The Way We Were

The Way We Shop

"This is so exciting!" Mercedes squealed.

"I know this is for you guys but I feel so grown up!" Quinn agreed.

Marcy laughed. "I know! I can't believe we're finally doing it!"

The real estate agent smiled at Marcus, Michael and Jeanette. "This home is 6,000 sq. ft. and has five bedrooms, three and a half baths, a pool, a breakfast nook and a balcony in the master suite."

"Do we want a pool?" Marcus asked. "The children are small."

"Of course we'll keep it covered up." Marcy stated. "None of my children are drowning."

"Daddy, this is close to school." Mercedes said. "At least closer than our house."

"I don't want you so far away." Jeanette crossed her arms. "What if something happens and you need help?"

"The police station isn't far from here and there are two hospitals close by." The real estate woman said. "The fire department is close as well."

Laura nodded. "Let's see the rest of the house before we make any judgements."

The woman, Cathy smiled big. "Right this way."

W.W.W.

"Daddy, we've seen four houses." Marcy sighed. "Every one is beautiful but you've shot them all down."

"Because they're not home with us!" Jeanette snapped.

Marcy sighed again. "If you guys aren't going to help, we'll just have to make a decision without you."

"Wait!"

Mal looked at his mother. "We need to make a decision soon, Mom. The house we really like already has a bid on it."

"Which house is that?" Jeanette pointed.

"The one on Cherry."

"But that one is further away from us!"

"Mom!"

She sulked. "Fine! Move far away from us!"

"Jeanette." Michael put his hand on hers. "We'll still see them."

"No, we won't! They'll begin their lives away from us!" She started crying.

"You weren't like this with Marc and Laura!" Marcy didn't get it.

"That's why we know you'll forget all about us! We rarely see them!"

"You'll see us. I promise!" Mal swore.

"When?! Give me exact dates!"

"We'll see you for church." Marcy reminded her. "We can still go out to eat after. And we can schedule one day a month that we come over for dinner."

"How about every day?"

"How about twice a month?"

"How about every week?"

Marcy sighed. "Deal."

"Yes!" Jeanette cheered. "And you can drop your laundry off another day."

"We're going to buy a washer and dryer set. We can wash our own clothes."

"I can come over and help you clean the house."

"We can clean our own house."

"But you're going to be so busy with school and your lessons and your job and the kids and your dog, not to mention your relationship. You're not going to have the time to clean, too."

"I'm stopping my lessons. I never see my family." Marcy shook her head.

"What about your clubs and your sports?" Jeanette questioned.

"I'm still going to cheer and lead lacrosse and go to glee and art club and I'm still going to write for the paper but I'm quitting everything else."

"What about the baby? What about Riley?"

"What about Riley? The baby will be in daycare and I can take him/her with me. Mr. Shue, Coach Sue and Coach Burke said."

"I suppose you have everything figured out." Jeanette sulked.

"Only because you taught us so well." Marcy sat next to her. "You gave us the tools to take care of ourselves and our children."

Mal sat on her other side. "And we'll never forget that or you."

Jeanette started crying again and hugged both. "I'm going to miss you!"

"We'll miss you, too." They chimed together.

"I guess you're moving to Cherry."