Another two weeks passed. Another two long weeks. Grace did as Agatha said and ignored Rooster, but the past week, in particular, made this more difficult than ever. She didn't have proof, but she swore Rooster was drunk when she came home Monday evening. Agatha had gone to work early. The living room smelled funny. Stale in a way. Whether he drank something or smoked something, it changed his behavior. Her worry wasn't so much what he would do, especially after he passed out not long after supper, rather, how and if she should tell Agatha. At risk of sounding like a schoolchild, she didn't want to tattle. Rooster had a month to go. Maybe this was a one-time thing unless he'd been good at covering it up before. Even that option didn't make much sense. Why would he get lazy if he was getting away with something?

The thing that bothered her most came on Friday night. After her shift at the library, Susan met up with her and they took in a show. Afterward, Grace invited her over for a cup of coffee. Having been so distracted, she forgot Rooster would be there to greet them. She didn't remember until she saw the light on through the window. She warned Susan he was there, giving her the option to bow out. Susan wasn't bothered, even after Grace heeded her of his personality. However, minds changed when they walked into a cloud of smoke and a handful of people gathered around the living room.

"Rooster, what on earth is going on here?" Grace said through many coughs.

"Just spending some time with some friends," Rooster replied, never taking his eyes off his date who sat on his lap.

"Did Agatha say it was okay?"

"Oh sure, she loosens up after a bit, don't worry."

Grace wasn't convinced, but couldn't think straight as the amount of smoke made her lightheaded. "Susan, do you think we take a rain check?"

"Yes, of course," Susan said. "It looks like you've got a hand full here."

"Hey Gracie, thought you weren't gonna be home 'til later."

"That's it, Rooster," Grace yelled. "I want everyone out of here!" After flipping on some more lights, she opened the windows as wide as they could go.

"Come on, we ain't hurting anything," Rooster said, leaving the side of the young woman who'd been on his lap. "A couple hours won't be a problem."

"Yes, Rooster. It will be a problem. I have never met someone more ungrateful in my entire life! Agatha told you specifically not to have people over and here you are."

"Hey whoa, she said no one without permission. I told 'ya, I got permission."

"It's funny, but I don't believe you."

"Yo, Rooster," a man who had to been at least six feet, two inches tall came over. "What's the deal, huh?"

"The lady here wants to call it a night."

"You're right I do. I'm sorry to be the spoilsport, but it's time for everybody to leave."

The man laughed. "Spoilsport… isn't she cute?"

Rooster nodded. "Ain't she?"

Susan, whom Grace had forgotten was standing a few steps behind her, came up and pulled her back by her shoulders. "You're not going to win this one. You'll come and stay the night at my place, all right?"

"Yeah…" Grace nodded. "I think that's a good idea. But I swear Rooster, if this mess isn't gone by morning you're out of here!"

Rooster laughed. "Ain't up to you to decide."

. . .

Grace would never give Rooster the satisfaction of saying this allowed, but he was right. Whether he stayed or left wasn't up to her. He was Agatha's responsibility, not hers. The apartment belonged to both of them. Agatha sacrificed a lot when her family came over Christmas. Granted, their time spent was significantly less than Rooster's and didn't throw parties in their living room... Still, Grace owed it to her to be patient.

It was hard to believe Agatha would give him this sort of permission, but maybe she did. As much as she didn't want to face Rooster again, she couldn't wait for tomorrow to arrive and settle this. Thank goodness for Susan letting her stay the night. Heaven knows what more chaos would come the later the evening became. She worried either way, but at least she wasn't in the middle of everything.

After a restless night, she left Susan's apartment as soon as the sun came up in hopes of catching Agatha on her way home from work. Had she remembered which place she was cleaning she might have. When the clock struck eight, she knew she'd have to see her at home.

From down the hallway, Grace heard the shouting. She stopped halfway to the door and wondered if she should give them some space. At the same time, if Rooster was still drunk, Agatha might be in harm's way. What power she had over the situation she didn't know, but at least she could be there for her friend.

"I've had it with you, Rooster! I told you to do a few things, a few measly little things while I let you get away with all your other crap. Would it have killed you to keep your word? How do you expect me to trust you?"

A hungover Rooster pointed to Grace in the doorway. Agatha turned around and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank God," she said. "When I saw you weren't here I panicked."

"I spent the night at Susan's."

