Series: 12 - June 2022

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

It’s June!  Can you believe it???  Lily Day is a month away!!!  The one year anniversary of this diary is a month away!!!  Should I do something special?  What can I do special?  I don’t know.  I’m just a girl.

So…  summer is kind of boring.  Going to work, working, coming home, eating dinner, practicing piano and studying Japanese, and going to bed.  It’s nice to not have to go to school… but is this better?

Speaking of school, Sabby’s been looking at private schools.  She wants me to go with her on a tour of a few one afternoon soon.  I still don’t know how to feel about it.  I kind of like the idea… but is it too late?  I don’t know.  And there’s no way to get a transcript.  I guess I’ll have to take tests, if they allow it.

And…  and she’s still working on getting financing to open her business!!!  I wonder if I can invest.  It’s not giving money, right?  It’s investing money.  It’s different!  I mean, everyone who tries her cookies loves them.  Maybe I’ll talk to my trust administrator and see if I can get in on the ground floor.  I have enough to put in a sizable investment.

Sabby taught me too well.  Haha!!

But business does make things awkward.  We’ll see.  I haven’t run this past her yet, and knowing Sabby…

Anyway.  I gotta go.  Marie needs walked.  She is always sooo happy to see me when I get home!!

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

So today I talked to the trust administrator.  I told him that I wanted to be an investor in Sabby’s business.

He didn’t say no.  But boy, did he not say yes, either.

He takes his job very seriously, I mean very seriously.  And that’s good!  I mean, it’s not his money, it’s my money, and his job is to make sure I don’t spend it stupidly.  He said he’d need to see a business plan and talk to some underwriters and meet Sabby and all sorts of other fun stuff.  But he said if it all checked out and I understand the risks he’d give it the green light.  He also said that it very likely would not all check out and she’d better have a killer business plan because he’s inclined to say no.

Fair enough.

So I talked to Sabby.  I told her I wanted to invest a sizable amount into her business.

Her first reaction was “hell no”!  She kind of went Claire Huxtable on me.  But this time I told her to sit down and shut up and let me talk first.  She was…. shocked enough that she did just that.  I told her that she told me not to give away money and that I understood and that I was not giving away money.  I told her that I wanted a (not small) share of her company and that I was not going to be a silent partner.  I told her that I love her and I love her cookies and that I want to see her succeed, and everyone else loves her cookies too and I know a good thing when I see it.  I said that I know I’m sixteen and that I wasn’t going to throw my weight around or anything like that, and that I have a lot to learn, but my trust administrators know people and I think we can make this work.

When I stopped talking, I was a little worried, but she didn’t speak for a while.  All sorts of emotions were warring on her face – anger, thoughtfulness, concern – then she finally spoke.

“How much do you want to invest?”

“A hundred grand.”

“A…  what?”

“A hundred grand.  That should be enough to get started, at least – or at least a very good start, and you’ve already got a customer.  The owner where I work is chomping at the bit to be able to sell your cookies, and he’s got several locations.  And if you can get similar financing, that’s 200 grand or more, and should be plenty to lease a storefront and get cracking.  Don’t you think?”

“I don’t really like it,” she said.  “You could lose everything.”

“So could you,” I said.  “I know you’re not rich, but Dave’s got a successful business and knows people.  Your cookies sell themselves, Sabby!  All you have to do is let them taste your cookies and they’re hooked.”

Sabby sighed.

“Give me your business plan and a tin of cookies,” I said.  “I’ll send them to my trust administrator.  He gets to decide, and he’s more business savvy than I am.  If he says yes, it’s not just me, and he already said he was inclined to say no but he’ll give you a fair shake.  Just… let me try.”  I grinned.  “He hasn’t tasted your cookies.”

Sabby grumbled something about impertinent teenagers with too much money.

“I’ll call my lawyer,” she said, “And we’ll draw up incorporation papers.  We’ll need an LLC set up to have a place to put whatever money anyway, and I’ve been procrastinating.  I’ll have a business plan in a week or two.”  She grinned.  “Want to be CEO, COO, or…?”

