Something to think about

 When Stevie got the call from L [actually, it was Emmie on the phone who was in the ER], it hit Stevie that they needed to rethink life in general. Honestly, they didn't know what they were doing. Stevie blinked back to reality, knowing what a fool all this glam and glitter of the parade. It wasn't what everyday life had in store for Stevie's new adventure. Of course, Stevie hailed a cab and hurried back to find L lying in a hospital bed, recharging back to health with a slew of monitors around her and an IV in her arm.

"WE don't know what to do," Stevie confessed to Liddy, who had a cold dinner waiting.

"We?" Liddy crossed her arms. "I know I'm old. But YOU have to choose and make the most of your life. That means you need a job. You need to take care of yourself. Don't stress your family out. Be WE all you want to be, but when it comes down to it, you still have to be You." Liddy pointed her index finger at Stevie and pressed her ruby fingernail right into Stevie's chest.

Stevie pouted back. They despised Liddy, but maybe she was right, too. Stevie hugged herself hard. This was not how it was supposed to be. Of course, the chicken salad sandwich looked amazing, and Stevie hadn't eaten all day. Finally, Stevie gave a nod and sat down to eat. 

As luck would have it, Liddy had circled plenty of ads for hiring. It gave Stevie a shiver. Goosebumps popped up along her forearm. A job? Stevie winced. 

There was a need for a waitress at a coffee shop that was nearby. Instantly, Stevie hated the thought of serving people. They didn't know how to communicate. But Stevie finished up the sandwich and drank the fresh lemonade, studying the ads carefully. 

"Maybe this one will do," Liddy pointed to the one is housekeeping at a hotel that was a few blocks away. Stevie could make close to twenty bucks an hour. Stevie shrugged. 

"But what if it's..You know, awful?"

"It's a decent place. It's up to you to give it a chance." Liddy's glare stung Stevie. Could Stevie make it on her own?

Macy's Grandmother

 

I want you to know, I'm more than Macy's Gram. I have a name, you know. I'm Liddy to my friends. I don't even want to mention my formal name. I haven't used it in years. Why can't Macy's friends call me Liddy? Every time I bring it up, well..you know how they are. Her friends are in another world. And..and I'm invisible.

Still....

1. I'm here for Macy. I have to get her on track with Jake.

2. Jake needs a job, or so I hear. I'm going to look into that. 

3. If I can get this all settled. Then..then I'll go back home. Lord knows, my neighbor Kramer is probably sick of taking care of my place. I hear I have strawberries in my backyard garden. The peas have made and are already in the freezer. Goodness, I'm going to have to pay Kramer back, somehow.

- Liddy

Something about Stevie

 Emmie wasn't sure how Stevie actually got here. "You invited her?" Emmie couldn't believe they were actually going to have a guest. They were just getting used to having their own space together. Yes, it was possibly nothing significant to the human eye, but Emmie felt she and L were getting closer. And now this.

"It was ages ago," L explained, hugging herself as if she didn't have any good answers about the sudden guests who had the week already planned for them. "He grew up in Arkansas. He never fit in," L told her. "Stevie wanted to go to New York."

"You mean, we are stuck with...Her?"

"Them."

Emmie nodded, hoping she'd get it right. She gritted a smile. She closed her eyes, wishing this were only a visit. Just how long would this out-of-towner be here?

So the Pride Parade was festive, completely muggy, and crowded. L thought she might melt, but Stevie was in rare form, dancing, chatting with a stranger. Stevie was the complete opposite of L, who could hardly stand to watch. Before long, Stevie went off with a bunch of them in their rainbow colors.

L was stunned. "Actually, I'm a bit worried," L confided to Emmie, who was by her side for the four-hour fiasco.

"She, I mean them. They are grown-ups. Right?" Emmie looked at her with her tense puppy eyes as if she had faith in L's cousin.

L squeezed her eyes shut and hugged herself tightly in her PRIDE tee. "I don't know. I don't know anything for sure," L said. "I mean, they are in their early twenties." Still, she felt Stevie's emotional growth was no more than that of a middle schooler.

"Well, call her!" Emmie demanded as if she were the grown-up here.

"I'll text." L pressed her lips tight, trying to keep her cool. She tapped in. "Are you doing OK?"

"Let's go somewhere and sit down." Emmie thought it was best to stay in the old market district. Maybe Stevie hadn't gone far. However, every place they went was packed with spectators, from coffee shops to diners. It was endless.

Emmie held on to L's hand in the ocean of people in bright colors and makeup. It was like gasping for air. Finally, they made it a few blocks away to an old bookstore with a coffee bar. Instantly, they felt part of the still life.

"Did you hear anything?" Emmie shot L a look as she was combing through her messages. L shook her head, no.

Emmie ordered two iced coffees as if they might need them for stamina. They sat down at the back booth in the dark mahogany interior. L put down her phone on the table and put her hands to her mouth. She began to cry.

"It'll be OK." Emmie sat across from her, looking at L wide-eyed.

"But," L looked at her sadly. "What if it isn't?"

Emmie came around to her side and put her arm around her. L began to shake. Emmie knew then L's blood sugar was low.