I don't have much against New York. Okay, so they talk funny, but they think I talk funny too. Okay, so they eat strange food, then again they think I eat strange food too. Okay, but the weather sucks; Ive definitely got'tem there!

Ill go ahead and state the facts: Im the hero of my family. Im my mom's best friend; she comes to me for advice, to vent, to gossip, and for help with my unhelpable sister. Im my dad's saving grace; I make him laugh, I calm him down, I pick up slack, but I ignore him when he's venting about my unhelpable sister. Even my sister who is embarassed by me in all ways possible comes to me as a last resort when it comes to matters of school and work. My grandmother tells me things and confides in me in a way she does with no one else; I stand as the interpreter between her and the rest of the world. My stepfather Todd finds me funny, & I enjoy reminding him that he is a remarkable person and father.

As much as the pressure of wearing the S across my chest brings me down, I secretly love feeling needed. If I move to NY even for the 3 months that separate me from the new school year, who will save my family?

Sure, my dad looks forward to my company, but he looks forward to cooked meals, a clean house, and having a nurse to take care of my elderly grandmother. My mom will miss my company & that's all; she'll miss me at church or when she goes to the mall :] My grandmother will miss my visits too, though I could tell her I was there last week and she'd have no choice but to believe me over her failing memory. My sister won't miss me at all though she'll call to see if Im losing the weight I promised her I would. Todd will be childless; ignored by his other kids, lonely without me there to humor him and hang out on the farm.

But do I have a duty to my fiance'? I think deep down I know what I have to do.