
"What? That dropkick loser with the shitty band?"
"Yeah... That's one way to put it... But anyway, I kinda got back with him and I haven't told him I'm leaving"
"You haven't?" he laughed
"No"
"That was smart"
"Yeah... Whatever"
"But you have to tell him soon Maria Haushinka and get started on that packing too okay?"
"Okay".
Jake closed the door behind himself as Maria slid off her mattress to start packing
"Billie my man!" shouted Mike
"So how did it go with Maria?"
"Good... She seemed a little upset for some reason but no big deal right?"
"You don't know why man?"
"Uhh... No?"
"She's moving to Ecuador like hell soon - that's what that parties for dude"
"Fuck.... She's moving?"
"Yeah to Ecuador, its in South America"
"I know that smartass"
"You did drop out after all"
"That was for the band you know that"
"Yeah I know"
"But Maria is leaving? Oh my fucking god...."
"Its true man"
Billie sighed
"But we just got like un-officially back together"
"Yeah so?"
"I'm gonna write her a song to get her to stay!"
"Bill.... What's that gonna do?"
"Hopefully a lot"
Billie flung Blue's guitar strap over his shoulder and scoffed a peanut butter sandwich into his mouth as he made his way to his room.
Mike shrugged; Billie sometimes had the most stupid ideas at times.
That week seemed to fly by. Maria had collected all her random work from classes mostly art and had packed all that she could - yup she was ready to go. She was also angry at the fact that she had to miss her own party that some of her closest friends had planned for her - stupid biological father.
It was now Saturday and she had to tie up all the loose ends before she left tomorrow evening - one of those loose ends was Billie Joe Armstrong. She had basically avoided him for that whole week but today she was going to tell him. Sure she could have done it all those times he had tried to ring during the week but decided not too. In person would be better.
Walking down the street Maria kicked another stone and coughed
"Those fucking toxins - gah!"
Reaching the front gate she saw him laying down on the porch seat whist humming to some song, his eyes were closed so he didn't know she was there
"Billie?"
His eyes fluttered open exposing his green eyes at her
"Maria?"
"Yeah... What cha doing?"
"Nothing much"
He stood up and walked over to Maria
"I wrote you another song babe"
"Really? Another one?"
"Yup"
"Awww sweet - but first I really have something to tell you, its kinda important"
"Maria"
He moved some of the blonde strains of hair from her face and nodded
"I know you're moving"
"You do? Who told you?"
"Mike"
"Oh... But yeah.... But I'm moving a little sooner then I hoped"
"Sooner? What could be sooner than in a weeks time? What your moving tomorrow" he laughed then noticed the serious look in her face "TOMORROW?!?!"
"Yeah... " she looked down. This is exactly how she thought he would react
"FUCK!"
"Yep"
"Oh my god.... Come in"
Billie practically dragged Maria into the Armstrong house and straight to his room. Maria heard a quick 'hello Maria' from a familiar voice but dismissed it
"Who was that?" she asked puzzled as Billie grabbed Blue from the corner and picked up a pick from basically the air
"Mom" he simply answered eyeing her down "don't move okay?"
"Uh why?"
"This is for Maria -- my baby" he smiled
"Baby?" she laughed
"Yes, baby"
"I thought I was 'babe'"
"Nope. Tre' said to me 'I call her that' so I said 'fine I'll call her baby then'"
"Oh" she laughed
"But seriously this song is called The Judges Daughter"
"I thought the song yesterday was 'The Judges Daughter?"
"I changed that one to I Was There- made more sense"
"Oh okay then"
"Yeah now shut up and listen" he smirked
"Princess in a school girls dream may I please speak to you?
I'm having some troubles with myself and its all because of you
Today I kept all falling down, I thought it was the street
So I looked down at my shoes they were on the wrong feet... "
When he finished he looked up, Maria was crying
"I cant stay - ive tried"
He placed Blue back on her stand and sat down next to Maria holding her in a tight hug
"There must be some way... I don't wanna miss you... I need you on tour...."
