Don't Make This Easy

My mom pulled the moving truck up in front of my dad's house. Well, I guess it was our house now. I sighed and stared at it through the window.

“Are you gonna get out and go see your dad and sister?” My mom asked as she parked the truck. I shook my head.

“No, I think I'm going to live in the truck from now on.” I said sarcastically. My mom sighed and killed the engine.

“Jacie, honey, I know you're not happy about this, but please don't start this off with an attitude.” She begged. “You haven't seen your dad in years. I know it's not ideal, but we're trying to be a family again. So please, just pretend you're happy to be here” I just nodded and jumped out of the truck, my dog Max following behind me.

I didn't even get halfway to the door before my sister came running out of the house and tackled me onto the grass.

“Jacie! I missed you so much, how are you?” She asked. I laughed and pushed her off of me.

“I'm alright. How've you been? How's school?” I asked her. We both got up and brushed ourselves off.

“It's good, I'm gonna be graduating next summer.” She said.
“Oh that's awesome. So you'll be like a real adult then?” I asked.

“Yeah I guess you could say that.” She laughed. “Here I'll help you bring some of your stuff in. My boyfriend and one of our friends should be here soon to help with bringing stuff in.”
We walked over to the back of the truck and we grabbed the four duffel bags that I had put my clothes and blankets and pillows in and then headed inside.

“Come on Max.” I called. Max came barreling over to me, ears and tongue flopping around as he ran. Kate and I both just laughed at him. We went inside, Max following, and Kate led me upstairs to my new room.

“Well I guess I didn't need to bring my bed.” I said, looking at the huge king size bed that was in the room. Max saw it and immediately jumped up on it.

“Yeah, probably not.” Kate laughed as she set my stuff down on the bed. “You know, I'm really surprised mom let you get a dog.”

“Yeah well I think she only let me get him because we were moving out here, even though I didn't know it at the time.” I said.

“Wait, when did she tell you?” She asked. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

“A week and a half ago.” I told her.

“Jesus Christ mother.” Kate sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose while she shook her head.

“So where's dad?” I asked.

“Oh, he went to go get stuff for dinner with Grams.” She said. “She really needed to get out of the house. And I really needed her to get out of the house too. I love that woman but oh my god I can only be called Heather and get yelled at so many times a day.”

“Yeah I don't blame you.” I laughed.

“Katelynn, I think you have some friends out here!” Our mom called from downstairs.

“Finally.” Kate said. She grabbed my hand and dragged me downstairs and outside.

When we got outside, there were two guys talking on the front lawn. They were complete opposites. One of them was tall, he had short messy blonde hair, was really pale for someone who lived in San Diego, and a full sleeve on his right arm and a couple tattoos on his left. The other was on the shorter side, at least for a guy, had long brown hair, was tan, and didn't have any tattoos, or at least none that were visible.

“Hey Matt, hey Vic.” Kate said, smiling happily.

“Is this your sister?” The blonde one asked. Kate nodded.

“Jacie, this is Matt, my boyfriend.” she said pointing at the blonde. “And this is our friend Vic, resident dropout.” She laughed.

“Hey, I'm thinking of going back, you know, now that my band decided to quit.” He said defensively.

“He’s also our resident rockstar and is totally gonna be famous once he and his brother can find some people to join their band who aren't total losers.” Kate explained. “But anyways, yeah, Vic, Matt, this is my baby sister Jacie Rae.”

I just smiled and waved awkwardly. Kate and the guys helped me and my mom being the boxes in and start getting unpacked until our dad and Grams got home.

“What are these hooligans doing on my lawn.” I heard Grams shriek.

“Grams, it's okay. That's Matt and Vic, you've met them before.” Kate laughed. I ran downstairs and headed outside.

“Don't you laugh at me Heather. You can't just be inviting these miscreants over when I'm not home. It's not aloud.” Grams scolded her. I walked onto the porch and saw my dad over by his car, laughing quietly shaking his head.

“Mom, that's Katie, I'm Heather.” My mom laughed as she helped Grams up the steps.

“Jacie Rae, don't tell me that's you.” My dad said, beaming as he walked over to the house. I ran over to him and he put the groceries down. I jumped on him, hugging him tightly.

“I missed you Daddy.” I said. He chuckled and put me down.

“You're gonna be eighteen in a few months and you still aren't ashamed to call me daddy. At least I know one of you isn't growing up.” He laughed. Kate just turned around and stuck her tongue out at him, and he flipped her off in return.

“Daniel!” Both my mom and Grams scolded him from on the porch. He just smiled sweetly at them both and picked the groceries back up.

“I'm not eighteen for almost a whole year, dad.” I laughed as I helped him grab them and bring them inside.

