Jess' Book

Chapter Two

Six and One-half Dozed of the Other

I'm not exaggerating when I tell you about my childhood. It's not pretty, and it's no fairy tale. There were six of us. Six kids who didn't have the best parents or even parents at all. We were a family no matter what anyone said. When people asked us if we were all friends, the answer was always no. It was kind of like the end to Lethal Weapon 4, but no so cheery. Anyway, there was Nick, Darren, Angel, Krystal, and Meri. I was close with all of them, especially Meri. She never liked her name, Meredith, so she shortened it. My relationship with Meri was complicated. One day we were friends and the nest we were more. I can't say that I was in love with her, because I wasn't. I only ever loved the princess of Stars Hollow.

It was when I was seventeen that the family stated to break. It seems that it happens a lot; the point where people grow apart. I was one of the ones in denial. I hate change. Every time there's been a change in my life, it's been bad. Nick and Darren had gotten themselves into something that would ruin them. They started dealing. At first, it was for quick cash, but it didn't stop there.

We were all going out to dinner at some stake house. Nick told me he was supposed to make a drop in the back alley. I told him not to, and for once he listened. He slipped the drugs into my pack for safekeeping, and the second the manager of the restaurant saw it, he called the police. They showed up all to quickly. Nick told the Cops the pack was his and forced all the heat onto him. Of course because I was carrying the pack I got cuffed.

When Liz showed up at the station the next morning, she just stared at me, didn't say a word. An hour or so after I got home she threw a duffle at me.

"Pack. You're going to live with your uncle in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Your bus leaves at six tomorrow morning."

That was all she said. I'm telling you, she didn't care.