AN: Thank you everyone for the reviews.

Chapter 3 – A Return to Trenton

The military pays for your flight home; I landed in Newark and saw my parents at baggage claim. I was carrying a backpack with my purse inside and a small carry-on suitcase. My mother hugged and cried all over me. Jeeze, it's been less than a year since she saw me. Dad grabbed my rolling suitcase.

"That's it, Dad. I travel light," I quipped.

"Oh Stephanie, you only have one suitcase? What are you going to wear? Oh, you did leave some things in your old room when you were home for Christmas. I can take you shopping and we'll get you some dresses so you look proper," my mother dithered.

The last thing I needed was my mother dressing me like I was a child. She'd have me looking like a 1950's housewife, I shuddered at the thought. "Relax ma, the moving truck will unload at Uncle Joe's with some furniture and boxes. I have an appointment to look at some apartments this week. I may need to borrow a car or I can rent one until mine arrives. I have it coming on a transport truck."

"Why didn't you just drive it up? It would probably be cheaper, you were in Georgia," Dad asked.

"I didn't want to drive that far by myself today and my stuff was packed up a couple days ago and loaded on the truck. I slept on the couch and was out processed late this morning. I didn't want another night on Jessica's couch. Besides they paid the fees to move my car as well as the moving truck."

"Makes sense," Dad said as he carried my suitcase out to his car. It was August in Newark and we were hit by a blast of hot, smoggy, humid air as we walked to short term parking.

"Stephanie, I have several nice men lined up to come to dinner over the next week. Do you have any dresses, we want to make a good impression. There is a nice lawyer I've invited; his name is Richard Orr and he wants to be a senator. Hopefully we can get you married next year," my mother said.

I groaned, "why? I have a job offer as a military contractor on joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. I'm negotiating a contract, because I'm in cybersecurity, my skills are transferable to any company. I don't need a hook up with one of the guys from high school who is probably looking for wife number 2 and a mother for his children or a politician who wants a trophy wife."

"Stephanie, you still don't want to be a proper Burg housewife like your sister and Mary Lou, do you," she asked in an exasperated tone.

"Nope. I mean it's fine for them. They each have two kids; I don't want that. I can have a really great career and any man I marry or even date has to understand that. The Army has given this to me, I just felt it was time to get out."

Dad pulled out of the airport and drove us to a diner so we could have dinner. We chatted about general things; mom caught me up on the gossip in the neighborhood and family. We pulled in the driveway at 8:30 pm and my Mazur grandparents' car was at the curb. My Plum grandparents had passed away while I was serving. They also had left the grandchildren each $10,000 which I had wisely invested and had made a tidy profit.

"Oh Stephanie, I forgot to tell you my parents moved in with us. They are in Val's old room. They had to sell the house, it was too much to keep up with Dad being so ill," mom said.

My grandfather had a heart attack last year. He was told to change his eating habits. I seriously doubted he would, even after my little talk with him. In my head I was like WTF, this is different than the first time around, but instead I said, "so I'll be lucky to get in the bathroom is what you are saying."

Dad grunted which I took as a yes. He popped the trunk and brought my suitcase into the house. "I put in a half bath off the kitchen, the porch is smaller but somedays I wish we have four bathrooms," my dad said.

I just stood staring at this small rowhouse and thought I needed to find a place fast, the bathroom situation was not conducive to peaceful living. I went in and was greeted by my grandparents who fussed over me and tried to feed me pineapple upside down cake and chocolate chip cookies. I really didn't want so much sugar but agreed to a small piece of cake and a cookie. I had coffee with cream to wash it down.

"So, Stephanie, are you ready to get married and have children," grandma asked as she clacked her teeth. "I know a few hotties we can fix you up with."

What is with these people, what's the obsession with marriage? "No, grandma. I want a career and I can find my own man. I have no intention of being a housewife, it's fine for those who want it but I expect any husband of mine to help around the house and care for any children we have. Today that is normal, the Burg way isn't what you see in most of society."

"Now now baby girl, there is nothing wrong with the Burg way," grandpa wheezed out.

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it, I said it's not for me," I explained.

I listened to a lecture from my mother, we all tried to get her off the housewife crap but hey, no one said Helen Plum wasn't driven. She was driven to marry me off like chattel. I finally was able to get away when I yawned and they let me go upstairs. I washed my face and took my ponytail down. I went into my room and shut the door. Sweet silence. I pulled on a Victoria Secret sleep short set and went to sleep.

I woke up at 0400 and quickly ran into the bathroom to empty my bladder, brush my teeth and wash my face. I brushed my hair and pulled it into a bun. I went to my room and dressed in workout clothes. I grabbed my mom's keys and wrote a quick note saying I was going to the gym. I put shorts, a tee and clean underwear with a pair of flip flops in a backpack with my ID. I drove to the New Jersey Athletic Club and was provided with a day pass when I showed my military ID. I did my everyday routine and showered in the locker room. I drove back home. After eating a huge breakfast my mother made, I asked if mom needed the car today. She said no, grandpa was taking them to the Clip and Curl then Giovacchini's Market.