"I don't blame you. Grace, I'm so sorry about all of this."

"…So you didn't give him permission for company?"

"Absolutely not!" Agatha shouted in Rooster's direction. "I ought to throw you out on the street and not look back, you know that?"

"Calm down," Rooster grumbled. "You're acting like people were out of control. It was low key — just a couple of the guys hanging out."

"Who are the guys, Rooster?"

"What does it matter? I could say priests and you'd still be pissed off."

"You're damn right I would be."

In hopes to reduce the tension, Grace stepped closer to Agatha and Rooster and said, "Let's all take a breath for a moment…"

"Grace," Agatha interrupted. "I appreciate you're wanting to help, but this is between me and Rooster."

"Fine, I'll be in my room then."

"Do you think you could maybe go get breakfast or something?"

"Agatha, I've been out all night. I have to get ready for work."

"So have I. Do you really think this is what I wanna be doing after working all night?"

"I understand you have a lot on your plate right now, but this is my house, too."

"Please, Grace. This isn't an easy thing to ask. Besides, there's not a whole lot I ask you for."

"Oh no, you're right. Living with this inconsiderate pig hasn't been a chore at all."

Instead of being insulted, Rooster found amusement in Grace's comment. He didn't know she had it in her.

Agatha, on the other hand, was not so amused. "Hey, it ain't your place to say those things."

"I think I've been patient up until now. I didn't tell you about all the other nights I came home when he was drunk."

"What?" Agatha looked to Rooster, who just rolled his eyes.

"I gave him a chance."

"You should have told me," Agatha said.

"I knew it was only temporary and didn't think it was my place to tattle."

"Tattle? For heaven's sake, Grace, do you think we're still in 2nd Grade?"

"No, no, Aggie," Rooster said. "She's makin' sense. You're talking about me like I'm a school kid."

"Would you shut up for two minutes?"

"My point is that I didn't complain."

"Him getting drunk and you telling me isn't complaining."

"How should I know how you'll react to anything? One day you're saying what a bum he is, and now you're jumping down my throat for the one negative thing I've voiced allowed."

"I never called him a pig. Rooster is a lot of things, but he's no pig."

"Some dames would consider that phrase debatable," Rooster said, raising his hand.

"Shut up, Rooster."

Grace moved back towards the door. "I've had enough of this. Tell me whenever I'm allowed back home."

"You don't have to be so dramatic about it."

Grace wanted to say something back but knew the minute she opened her mouth she'd come out with something dumb. Instead, she went out the door, closing it with a slam.

Pressing his luck, Rooster scoffed, "And you say I'm the one making her uncomfortable."


Grace couldn't believe she was walking away from the house. When was she going to learn to stand her ground? While she understood Agatha's embarrassment and not wanting outside pressure, she didn't think it was fair to be asked to leave the building. All she wanted to do was take a shower. What was she going to hear over running water? The stench of smoke still clung to her skin. Sometimes Agatha intimidated her. There was no pretending she had a lot of anger inside of her. For the most part, her resentment didn't come out in the nastiest ways. Yes, she was moody, but she'd met people who acted much worse. When she exploded it was typically on some strange she wouldn't see again. Today, she'd been that stranger — and that's just how she'd come to feel. Since Rooster moved in, the days she saw Agatha were few and far between. On both parts, it was somewhat intentional but was done more in attempts to gain a break from Rooster. Now she was afraid to stand up to Agatha and gave in to her demands.

Not knowing where else to go, she walked to the bakery to start her shift early. There would be some chore to do. If not, she could keep Susan company for the start of her shift. She had to wonder what Susan thought. First walking into Rooster's mess, and now being asked to leave her own home? If for some reason, Rooster ended up staying, Grace decided it would be time to start looking for another place. Walking on eggshells all the time was getting old. No matter what she did, she felt like it was the wrong thing. She didn't blame Agatha, necessarily. The reality was that they were at different points in their lives. Grace saw an array of opportunities for her future. Meanwhile, Agatha had resigned herself to all doors being closed. She wished for a way to convince her otherwise.


"You blew it, Aggie."

Agatha could have spit on him she was so angry. She blew it? Why? Because she spoke without thinking? What did people want from her? As she said to Grace, the last thing she needed after working all night was a stressful confrontation — not to mention embarrassing. "I didn't do anything, Rooster. You're the one who's made nothing but a mess since you've been here."

