Fuck yeah. in A small but passable life.

I was up and out of the van early this morning. I had to walk to the library to return the latest Wheel of Time book I'd finished- "Crossroads of Twilight" and check on the status of the next book in the series (#11) I'd put on my 'hold list'.

I found a novel on the shelf to read in the meantime.

I walked on up to the post office and the credit union.

When I got back to the van it was already too hot to lounge in. I opened up all the windows and went over to the patio behind Panera to start on the book.

And to my great surprise Jassy and Clayton found me there. They'd been in town for a couple of hours already, checking out places to rent from a list I'd emailed her on Sunday after walking the neighborhood and writing down information. They were pretty disappointed on what they'd seen so far. And the attitude of the people they'd talked to so far.

Okay, let's backtrack a bit. Way back when they really got the ball rolling on moving I'd suggested a property management company I thought it would be good to check out. Every time they or she came to visit I'd ask if she'd been to the office yet. Which, by the way, would have been easy because I've been parked in front of that office for nine months now. IT'S RIGHT THERE!

Anyway, we're sitting at Panera when I suggested that management company again. They were so frustrated they decided to walk over there. An hour later they came back and said that they'd rented a two bedroom. It's not in the immediate neighborhood, but only about a ten minute walk away. They got a second floor apartment down at the far end, close to THE POOL! They not only allow dogs, but up to five dogs.

They'll know about their credit in a few days and even if it's not good enough (530+) Clayton's mother said she'd co-sign.

So, it looks like I'll be helping them unload the U-Haul in a WEEK from now! And I'll be buying the celebratory steaks for the grill, after the unloading and before the swim.

(And no, I didn't tell her "I told you so!)

And, right after all that good news we drove out to the Dollar Tree store so Jassy could talk to the manager about her transferring. The manager said she could start anytime. He pretty much guaranteed her more than thirty hours a week because he just had two people quit. Jassy was freaking out because the store was huge. It's the second largest store in the entire chain.

We drove downtown because they wanted Chinese for lunch. I took them to a place that's been open for at least twenty years. The food was still good and they were surprised at how cheap it was.

(And she finally said, "Dad you're always right.")

So, I'll have a place to unload the remaining crap in the van, and not into another storage unit. I'm going to sign the van over to Jassy and she'll add it to their insurance. I'll clean it up real nice. They'll get the busted window replaced. I'll change the oil and hopefully figure out why the A/C quit working.

And then I'll be FREE! No more worrying about it getting towed off or sitting so long the battery goes dead. No longer having to open the windows to keep everything from melting and therefore having to not leave it for long or going too far away.

No, I'm not going to live with them. They've had roommates in not their own place for the last two years. It's only fair that they get some space to themselves. They've sure earned it. I'll be visiting often, for coffee, Jassy's cooking, and maybe a shower every now and again, but that'll be it. I'll be roaming the streets of the city. Investigating homeless camps. Exploring parts of the city I've never seen even after living here for eighteen years. Getting one of those kick-ass homeless person tans. Sleeping under the stars.

Fuck yeah.

Hoping my mother stays healthy, but ready to go out and help her if and when she says she needs help. Jassy already said she'd buy me a bus ticket when I need it.