(15) All Grown Up

Chloe waited a few days before breaking the news to Craig and Nancy. She joined them for a Saturday breakfast in the kitchen after her run. Craig and Nancy bickered over recent events at the hospital. Chloe drank her juice and picked at her muffin, mulling over an opportune moment. She picked at moment of silence as Nancy got up to get another cup of coffee.

“I’m moving out of the house,” Chloe announced bravely.

Nancy stopped and set her glass down, “Chloe dear, I don’t think I heard you right.”

“I’m moving out of the house. I’m going to live with Mimi and a friend of hers from work.”

“You’re WHAT?” implored Nancy.

Craig looked from behind his newspaper, “Huh?”

“You heard me right,” Chloe said as she stood up. She went to the trash can to throw away her muffin wrapper.

“OVER MY DEAD BODY!!” Nancy yelled.

Chloe slammed the cupboard shut, “Or what Nancy? You’re going to ground me? Kick me out of the house? I’m not asking your permission. I’m telling you.”

Craig stood up to console a very stricken Nancy. Tears welled up in her eyes, “Chloe, why are you doing this? I thought we were getting along well and that you were happy here.”

Chloe sighed and leaned against the counter. She pushed her hair over her shoulder, “We are doing fine Nancy. I’m not leaving because I’m unhappy…”

“I don’t understand,” Nancy begged.

“I just need some time on my own. Too much has happened too soon in the past year and a half.”

“So you think you moving out and living on you own is going to help?”

“Yes, maybe. I guess I’ll have to try and see.”

“What is it you really want Chloe? A later curfew? More money? Help me out here!”

“Nothing mother! This is just something I need to do. Can’t you just support me?”

“With this, no. Absolutely not. You have NO idea what you’re getting into.”

“I’ll find out soon enough then, won’t I?”

“Chloe, you have your whole life to have your independence. Right now you are too young for this, just trust me.”

“I’m going to do it anyway, no matter what you say.”

“How could you do this? We’re reunited after all these years and now you want to leave?”

Chloe stared at her angrily. Nancy withdrew, realizing she hit a sensitive nerve. “I’m sorry, it’s just…”

“I really don’t have time for this right now,” Chloe said, grabbing Nancy’s car keys off the counter, “I’m supposed to meet Mimi and Ginny in twenty minutes to look at a couple of apartments.”

Nancy snatched her keys out of Chloe’s hands, “Not with my car you’re not.”

Chloe pulled back, “Fine, I’ll call Ginny then and tell her to pick me up.”

“That’s right Chloe, since you’re all grown up now, I’m sure you can manage to find your way around in life. Transportation, rent, utility bills, a part time job, roommates. Lack of money, lack of food, lack of entertainment. Have fun with your learning experience Chloe. It will be SOOOOO great won’t it?” Nancy pointed to Chloe, “We’ll see how long this lasts.”

Chloe stiffened at the ugly confrontation, flinching as Nancy stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her. Craig approached Chloe, about to give her a speech of his own. Chloe stopped him, “Not now Craig. I really have to go.” Chloe stormed out of the kitchen in an exit eerily similar to her mother’s.

Craig was left stranded, “So much for a nice day off with my two favorite girls…”

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Apartment….

Chloe pulled Mimi outside. “Does Ginny’s dad have some kind of connections or something”

“Ehhh, something to that effect. She’s dropped hints about his prominence in the community, but doesn’t really go into great detail if you know what I mean.”

“Prominent huh? Like golfing with Victor Kiriakis prominent?”

Mimi’s eyes bulged and she nodded, “Yeah, something like that.” She whispered. The two girls broke into a fit of giggles.

“Whatever helps,” Chloe quipped. “He looks like that one guy… can’t think of his name. Like some mafia guy.”

“Tony Soprano?”

“Yeah! No! Not him! A real mafia guy from recently…” Chloe snapped her fingers as she tried to recall.

“What, the Teflon Don? Uhhh John Gotti???” Mimi offered.

Chloe pointed to her, “YES! That’s the one! My adopted father used to follow his trials in the media like crazy.”