"How many years have you known me? Did you really expect anything different?"

"Like an idiot I did and you know it."

Rooster laughed, "Yeah, I know. Still cracks me up."

It took all she had to ignore him. Must more of this and she was sure to smack him. "I can't believe you're willing to jeopardize my friendship with Grace just for a laugh. Aren't you the one who say a few months back who told me to do anything to prevent losing her?"

"Yeah, I said you should, nothing about me. You're not gonna lose her over this. It's me she hates, not you."

"Maybe, but because of you, I'm snapping at her. Didn't you see how angry she was when she left?"

Rooster shrugged. "She'll cool down. You women always end up collapsing into tears and hugging it out."

Agatha rolled her eyes. "Shows how little you know."

"If she's going to hold a grudge over this then she ain't worth your time." Rooster stood from the couch and started towards the kitchen, but Agatha held out her arm and stopped him.

"No eating. We're not done talking about this."

"What's there to talk about? I don't see the big deal. The cops didn't come. Nothin's broken."

"I don't care! I told you no one could come over. Not only did you ignore me, you lied about it to Grace."

"Relax, she didn't buy it for a minute."

"That's not the point. That aside, what about all these bottles everywhere? Where the hell did you get this crap?"

"You think I stole it or somethin'? It's whiskey. I got a prescription for it."

"Oh yeah?" Agatha said with fake interest in her voice. "What's the matter Rooster, got a little cold?"

"Come off it."

"Where's you get the money for it?"

"It don't matter." He pushed past her to go to the kitchen. If she was going to keep shouting, he was going to need some coffee and food for his headache.

"Yes, it does. I swear, Rooster, if you took any money from me or Grace I'm going to kill you."

"I won a bet if you must know. I don't gotta answer to you."

"You do under my roof."

"Your roof blows!"

"Then leave!"

"Works for me," he said. "I've been bored out of my mind here."

"Then why the hell didn't you leave sooner?"

"'Cause I ain't leaving a good couch if no one's makin' me."

"You know what, Grace is right. You are inconsiderate. We go out of our ways, changing our schedules around to make sure you're all right and you can't say so much as a thank you."

"I didn't ask you. All I needed was a place to crash for a few days while I got back on my feet."

"It's unfortunate that getting back on your feet means knocking someone off theirs."

"We all do what we can."

"There are better ways."

"So what if there are? Like I've said and I'll keep saying, I'm too set in my ways to turn around now. I've accepted it, now you need to as well. I'm tired of you trying to be what Ma wasn't. I got by without help then and I can keep doin' it now. It don't matter if you approve. Just be a sister."

"You mean, be the sister you want me to be."

"No, no, don't go twisting my words around. I'm just saying to humor me, not smother me. I can't believe I even have to have this discussion."

Agatha shook her head. "I can't either."

"I ain't saying I never wanna see you again. I'm just sayin' I need you to back off sometimes."

"Fine. I will. But I'm staying by my words from your first night here. Don't call me anymore to bail you out. I'm through with wasting my money and time. I'll visit you, but no money."

"Whatever. If it gets you off my back go for it."

Agatha frowned. This wasn't at all how she envisioned Rooster's send off. She never wished to be enemies with her brother. He was the only family she had. Why was she supposed to feel guilty for trying to straighten him out?

"So… are you leaving tonight?"

"The sooner the better," he said, going back into the living room.

"Roost… I don't want there to be hard feelings between you. You gotta know that I love you."

"I know, and I never know how to deal with it."

"You're not the worst guy in the world."

"Glad to know one person thinks that."


The rest of the day dragged on for Agatha and Grace. Grace was glad to have the distraction of work but was embarrassed to realize she hadn't been able to change her clothes from the day before. This wasn't as much of a problem at the bakery as she didn't have to explain why to Susan. Plus, she was covered by an apron, but she noticed some looks at the library. Thank goodness her main task today was re-stacking the shelves.

Agatha slept off and on. She opted not to hang around the living room while Rooster packed to leave. Strange how he acquired so many things after having been out for a mere month. She decided to worry later if he was taking anything he shouldn't. The main reason she couldn't sleep was her guilt about Grace. She thought she'd stop home in between jobs as she did most days, but after Rooster had gone she heard no movement in the rest of the apartment.

