Chapter 23: The Hangover

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, 9 a.m.

Melanie’s eyes flew open. The bedside clock read 9:00, and she worried for a minute until she remembered. Amy was a daycare with Jordan after her overnight at Dan’s.

And she quit her awful job on Monday.

“Mnph!” grumbled Jacob.

“Good morning, stud. Would you like some breakfast?”

“Does the Pope pray in the woods? Excuse me, Melanie, I need to grab the hose and pee.”

“Don’t worry about that hose, that’s better than you trying to get to the bathroom right now. Since Amy isn’t here, I’ll just go out to the kitchen naked.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

In the kitchen: “Can you believe it? These eggs I’m making for you are sixty cents each!”

“Is that a lot?”

“Jacob! Better you don’t worry your pretty little head about such things. What’s our plan for today? Um, besides more sex; I can see that look on your face.”

“I’d like to start planning the move from here to my apartment. We need to have three piles: move, donate, trash. And we should be ruthless. You and Amy are getting all new clothes; what you have now, with a few exceptions, can be donated. No, I’m not accepting any arguments about that. There are needy people who need used clothing, and you are no longer needy. Period.

“And, we need to get a better car for us. You are completely right, an SUV makes a lot of sense. As for the Civic, same argument. Now that it is fixed up, some needy family could definitely use that car. So, poof.

“Mmm, this hits the spot. So, after a couple hours of organizing, I want to propose we break for cuddles and a nap. Then you can go get our daughter at 5:00 like usual.”

“What did you say?”

“Pick her up at 5:00. What?”

Melanie burst into tears.

“Melanie, what’s wrong? What did I do?”

“You, <sniffle>, said, <snort>, ‘our daughter.’”

“Yeah, so?”

“Oh, Jacob, you dear sweet man, you don’t even know how wonderful you are. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Melanie. This is a lot of drama, though, over an SUV.”

“Oh, for crying out loud. I can just imagine what Ginny would say to you right about now. Finish your breakfast and I’ll start going through Amy’s closet.”

Later that Morning.

“Melanie, do you have the pink slip for your Honda?”

“Pink slip?”

“It’s the ‘Certificate of Title’ showing you own the car, it’s computer printed on pinkish paper.”

“Yeah, I’ve got it.”

“The dealer’s going to be here in an hour to take your car away and leave the new SUV. I picked out a Buick, nothing too flashy, as you suggested. It’s a very safe model with four-wheel drive. And a safety seat for Amy, of course.”

“What color is it?”

“I don’t know, I forgot to ask.”

Melanie rolled her eyes. “I guess we’ll find out. Thank you, Jacob. I guess I have to keep my clothes on until Mr. Buick leaves, though.”

“I know, I sympathize. What’s the story on Amy’s closet.”

“Truth is, almost everything is outgrown, worn out, or both. She has a couple of favorites we’ll keep, the rest will be donations. I’m going to have to walk her through the shopping mall on Saturday, I guess.”

“Can you get her stuff on-line?”

“Some, but she should be picking out things she likes, things her friends are wearing. It’s not a problem, but can I use the debit card?”

“Of course you can, that’s why we have it. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of funds. But, I need you to go shopping tomorrow or Friday, you need an interview suit.”

“Oh, yeah. For my next job. What’s my budget?”

Bye, Bye, Honda.

For the record, the Buick Enclave was navy blue, and featured every possible bell and whistle.

Melanie brought the keys upstairs, pushing Jacob into the apartment in his wheelchair, and placed him back in bed.