I laughed.  “How about…  we don’t worry about titles?  You can be the Chief Sabby and I’ll be the Chief Lily?”

“First lesson, Lily.  A corporation needs officers.  There has to be a Chairman, a CEO, a COO, and a treasurer.  Quite honestly, having you onboard might tank any chance of institutional financing, but you’re right about Dave, he’s got contacts and I didn’t think about that.  I’ll ask him who he knows that might be interested in investing.”

“Have you thought of a name?”

“I was thinking Sabby’s Cookies.”

I giggled.  “Let’s think on that.”

“What, you don’t like Sabby’s Cookies?”

“We need a name that shows how good they are!!!  Sabby’s Heavenly Goodies?”

She sighed.  “I hate it when you’re right.  Maybe not that, but it’s better than mine.  We’ll talk to the lawyer soon.  I have cookies to bake.”

I giggled.  Sabby thought I was a good investment two years ago.  Now, it’s time to return the favor.

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

LILY!!!!!! The Marie Wrangler!!!  Tamer of Beths!  Annoyer of Sabbys!  Lover of Jack!!!  Well… ummm…

So I looked up the Texas code last night, and…. well, it’s not just the owner.  I can’t sell alcohol.  At all.  I guess that’s why he needs to take care of that transaction.  Not that I mind.  Less work for me! But as it turns out, there are no restrictions for how many hours a 16 or 17 year old can work…  as long as we’re not doing any prohibited activities.  Sabby doesn’t want me working more than around 40 hours, though, so that’s that.

But one of those prohibited activities is, I can’t use powered bakery machines.

I can’t help Sabby make cookies in her company.

Awwwww.

But actually, I had an idea. A great idea.  I won’t tell you right now because someone might steal the idea and then it won’t be a good idea anymore!!!  But Sabby loved it – though she told me that if we do it, we’re hiring someone.  I kind of agreed.  But no more clues!!!

OMG it’s a good idea!!!

In fact, Dave loved the idea so much that he wants to invest now!!!  He’s going to build Sabby a kitchen in the backyard!!!  OMG!!!  It’ll be up to code and perfect for making lots and lots of cookies!!! And considering what she can do with one small oven…

And he can start whether or not my trust administrator says yes!!!  He has a company, after all!!  And if he wants to eat the cost of materials and labor, well, he can do that!

But if my trust administrator says yes we can ramp up all the quicker!!!

OMG this might be happening!!!

Oh, we heard from David today.  He’s not, well, a happy camper.  The counselors called Sabby and told her he’s… well… not misbehaving, but not cooperating.  They took everyone on a nature hike, and he refused to go.  Just straight up refused.  I mean, Beth levels of refusal.  They said if he doesn’t go then he’s got latrine duty, and he just crossed his arms and said “bring it”.

Well…  what a time to pick to grow a spine.

So the counselor just slung him over her shoulder and dragged him along anyway.

That…  turned out to be a bad idea.

She has a sore back, and he just turned into a lump – you know, like the protesters did back in the 60s?  I mean, who taught him that???

I guess I gotta actually admire the kid.  When they got back, the counselors called Sabby, and she lit into him.  She went all Claire Huxtable on him and said “We spent a lot of money on that camp, the least you can do is pretend to enjoy it.”  I didn’t hear what he said, but Sabby turned red,, and that’s quite an accomplishment for a woman with her complexion.  She then yelled “David Alexander Smith, if I hear one more peep out of the counselors about you not cooperating I will drive up there myself, I will take you over my knee in front of all of your fellow campers, and I will tan your hide.  You don’t have to like it.  I can’t force you to like it.  But you are going to cooperate.  If they want you to go on a hike, you will go on a hike.  If they want you to clean the toilets, you will clean the toilets.  You will do anything they tell you that is not one of the things we discussed earlier.  Do you understand?  Or do I have to come up there and make good on my threat?”

I guess he knew when to pick his battles.