“A year, a few months, same thing.” He said as he opened the door for me.

“Sure they are dad.” I laughed.

“So how's school going kiddo?” My dad asked as he took the groceries out of the bags and started putting them away. I sat at the kitchen table and watched. I didn't know where things went here or else I would help him.

“It was going good.” I said. “I'm just hoping everything transfers over right so I can graduate this year instead of next”

“Aren't you supposed to be graduating this year anyways?” He asked. I shook my head.

“No, next year. Just missed the cut off date, remember?” He thought for a minute then nodded.

“Oh yeah. You missed it by like a day.” He said. I laughed and nodded.

“What about boys? You have a boyfriend? You're not growing up on me too fast are you?”

“Yeah I have a boyfriend, dad.” I laughed. My dad stared at me in surprise, and leaned on the table.

“Okay, well tell me about him.” He said. “Anyone I know? He treat you good?” I laughed and nodded.

“You remember Alex? Zack’s friend?” I asked. My dad thought for a minute and nodded.

“Scrawny, loud, British kid?” He asked. I laughed and nodded again.

“Yeah, him.” I said. “And yes, he treats me great. Mom, Uncle Mark, Aunt Carla, and Zack can all vouch for that.”

“He still in school?” He asked. I shook my head.

“No he graduated last year with Zack.” I told him.

“So what's he do now?”

“He's in a band.” I laughed. “With Zack? All Time Low? You know how they were doing that before you moved.” My dad just looked shocked.

“That actually worked out?” He laughed. I nodded.

“Yeah, they're signed, they're working on their second album right now, they tour and stuff. I was actually their tour photographer.” I explained.

“Well no shit.” He said. “You're still really into photography?” I nodded.

“Yeah, I'll show you some of my pictures later once things are a little calmer.” I said, smiling.

“I would love that.” He said. “So, tell me more about All Time Low. Are they good? I mean I know Zack is like super talented on eight different levels, but what about the rest of them? Who are the rest of them actually.” He asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Well, Zack plays bass, which you probably knew already.” He laughed and nodded. “You remember Jack?” I asked.

“Skunk haired Lebanese kid that was always super creepy toward me and has more energy than anyone knows what to do with?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at me. I laughed and nodded.

“Yeah, he plays lead guitar. He's really good. Alex sings and plays rhythm guitar. And Rian-”

“Zack's best friend since forever?” He asked, just making sure he knew who I was talking about.

“Yeah” I laughed. “He plays drums like it's nobody's business.”

“You're gonna have to play some of their songs for me.” He said. “I feel bad, that's my nephew’s band and I've never even heard them before.”

“It's okay daddy. You're busy. We all know you still love us.” I said.

“Hey dad!” Kate yelled as she walked in the house, Max following happily behind her.

“What's up kid?” He yelled back.

“Jeez, I'm right here, no need to yell.” She laughed. “Can Matt and Vic stay for dinner? You know they love your grilling.”

“Yeah that's fine.” He laughed. “Just expect Grams to keep calling them hooligans, delinquents and miscreants.” Kate gave him a thumbs up as she grabbed two six pack of smirnoff's out of the fridge.

“I'm stealing these and we're going out back.” She said.

“You paying me back for those?” He asked.

“Uh, maybe.” Dad grabbed them from her hands and took them back.

“No beer for the hooligans then.” He said, giving her a smug grin. Kate sighed and pulled fifteen dollars out of her wallet and handed it to him. He smiled, satisfied, and pocketed the money. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She said as she took the six packs and headed out back.

“Daniel, I did not just see you give your fourteen year old daughter alcohol in exchange for money.” Grams said as she walked into the kitchen. Dad laughed and shook his head.

“No Ma, you saw me give my twenty-two year old daughter alcohol in exchange for money.” He laughed.

“Twenty-two?” She asked. “What kind of drugs are you on Daniel.”

Dad just chuckled to himself. Grams was a character and a half, but it was sad seeing her memory going.

“Why is there a mutt in my kitchen!” She shrieked. Max came running back over to me and I picked him up.

“It's my dog Grams.” I laughed. “And he's not a mutt, he's purebred.” I said proudly.

“Heather, I told you we weren't getting a dog. Your father is allergic!” I laughed and shook my head.

“Grams, I'm Jacie. And Grandpa isn't here anymore.” I explained. She just made a thoughtful look and shrugged.

“Oh.” She said, and continued heading to the back yard. “Get these miscreants out of my yard!” She yelled as the door closed. Dad and I laughed and we could hear Kate, Matt, and Vic laughing out back too.

“So, what's the fluff ball’s name?” Dad asked as he scratched Max behind the ear, causing him to start kicking his leg happily.