She knew asking Grace to leave was unreasonable, but she was afraid her words would become too flustered. Rooster barely took her seriously as it was. He didn't need another reason to undermine her. Her tone came out harsher than anticipated. She knew Grace to be understanding, but she also hadn't forgotten how upset she looked. She couldn't blame her, either. Half the time Agatha didn't know what she was doing. Rooster's games hadn't helped in the slightest.

Calling out of work was a given when six o'clock hit and she'd only managed two hours of off and on sleep. Grace was due home within the next half hour. Agatha hoped it would still be this way. Unless she'd been serious when she said to tell her when to come home. It didn't seem like something Grace would do, though. Not after having spent one night away from home and left with only her purse.

Grace did come home, but not until around eight o'clock. The minute Grace saw Agatha sitting in the kitchen, she tensed up and tried avoiding eye contact as she made way to her room. Agatha, of course, stopped her.

"Grace, I need to talk to you."

"I don't feel like talking right now." She continued on to her door. "You're supposed to be at work."

Agatha followed. "I stayed home. I just want to say I'm sorry. I was completely out of line this morning. Everything with Rooster got me so mad. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"Yeah, okay."

"Grace, please. I was embarrassed. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Whatever it was, I didn't want you to see it."

"I understand that, but you have to understand that I was willing to give you space. What, did you think I was going to go into my room and press my ear up against the door?"

"No, that's not it at all. You know that the walls are thin… I just… You know what, why do I have to explain myself? I'm sorry if I don't live up to your peppy standard. I snapped, all right? It happens."

"I hate it when you say things like that," Grace said as she opened the door and went into her room.

"Well, I hate sayin' 'em so looks like we both lose."

"You know, I don't know what I did to upset you so much, but I'm sorry for whatever it was. Are you mad I left Rooster to continue his party? Well forgive me if I made the wrong decision. I'm not used to that kind of environment. Let the record show that I tried to stop it. I stood up to him. You say a lot how I don't defend myself, well I did last night. I'm just sorry it had to be with your brother. But he wasn't so kind to me, and he's done nothing but take advantage of me since he got here. I can't humor him anymore."

"Well, you don't have to because he's gone."

Taking a moment before speaking, she then said, "He left?"

"I kicked him out."

"…I wasn't saying you should do that."

"Well I did and that's that. It's what he wanted all along and what you wanted but couldn't say."

"Agatha, that's not true."

"Don't patronize me. You hated him."

"Wait a minute," Grace said in defense. "That's not true. You can dislike someone without it turning to hate."

"It doesn't matter now, does it? He's not my problem anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Agatha shook her head. She was about to cry and didn't know how to stop it. Having a meltdown in front of Grace was the last way she needed to end her day. Hoping Grace hadn't noticed anything, Agatha managed to say in a clear voice, "Forget it," before making a violent turn out of the room.

As always, Grace was onto her right away. She chased after Agatha, catching her door with her foot before it shut. When she walked into the room, she saw tears streaming down Agatha's face.

"Leave me alone, okay?" she choked out.

"Agatha…" Not knowing what else to say, Grace went to Agatha and hugged her, letting her get everything out.

"I never cry like this. I'm just overtired."

"You don't need to explain yourself," Grace said as she patted Agatha's back. "You've had a long day."

"I don't know if I'll ever see him again."

"Why is that?"

"Because he said I smother him. He wanted to be rid of me. I told him not to bother calling for me to bail him out of jail. He never calls for anything else."

"Agatha, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault. I should have seen it sooner. He was never happy at home. I think he got into less trouble once he was on his own."

"You'll see him again."

"Hopefully not on a wanted sign."

Stepping back, Grace said as she went to get Agatha a tissue, "You have to think more positive thoughts."

"What do I have to be positive about?" Agatha sniffed.

Grace shrugged. "Sometimes you have to make believe even the most hopeless situations have a chance. I know you're sick of my mentality, but what do you have to lose? There can't be any harm in trying."

"I guess not."

"And I'm here for you."

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"Things happen, then you get over them. I know I can be as challenging to live with as Rooster sometimes."

"…In very different ways."

Grace laughed. "Do you feel any better?"

"A little, I guess."

"Have you eaten?"

"Not a thing all day," Agatha answered.

"I think today we've earned two big ice cream sundaes. What do you think?"

Now Agatha laughed, "You go from a wise owl to a small child in a matter of minutes."

"I take that as a compliment."