"We Can See How it Goes"

To recap the story so far: In 2013 I lost my job, my house, and my car, got divorced, and moved to my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. By 2019, both of my kids had come to live with me. In 2020 I got remarried to my long-time girlfriend, Lauren. Then things fell apart again.

Catch up on previous posts!

Part 1: Untapped Potential

Part 2: What’s My Age Again?

Part 3: Before the Fall

Part 4: “How Much is That Going to Cost Us?”

Part 5: “It’s Unacceptable That You’re Sleeping”

Part 6: Breaking Down

Part 7: “Stupid Kid”

Part 8: “Let the Hate Flow Through You”

Part 9: Get Your Shit Together

Part 10: Getting My Hopes Up

Part 11: Getting My Hopes Up, Part 2

Part 12: Things Fall Apart, Again

Part 13: “I’m sure glad I’m not that guy”

BasedCon II was September 9 through September 11, 2021. We had an even bigger group this time, and things ran much more smoothly. I had reserved a room with a queen-sized bed in case Lauren showed up. She didn’t. She was still living across the state, and hadn’t talked to me in over two months.