Just Try It

Chapter 7- Time to do My Job

Sunday, February 12 9:00am

Swisher Street Apartments,

Sondra headed into her apartment building with a yawn.  She was feeling much better than when she had first woken up.  The number of hours she had slept could be counted on one hand, and she wouldn't even need her thumb.  Sleeping some more would have been wonderful, but she had promised her grandma that she would be home in time to go to church.  They didn't make it every week, but they went often enough that it was part of their weekend routine.

Sondra had gotten up early enough to spot Jamie tell Korbin about the DHS worker coming before their early morning workout.  He had yelled a little, but he had then pulled her in for a hug and just held her for several minutes.  When he had finally let her go, they were still upset, but calm enough to head out for their morning run. 

That was the type of relationship she wanted with Moe.  Don't waste time being jealous, she reminded herself.  Instead, use it as a goal to get him to see her as an equal.  At least she would when she could face him without blushing over the pole dancing mishap. She shoved those thoughts to the side as she darted up the stairs toward her apartment.  When she reached the top without puffing like a steam engine, a proud smile burst out.

As she passed the Simpson's apartment, Sondra heard Henry arguing with with his sister, Sammy.  He wasn't even using his loudest voice.  The walls weren't really soundproof, and with their apartments on opposite sides of the hall, it was a good thing they got along.  Each place had three bedrooms, and they were mirror images of each other, but couldn't be more different inside.

In Sondra's place, her grandmother had turned one room into an office, while in Danica's, everyone had to share.  Sondra had always shared her quiet with Danica, and Danica had offered up the loving chaos of a large family in return.  Both sometimes thought the other had the better deal.

Sondra considered stepping in to referee between Danica's little sister and brother.  They would accept her mediation, but they would be back at it again within ten minutes, and she was running late already.   Sondra hurried to her own door instead. 

As she entered she called out, "Grandma, I'm home," before she realized that there was an extra person sitting on the couch.  That person wrecked the peace and tranquility just by breathing.  When she had been younger, Sondra hid out at the Simpson's place anytime she had shown up.  Her grandma had always understood.  Grandma had just been glad that she was safe and happy, but her mom hadn't understood at all. 

Sondra had thought that was the best way to deal with her mom's infrequent visits, until the time she had returned to see her grandma's split lip.  After that, she had never run to the Simpsons' place again while her mom was there.  Over the last six years, she had gotten good at her job of soothing her mom and keeping everyone calm. 

In every other part of her life, her grandma was strong, commanding, and the type of leader that always had an answer.  She had to be, to lead a bunch of tennis mad teenage boys to success year after year.  It was all in her attitude and her commanding nature, because she wasn't any taller than Sondra.  Sondra had even heard boys proudly state that their coach was a "tough old coot."  They wouldn't have recognized their coach when Pamela was around.  With family, her grandma was different.  She didn't seem to know what to do, or how to take charge.

One time, Sondra had asked her grandma why she let her mom cause all the problems.  Her grandma had reluctantly explained that she did not have custody of Sondra.  Her mom had been willing to let Sondra be raised by her grandma as long as her mom was able to claim that Sondra was with her and monthly checks kept coming.  Legally, Sondra had always been with her mom, and her mom could take her anytime she chose.  In reality, Sondra had lived with her grandma since she had been two weeks old, and her mom visited only a couple times a year.