"I cant"
"Please"
"Billie there is NO way I can fucking stay alright?!?!"
She got up and run out of the Armstrong's house
She heard footsteps behind her, she could tell they weren't Billie's
"Maria! Wait!"
She stopped and turned around. Ollie ran up to her panting
"What did my boy do now?"
Maria wiped the newest tear from her face and sighed
"He didn't do anything Ollie.... Its what I basically did"
"Oh honey... Its okay... Your only kids and I'm sure this whole thing will blow over by tomorrow or 3 days tops - that boy really loves you" she laughed
"I'm leaving tomorrow... "
Maria was bawling by now. Ollie grabbed her into a hug
"Aww sweetie I didn't know.... See? No one tells me these things"
"Well I'll have a talk to him okay?"
Maria nodded
"I'll him come over tomorrow"
"You don't have too... I don't care"
"Hmm.... I will though, so where are you going?"
Ollie let Maria go
"Ecuador"
"Oh! How different! I thought I was going to hear another boring 'im moving to Connecticut'"
"Connecticut?"
"Believe me, I have heard that line so many times its not funny"
Maria laughed
"That's the happy Maria I know. Well have fun... Is it your whole family or—"
"No... Just me and Jake"
"Well I might see you again then. Same with Billie"
"Bye Ollie... Bye... "
"Bye sweetheart - I'll make him come over okay?"
"Okay bye"
Maria walked into her house and fell into the sofa and once again started to cry.
The next day her mother had all there bags all neatly lined at the door and wouldn't let Jake or Maria out of her sight
"You two.. I cant believe he's taking my two youngest babies from me!" he hugged the two siblings together and once again started to cry
"I won't see you two for oh my god - two WHLOE years!"
"We know mom, we know" Jake rolled his eyes
"Yeah mom... Two years before we come back to California... "
"OH MY GOD!" she hugged them again "so what do yous want for lunch? PB and J?"
"Mom - were not four"
"Jakey wakey - last time I checked you LOVED PB and J"
"Don't call me that!"
"Well I know you want some, so what about you my youngest girl? PB and J also?"
"Sure mom, whatever"
Their mother didn't notice the sheer mono-tone of her voice and proceeded to the kitchen to make for the last time; Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for her kids.
Jake curled himself up on the single lounge as the doorbell rang
Maria crossed her arms - she had a feeling she knew who it was
"Maria my dearest little sister - would you get that?"
"Go fuck yourself Jake"
"I take that as a 'yes, I would gladly Jake'?"
Maria grumbled and opened the door - and on the porch was standing a angry looking Billie Joe with a acoustic guitar in hand
"Mine if I come in?" he pushed past Maria making her jump slightly and marched up to Maria room
"Billie?" came from Jake but Billie ignored it
"Billie why are you here? Did Ollie send you?"
"Not really. I came here on my own terms"
"Oh"
He slammed Maria's bedroom door open and sat himself down on Maria's bed. Her room was so empty now
"I wrote another song for you" he grumbled
"Really?"
"Obviously I just said I did, didn't I?"
This would have to be the most pissed off mood Maria had the pleasure of experiencing
"If your gonna be that way.... What's it called then?"
"Good Riddance"
"Wow... Sounds nice"
"Listen"
Billie seemed to go into another person all together while playing that guitar. His arm moved freely over the strings and his face made certain expressions as his arm stretched up and down the neck.
When he was finished he looked up at her
"Like it?"
"Uhh... It was beautiful"
"Wasn't suppose to be"
"Oh... "
"I was gonna call it 'Time of Your Life' but that seemed to nice considering you didn't consider staying"
And before Maria could say anything he stormed out of the room with his guitar in hand
"Good riddance Maria, good-fucking-RIDDANCE!" he slammed the front door closed leaving Maria standing in the hallway
"Billie...." She whispered ".... Wait...."
He was gone.
The drive to the airport seemed long and worn out causing Maria to stare out at the city lights and sink off into dream land for a while before being woken as they reached SFO.
"Honey! Wake up! Were here!"
"Where?"
