About two weeks after Skye moved in…
hey, dear
any thoughts on dinner tonight?
Anything that doesn't involve me chopping vegetables
good
because i was thinking we could eat out
Finally
I could use a real meal that doesn't come in a takeout box
i'll swing by and pick you up from the office
Perfect
I'm still buried in emails now, but I should have most of the important ones cleared then
sushi sound good?
or are you in a steak mood?
Sushi
It's lighter
And I won't feel guilty about dessert later
dessert's non-negotiable, huh?
When have you ever known me to skip dessert?
fair point
should we let Skye know she's welcome to come too?
That's not necessary
It's a weekday
She should be busy with job applications
are you sure?
i don't mind adding one more chair to the table
No, really
It's better if we just bring her something back
She'll appreciate the food without the whole dining out part of it
okay
so we'll bring her takeout
Yes, exactly
Easier for everyone
you know what she likes though, right?
Not really
We haven't lived under the same roof in years, Liam
then maybe you should ask her
I can't
Aside from the emails, I've got a client call coming up
If you don't mind
Can you text her?
sure, i'll handle it
Thank you, Dear
It's not that I want her to feel ignored
I just don't have the bandwidth right now
i get it, dear
i'll make sure she gets something she'll like
You're too good sometimes, you know that?
only sometimes?
Hahaha, fine
Most of the time
Happy?
i'll be happier once i've got sushi in front of me
You do realize that if you let me order
I'll fill the table with rolls we won't finish
and that's why i exist
for cleanup duty
Cleanup and chauffeur
and dessert partner
don't leave that out
Hahaha, of course
And dessert partner
so it's settled
sushi for us
i'll ask Skye what she wants
and then dessert
Sounds perfect
you sure you don't want her to come with us?
Positive
Let's keep tonight just us
alright
i'll see you tonight
Later that day…
hey, Skye
your mom and i are grabbing dinner at Sakura Grill tonight
want us to bring something back for you?
oh, you guys are eating out?
yeah
figured it's easier than cooking tonight
what sounds good?
I guess chicken teriyaki's fine
just fine?
you sure?
yeah
teriyaki's always good
miso soup too?
sure
thanks
no problem
i'll make sure they pack it warm for you
appreciate it
how's the job search going?
slow
sent a lot of applications
not getting much response
it takes time
i'm sure something'll open up
i hope so
ngl
staying here would feel better if i had a reason to get out everyday
understandable
just keep at it, yeah?
i will
thanks
alright
i'll let you know when we're on the way back with your food
okay
thanks again, Liam
of course
anytime, Skye
A few days later…
Hey, man
Just checking in
How's married life treating you?
honestly?
pretty great
Noelle and i hit three years last month and it doesn’t feel like it
Wow
Three years already
Time flies
tell me about it
feels like the wedding was just yesterday
So no regrets?
No second thoughts?
none
i mean
she’s busy with work often, but that’s always been her
i knew what i was signing up for
Good to hear
Sometimes I wonder if marriage actually works out for anyone anymore
i know what you mean
for me though
it’s been nice and steady sailing
So how’s the house with the new addition?
you mean Skye?
it’s an adjustment for sure
First time you met her, right?
yeah
never crossed paths with her before she moved in
Being for real with you
That’s still kinda wild
Noelle really never introduced you two before?
no
whenever i brought her up
Noelle would keep it short
or change the topic altogether
Weird
yeah…
but i didn’t push
figured it was complicated
What’s she like?
polite
quiet
we’ve only really talked about normal stuff like what she wants for dinner
if she’s using the laundry
those kinds of things
she’s respectful
so i’ve no complaints
Is Noelle treating her okay?
depends on the day
Noelle’s professional
you know how she is
she’s not exactly the warmest person, even with me sometimes
I bet it’s tough on Skye
Being a fresh graduate and all
yeah
she’s job-hunting
so as you would expect, she’s stressed out
i try to encourage her when i can though
but i don’t want to step on Noelle’s toes either
Sounds like you’re balancing on a tightrope there
a little bit
And what about you?
How’s work?
rough
been passed over twice for a promotion i thought i had a shot at
i keep telling myself to be patient
but it’s frustrating
I get that
Definitely doesn’t sound
it’s not, but i’m managing
been talking to Noelle about it
though she doesn’t always have the bandwidth
Maybe Skye’s someone you can vent to a little?
when we do talk, the topics are nowhere near that heavy
it just feels too soonit just feels too soon
That makes sense
Just don’t bottle it up, man
i know
i’m trying not to
Well
Good luck on both fronts
Work and the whole “stepdad” thing
thanks, man
i’ll take all the luck i can get
With Noelle busy with work and always coming home late, Liam ends up talking to Skye often.
hey, Skye
can i ask you something?
sure
what’s up?
last night at dinner
you seemed a little off
more quiet than usual
i wasn’t sure if you were tired
or if something was bothering you
oh
yeah, i guess i was
nothing major though
just discouraged
job hunt stuff?
yeah
i’ve sent out so many applications, but all i’m getting back is silence
i feel like i’m doing something wrong
you’re not, trust me
it’s like that for everyone starting out
i used to stare at my inbox every day and think i’d never hear back from anyone too
but you ended up fine
eventually, yes
it takes time
and it’s not just about you
it’s the process too
maybe
but mom keeps saying i need to “push harder” and to not get comfortable here
so it’s hard not to feel like i’m failing
hey
listen to me
you’re not failing, Skye
you’ve only just graduated
you don’t need to have everything sorted already
still…
i mean it
you can stay here for as long as you need while you’re figuring things out
there’s no rush
really?
really
no deadlines
just focus on finding the right fit
that’s not what i usually hear tbh
maybe not
but that’s how i see it
thank you
that means a lot
don’t thank me
just promise you’ll keep trying
that’s all i need
i will
btw do you want anything?
i’m omw to a coffee shop
i’m good, thank you
but that’s a good strategy
caffeine and a change of scenery
yeah
being stuck in my room all day has been driving me nuts
understandable
plus coffee shops make you feel like you’re doing something
even when you’re just scrolling
exactly
fake productivity
it still counts
i guess so
still feels like i’m shouting into the void though
the void eventually answers
you just have to keep shouting
that’s a weird metaphor
maybe, but it’s true
no harm in taking it i guess
you know, if you want
i can take a look at your resumé sometime
you’d do that?
of course
i’ve seen enough to know what clicks for the recruitment teams
okay
but no laughing at it
i’ll try, but no promises
ugh
i’ll take it anyway