It’s funny, because he backed down.  Beth wouldn’t have.  Beth would have told her to bring it, waited for Sabby to arrive, and dared Sabby to make good on her threat.  I’m… not sure Sabby would.  But… I’m not sure she wouldn’t, either.  They’ve almost come to blows and Dave had to step in.  And that’s probably why David backed down.

Anyway, Liz is over tonight.  Time for bed.

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

And for the first time in a long time, I’m not working on a weekend!

I’ve been working for a few months, and… that actually gives me a little seniority.  Believe it or not, most teens don’t like weekend shifts (though I didn’t mind too much).  So when I said I wanted to work weekdays, one of the newer teens got the weekend shift.

Didn’t make me too popular, but it is what it is.  I can’t work more than around 40 hours in a week or Sabby will yell at me.  And the owner.  I think the owner is scared of her.  haha!!!

But it worked out.

Liz stayed over last night.  She’s doing a lot better now, she was just really hurt for a while.  But we got her through it.  We made a pile last night and she… needed a hug.  Poor girl gets lonely sometimes.  But she’s a lot happier now and she’s already got her sights on another boy.  I told her to be a little more careful.  She shot back that she was careful, and Kevin just showed his true colors.  How could I argue with that?  But…  maybe she should be a little more careful with the kissing.

I know, I know.  I’m one to talk.  Meet a boy and a week later we’re inspecting each others’ tonsils…

Diana and Crystal were over too, but they spent the night in Beth’s room.  I’m fine with that.  They’re my little sisters, but they’re Beth’s best friends, and…  gotta respect that.

This morning, it stormed!  I wasn’t expecting a storm!  No one was!  Liz…  I didn’t know she was scared of storms, but I guess she is.  She buried her head in my shoulder and whimpered a little.  I guess she puts on a brave face other times, but it’s hard to do that when you’re snuggled against someone, right?

Marie’s a little scared of storms too.  So I let her out of her kennel and climbed back in with Liz and the three of us made a pile.  It was kinda sweet.  After the storms started to recede, Liz and I took her for a walk, and then I went for a run.  Liz and Marie are getting along, though I guess they’re not best friends.  Marie’s fine.  Liz throws the ball.

This afternoon we went to the mall!!!  I never told you which mall, but I can now.  Lakeline Mall over in Cedar Park!!!  It’s got…  stuff!!!  Lots of fun stuff!!!  I ate a cinnabon in honor of Allison.  Liz and Beth and Crystal and Diana and I… and of course Sabby… it was fun!!!

Even if I end up a CEO or Chairman or whatever of Sabby’s company… I’m still going to the mall with my friends!  Though I suspect they’ll want me to buy.  Hahaah!  I’ll need to explain to them that I’m not rich until… well… I’m rich!  Until then I’ve just got a share of a company that might be worth nothing or might be worth everything!!!

I told Jack my idea.  Judging by the faraway look he gave me then trying to seem unenthusiastic… it’s probably a hit.  Sigh.  But, y’know…  Boys gonna boy.  And you gotta love ’em for it, when it’s you they’re boying with.

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Liz!!!

I know, I know.  I’m not Lily.  Lily’s my favorite too.  She’s pretty, and smart, and.. .what was that other thing, Lily?  Haha!

Lily offered me to guest post today, and how could I refuse?  So here I am!

I don’t really read Lily’s diary much, if I’m being honest about it.  I know she writes in it every day, and I did read it when we were in Florida and she was making out with my cousin.  I mean, really!  My cousin!  But, I guess, I have to admit that other girls might think he’s kinda hot.  Not me!  I’m his cousin!  We don’t do that kind of thing!  And he is a pretty nice guy.  I remember when I was little, when we all lived in Dallas, he would come over all the time, and we’d play games.  And now he has a little sister.  She was such a surprise when she came!  Jack didn’t know how to deal with her, he was like 12 at the time, but I guess he grew into it.  Lily seems to love her, and she seems to love Lily.  I’t’s the weirdest thing, she just took right to Lily.  Started calling her “Auntie Lily” and acting like she was another big sister.