"The San Francisco International Airport!" her mother beamed, Maria noticed Jake roll his eyes again
"Oh".
The trio waited around for what seemed like forever till Jake and Maria finally boarded
"I love you two sooooo much!" her mother hugged them extremely tight "yous better call and send letters as much as possible! I'm really going to miss you"
While her mom pulled Jake aside for some reason, Maria sighed. She felt as if this was all a movie and any minute Billie would come running threw the terminal embracing her into a hug and refusing that she enter the gate way to the plane - but this was reality and she knew Billie wasn't coming.
With one last long hug their mother let them go and they boarded the plane.
"Goodbye AMERICA!" her brother shouted into the terminal for one last time, a few people looked over and gave them both a strange look, Jake just laughed "you have a go Maria!"
"Fine... Goodbye California!,
Goodbye America!,
And goodbye Billie Joe Armstrong..."
"Maria!" Jake laughed "come on the plane already and stop acting as if this is 1988!"
That shouldn't of happened.
That cant of happened
That did happen.
"Maria?" Billie Joe whispered in Maria's ear
She lay still, trying to ignore Billie. She wasn't doing a very good job of it and quickly gave up with a sigh.
"Yes Billie what?"
There was a lot of things on her mind right now: The fact Jason probably well won't care at all about her little romp with Billie and there was the fact she was leaving forever soon.
Yes as it turns out the father she thought was hers that died wasn't hers or Jakes at all - just the rest of their siblings father. Her father was apparently helping in Ecuador with the food shortage, and wanted to see his quote "beautiful girl and handsome boy". But to herself and Jake it would be more of a meeting of their actual father. Maria had chucked a psycho when her mother had told her - that's when Tre' got a little scared and became a little more stand-offish of her, strange when she was so used to Tre' following her around like a sick puppy.
"Uhhh.... Wanna see a movie with me today?"
"Ummm..... Yeah sure" she licked her lip
"Uhh cool..... Whats wrong? You don't seem your normal self...?"
"Oh nothing just thinking... "
"I can get out a movie instead - I still haven't seen Top Gun". Maria laughed
"Its not that. Its just-- don't worry"
"Um okay then?"
"Yeah don't worry".
Maria didn't end up staying for Top Gun but decided to go home because she wasn't 'feeling well' but promised to come back over because Billie said he had something to show her - Maria figured he wrote more songs for her.
She quickly fell asleep on her bed and within 5 hours she was up.
"5pm?" she yawned as she looked over at her bedside clock "dammit!"
Rolling out of bed she pulled her newly bleached hair into a ponytail and yawned again. She pulled on a Dead Kennedy's shirt, jeans and flip-flops and made her lazily way over to the Armstrong house.
Knocking on the door she wondered if she should tell him now or later. It was a terribly hard decision for a 18 year old in her shoes to make. After 5 knocks the door opened and Mike stood there in his boxes which Maria blush
"Oh hey Maria! Great party last night ay?"
"Uh yeah uh is uh Billie Joe uh there?"
"Uh uh uh?" he laughed "yeah in the lounge room, but good to see you again Maria"
"You too Mike, you too"
She stepped and looked around the lounge - it has changed a lot since she was there last. Drums and amps were set in there and the sofa had been moved same with the TV. Mike quickly wondered off as Maria walked into the kitchen and sitting at the table with a baby- blue guitar in his hands was Billie Joe. His smile seemed to sparkled as she entered
"You finally made it!" he shouted placing Blue on the table and jumped up to hug Maria. Her mind was else where as she didn't hug back - Billie didn't even notice
"Sit down, sit down"
"Okay...."
"So okay its been a while huh?"
"Yeah it sure has Billie...."
It wasn't like she didn't want to be there but she didn't have the heart to tell him that two weeks from now she was going from California for a while - 2 years a while.
"I uhh wrote some songs while you were umm away?"
"Oh that's nice"
"Yeah the first one is called - Paper Lanterns"
Billie played this song with no flaws - Maria could feel her eyes tear up - not a nice feeling for a girl who had in those months made herself stronger inside than ever before
Billie finished and looked up
"Like it? I have some more too... What's wrong?"
