I want the world to know

Jonas was going with Jake, no matter what. "No, You..you can't," was, of course, Jake's answer. "You need to be here for Mom and Dad."

Jonas knew he'd say that. "It doesn't matter, I'm going," Jonas told him, trying to help Jake get ready for his move. They worked together, going through Jake's things. Apparently, Jake didn't know he was this much of a hoarder, living in his tiny apartment. It was a tidy little place. Not even a man cave. It always looked Mother-approved, even if their mother never dropped by.

Together they let some old photos he boxed away with the promise that Jonas would archive them.

"That means, you need to stay." Jake gave him the eye about this move.

"No, I'll do it there."

Jake rolled his eyes, knowing this meant the box of pictures was coming with him after all. They whittled down Jake's wardrobe, which was full of clothes he never got to wear at the library.

"It's too casual, man," Jonas agreed, boxing it up for Goodwill Again, he knew his brother didn't want to hear this, but Jonas grouped together the essentials that would work together. "I guess you better take this heavy coat." Jonas reminded him that he was moving to the Windy City.

"I just want to help you, you know," Jonas said a few days later as they cleared out the apartment so Jake could stay with their parents until he left. There was still that problem. Jake didn't have a job, and he knew this hurt Jake the most. He'd always been busy, even if the jobs didn't pay much.  "I've learned a lot from you. It's just-"

"Just what?" They were eating the last of the snacks before they went to the garbage. Jake had lots of healthy stuff, like trail mixes and yogurt.

"You've been that person I've always wanted to be," Jonas looked at him blankly. "I...I just think if..if I get out on my own." He swelled a frown. "I need this move as much as you do." Jonas finally said. "If I stay here, I'm going to rely on Mom and Dad forever."

"OK," Jake suddenly said. "We'll give it a try." But first he needed to call Macy to get her thoughts on Jonas moving to Chicago.

 

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