where in the world are we

It was getting kind of noisy. Asa awoke from the YA book he was reading, to prepare for a book club. He was in bed. Asa looked over at the clock. It was after 11 p.m.

"You gotta be kidding me." He'd sat there under the covers for so long his back ached. He didn't exactly roll out of bed, but he slammed the book shut and went to check on the little party going on in Josie's new room.

The room was small, anyway. There was Max with Daisy along with some other kids. Derrick was with Henry.

"Guys." He was so tired. He knew he needed to sound more demanding. "School is not out, you know. We can't do this every night. Do you hear me?" He spoke as if he meant it.

"I'm so sorry. Really, I am." Josie wanted him to look at her curtains. Now it was home, according to her. "And, I paid for the pizza. Want some?"

"No. I just want everyone to leave before you all start thinking this is the norm."  Asa sighed. His cell buzzed in his pocket. He looked at it to see it was Josie's mother, Camille calling.

"Hello." He walked away to the livingroom.

"I'm so sorry to call so late," Camille said. "But..but is Josie doing OK?"

"I think so." Asa didn't know if he wanted to say anymore. What was she expecting? "I mean, she's still getting used to everything. I'm, I'm sure she misses. A lot."

"I don't know about that." She made it sound that Josie wanted to be away from her.

"Did you need to talk to her?" Asa wondered if  Josie wasn't taking her calls. If maybe that was it.

"Oh, no. I just thought I'd touch base with you. Let you know I made it here safely, and if..if I could do anything?" Her perky voice irritated him, slightly. Now she asked if she could do anything, after she was on the other side of the world.

"I don't guess." He shrugged. "Just have a good time." Was she asking for his permission to have a good time? He hung up before she could ask anything else. He went to check on the group. Everyone was out of Josie's room now. Of course, there was the mess of the pizza boxes and left over drinks. He  went to get a trash bag.

"Your mother just called. Asked how you were doing." He told her as Josie helped  push the trash in the bag.

"She did?" Josie looked at him puzzled. "Look, I won't do this again." She  made it sound like a promise.

"I know its hard. This isn't what you're used to." Asa nodded.

"But I love you guys. I do. And, and I'm really grateful for everything..you're doing." She was instantly teary eyed. "Its still hard to..comprehend..that..that my Dad would be this way. I didn't think he'd care. I really didn't. He doesn't even care about me. And..and I don't even know who Mom even cares about."

Asa let out a breath when she threw her arms around him and hugged him tight.