Left Behind

New York Isn't Home

"George, why can't you do all your laundry at school? You bring all of these clothes home for me to clean!" Dorthy whines going through all of George's dirty clothes.

College was out for the year and George as home for the summer.

He shrugs her shoulders "Well, I thought you loved me?" He says

"Do your own laundry!" She says throwing him the pile of clothes

He chuckles and hugs his mother. "You know you missed me." He says

"I did, now go!" She says pointing to the laundry room.

"Wait, Mom, how do I work this thing?" He says

Dorthy rolls her eyes and goes to the laundry room. "You know what, I'll do it." She giggles

"Thanks ma!"

*doorbell rings*

"Go answer that for me, love." She says

"Sure"

George walks through the living room and to the front door. He looks out the window and sees an unfamiliar SUV. He shrugs his shoulders and opens it.

"Holy shit, Mom! it's Jessica!" He says

Dorthy stops what she's doing. Jessica wasn't suppose to come into town for another two weeks.

"Hey" She says

"Hey! I've missed you. You look great." He says hugging his sister.

Dorthy runs into the living room and looks at Jessica. She looked so drained, emotionally and physically.

"Honey?"

"Hey, Mom" She says

Dorthy runs up and gives her a hug. "What are you doing here so early? I'm thrilled to see you, don't get me wrong-"

"I quit my job" She says suddenly

George and Dorthy go wide eyed. They look at each other then back at Jessica.

"You quit your job?"

"Can I come in?" She says

"Yes, Of course. Come in and sit. You look tired. Let's talk in the living room."

//-//

Dorthy let's Jessica sit down and she makes her some tea. George and Jessica caught up a bit but waited to bring up the job situation until Dorthy got back.

"Jessica, why would you quit your job? You love that job!" Dorthy says sitting down next to her on the couch.

"No, I don't love it. I can't work there anymore. I can't be in New York, Mom."

Dorthy nods her head and breathes. This was a lot for her to take in. Jessica had a very well paying job and she threw it away. She didn't understand. Her first thought that Jessica did this all out of anger and would regret it.

She takes her daughter's hand and closes her eyes. "Jessie, this job was important to you. What made you all of a sudden want to quit and leave?"

"I've been wanting to leave for a while. I've been doing lots of thinking. When I have this baby, I don't want to bring her up in New York. I was cleaning my apartment one day and it really hit me, where would I put the nursery? New York isn't a place for a child to grow up. And then my job, I'm miserable everyday I go. There are people that I just can't stand. So, two days ago I told corporate I was leaving. I went home, packed up everything, put it in my car, and drove here."

Dorthy widened her eyes "You drove here? Jessica are you crazy!" Dorthy raises her voice

"Damn, Jessica this is a lot." George says