“Max.” I said happily.

“How old?” Max jumped off my lap, went under the table, and put his paws on my dad's leg, asking to be picked up, which my dad gladly did.

“Four months.” I told him. My dad continued to pet Max and then looked at his paws.

“He's gonna be a beast, look at the size of those paws.” He laughed. I laughed too and nodded. “He a long haired? I don't remember Lucy’s fur being this long.” He said, referring to our old German shepherd that we had when I was a kid.

“Yeah he is. He's gonna be a giant fluff ball.” I laughed.

“Hey Dan, wanna get the grill going so mom can stuff her mouth and stop screaming ‘hooligans’ at Kate's friends?” Mom laughed as she poked her head in through the back door. Dad laughed and nodded.

“Wanna grab the charcoal for me while I pull the grill out of the garage?” He asked me. I nodded and got up.

“Yeah, I'm gonna put some shorts on first. There like a fifty degree difference between here and Baltimore.” I said. He laughed and nodded.

“Alright, sounds good. Charcoal is in the closet next to the back door. So is the lighter fluid.” He told me.

I gave him a thumbs up and then ran upstairs to my room and searched my bags for some shorts and a tank top. Once I found some I changed quickly and headed back downstairs. I grabbed the charcoal and lighter fluid and then met my dad out back, letting Max come outside with us

“Thank you darling.” He said as he took them from me. I leaned against the side of the house next to the grill. “You know you can hang out with Katie and her friends. You don't have to stay with boring old dad.” He laughed. I shrugged as I looked over at my sister and her friends. They were all laughing and drinking and having a great time.

“I'm fine here.” I told him.

“Still not big on meeting new people?” He asked. I shook my head and sat on the ground, Max immediately crawled into my lap and laid on his back.

“Not really.” I said. “Plus, there a lot older than me. They probably don't wanna hang out with some high school kid.”

“True, who would want to hang out with you, you're so immature and lame.” He joked. I rolled my eyes at him and laughed as mom came out with a plate of burger patties and hot dogs. “Hun, there's a table in the garage if you wanna grab it, it'll make laying out the food a lot easier.”

“Anything else you need?” She asked. Dad shook his head and she headed out to the garage.

“So, since you're glued to dear old dad, how about you go get your laptop and you can show me some of those pictures of yours.” He suggested. “Lets see that talent.”

I laughed and got up. I told max to stay and he listened while I ran inside and back up to my room. I grabbed my laptop out of my backpack and my camera bag, then ran back downstairs and outside. I sat on the ground and unlocked my laptop then dug out a memory card from my camera bag and put it in. I pulled the pictures up, and then stood next to my dad, clicking through the pictures for him.

“Damn, these look like they belong in Rolling Stone.” He said in awe. “You got some real talent kiddo.” I smiled and sat back down.

“Yeah I don't think I'm gonna be able to do much with it for a while though since I'm not gonna be touring with Zack and the guys anymore.” I said sadly.

“Hang on just a second.” He said, sounding like he suddenly had an idea. “Hey Katie Bug!” He yelled. I heard Kate groan but she got up and came over to us.

“Yes, my oh so embarrassing father?” She asked, standing with her hand on her hip.

“Your friend Vic is in a band right?” He asked.

“Uh, kinda.” She said. “They broke up, he and his brother are trying to find a new guitarist and bassist so they can get started back up on that. Why?”

“Do they need a photographer?” Dad asked. I groaned and Kate raised an eyebrow at him.

“I mean probably once they get going and can afford it. That shit can be expensive.” She said.

“Show him some of your sisters pictures.” He suggested.

“You're still doing that?” She asked me. I nodded hesitantly. “Well show me!” She said excitedly as she sat down on the ground next to me. I unlocked my laptop again and let her look through the pictures.

“Damn Jacie, I knew you were good but these are like super professional looking.” She said in awe. “Can I show these to Vic?” She asked. I hesitated but told her she could. She grabbed my laptop and ran excitedly back over to Vic.

“Now you're gonna keep doing what you love.” Dad said, clearly proud of himself. “In the meantime, just keep taking pictures of anything and everything.”

Kate ran back over and handed me my laptop as she sat down.

“Baby sis, you're hired as soon as the band is back.” She said excitedly. “I gave Vic your number so he can let you know when things are up and running and they need a photographer, but you should come over with us and meet him. And Matt. They're both really cool, I think you'd like them.”

“Maybe later, I just-”

“Jacelynn Rae, go have fun.” My dad said, trying to sound all stern and serious. I laughed but closed my laptop and went over with them.

Notes

Alright, part two is done. Only a couple more to go and then the story really gets going. Thanks for reading. :)