"Nothing.... Continue. It was beautiful"
"Okay then" he smiled and continued on with 'The Judges Daughter' then a very early version of 'Chump'
"Who do you hate so much?" she asked puzzled
"That Jason dude...." He looked down at the floor with a small frown on his face
"Really? Jason is nice, you two should become friends same with Tre'!"
Maria was finally smiling again
"Oh yeah?.... Uhh I don't know...."
"Seriously, Tre' is throwing me a party in 2 weeks - meet them there properly"
"Sure... Fine... Wait!?!? Party? Why?"
"Ummm no reason"
"That's right he is like obsessed with you right?" he asked sarcastic
"No...."
"Admit it babe he was"
Wow. Maria was a little blown back by that comment 'babe'? Already? They weren't even officially back together yet!
"Uh maybe a little but not now, I should be going"
"Huh? You practically just got here"
"Billie, ive been here for like 3 songs - I didn't just get here"
"Fine bye.... Tomorrow?"
"Billie that's Monday - no"
'"but I'm not doing anything except the shitty newspaper job"
"Well I still have school for another 2 weeks remember? We didn't all just drop out like you"
"Hmmmm.... Anyway I thought it was 3 weeks till the semester is finished?"
"Yeah.... I'm leaving one week early"
"Why? Ohh that's what the party is about huh?"
"Uh yeah"
"Yup I'll be there"
"Cool - see ya"
"You too".
Maria walked out of the Armstrong place and wandered back home. She had that moment to tell him but she didn't. She knew the longer she waited the harder he'll feel it and it'll also be harder on herself too. She kicked a stone that bounced along the road and she turned into her house. The air seemed thick today - curse those toxins in the air. You'd think after 3 years you'd used to it but no, she still wasn't.
"Maria! Your home!"
"Jake?"
"Duh"
"Why are you happy to see me?"
"Cause I have news about our little trip"
"What....?"
"Its scheduled a whole week early - we have one week left in Rodeo, left in California and even left in the US of A before we leave to Ecuador!"
"You better not be fucking joking Jake"
"I'm not"
"Fuck, fuck FUCK!"
Maria run to her room. She could hear that Jake wasn't far behind
"Maria open up please"
"GO AWAY!" she nuzzled her head into the pillow, her tears dripped out and dampened the pillow in tiny puddles
"I'm not leaving Maria - mum told me to tell you to fucking start packing!"
"GO AWAY!"
"Maria I'm gonna slip to list dad sent under your door so you can get a start... I'm going now"
"JAKE?!?!"
"Yes Maria?"
"Why can you leave so easily?"
"Hmm.... Jenna dumped me and well I'm sick of the West Coast - actually I'm pretty sick of the whole of America right now"
"Why?"
"Cause.... That new president also looks suss"
"Who?"
"President Clinton I think"
"Oh that dude.... He gives me bad vibes also"
"Can I come in?"
"Fine....".
Jake walked in and sat on the corner of Maria's bed and held her close
"What's the matter baby sister?"
"I kinda got back with Billie—"
"What? That dropkick loser with the shitty band?"
"Yeah... That's one way to put it... But anyway, I kinda got back with him and I haven't told him I'm leaving"
"You haven't?" he laughed
"No"
"That was smart"
"Yeah... Whatever"
"But you have to tell him soon Maria Haushinka and get started on that packing too okay?"
"Okay".
Jake closed the door behind himself as Maria slid off her mattress to start packing
"Billie my man!" shouted Mike
"So how did it go with Maria?"
"Good... She seemed a little upset for some reason but no big deal right?"
"You don't know why man?"
"Uhh... No?"
"She's moving to Ecuador like hell soon - that's what that parties for dude"
"Fuck.... She's moving?"
"Yeah to Ecuador, its in South America"
"I know that smartass"
"You did drop out after all"
"That was for the band you know that"
"Yeah I know"
"But Maria is leaving? Oh my fucking god...."
