Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall

BILLIE: He loves it really

BILLIE: we keep him on his toes, y'know 😛

BILLIE: hahahaha no that's the best part of it though 😂

FINN: Not that he'll ever admit it, but yeah he does get a kick out of it too.

FINN: Hey, somebody's got to!

Private: Thank you! I hope so, anyway!

Yeah. I just don’t like bullies. Thank you, Finn. I don’t know that I’m that strong, but I appreciate the support! I just ignore them, mostly. Maybe someday I’ll show them. 

Private: You’re welcome!

I have to ask, are you one of those guys that gets all decked out in their team’s gear? Thank you, and exactly! Got a little sun, which was also nice. I’m glad to hear it! I still need you to show me how to perfect my grilled cheese skills!

I feel like answering yes might peg me as some kind of crazy fan, but I have been known to wear a jersey and cap or two before. Gotta support the team. ;) You’re welcome! Oh nice, that’s great then! Thank you, oh yeah! Well I’m game to if you are?

@finnfromlima​

Marley didn’t have people over to her apartment very often. Despite it not being the fanciest of places, she wasn’t ashamed or anything. It was a small studio, but cozy, and it felt like home to her. She just had a tendency to stay busy, and when she did spend time with others, usually opted to at one of their much nicer homes. She was at least glad to have acquired an apartment outside of Lima Heights, where she had ended up when first moving out on her own. This was a step up for sure. Either way, she hoped Finn wasn’t expecting anything extravagant. Comfy and clean was more her jam. With such little room to work with, it had to be one of the most organized places she could have ever dreamt up. And Marley was a little proud of that.

The rumor mill had been abuzz with gossip that she and Finn were secretly a thing. While Marley knew that was far from true, it further fueled her long-time crush on him. She knew better than to think Finn would ever consider her as more than a friend, but regardless, she was happy they were spending a little time together. If he really did teach her some cooking skills, well, that made it even better. Still, Marley tried to look her best. Her favorite pair of jeans were paired with a flowery camisole that perfectly suited the summer weather. Her hair hung in long, golden waves, and she’d only used minimal make-up for a more ‘natural’ look. When she heard a knock at the door, Marley checked her reflection once more before dashing to answer it.

Greeting Finn with a smile and hoping he couldn’t hear the way her heart picked up in pace at the sight of his handsome face, she drew back to let him inside. “Hi, Finn! Welcome to my very humble abode,” she mused warmly. “Glad we were able to finally hang out.”

Even though they’d discussed it a bunch and had tentatively made plans before, it wasn’t until now that Finn and Marley had actually been able to coordinate their schedules enough to get together and hang out. He’d promise to help show her the tricks of making his patented grilled cheese sandwich; the truth really was that he didn’t do much special with it but nevertheless was happy to be able to spend time with her and that she seemed interested to spend time with him as well. And being invited to her apartment for the first time was pretty cool too, Finn figured she might feel better about being on her own home turf rather than coming over to his place instead. Making sure to clean up after work and change into some better clothes than he normally would have worn, Finn went with jeans and a simple dark grey t-shirt so at least it wouldn’t look so obvious that he’d dressed up.

Thanks to a town with a very active rumor mill and some even more active busybodies there was word around town that perhaps he and Marley were keeping it secret that they were dating. It wasn’t true, but that didn’t stop Finn from wishing there was more legitimacy to it. A couple of years younger than him, Marley had just entered high school around the time he was thinking about graduating and they’d never really been been in each other’s orbit much. It wasn’t until both had left school that they’d really crossed paths much at all, usually around town but Finn always noticed how much happier he tended to be after running into Marley. Still, his lot in life was as a simple mechanic, and with her artistic dreams he knew she was destined for bigger things and not to be tied down to Lima, Ohio for long.

Knocking on her door Finn took a deep breath, and as Marley soon answered his knock and greeted him her smiled brightly back at her. “Marley, hi!” Her words were sweet and as she stepped back to let him into her apartment, he scanned it quickly before returning his gaze to her vibrant eyes. “Me too, I’ve been hoping we could make it work out. And hey, I love your place here. It’s very cool!” Finn groaned inwardly, hopefully he didn’t come across to Marley as too exuberant that it was off-putting, but gave her another smile. “It looks great, and so do you.”

✨

Do you enjoy being called the worst? That’s really not something you should be reaching for, Finn. Well, if we’re going by the knowledge of the person who knows more about kids, I think I’m going to go with what I said, not you.

Again, you had a few questions to ask about my dinner with Puck, so it’s only fair for me to ask. I’m curious as to why you’re selling yourself short though.

Not as much as being called the best, at least. That’s fair, and they’re your kids... your hypothetical kids, anyways... but I’ll still be the fun uncle no matter what.

I’m not disagreeing with you, An, and I’m trying to answer as best as I can. The answer is yes, I just don’t think she’s going to have any interest like that in a grease monkey like me here in town.

