L's Cousin

 

Stevie is in town for the Pride Parade. She is staying with L & Emmie for the weekend.

Stevie has a lot they are trying to figure out, but they are always up for a party. L hopes they control their drinking. L knows Stevie is the life of the party, but sometimes, it can bring out the worst in Stevie. Needless to say, L is worried. She would hate for her and Emmie to lose her at the Pride Parade. 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

If there is anybody who understands me in this world, it has to be my cousin Elenor, who goes by L now. We always had such great times at our grandmother's house back east. We used to make crafts and sometimes even bake cookies. We feel really bad that L has diabetes now. If only we could have brought her something sweet. At the moment, we aren't working. So with what little savings, we booked a bus trip from the Ozarks. Naturally, we don't belong there. Mumzy thought Stevie might change if we grew up there. That didn't happen. We felt more of an outcast than ever. So here WE are. It feels like freedom, but with it comes a lot of responsibility. We hope L can help us. If she can't, maybe her girlfriend Emmie will.

The bitterness of summer

1. I can't seem to move fast enough. I need help. I feel I am trapped in my old job.

2. I want to be more upbeat. I don't want to let Macy down. 3. I have to remember that if I can get this person trained, I can move on. 4. Find that job in Chicago that I really need. I don't want Macy thinking she has to support me. I want us to be a team.

-Jake

It felt so endless. And summer started on Father's Day. Jake felt downright numb. He was growing restless. More than a bit depressed these days. It didn't help that he'd spotted Macy's ex at the library. He even asked Jake if he'd heard from her.

"Yes, I mean," Jake pressed his lips tight about the matter. He didn't want to tell her ex anything. "Not really. She's busy." He sucked in a breath. "She's working."

Dean nodded as if he'd expected it. "I just don't know why she hasn't called me, or even sent a postcard." He shrugged.

Jake nodded as if he hoped Dean wouldn't pry anymore.

"Do you think she has a boyfriend?" Dean squinted as if this was the question he'd wanted to ask all along.

Jake thought he might crash into the floor. He could barely keep his senses together. His heart began to race. He nodded in an attempt to keep his mouth shut, but he sputtered, "Maybe." He looked up at Dean, thinking of all the things he'd done with Macy that Jake hadn't had a chance yet.

"Maybe?" Dean's eyes shot wide open. "Is she with that old high school friend of hers?"

Jake shrugged as if he needed to do something quickly at Reference. If only he had a cup of coffee to reach for. Even so, he was certain he'd spew most of the drink on Jake.

Whatever's been weighin' you down

 "Do we even know her real name?" Emmie sighed about Macy's grandmother moving in. She thought she would have left by now, but the weeks were wearing on. It was a new month. This was getting weird.

Emmie crossed her arms in thought. "I know you don't think I understand, but I do," Emmie told L when she came over to rant about Gram. She knew how stressed L's life was with this outsider taking over L's place with kindness that could kill L. 

"I'm sorry, you're having to go through this," Emmie found her hands on each of L's shoulders as if she could get through this, but when she looked at those sad puppy eyes of L's, Emmie could help but give her a hug, and she told her all over again how if she'd only known how this grown woman would be.

"Just stay with me." She said softly to L.

"No, I couldn't." L pulled back as if she could be a tough old bird, too. She wasn't a little girl.

"Yes, you can." Emmie looked at her wide-eyed. "You deserve to have a comfortable space to come home to."

L winced as if she hated to intrude. As if it wouldn't be right.

"Oh, come on." Emmie smiled as she put her arm around her and walked her through the apartment. "OK, I know there is only one bed, but it's big enough. It'll be like a sleepover. And you are free of bread and anything sugary here. We'll make the most on big fat salads and egg scrambles."

She reminded her of how they found that huge bag of rice from the Indian Store that was actually OK for diabetics, and she'd made a chicken curry not so long ago that didn't spike L's sugar. She went on about how it would be fun to prep meals for the week. "It'll be fun. Think of it as a vaca from your own place."

L chuckled. Emmie thought she was feeling better already. 

"Let's get your stuff." Emmie would help her.

L nodded as if this might be the only solution for now.