But Lily has that effect on people.  It’s the weirdest thing.  She’s a girl who you can meet on an off chance and feel like you’ve known her for a hundred years.  I don’t know anyone who hates her.  I mean, I’m sure there’s someone, but they don’t know her.  I met her on a zoom call for school, and…  she just seemed so lost, but confident at the same time.  I both felt sorry for her and wanted to be around her at the same time.  And we became best friends!  I mean, I didn’t have many friends before, but she’s just… Lily.  Sweet, beautiful, wonderful, mostly innocent Lily.  And I love her.

And then that time when Lily found out that I wasn’t happy, and told Sabby, and they went over and gave my parents what-for!  I’ll always be grateful for that!  My parents aren’t perfect, but they are at least good enough to know when they messed up.  It’s just too bad it took that for them to figure it out.  But they’re making it right.  I love my parents, I really do.  They’re not bad people.  They’re just…  sometimes not good people either.

I hope Lily and I are friends for the rest of our lives.  But… life has a way of screwing us sometimes, doesn’t it?  I’ll go to college, and she’ll go to college, or be running that company she and Sabby are talking about, and then we won’t talk for years, and I’ll start a family, and she’ll start a family…  and then twenty years later we’ll meet for coffee and… maybe it’ll be like we never left each other and…  maybe it won’t.

Lily’s going to Japan soon.  I hope she has a good time.  I’m a bit jealous, but I’ve been to China a few times to see my grandparents.  It’s a bit harder now, because of all the political stuff, but I’m Chinese and will always be Chinese, even though I’m American too.  But is Lily Japanese?  I don’t know. I don’t think she does either.  I can’t say I know a lot about Japan, but…  OMG I love Jpop and Jmetal and anime and whatever!  Lily seems to like the language and culture more, but I just like the kawaii stuff!  Squeee!!!!  I have to admit she really rocks that maid uniform, though.  Too bad Jack doesn’t like it.  Maybe someday I’ll meet Yamashita Tomohisa but then I’d just fangirl all over him!

Anyway, Lily always says “love you all” but that’s because that’s just who she is.  I’m not.  She says I’m not cuddly most of the time, but she’s wrong.  I’m just… careful.  Lily’s heart is like this huge expanse of water, there’s enough for everyone and more to spare.  I don’t think it even crosses her mind that people might not love each other.  I mean, she understands it, but she doesn’t understand it.  Mine is..  a fragile flower, I think.  It is so nice when she cuddles with me.  I can feel how much she loves me…  and…  Lily’s beautiful and I love her.

Someday, though… I’ll find a boy that doesn’t hurt me, and I’ll love him a different way.  And I hope Lily is at my wedding and I hope she’s always there and I love her so much.

There.  I said what I wanted.  Bye!

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

Did you like Liz’s guest post last night?  She’s so nice!  And I love her too.

And it’s sooo hot outside!!!

Today it went over 100 degrees, and it’s supposed to do that for the next few days, anyway.  I go to work in the morning and it’s already 80!  Booo!  But at least work is air conditioned.

Oh did I mentioned I talked to my Japanese grandparents?  Obaasan and Ojiisan!!!  Well, they wanted me to call them that.  They don’t speak a lot of English, but with their English and my Japanese we made it work, and Emiko translated the stuff that we couldn’t communicate.  They didn’t know about me either, and there was a little bit of tension between Emiko and her parents (I guess she was kind of a wild child, at least by Japanese standards) but they were happy to meet me anyway.  When I go to Japan, they want me and Emiko to stay with them.  I don’t know if we’re taking Aika and Mika, but Bill’s staying home.  He’s met them already, and he has work too.

Sabby called the camp to see how David’s doing…  well…  he’s calmed down.  See, there’s this girl.  Not kidding, actually.  It’s just one of those ten year old crushes but he’s following her around like a lost puppy, and is toeing the line to impress her.  I’m not sure if she’s impressed, but the counselors say they’re thick as thieves right now, so maybe that’s the ticket?  As long as he can keep from pulling her hair.

Anyway more work today, and I’m tired.  And Marie needs walked, while it’s cooling down a bit.

