Summer of 03'

It was clear to me that we needed to get away from the negative influence of Jeff. I have always disliked NH and longed to be back in Maine. Jim agreed. I asked my Nana if we could live with her for a few months so we would save the money to move to Maine. She agreed. A month after we moved in, Mom had to leave her apartment and moved in with Nana. Three generations of women should never live together.

If you are considering such a thing smack yourself 3 times on the forehead and don't do it. Trust me you will thank me in the long run.

The tension was high. Jim would explode and then not only did I have that to deal with, but my Mom and Nana would lecture me about it. Sometimes I felt like I had to defend him, other times it felt good that someone cared about how he was treating me. Every day there was fighting. The plan had been for Jim to get a job (I was able to collect unemployment since I had been laid off from the school bus driving job) but he lasted 2 days at a local gas station and then wouldn't look for work. I was worried sick. Then we found this ridiculously low rent in Waterville ($350 for 2 bedrooms, den, laundry room, kit/bath heated on first floor...woo hoo!) and with help from Mom was able to have come up with a months rent/security. Me and Mom went for a trip to see the place (Jim didn't want to go). I liked the area. The landlady said it was not a "nice neighborhood" so I asked how many murders/rapes there had been and she gasped and said "o no such thing but people will break into your cars" What a riot for this Boston girl. I signed the lease and drove back to NH with a lighter heart. I had researched the area and found several christian churches and especially liked the sounds of Solid Rock Baptist Church & Living Water Community Church. I researched places of employment for both of us and there seemed to be some prospects. It seemed like such a quiet neighborhood.

I knew moving wasn't going to erase our problems but I was hoping a fresh start would give us the boost we needed. Jim seemed sincere about finding a church we could call home and finding work and to quote him "be a man for once."

I was cautious but hopeful of the future.