"Aaah." Jae muttered as he waved at James' receding back. He'd better get ready too. Jae figured he should at least do a little more job hunting before heading to the park. He went to the sink, snatching up a few plates on the way, and dumped them and his mug into a stream of water. "If you want, I could run to the store for ya." Jae eyed Lacie as Aria disappeared upstairs. "I've got to run a few errands before park time anyway." He smiled at her and Amber who clung to Lacie's hip. Jae didn't understand how she could be so strong in her situation. He knew that he would've never been able to hold up. Jae would've run away the first chance he got. Heck, he was still running away, but he admired that Lacie kept going even when the future seemed unclear. He was determined to help her if he could. "I'm only a text away." Jae patted his phone in his pocket. "Right kiddo?" He grinned at Amber and ruffled her curls again before disappearing into the family room.
Jae stretched and yawned in the solitude of the open space. The early morning sun rays had turned into bright beams of light that cut across the carpet. It felt like the day had started long ago and he was still shuffling around inside. Jae ducked down, snatched his socks out from under the couch, and headed to the entryway. The least he could do was move his things upstairs. Jae stretched his back one more time for good measure then hefted one heavy suitcase over his shoulder, gripped the other in his free hand, and made the slow, strenuous trek to the last empty room.