I was so surprised to hear Molly say she was going to be living with me. I honestly couldn't answer her. Sue came down from the porch and I asked her exactly what was going on?
"After you left this morning, Chris and I went over to help mom clean up the mess from the remainder of the party. I know you're not going to believe this, but it was Mom and Dad's idea. She mentioned to Chris that they had talked about it. They offered the second floor to them since they have that big house all to themselves except for you now," said Sue.
"Are you sure your friend didn't say something to mom or ask her in some way? It's just hard to believe that mom would let a stranger just move in like that," I replied.
"Jess, what you don't seem to understand is that Chrissy and the kids are no stranger to our family. I know she is to you but you've been away for six years. She's like a sister to me and like a second daughter to mom and dad."
"Where is she now? I want to let her know we got her stuff and want to make sure that she will be there when we unload it. I need to make sure we didn't take anything that he could come back on us about. Sue, the guy was a real jerk but I'm pretty sure he won't be bothering her anymore. I just want to make sure it's her stuff. We took a lot more than was on her list."
"She's in the house gathering up the things she brought with her to take them over to the house. Dan and I are also coming over to help unload and get the rooms ready for Chrissy and the kids. Where's Milton? Didn't he go with you?"
"Yea, but he met a detour and was going to take her home or somewhere. We told him we could handle the unloading," I said as I smiled.
Sue knew what I meant. She met Milton a few times. He would always ask how I was doing. Sue said he usually had a woman (using the term loosely) on his arm. It didn't surprise her that he found another one.
I told Sue that Ryan and I would head over to mom's and begin unloading the truck. I did tell her to let Chrissy know that she would need a mattress since we took the bedroom set but left the dirty mattress. It made Sue grin. I liked it when my little sister was happy. She and mom were the only stable women I had ever had in my life.
We got to the house and I asked mom why she was letting Chrissy and her kids stay there.
"Jess, Sue really didn't have the room. She invited Chrissy to stay so she would get away from that horrible man. She was worried about her. Dad and I have the whole second floor that we never use. It's perfect for Chrissy and the kids. There's the two bedrooms and that family type room. They will also have their own bathroom. It shouldn't bother you up there in your room."
"It's your house, mom. Ryan and I will start bringing in her belongings. Sue, Dan and Chrissy should be here shortly to help."
Ryan backed the truck up to the door and before we opened the rear door on the truck, the others all arrived. Mom had the job of watching the kids while the rest of us started unloading the truck.
Chrissy came up to me. "Jess, again you saved me. I don't know how to thank you."
"You thanked me, that's good enough. Let's get this stuff unloaded." I didn't want to be friendly with her right now. I just wasn't as sure about her as the rest of my family was.
"My God, you brought almost all the furniture. He let you have it?" Chris asked Ryan.
Ryan replied, "When Jess told him that he stole your money, he came back with that he bought you all this furniture. After he repeated it a second time, Jess told him that since he bought the stuff for you then it belongs to you."
"He didn't argue about it? He just let you take it?" asked Chris.
"It wasn't quite that easy. Jess didn't like the guy and roughed him up a bit. That's why Jess wants to make sure you bought all this stuff with your money. He's hoping you have receipts for it in case any problems arise."
"I do have all the receipts in the safe along with some other important papers. Ryan, I appreciate it that you helped Jessie. You and Milton are true friends." Chrissy gave Ryan a hug. "Please tell Sharon she has a wonderful husband for me."
I was surprised to hear that Ryan's wife Sharon and Chrissy knew each other. We emptied the truck and put the personal stuff in the bedrooms. Ryan left to take the truck back and was then going home. I thanked him again for being my friend.
Dan, Sue and Chrissy were putting things away where she wanted them. They put the bunk beds side by side for the kids since they were too little to be climbing. Chris still couldn't believe we brought back all the extra furniture.
As everyone was putting things away, I went up to my room to relax. I figured I did my share to help this woman out. My sister Sue came up to thank me again and gave me a hug.
"That's what families do, Sue; we help one another. I just hope you are right about Chrissy."
"We are, Jess, believe me, we are. Some day soon you and I can talk about it," she said as she closed my door and went back downstairs.
I must have fallen asleep. I woke to a knock on my door. "Come in," I said. It was Molly smiling at me.
"Grandma said to tell you to come downstairs and eat. We're having lasan.., Lasnga.., sgahitti stuff. Grandma said it's your favorite."
"Lasagna? Great, I'll be right down," I said to Molly.
Mom knew lasagna was one of my favorite foods. No one could make it like mom, but I guess just about every kid growing up says his mom's the best cook. I headed downstairs and to the dinning room where I saw that Sue and Dan were eating with us. Their daughter Kim and Robbie were both in high chairs. I was sitting next to Molly since she wanted to sit between her mom and me.
Lasagna and toasted garlic bread and a side salad. It didn't get a whole lot better for me than this. After a few bites, I told mom I thought this was the best lasagna she had ever made. Mom laughed.