“You’ve got a good one there.” Sue takes a sip of her tea before encouraging me to do the same.
“Yeah, I might Sue. I need to distract myself for the rest of the day.” The hot mint tea actually helps to warm my body up a bit.
“Then let’s distract you. Lunch out followed by baking and Gilmore Girls.”
Chapter 8
At the breakfast table the next morning, I’m staring off into space when Sue sits down with a notepad and pen. “Since you have school the rest of the week, you may want to take time today to make a list of things you want to take care of before moving.”
“Yeah, that’ll be helpful. You know me and my lists, Sue.”
She smiles at me. “So what’s first, sweetheart?”
“Well, I guess school stuff first. How does that work? Do I need to get transcripts? Pick out new classes?”
“Write all that down, and I’ll text Mary asking how that works for you.”
I write it all down, passing that sheet over to Sue. “I’ll need a suitcase or something for my clothes and stuff. I was thinking I could get a phone for Mal with an unlimited plan and leave it here with her. That way I can talk to Jake as much as I want, and she would just have to charge it for me.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Sue comments. “That will make it easy for you and Mal both.”
“Will you check in on Jake and Mal for me, Sue? I’ll visit as much as possible, but it would be comforting if you could stop by once in a while.” The thought of Jake being alone really upsets me. I know he’s not truly alone with the nurses living there, but I don’t want him to feel abandoned. Having eyes on him outside the facility will help my brain cope. It’s irrational with how wonderful Mal is, but it seems a prudent type of checks and balances for me.
“I was already planning on it, sweetheart. Mal and I stay updated on gossip together. Besides, I can’t deny her my home-baked goods for too long,” she exclaims.
I smile at her. “That’s true. Anything else you suggest I do?”
“Maybe talk to Zander more this week? I assume we’ll hear from Mary when everything is settled with him. Afterwards, flight arrangements and other plans will be made, but that’s for later in the week. Perhaps we can grab a phone for Mal today so you’ll have it ready for her when you visit Jake tomorrow?”
“Yeah, that’ll be good. We can also grab a suitcase while we’re out.”
“Okay, let’s tidy up here and get on the road.”
We wash up the dishes, then I grab my jacket and we drive to the cell phone store. Grabbing a phone, charger, and case for Mal with the settlement money, I sign up for an unlimited plan. I need to cancel my phone because I can’t have more than one phone plan at a time, which is a pain. I hate using my settlement money, but I do for important things like this. After that, we stop at a department store, and I grab a suitcase set, toiletry bag, and a few tubs of ice cream as well.
Sarah calls to check in after we get home. I tell her about my list and the phone for Mal. As usual, I’ve an open invitation to call her if I need to.
Sue and I snuggle down on the couch to watch some tv until bedtime.
Chapter 9
School is its usual torture Tuesday, but I make it through without reacting outwardly to Jessica or anyone else. Surprisingly, knowing I won’t have to deal with these people much longer helps me not respond to them. It’s like they’re insignificant now. It’s a cold, cloudy day with Mother Nature trying to decide between snow and rain, as I hop on the bus to the care facility after school.
“Hey Sugar! Nice to see you again,” Mal greets me with a big smile. Her scrubs are green today, with colorful mini flowers all over them.
“Hey Mal. How are you today?”
“I’m doing fine today despite the cold weather. I sure hope it warms up soon.” She rubs her arms up and down to warm them up.
“I came up with a plan for keeping in touch with you and Jake, Mal,” I tell her, handing over the bag from the cell store. “I got a phone, charger, and case yesterday with Sue’s help. It’s an unlimited plan, and all paid for. If you can keep it charged for me, I can call you on there whenever I can, and you can place it in Jake’s room. I ordered one of those bed arm holders today at lunch, so it should be here before I leave.”
“Oh, Sugar, this will work wonderfully. I’d be happy to keep this charged for you, and I’ll make sure I keep it near me at all times so I don’t miss any calls or texts,” she responds. “Now, do you have any more news about when you’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I found out yesterday I’ll be leaving this weekend. According to CPS, spring break is the best time to move and get settled down South.”
“You’re moving South darlin’? Where about?”
“Zander lives outside Charleston.” I write my name on the sign-in sheet as she replies.
