Chapter 7

It was 2:00 pm now. I had enough time to go home take a quick nap and start packing. Leaving just enough time to get a shower and make myself presentable for dinner. I let myself into my apartment and fed Rex, made my way to the bedroom and set my alarm for 3:30. Once I laid down I couldn't sleep, I just kept thinking about the last two days. It has all been surreal. I have a new job making fantastic money and got rid of Joe. I feel a little sad about Joe and I but not sad enough to go back. That roller coaster ride is over. I am going to take some time and just be alone for a while. I need to remember who I am with out a man in my life. I didn't even realize how long I had been lying on my bed until my alarm went off. Guess a nap wasn't meant to be today. I got out of bed and started going through my clothes. At 5:00 I jumped in the shower to get ready for dinner at my parents house.

I got to my parents house a few minutes early. My mother and grandma were at the door waiting for me, Val's car was already in the drive. Well here goes nothing.

"Hi mom, grandma. How was your trip?"

"It was fantastic, but I don't want to talk about that. I want you to tell me all about you new job with Vinnie."

"Dinner is ready, everyone to the table." My mom yelled from the kitchen. We all headed to the dining room.

"Stephanie how did you second day go?" Leave it to my mom to start talking about my job right away.

"Well..." Jack started to laugh and I shot him the death glare.

"What is going on with you two?" Val wanted to know.

"I am not working for Vinnie any more. When Ranger and I had our meeting to discuss my training he offered me a job and I accepted."

"You are going to be working for the same company then?"

"Yeah Val, and eventually Jack here will be my partner."

My mom got up from the table and I knew she was going into the kitchen to hit the bottle of whiskey she keeps hidden in the pantry. She looked a little more relaxed when she came back in with a glass of the amber liquid.

"Mom." She looked over at me and I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

"I know you want me to settle down, but this is a great opportunity for me."

My mom looked like she was trying to gather her thoughts and figure out what to say to me.

"I love you and I just want the best for you, like any other mother wants for their child. If this is going to make you happy then I will just have to learn to deal with it."

Who is this woman and what did she do with my mother.

"So Steph are you going to take the apartment at Rangeman?"

"Yeah Jack I am. I am going to need your help moving some stuff in. Nothing major just some boxes."

"No problem. When do you need me?"

"Tomorrow OK?" He nodded.

"You are moving out of your apartment?" Grandma asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yeah Grandma. Ranger has apartments in the building for his employees. I figured that I am going to be there a lot, so it just makes sense." I have a feeling I knew why she was asking. "Do you want to take over my lease?"

"Hallelujah, I'll even help you move." Guess my dad was happy about that.

"Now wait just a minute..." Uh-oh mom was getting mad again. Guess I should have told her first.

"No Ellen. Yes Stephanie I would love to move into your building."

"Great I will talk to Dillon tomorrow."

"Would you like me to come over and help you pack your things?"

"Sure Grandma. I'll come pick you up in the morning."

"Hot damn, I am getting out of here. When we're done you can tell me about all the hotties your gonna be working with."

Everyone started laughing but my mom. We finished dinner without any more yelling and after I got my standard bag of leftovers I made my way home. I was so tired I fell right asleep.

The next morning I was up before my alarm, so I got showered and dressed and called my mom's to see if grandma was ready to come over.

"Hello."

"Hi Grandma, you ready for me to pick you up?"

"Yes, and hurry. You mother is on the warpath this morning."

"I'll be there in a few minutes, I am not coming in so be ready."

I ran downstairs to talk to Dillon and he said there would be no problem with grandma taking over my lease and the owners of the building would probably be happy. With me leaving the building would be all seniors. I picked up grandma and went back to my apartment and we managed to get a lot done. Before we left we had a little chat.

"Stephanie, I am glad you are not going to turn into something you are not."

"What do you mean?"

"You tried to be burg and it didn't work. I always knew you would break free and do what you wanted to. You stood up to your mother and I think she now knows that she was wrong all these years to try and push you."

"Thanks grandma. I better get you home, I have some things to do this afternoon and you need to start packing. Here is a set of keys. I will talk to Jack and dad about moving you in here."

I carried a few things down to my car and then dropped grandma off at home. I then made my way over to Haywood to drop some of my things off. I called Lula on my way over and we decided to meet at Macy's at 1:00. Lester was in the garage when I pulled my car in.

"Hey Beautiful, need a hand with any of that?"

"That would be great Lester, thanks. Now I only have to make on trip up, I have to meet Lula in an hour."

We unloaded my car and made our way up to the 4th floor and my new apartment.

"I hear you are going out with us tonight."

"Yeah, and I am looking forward to it. I has been a while since I have been out."

"Really?"

"Yeah, my boyfriend...well ex boyfriend wasn't really one to go out and dance. He was more content to grab a pizza and watch a game."

"I guess it's good he is an ex then."

"You don't even know how good."

"Is he someone from around here?"

"Joe Morelli."

"Your kidding me."

"No. I have to get going to the mall and meet Lula. I will see you tonight Lester and thanks again for your help."

"No problem, but do me a favor?" He had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"If I can."

"Save me a few dances tonight."

"Now that I can do. Bye Lester."

"Later Beautiful."

TBC