Book 4- 1968 (Michael Jackson)

Chapter 6- Grandma's Got A Job

                Chapter 6- Grandma's Got A Job

                Date: Wednesday, March 20, 1968

                Time: 3:26PM

                KAYLA'S POV

"So, I guess I'll see you when the Sun shines?" Michael asked, a grin spreading across his face. 

"Actually," I began, "would it trouble you and your family if I stayed for just an hour or two? As much as I love my family, I can't stand their bickering." I glanced at my minuscule house.

"I don't think it'll bother anyone," he replied. "Mommy loves it when you come over, especially to play clarinets with you."

"Yeah, I know," I said, a smile creeping up on me. "She especially loves the Voltaire and Tchaikovsky works. I can't disagree, though; I do love me some Symphony No. 5!"

On the inside, I was thinking, Wow, that sounded way too nerdy. What a geek I am... Oh, what would that Mildred say about it? 

"Yeah," Michael added, bobbing his head, "I like some Tchaikovsky, too. I like the old stuff, the Classical stuff. That's my stuff."

"Yeah..." I drawled, slowly making my way to Michael's house. "Thank you, by the way. I just don't get it, you know? Elijah and Grandma and their... fiasco, I guess you could say... It's, um..."

"Yea, I know," Michael simply said, opening the door up. "Joseph likes to fight with Mommy, too. They'll get real mean at times. Not cool, really not cool."

"Yeah, I know-"

"KAYLA!!" An unwanted voice rang through the neighborhood. I turned around slowly, only to be greeted by my Dad. He stood with an unreadable expression and crossed arms. His lips were pursed, but he didn't seem upset at all. In fact, he looked... relieved, so to speak.

"Yes?" I replied, feigning an indifferent expression.

"I need some help around the house. Do you mind if you could please come? I know that today is a day off, because Joe'll be at work for some time." He buried his hands deep into his pockets.

"... It's okay, Kayla. I'll talk tomorrow if you gotta go," Michael said, his smile slowly fading away. "Besides, I've got chores, ya know?" He nervously tugged at his collar.

"Mmkay," I replied, my posture rigid. I was a little miffed, to say the least. I had my whole day plan worked out, and it could have happened. But no, Elijah had to come and make me do something that he could have done, because he never works.

Just like Grandma, I thought sarcastically. No jobs, does nothing all day... I kicked a rock as I moped back home, ahead of Elijah. The only one who has an excuse for that is little Charles, and that's only because he's two! 

After opening the door to our house, I left it open, waiting for Elijah. About ten seconds later, he passed in (without a thank you, of course) and left the door open. Rolling my eyes, I shut it for him and continued in my path.

When I entered the living room, Charles greeted me. "Kaywuh!" he squealed, his face glowing with joy. "Can I eat?"

"Can you eat? Of course, you can," I responded. I shot a look in Elijah's direction. Narrowing my eyes, I asked, "You did feed him today, right?"

"Of course I did," he responded. "But he wouldn't eat the chips!"

I was quickly becoming agitated with him. "Elijah... He still eats softer food. He can't eat that kind of stuff. The hardest that he can consume is the Banquet Fried Chicken, and even that's hard. Where are the bananas?" 

"Grandma had the last one today," he replied casually. "Why?"

"Can I eat?" Charles repeated, this time a hint of sadness in his voice. His eyes appeared glassy, and his nose reddened slightly. "Pwease?"

"Yes, Charles, of course," I reassured, picking him up. "We just have to find something. Do you want to fing something with me?"

He nodded, sniffling. "Yes, Kaywuh. Yes." He wrapped an arm around my neck.

Even though he was nearly choking me, I smiled. "Yes, yes. That's why you're my favorite. You listen to me, yes, you do."

I headed into the kitchen, eyeing each of the shelves, trying to remember which one had Lucky Charms inside. Now, which one is it? The first one... No, that has canned soup. The third holds more canned soup, and... gosh, we have too much Swanson. I grimaced at my own thoughts. Charles doesn't like soup, either.

After finding the cereal shelf, I pulled out some generic Lucky Charms-esque cereal and poured ou a tiny portion. Charles took hold of the spoon and began feeding himself, a widespread grin on his face.

"Yes, there you go," I said, watching closely as he brought the spoon to his mouth and fed himself. I had to admit, for two years old, he was a smart cookie. He was only two, and he could already feed himself and even recite his ABC's.

As he held up another heaping spoonful, I heard the creak of the front door, and the thickness of my Grandma's voice. "Elijah? Kayla? I'm home! I have good news."

I shut my eyes, hoping that this news was actually good by my standards. Of course, she wouldn't have gotten herself a job or anything, but she may have found a quarter. That would have been a Godsend in itself.

"Yessss?" I asked slowly, skeptical as to whether or not I wanted to continue in this conversation. "What's the news?"

Grandma appeared from the teeny, tiny hallway, her face beaming the way Charles did when he cleaned up after himself. She placed one hand on the frame of the door to the kitchen and propped herself up. Placing her gaudy pink purse on a hanger, she announced, "I got myself a job today."

I perked up at the mention of 'job'. A job?... Maybe I was wrong, after all. Or was I?

"What type of a job?" I questioned, one eyebrow raised. "Do you mean, like a lemonade stand or something like that?"

"No, nothing of that nature, Kayla! Anyways, it takes a license to have a lemonade stand." She shot me a patronizing look.

Not in Gary, I thought, barely shaking my head.

"Anyways," she continued, pacing across the kitchen, "I got a job at a Wal-Mart in Chicago. I'm supposed to greet the customers, you see? I get paid minimum wage, so I do bring money in."

"There's a Wal-Mart in Chicago? But isn't that a Southern kind of store?"

"It's spreading," she simply stated, crossing her arms. "Aren't you satisfied with the fact that I got a job?"

I inwardly rolled my eyes. "Yeah, sure. At least you have a job. When do you start working?"

"Weekends only. So, I'll need a ride every Saturday and Sunday."

I furrowed my brows. "Wait... Did you tell Elijah about this? He's the only one with a car."

"Nope!" she exclaimed. "It's okay, Kayla; I'll tell Elijah about it on Saturday."

I facepalmed my forehead. I wonder if she knows that Elijah doesn't like surprises. Well, if she doesn't she's definitely gonna learn soon. 

"All done!" Little Ash screamed, snapping me out of my trance. There he sat proudly, gazing at his empty bowl that once held fake-tasting cereal. "All done, Kaywuh. I'm all done."