I drove to the Trenton Watch Factory apartments. They were close to McGuire and only a couple years old. This was my top choice but it looked initially like I'd have to wait awhile for an opening. I was in luck, someone got transferred and had to bow out of their lease. It was a two bedroom with one bath but that was fine with me, I could have an office. They have hardwood floors, granite counters and a fitness center. The rent was $800 a month but with my potential salary I could easily manage it.

I wanted to buy a house but I wanted to take my time, maybe build something or completely renovate to suit my needs. I also thought about maybe a beach house to get away. I could technically work from anywhere but as a military contractor that may be limited. I signed a lease agreement and needed to cancel my other appointments. They were kind enough to keep the electricity on until I could get it switched in my name. I contacted the company from the office phone so they know it will change this week.

I was about to pull out of my parking spot when my phone rang, the transporter was going to deliver my car in a half hour. We agreed to meet at Quakerbridge Mall, the lot had plenty of room and not a narrow street. The other plus was no nosy neighbors watching. I called my dad's cell who said he'd bring Mom over so she could take her car home. She was still out with my grandparents. While I waited, I cancelled my other appointments to look at apartments.

Once I had my 2017 Subaru Crosstrek I could run a few errands. It was grey with a black interior. It wasn't fancy or the high-end model but it was comfortable and would last a while. I had a few boxes of things in the car that I couldn't put on the truck so I wouldn't need to get so many things right off the bat. My savings were going to take a hit with buying furniture and stuff to start out in an apartment.

I started with Goldberg's Furniture Store; it was locally owned. I only had an oak bedroom set with a computer desk and chair coming on the moving truck. I wanted to pick out some items to be delivered. I wasn't relishing the bathroom situation at my parent's house and my spidey sense told me there would be problems. My mother already mentioned men coming to dinner and I had a feeling she wouldn't cancel.

I chose a reclining sofa and loveseat in dark grey. The recliners were electric with USB ports for charging. I chose a couple of bar stools so I could sit at the counter to eat meals. I found oak end tables and light grey Moroccan style accent rugs. I was in luck finding the furniture in the scratch and dent warehouse and the end tables, bar stools and rugs were on clearance. Delivery was scheduled for tomorrow. I figured I could sleep on the recliner until my bedroom set was delivered.

I then drove to the Hamilton Marketplace. I didn't have my own dishes, glasses or silverware. I had gotten rid of all my towels, comforter and sheets, they looked like they had seen better days. I had picked up the comforter and sheets from a thrift shop, they were fine when I bought them but were showing signs of wear. My friends had given some of their towels when I first moved out of the barracks and they were wearing out. I donated all of it to an animal rescue I volunteered at. They were grateful for everything to use in cages or the box to take home the cats. First stop was Goodwill, I might find some useful items cheap.

I found Fiesta dinnerware in turquoise and sky blue, a turquoise butter dish and a sky-blue platter with serving bowl and utensil crock. I now had some dinner plates, salad plates and bowls. I found some Pyrex storage containers with lids, a Pyrex measuring cup and a 2-cup measuring cup. There were two sets of brand-new dish towels, a real bargain, and a cute Lily Pulitzer sundress in a pale lavender with the tags still on from Nordstroms. Then I saw a beautiful Laura Ashely quilt for my bed with the tags still on it. Way cheaper than Macy's.

I walked over to Kohls and picked out an Oneida flatware set. I then chose two sets of quick dry bath towels, one in pastel pink and one in pastel green. I grabbed a light grey blanket I could throw on the sofa. There was a Dollar Tree so I went in and picked up four glasses, plastic flippers and spoons.

I hit Walmart for a Keurig that makes hot and iced coffee, an Instapot, a set of solid pale blue cotton sheets and a shower curtain liner, curtain and hooks. I grabbed some groceries, paper products, cleaning products and toiletries as well. I went to AT & T to get internet set up. I wasn't sure when my stuff would arrive but this would get me started. I didn't have a lot of things because I rented a room, my roommate had a lot of household items when I moved in. I would need a set of pans but the Instapot would allow me to cook some things and I could always have salad. I wasn't sure if I wanted ceramic, cast iron or stainless-steel cookware.

I went to my apartment and brought the bags of cold and frozen items up and put them away. I then brought up the remaining bags and boxes with some open pantry items and toiletries. I loaded the dishwasher and started it up. I set the Keurig and Instapot up on my counter after washing them. I took my quilt, sheets, blanket and towels to the laundry room. I folded everything once dry and put them in my linen closet. I unpacked the box and bags and put stuff away. Once the dishwasher was done, I put the dishes, silverware and glasses away. I then loaded it with Pyrex, except the measuring cups which I had hand washed. My mother said the dishwasher would fade the markings.

Once I did what I could at the apartment, it was around 5:30 so I knew I had to get to dinner. I pulled up to my parent's house and parked in front. I walked into the house and heard a man's voice. I put my purse down and walked into the living room prepared for an evening of torture. I saw Joe Morelli sitting there like he owned the place. My grandparents and father were trying to ignore him while my mother looked enthralled.