BILLIE: Burt told me off again today for taping down the button on the phone so it doesn't stop ringing when he picks it up.

BILLIE: He keeps giving me 'warnings' but aren't there supposed to only be like 3 warnings before something happens? That man must really love me.

BILLIE: I totally didn't rat you out as an accomplice at all though, ur welcome.

FINN: Boy, when he finds something to rage about, he doesn't let it go. But yeah, those 3 warnings are basically unlimited for anybody he actually likes and just won't admit to.

FINN: Pretty sure you're in the clear, he just has to get it out of his system.

Second day of the semester and it’s already been so great. I had my first queer literature class this morning and all my students are so hyped about it. Here’s hoping that this keeps up the whole semester and that I’ll be able to offer it again in the winter. I spent so much time reading and curating the books for this class, it would be really sad to see it only last one semester. 

I hope everyone else is off to a good start this week! 

Hey, congrats John, it sounds like it’s a hit so far. Here’s hoping you get to keep running your class. My week hasn’t been bad so far, work’s going okay and had the bank call and let me know they made an error in my favor for once. So hey, bonus!

Good to know that Sandy Ryerson’s side hustle continues to thrive, but I could’ve done without him rattling off a rather impressive list of edibles in front of my mom, in the middle of a street. That was a fun conversation.

On a completely unrelated note, does anyone know if wheelbarrows are stilled banned at Breadstrix? Asking for a friend. @limafmstarters​

Dude, Ryerson’s still pulling that? I guess when you find what you’re good at you really stick with it. How’d you keep a straight face?

Tonight was one night I was entirely grateful for technology. Took Sophia on our weekly grocery run, all was well and we even got in and out with time to spare. It wasn’t until I was paying when I realized I forgot my wallet. I am so glad that I actually let one of the younger firefighters put Apple Pay on my phone because if we’d had to have left without the Oreos I think the world would have imploded.

Oh man, going without Oreos, I don’t think that’s a road you want to go down at all. I can’t tell if being able to pay for stuff when you don’t even have your wallet on you is a good thing in the long run though. Doesn’t that take impulse buying to a whole new level?

I told myself when it was first released that I wasn’t going to purchase it. That I wasn’t going to cave to the new and exciting game. Well I guess about a year and a half I think later I finally caved and got it for myself. Why didn’t anyone tell me or warn me how addicting that this stupid Animal Crossing New Horizon’s game is? It’s not fair how much time in consumes from you. I could be working on paperwork and doing the whole lawyer thing like I’m supposed to, but nope I’m stuck playing a stupid game on this stupid switch in my free time. Someone save me from this dark hole please. @limafmstarters​

Well you know, it could be worse though, at least it’s not that Pokemon Go game from a few years ago? The sign of a great game is one that ends up sucking up most of your free time, and you’d probably be a lot more bored if all you did was paperwork and lawyer stuff. If anybody asks, just tell them it’s for stress relief.

Yeah, pretty much.  Yes, I know I was a late addition to the list so no point crowding others.  Not that I had the room to myself the whole time; I ended up inviting someone to join me.  Exactly, that sort of thing, and meeting some more new people.

So what do you do to recharge your batteries?

But that’s still cool, and nice that you were able to get away and hang out with some people. Oh well alright, even so though you might have been more comfortable than just about everybody else though to have a separate place. It all sounds great, man.

Damn right it does. You’re welcome, but there’s no need to thank me! I agree with you solely because I might be ready to defend it, but I have serious doubts about my ability to do so with a straight face. Years of practice and an ever growing list of reasons to absolutely roast this place. Pretty sure it would be impossible to run out of material.

100 percent. And hey that’s fair enough, but still just the intention is worth a thank you, I think that’s more than some in this town would give. Yeah that’s not a list that seems to get shorter by the year, just longer. But it’s our source of irritation.

*

Perfect, I expect nothing less than a glowing review!

Man, that’s a lot of pressure. But if you say so, dude.

You know, I can see that actually. I think state loyalty is close enough. It totally counts. That sounds like a win to me then. Thank you, it was, though just the right amount of time, honestly. If I had stayed much longer, it would have been really hard to get back to reality. I surely did! Thanks, Finn. How are things for you? Did you rest up this weekend?

Thanks, and that’s what I kinda figure too, it’s close enough. I consider it to be a win! You’re welcome, and that’s great then too. I get that, at least you got to have a few days away then, and glad you had a good time. Awesome! You’re welcome, and things are going well actually. Yup, I actually did.

Private: Anytime. :) Thanks! I feel like I’m getting a little better at it. trying to stand up for myself more, at least.

I know it is. At least I’m better off than in high school. It used to grate on me then. I guess not, but that’s just how life goes. Maybe it’s supposed to make me stronger or something. Isn’t that what people say. Well, still. Thank you though!

Private: :) You’re welcome! And good, that’s great then Marls!