"Its true man"
Billie sighed
"But we just got like un-officially back together"
"Yeah so?"
"I'm gonna write her a song to get her to stay!"
"Bill.... What's that gonna do?"
"Hopefully a lot"
Billie flung Blue's guitar strap over his shoulder and scoffed a peanut butter sandwich into his mouth as he made his way to his room.
Mike shrugged; Billie sometimes had the most stupid ideas at times.
That week seemed to fly by. Maria had collected all her random work from classes mostly art and had packed all that she could - yup she was ready to go. She was also angry at the fact that she had to miss her own party that some of her closest friends had planned for her - stupid biological father.
It was now Saturday and she had to tie up all the loose ends before she left tomorrow evening - one of those loose ends was Billie Joe Armstrong. She had basically avoided him for that whole week but today she was going to tell him. Sure she could have done it all those times he had tried to ring during the week but decided not too. In person would be better.
Walking down the street Maria kicked another stone and coughed
"Those fucking toxins - gah!"
Reaching the front gate she saw him laying down on the porch seat whist humming to some song, his eyes were closed so he didn't know she was there
"Billie?"
His eyes fluttered open exposing his green eyes at her
"Maria?"
"Yeah... What cha doing?"
"Nothing much"
He stood up and walked over to Maria
"I wrote you another song babe"
"Really? Another one?"
"Yup"
"Awww sweet - but first I really have something to tell you, its kinda important"
"Maria"
He moved some of the blonde strains of hair from her face and nodded
"I know you're moving"
"You do? Who told you?"
"Mike"
"Oh... But yeah.... But I'm moving a little sooner then I hoped"
"Sooner? What could be sooner than in a weeks time? What your moving tomorrow" he laughed then noticed the serious look in her face "TOMORROW?!?!"
"Yeah... " she looked down. This is exactly how she thought he would react
"FUCK!"
"Yep"
"Oh my god.... Come in"
Billie practically dragged Maria into the Armstrong house and straight to his room. Maria heard a quick 'hello Maria' from a familiar voice but dismissed it
"Who was that?" she asked puzzled as Billie grabbed Blue from the corner and picked up a pick from basically the air
"Mom" he simply answered eyeing her down "don't move okay?"
"Uh why?"
"This is for Maria -- my baby" he smiled
"Baby?" she laughed
"Yes, baby"
"I thought I was 'babe'"
"Nope. Tre' said to me 'I call her that' so I said 'fine I'll call her baby then'"
"Oh" she laughed
"But seriously this song is called The Judges Daughter"
"I thought the song yesterday was 'The Judges Daughter?"
"I changed that one to I Was There- made more sense"
"Oh okay then"
"Yeah now shut up and listen" he smirked
"Princess in a school girls dream may I please speak to you?
I'm having some troubles with myself and its all because of you
Today I kept all falling down, I thought it was the street
So I looked down at my shoes they were on the wrong feet... "
When he finished he looked up, Maria was crying
"I cant stay - ive tried"
He placed Blue back on her stand and sat down next to Maria holding her in a tight hug
"There must be some way... I don't wanna miss you... I need you on tour...."
"I cant"
"Please"
"Billie there is NO way I can fucking stay alright?!?!"
She got up and run out of the Armstrong's house
She heard footsteps behind her, she could tell they weren't Billie's
"Maria! Wait!"
She stopped and turned around. Ollie ran up to her panting
"What did my boy do now?"
Maria wiped the newest tear from her face and sighed
"He didn't do anything Ollie.... Its what I basically did"
"Oh honey... Its okay... Your only kids and I'm sure this whole thing will blow over by tomorrow or 3 days tops - that boy really loves you" she laughed
"I'm leaving tomorrow... "
Maria was bawling by now. Ollie grabbed her into a hug
"Aww sweetie I didn't know.... See? No one tells me these things"
"Well I'll have a talk to him okay?"
Maria nodded
"I'll him come over tomorrow"
"You don't have too... I don't care"
"Hmm.... I will though, so where are you going?"
