Second Chance

Chapter 7B Reese

There has been so much food brought in. While we were at the graveside, someone brought over some of the flowers from the funeral to decorate the church's gym so it looked nicer than a plain gym. I go to find Logan to make sure he gets something to eat. I locate him in the foyer of the funeral home. It looks like he is in a heated conversation with Joanie's parents. I am unsure what is happening, but his face is red. Joanie's mom looks stern and determined, as if she is making it clear she will not be moved by whatever idea she has.

"That is not what Joanie would have wanted, and you know that. How could you suggest such an idea? " Logan protests. I have never heard such an upset tone from my calm-natured brother.

"We think it is the best idea. Think about it, Logan. How will you handle all this? You know we are right." I hear Joanie's dad try to reason with Logan.

"You are not right. You are wrong, and I plan to prove that to you. Either way, this is neither the time nor the place for this discussion. So, for now, the matter is closed." Logan states with certainty as he turns to discover me standing there. He starts to walk to the gym.

As soon as we are out of earshot of Joanie's parents, I have to ask, "What is that about? "

Logan frowns at me. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I understand but something tells me it is something we need to talk about." I protest.

"Joanie's parents don't think I can take care of my kids and want to take them back to Florida with them. They even said they would hire a lawyer if they had to. I can't lose my kids, Reese. Right now, they are the only thing keeping me going. They have a point. I can't do this on my own…" He stops struggling to hold himself together.

"… But you are not on your own." I finish for him. "Mom and I are here for you, Logan. You have a whole community circling you. We won't let them take the kids. Don't worry about that."

"I was hoping you would say that. I don't know how much mom can help, and I don't know what you plan now that you have finished school. Reese, I understand you never wanted to return home, but I need you. Nathan won't stay, but I hoped you could return for at least a few years until Jace is in school." This is a big ask for him.

I was sure I would need to stay. There was no way I could leave right away, but hearing him ask made it easier to accept that I was staying. To me, there is no question. My big brother needs me. My niece and nephew need me. My mom also needs me, but I knew she wouldn't acknowledge that.

I need to figure out where I will stay and what I will do next. "I am here for you, Logan," I reassure him. "I am going to need some help myself. Like we need to figure out where I will live, and I need to figure out a job, but we can deal with all that later."

Just like Logan, it is hard for me to ask for help.

"You got it, sis. Thank you so much. I have missed you. I am glad to have you home for however long you stay." He says as he hugs me.

We walk back into the gym, and I see Steve carrying a drink and taking it to my mom. I walk up to where Mom is sitting. "Hey, Mom," I tell her.

"Reese, did you find Logan? He needs to eat."

"Yes, Mom, I did, and he is getting a plate now. Listen, Mom, I need a favor." I start.

"Anything, Reese."

"Can I move in with you? Logan will need help with the kids, and the best way for me to help is for me to live here." I tell her. Steve's eyes seem to lighten at my words. I turn my attention to him. "Can you help me with the stuff from my apartment in LA? I figure I can rent a storage unit here in town."

"Of course, I would be more than happy to help you." He responds. I hope I am not making a mistake asking him.

"I was thinking not this weekend, but maybe next week if that will work for you."

"That will be fine. We will work out the details later. For now, I will see if I can help with anything in the kitchen." He tells me as he finds a reason to leave. This is going to be OK. We are friends. Friends help friends. He was right when he said we were best friends before we started dating.

"Mom, I am going to step outside and call Tiffany to tell her my game plan." She nods. I can't stand how much this week has aged my mom and Logan. I hope I can help lessen the strain on both of them.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Tiffany greets me when she answers the phone. How am I doing? I wonder.

"I am doing as best as I can. How are you? I hate I left everything so suddenly."

"Well, it is not like you can schedule a family emergency," She tells me. "Besides that, it took me some time to return home. I told my parents I would stay at the apartment until you came for your stuff. So, a reprieve before returning to living under their control, so I should thank you."

"You need to stand up for yourself, Tiff. You are a grown adult." I tell her. I don't quite get the dynamic there. She lets her parents decide everything for her.

They even had to approve of me before we could move into an apartment off campus. They were not sure about her living with an art major. I guess they think of someone more hippy into drugs and going to corrupt their impressionable daughter.

"Speaking of which, I am going to make arrangements to come back not this weekend but rather next weekend to pick up my stuff."

"Perfect. I have to be at my internship starting next month, giving me time to move. I will call my dad, who will rent a truck to pick up my stuff. I can't wait to see you again. I have missed you this week."

"I need a hug when you see me, OK? Remember, you can always visit, and if you ever get the courage to tell your parents you want to live your own life, maybe we can get a place together. I have missed you, but I will not be able to visit you for a bit, so you will have to see me.

"Not a problem. I would love to see your small Arizona town. You make it sound wonderful." She tells me.

"Well… it isn't as bad as it felt when I was in high school, but I am not sure I would call it wonderful. It is home, though, even though I tried to deny that for a long time." I laugh. "I will call you next week and keep you posted on when I will get to town."

We say our goodbyes. I am going to miss being a roommate with Tiffany. We met in our dorms during Freshman year. In sophomore year, we got an off-campus apartment, so we have been roommates since Freshman year.

She was with me every step of the way in college. She helped me deal with being in a large city, and I helped her learn to have fun and how to deal with being away from her parents. I tried to help her deal with how controlling they are. She used to tell me there are worse things than parents who care about you. I understand that.

My dad didn't care enough about my brothers and me to stick around or check in on us after he left. Yet my mom loves all three of us and never tries to control us. She hates that Nathan never comes home, but she keeps in touch with him and reminds him we are always here for him. She never got upset when I told her I didn't want to live here anymore.

She was happy I came home for school breaks and holidays. She would remind me that most college students would go on trips for Spring break, and she was blessed I chose to come home instead.

I think my brothers and I may be blessed. Our mom loves us and gives us space to be who we are.