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

And today was pretty boring!  Boringly boring!  It’s hot!  It’s dry!  It’s hot and dry!  But humid!!!  EWWWWWWW!!!!!

I love winter in Texas!  Summer SUCKS!!!!!

In fact, it was so hot that after work Beth and I put on our swimsuits and had a water fight!!!  Liz came over too and we just soaked each other!!! Marie even got into the action!!! It was soooo much fun!!!  Well, until Dave came home from the job site and we ambushed him!  HAHAHA!!!!!

But… he has a pressure washer.

Oh, he didn’t pressure wash us.  That’d be mean.  But he turned it on, set it to wide spray, basically turning it into the world’s biggest super soaker, and GOT US GOOD!!!!

I really need to learn not to get into prank wars with him!!!!

But do you remember what I said, about how he’s clumsy?  He got himself too.  I dunno how, but LOL!!!!!

Anyway, after all that tomfoolery, Sabby told us to get inside, get into dry clothes, and eat dinner.  But we felt so much better!!!  Even Marie seemed a little peppier.  Poor thing.

Liz had fun too!!!  She’s not usually into that kind of thing but I guess she was hot!!!

Not much news on the business front – even when you decide to do these kings of things, they’re slow.  Dave has to design the mini-factory and get permits and everything.  Sabby has to file the LLC paperwork.  My trust administrator needs his tin of cookies.  There’s lots to do, but right now it’s hurry up and wait.  And I’ve still got a trip to Japan to plan for!!!

Sabby took me aside this evening, and told me that she was worried about something.

“Lily,” she said, “I don’t want you growing up too fast.  We’re talking about a lot of adult responsibilities with helping to run a company, and I know you’re up to it, but… but you’re still a child.” She sniffled.  “Or at least in some ways.  I don’t want you to stop doing fun things just because you have responsibilities.  Don’t forget to be a child.”

“I’m sixteen,” I said.  “I’m not a child.  But I know what you mean.”

“I never got to be a child,” she said sadly.  “I’m not letting that happen to you.”

I couldn’t help it.  I gave her a hug.  And I’m not sure which of us needed it more.

大好き　皆さん！！！

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

So Liz and I need to start practicing for her recital – thankfully it’s before I leave for Japan.  Tonight she brought her violin over and we went over the music.  It’s not too hard but she’s a bit of a perfectionist – she wants it exactly so.  But it’s kind of a back and forth, so it’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out.  It’s a pretty piece and she’s a good violinist, though, so it’ll work out.  I’ll need to go to a couple of lessons with her so I can work with her with her teacher.

Liz is like a different person when she’s doing something like studying… she’s very driven and single minded.  Very businesslike.  Friend before, friend after, coworker during.  But I guess that’s good – maybe I can learn something from her.

She tells me I need a different outfit, though.  My gown is fine when I’m the center of attention, but as an accompanist, I’m not the center of attention, so she wants me to wear something a little more understated.  We went upstairs and she raided my closet, and then suggested a nice long skirt and sleeveless top combo.  She says if I do up my hair I’ll look just fine.  I guess I can see where she’s coming from.  I told her such, but I said it’s a partnership between the two of us.  If the spotlight is on her, that’s fine, it’s her recital, but I’m not going to shrink into the shadows like hired help.  I don’t think she quite understood, but she accepted.

I don’t think we’re going to conflict much, but it’s a very different dynamic and it’ll take some getting used to – actually working with her rather than just being her best friend.  I made her promise to take me out for chocolate after.  Not a Wendys chocolate frosty, but some of the good stuff.  That’s my payment.  She readily agreed.  She’s actually a little intimidating with how competent and single minded she is.

So David is settling into camp life, I guess his lady friend is kind of calming him down a bit.  I guess the food is pretty good, he met some boys (and girls) that are almost as into gaming as he is, and he’s learning a few life skills, like starting fires with sticks and rope.  Turns out they’re having a bit of a hog problem, so they’re taking them hunting for hogs – if they catch one, they’ll eat pork dishes for a week.  Guess that doesn’t happen every year, but the hogs are there, so may as well teach the kids how to hunt.

