Reminder: This is my very first Sims 4 family, which was originally posted starting in 2015. I’m in the process of moving these posts over from my Tumblr page. See more info here!
(Note: Some of the questions below come from Tumblr readers. Links will take you to Tumblr. Some Tumblr accounts may no longer exist.)
Getting back to Brindleton Bay takes longer than Ajay anticipated. He arrives at the Deadgrass Cafe 15 minutes late. Gretchen is already there when he enters. She sits down at one of the counters holding a scone.
Gretchen: *still looking at her plate* Late again. Should I take this as a sign that you really don’t want to do this?
Adwin-Jamie: Yes…I mean – no. I was in Newcrest fishing. It just took me a while to get back. But, I have to admit that I do have second thoughts.
Gretchen: *finally looks at Ajay* So…I still have some convincing to do then?
Adwin-Jamie: I just don’t really understand why you’d want to write a book about me.
Gretchen: I think you are – your story is interesting. People like you are often misunderstood, so I think it’s about time to change that. So…can I ask you a few questions?
Adwin-Jamie: Only if we can go outside. It’s not raining anymore…and I’m not really comfortable around so many people.
Gretchen: Yeah…okay, but I’m bringing my scone.
Ajay leads Gretchen outside to a bench overlooking the ocean. She sits down and takes a few bites of her scone; quietly observing the view.
Gretchen: I never do stuff like this. I’m not much of an outdoors person. But I guess I can see the appeal.
Adwin-Jamie: Have you ever been camping?
Gretchen: No! I mean, I went to Granite Falls once, but I stayed in a very deluxe cabin. I don’t think I went outside once. *finishes off her scone* Anyway, I’m supposed to be the one asking questions. This book is about you…not me.
Gretchen: *turns on her recorder and places it out of sight* Tell me a little about how you grew up.
Adwin-Jamie: Uh…okay. I was born in San Myshuno. My mom and dad were young…basically kids. My mom left when I was a baby, so I was raised by my dad here in Brindleton Bay.
Gretchen: Why did your mom leave?
Adwin-Jamie: She says it’s because she didn’t have anything to offer me. She moved to Windenburg to take a job as a secret agent.
Gretchen: How do you feel about the fact that she left like that?
Adwin-Jamie: She gets down on herself for it, but I don’t believe it’s her fault – her deciding to leave.
Gretchen: Why not?
Adwin-Jamie: *holds his hands up to the sky* It’s like I told you before…all of this – everything that happens…it’s a part of our story. Our path. She didn’t make the choice, the choice was made for her.
Gretchen: What made you realize this…that your life was being controlled by someone else?**
Adwin-Jamie: It’s not just my life. It’s all of us and it wasn’t something that I had to realize. I just sort of knew it. It’s like a presence that surrounds us. It’s obvious if you just take the time to be still for a moment.
(**Question from @ladybugsimblr)
Gtretchen: Do we have any control at all? Or do you believe we’re just puppets on a string?
Adwin-Jamie: We do have some control…we control our moods and our reactions. The Observer can lay out our paths, but she can’t control how we feel about it.
Gretchen: So…are you saying that we can take things in another direction if we wanted to?
Adwin- Jamie: We can.
Gretchen isn’t sure where to go from there. As much as she tries to be objective about the things that Ajay says…somehow his words seem to reach inside her. She wants to know more…as much as she can, but at the same time, she’s afraid because the things he says goes against everything she was raised to believe. She needs time to process this interview.
Gretchen: *turns off the recorder* Uh, it’s getting late…so I’d better go. Can we try this again tomorrow?
Adwin-Jamie: Yeah, sure, but on one condition.
Gretchen: I’m starting to get used to your conditions, so why not? What do I have to do this time?
Adwin-Jamie: Come dressed to go fishing.
Gretchen stands up quickly.
Gretchen: Fishing?! Ewww…no! That’s where I’ll have to draw the line.
Adwin-Jamie: I’ll answer anything you want to know. Fishing is where I feel the most relaxed. I promise not to hold back at all.
Ajay has sweetened the deal to the point that Gretchen can’t resist. All of Gretchen’s professionalism slips away as she mentally tries to talk herself into it…
Gretchen: *deep sigh* Okay…uh, I guess I can do that. Anything for a story, right? Yeah…fishing. So what…shorts and a t-shirt?
Adwin-Jamie: Anything you feel comfortable in.
Gretchen: Okay. See you tomorrow…I guess.
Ajay waves and Gretchen walks away.
After Gretchen has left, Ajay gets up from the bench; feeling mixed, confused feelings. He shouts so loud that he scares away the seagulls that have been lounging nearby.
Adwin-Jamie: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Not only does he feel like he shouldn’t have agreed to the interview, but he’s angry at himself for saying as much as he has. He’s used to being guarded, but around Gretchen he finds himself being way too open…saying way too much. Part of him wants to text her and cancel tomorrow’s meet up, but another part of him is looking forward to it.
He decides to go home and sleep on it. He’ll just have to re-evaluate his feelings in the morning.
Ajay returns to his lot and runs back everything he said to Gretchen in his head. He cringes at the memory of his words flowing out of his mouth so easily. He doesn’t recall ever telling anyone all the things that he told her. He didn’t even talk to his g-ma to that extent.
Ajay tries to occupy himself with his bees. He’s so lost in his thoughts that he barely even feels their stinging. He checks on his garden, then on Cain. But even loving on Cain doesn’t keep his attention for long.
Ajay brushes his teeth and tightens up his broken sink. By the time he’s ready to crawl into his tent…he’s made a decision on how he’ll deal with Gretchen. He’ll do what he’s done best all of his life…he’ll completely shut her out until she gives up and stops coming around.
(Generation 7 Chapter Summaries)