“I have NOOO idea how I know that.”

“It’s a local thing!”

“That’s right! He’s imprisoned right in this state. SHIT!”

Chloe covered her mouth, “Oh my God. And Ginny, she’s just like the Teflon’s daughter…”

“VICTORIA!”

“Yeah! Get it? Virginia… Victoria! What if Ginny’s dad is like his cousin? And he’s the next in line to be boss or whatever? What if we get stuck in the line of fire??!!!”

Mimi doubled over in laughter. “Girl you are CRAZY!!!”

Chloe joined in her laughter and stuck her tongue out, “I know! Shit, now we’ll have to add getting a Will on our to-do list.”

“For real,” Mimi mumbled as they re-entered the property manager’s office, leaving their imagination and amusement behind them.

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Chloe swung by Chili’s just before opening time. She knocked on the door and she spotted Brady inside. Brady opened the door and gestured for her to come in. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m dropping off an application.”

“Why?”

“To get a job Brady, why else?”

“Absolutely not.”

“What do you mean, absolutely not? I can apply here if I want.”

“Not for your own good you wont. Why do you think you need to get a job here Chloe?”

“Because...I’m moving out of my parent’s house.”

“What the fuck did you just say?”

“Watch you mouth!”

“I’m sorry, that came out rough. But I don’t think I heard you right.”

“I’m moving in with Mimi and Ginny.”

“What? ARE YOU CRAZY??”

“No Brady,” Chloe answered, deeply offended.

“Is this some kind of idiotic conspiracy between you and Mimi?”

“No!”

“Then what are you thinking? Do you have any idea how stupid this is?”

“It is not a stupid idea Brady. Maybe a little daring, but not stupid.”

“I bet to differ.”

“That’s your opinion. But I’m not changing my mind about this,” Chloe responded stubbornly.

Brady gestured for Chloe to follow him as he refilled salt and pepper shakers. “Ok, I’m sorry I was so harsh. But for crying out loud Chloe. You and Mimi are only seventeen years old. You two are way to young to be taking on this kind of challenge. You just found your mother for God’s sake. Why don’t you just cherish the time you have together until you go to college?”

Chloe screwed the caps of the jars open to help. “Brady, I don’t expect you to ever understand this. Nor do I think I could clearly explain why. I just know it’s something I want to do. No, not want, HAVE to do.”

Brady sighed, considering her words. “Ok, ok. I getting that this is something very important to you- some kind of learning experience or whatever. That’s fine, Chloe, but realize you can back out of this any time you want. You’re a minor, you have no obligation.”

She sat down in the empty booth and smiled at him, “What are you, some kind of attorney?” Chloe asked in her best New York accent.

“No, I’m just saying if things start to get too crazy and you want out, you can.”

“I made a promise to Ginny and Mimi. I’m going to stay the six months no matter what happens.”

“That’s real dedicated of you, but it’s not necessary.”

“So will you help us move then?” Chloe asked, changing the subject.

“Move what? You don’t have anything but clothes.”

“I know, but Ginny does. She actually has all the furniture from her last place. Hint, hint. So I was thinking maybe I could sweet-talk you and Brett into helping us. We live on the second floor. We need a couple of strong men to help us with her couch, entertainment center, tv, stereo, etc etc.”

“Shit, you might as well move into HER place.”

“We can’t. The owner is selling the house to an actual buyer. She has to move.”

“Oh.”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“I guess…”

“Great. So tomorrow..”

“Tomorrow?! Boy you don’t play around do you?”

“You’re going to be available aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but I work at 5pm.”

Chloe stood up, “That’s fine, we’ll probably just need help with the big stuff in the morning. Is nine ok?”

“How about ten?”

“Nine thirty?”

“Fine, nine thirty. I’ll tell Brett, but I don’t know if he’ll do it for sure.”

“As long as you ask. K, I’m out of here.”

“Throw that application in the trash on your way out.”

“No,” she replied firmly.

“Yes, or I’ll tell hire you as a dishwasher for sure.”

“Ewwww! No way! I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

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