"What’s with the family meeting?" Jessica asked, later that day.

"And where’s Mom and Daddy?" Avery asked.

"Guys, last night a police officer came to the hotel. There was an accident," Isaac explained softly.

"What do you mean an accident?" Jessie demanded.

"Last night, Mom and Dad’s cab was hit by a drunk driver," Isaac said.

"But they’re ok, right?" Avie asked.

Taylor shook his head sadly.

"They were, were killed instantly," Isaac whispered.

"NO!" Jessica yelled. "STOP LYING! ITS WRONG TO LIE!"

"Jessie," I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek. I shook my head, not knowing what to say. I wanted to comfort her and tell her that everything would be all right, but how could I do that when even I didn’t believe that things would be ok?

"No, Zac!" she yelled. "I’m not talking to you guys!" With that, she ran out of the room, down the hall, down the stairs and into the hotel lobby. Not knowing what to do, I ran after her. When she got to the lobby, she was sobbing so hard she couldn’t run anymore. Everyone was staring at us as I grabbed her shoulders to stop her.

"No, Zac!" she cried. "It can’t be true!" he voice faltered and she collapsed in my arms.

"Jessie," I whispered, hardly aware that we had collapsed in the center of the hotel lobby. "I know it hurts. I’m hurting, too! But there’s nothing we can do! Mom and Dad are gone!"

"No," she whispered, crying on my shoulder. "No!"

"Jess, it’s ok to cry, but its up to us now. You , me, Isaac, and Taylor, we have to take care of the little kids."

"Oh, my God, Zac," she whispered, calming down a little bit. "Zoë’s not even gonna remember them!"

We sat there for a while. Me and Jessie. Just sitting there in the hotel lobby, completely oblivious of everything else. Both of us just letting it all out.