Dave is fine with that.  Dave’s not a big hunter, but he’s been known to spend some time in the outdoors, and if it’s a bonding experience with David, well, he’ll learn too.  they did have that fishing trip last year, and David proved to be really good at catching fish – we were eating fish for weeks.

Beth is not so fine with that, but Dave sat her down and told her the facts of life about hunting, and hunting hogs in particular.  I guess they’re a huge problem in Texas.  She still doesn’t like it, but wisely picked her battles on this one.  Hey, she’s learning.

Oh, speaking of learning, she’s fifteen now.  She can’t get a license, but she can start to learn to drive.  Dave’s going to take her to a parking lot this weekend and teach her the basics.  She can’t wait!!!  I haven’t been driving everywhere, but I’ve been getting in lots of practice, and I’ll get my real license in August!  I can’t wait!!!

Anyway, time for bed.  It’s quiet here without David.  I kinda miss the little guy.  But don’t tell him I said that!

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!

I don’t feel like posting much tonight.  So I won’t!  I’ll post again tomorrow.  I post all the time so I get a break sometimes too!!!

Love you all!!! ❤

Hi! It’s me! Lily!!!

And now I understand why adults like Fridays so much!!!

I like my job!  I really do!  Sure, it’s not the most rewarding and fulfilling of jobs, I mean, there’s only so far you can get with shelf stocking and pallet unloading and karen wrangling.  It’s still a good job and pays obscenely well (at least that’s what Dave says).  But still, when it’s Friday, it’s like everything is just that much better!!!  And I go home and usually at least one girl is hanging around, and we get to do fun stuff like watch movies and play games and make girl piles and sleep in (if Marie lets me!) and Saturdays are just soooo nice.

Sabby brought up too that I need to start thinking about college.  I don’t know.  I don’t even know if a college will accept me – I have no transcript.  I don’t even know who to talk to about that.  Maybe I should talk to the lawyer and find out what my options are.  I mean, that’s not his specialty, but at least he knows people.  I’m not even really sure I want to go to college.  I mean I certainly want to get an education, but college just seems like a… not so nice place.  But thankfully I have some time to figure that out.  Maybe if they send me to a private school, they’ll have people who can help.

Dave had some kinda bad news.  He’s willing to build a little workshop, but our house is zoned residential.  He can’t get it permitted.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that we seem to be in the beginning stages of a real estate crash.  I mean, not good news, but good news for us, because we might be able to find a storefront cheap.  But there’s still lots of legal stuff to get out of the way, and even so, we’ll have to renovate.  Dave certainly can help with that!!!

Anyway.  Liz is over tonight!!!  And we’re not going to practice accompanying!  Her parents came over too, and we had a nice dinner.  Her parents seem to be loosening up a little, which is nice.  Especially since I’m dating Jack, they seem to consider me, and by extension us, family.

Speaking of Jack, the silly billy sent me more chocolate!!!  And the REALLY GOOD kind!  But…  it’s hot, and most of it melted.  Aww.  But melted chocolate is still chocolate, right?  I just got some graham crackers and marshmallows and we’ll have the world’s most expensive s’mores.  And besides, it’s the thought that counts.  I wish I could send Jack what I know he really wants, but Sabby forbids it, and there are laws.  But…  I wrote him a story.  A very nice story.  A very, very nice story.  With lots of, err… descriptions, and stuff.  OMG he loved it!  Boys…

I don’t mind, though.  Boys are not girls (Sabby tells me saying that can get me in trouble in the wrong places but it’s true!).  So he’s gonna boy and I’m gonna girl, and when that happens at the same time, omg… it’s the best thing in the world!!!

Well, that and chocolate.  And at the same time…  well, that’s for the story.  Not for the diary.  Haha!!

Anyway, we watched our movie, and now Liz and Beth and I are going to make a pile.  No other girls this week, I guess Diana’s finally moving back into her house, and Crystal and her parents are taking a much deserved vacation.  Not all that far away, but hey, they’ve come a long way in a few months.

Love you all!!! ❤