I remember what this feels like. One fork, one knife, one spoon. Paper plates, plastic cups…just the basics.

He had been sitting in his car in a parking lot holding his dog, having just got the news that he couldn’t keep him. I had just been kicked out by my lady over what can only be described as impulsive ridiculousness stemming from a mental disorder. Neither of us realising that those events would lead us to three of the best years ever.

My son David had lived with his mother and his sister after the divorce. It was never a question of where the kids would live after the separation. I had no plans of attempting to take them from their mother and I knew she had no intention of attempting to keep them from me. Kids need their Ma’s. I get it. But when I heard that the home where David lived with his mother was no longer allowing pets and he had to get rid of his dog I realized we had kind of a unique situation that could be remedied by moving in together and splitting costs. I told him how things went down with my lady and of my idea. He was all keen on it. I made it clear however, that if we moved in together, I wasn’t babysitting…he was my son yes, but in this situation we were “roommates” and I expected him to keep his shit off my shit; meaning if he didn’t take care of his part of the expenses and caused me grief while living together I was gonna square it in a way that wouldn’t be pleasant. He understood and agreed. So we started looking for a place.

As luck would have it, a friend of mine just so happened to have a tenant move out and he needed a renter. I told him of our situation and he agreed to rent to us; dog included.

Can’t say we lived “proper” in how we set things up. I worked from home and his Ma told me she rarely saw him cause he was always in his room gaming. So I put my office and his gaming computer on big folding tables right in the middle of our living room. It didn’t look pretty. It wasn’t hospitable for guests…but there was never a day that went by that I didn’t see and engage with my son. 

One fork, one knife, one spoon, one plate, one glass, etc. We started out with nothing. Hit the dollar store for basic shit just so we could cook a meal. Almost caught the place on fire our first night cause we tried ta cook a frozen pizza right on the oven coils. Slept on the floor in sleeping bags at first and then upgraded to blow up mattresses.

Three years have past. We’ve filled the place with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos. Some high tech shit that I don’t even kno how ta work.

Three years of jamming jobs, chasin writes, hunting, fishing, crabbing, camping, mudding, etc. Late nights spent watching movies, bbqing steaks, and drinking Jack while blasting tunes.

Three years of “Sucre”…the dirt, the shedding, the nightmare flea infestation incident…I reluctantly fell in love with that damn dog. 

….But all good things eventually come to an end.

I’ve felt it coming for months now…that feeling of it’s time to move on. 

David’s sister Nicole has been in Arizona for two years now. Been stealing away home every chance she’s gotten. Blasting here to Oregon for seven to ten days at a time to hang with her brother and me. Fitting all we can of fishing, camping, mudding, shooting, while she’s here; only to feel like we gotta cut it short so she can go back.

David’s lady Desi, been hangin out more and more…it was just time.

So…as luck would have it, my friend who rented us the place just so happened to have a problem tenant recently get evicted from the other side of the duplex David an I been livin in and I had an idea. Covid has pretty much jacked Nicoles “on campus” learning in Arizona, so she’s been doin everything online. So, I suggested that she finish her last year here, back home, living with me, on the other side of the duplex and Desi can move in with David. The landlord liked the idea. So now we’ve rented both sides.

I’ve left nearly everything David and I put together over those three years for him and Desi and their new life together. I plan on doing the same thing for my daughter here. Everything I own is in their names. Figure it’s gonna end up bein theirs anyway! 

So I’m sitting here alone in this empty box…thinking back over the last three years…remembering how things that seemed like such bad things happening at the time, actually turned out to be one of the best things that could have ever happened. How such an emotionally devastating thing could turn into such a blessing. It’s been such a blessing…living these three years with my son, being able to help him get started…being able to have the opportunity to do that also for my daughter. Just so awesome.

And I know…my time here is limited before its started…my babies are grown up.

But in the midst of the mixed emotions of a chapter in life that is ending, is the anticipation and excitement of the life filled with the adventures yet ta come…my daughter will be home…she’ll be living next to her brother…her dad will be there for a while…..there may be some Christmas decorations stolen this year!…Jus sayin! lol

Copyright©2021 Jacob C. Larson All Rights Reserved

***Hey Pal, ya I know this is a “breakup” song, but the chorus seem ta fit and I could kinda give a shit what people think of it. I have truly enjoyed livin with you these last few years and I wish you and your lady the best. Love always, your Pa. 

****Special thanks to William Mirabella for making this possible. You did us a solid. Sorry Sucre has been a prick…David will square it. Promise. Also…I didn’t mention the pizza on the coil thing because no fires were started and it seemed somewhat pointless ta mention until now. Rest assured your place is in good hands! Besides, the girls are gonna be here now ta keep an eye on us. So no worries!