Ollie let Maria go
"Ecuador"
"Oh! How different! I thought I was going to hear another boring 'im moving to Connecticut'"
"Connecticut?"
"Believe me, I have heard that line so many times its not funny"
Maria laughed
"That's the happy Maria I know. Well have fun... Is it your whole family or—"
"No... Just me and Jake"
"Well I might see you again then. Same with Billie"
"Bye Ollie... Bye... "
"Bye sweetheart - I'll make him come over okay?"
"Okay bye"
Maria walked into her house and fell into the sofa and once again started to cry.
The next day her mother had all there bags all neatly lined at the door and wouldn't let Jake or Maria out of her sight
"You two.. I cant believe he's taking my two youngest babies from me!" he hugged the two siblings together and once again started to cry
"I won't see you two for oh my god - two WHLOE years!"
"We know mom, we know" Jake rolled his eyes
"Yeah mom... Two years before we come back to California... "
"OH MY GOD!" she hugged them again "so what do yous want for lunch? PB and J?"
"Mom - were not four"
"Jakey wakey - last time I checked you LOVED PB and J"
"Don't call me that!"
"Well I know you want some, so what about you my youngest girl? PB and J also?"
"Sure mom, whatever"
Their mother didn't notice the sheer mono-tone of her voice and proceeded to the kitchen to make for the last time; Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for her kids.
Jake curled himself up on the single lounge as the doorbell rang
Maria crossed her arms - she had a feeling she knew who it was
"Maria my dearest little sister - would you get that?"
"Go fuck yourself Jake"
"I take that as a 'yes, I would gladly Jake'?"
Maria grumbled and opened the door - and on the porch was standing a angry looking Billie Joe with a acoustic guitar in hand
"Mine if I come in?" he pushed past Maria making her jump slightly and marched up to Maria room
"Billie?" came from Jake but Billie ignored it
"Billie why are you here? Did Ollie send you?"
"Not really. I came here on my own terms"
"Oh"
He slammed Maria's bedroom door open and sat himself down on Maria's bed. Her room was so empty now
"I wrote another song for you" he grumbled
"Really?"
"Obviously I just said I did, didn't I?"
This would have to be the most pissed off mood Maria had the pleasure of experiencing
"If your gonna be that way.... What's it called then?"
"Good Riddance"
"Wow... Sounds nice"
"Listen"
Billie seemed to go into another person all together while playing that guitar. His arm moved freely over the strings and his face made certain expressions as his arm stretched up and down the neck.
When he was finished he looked up at her
"Like it?"
"Uhh... It was beautiful"
"Wasn't suppose to be"
"Oh... "
"I was gonna call it 'Time of Your Life' but that seemed to nice considering you didn't consider staying"
And before Maria could say anything he stormed out of the room with his guitar in hand
"Good riddance Maria, good-fucking-RIDDANCE!" he slammed the front door closed leaving Maria standing in the hallway
"Billie...." She whispered ".... Wait...."
He was gone.
The drive to the airport seemed long and worn out causing Maria to stare out at the city lights and sink off into dream land for a while before being woken as they reached SFO.
"Honey! Wake up! Were here!"
"Where?"
"The San Francisco International Airport!" her mother beamed, Maria noticed Jake roll his eyes again
"Oh".
The trio waited around for what seemed like forever till Jake and Maria finally boarded
"I love you two sooooo much!" her mother hugged them extremely tight "yous better call and send letters as much as possible! I'm really going to miss you"
While her mom pulled Jake aside for some reason, Maria sighed. She felt as if this was all a movie and any minute Billie would come running threw the terminal embracing her into a hug and refusing that she enter the gate way to the plane - but this was reality and she knew Billie wasn't coming.
With one last long hug their mother let them go and they boarded the plane.
"Goodbye AMERICA!" her brother shouted into the terminal for one last time, a few people looked over and gave them both a strange look, Jake just laughed "you have a go Maria!"
"Fine... Goodbye California!,
Goodbye America!,
And goodbye Billie Joe Armstrong..."
"Maria!" Jake laughed "come on the plane already and stop acting as if this is 1988!"
