If I ever hope to move out of Henford, I need a plan and a place to live. First thing the following day, I get on my computer and begin searching for apartments and homes in different parts of the Sim World. I start in San Myshuno and find several available apartments. The only ones I could afford alone are in the more sleazy part of town. And the ones I’m most interested in are luxury and beyond my price range. I doubt I could convince my parents to help with them.
I continue my search in Evergreen Harbor and then Brindleton Bay. I’m shocked to see how expensive everything is. I was hoping I could find something I could afford without including them, but there’s no way I’ll be able to move anywhere nice without my parents’ help. I have no choice but to approach them.
I turn off my computer and head downstairs, where everyone gathers for breakfast. I hope Ma and Dad are in a good mood and receptive to helping me get a place.
We sit at the table, and I can already see that Dad seems to be in the opposite of a good mood.
Drake: You okay, dad?
Kai: Yes and no. I just found out that a friend of mine passed away.
Damn. That’s the last thing I needed to hear.
Drake: Anybody we know?
Kai: No, it was a friend from college.
Wade: Sorry to hear that, dad.
Kai: Thanks
I’ll wait a bit longer before bringing up anything about moving out.
Ma may be my only hope. I look over at her to gauge her mood. If I approach them, Ma can act as a buffer if she’s open to hearing me out. She’s not exactly smiling but seems cheerful. I need to wait until Mase and Dray leave for school; then, I’ll be ready to plead my case.
After Mase and Dray have left, my chance arrives. The Watcher must be on my side because Dad usually heads outside to tend to the animals in the mornings, and Ma usually has her face in a book. But today, they sit together on the couch and turn on the TV. It’s now or never. I sit down next to them.
Wade: Ma, Dad – can I talk to you guys about something?
Melisa: Sure Dubbie. Is this about what we talked about last night?
Kai: What did you talk about last night?
Here’s my opening.
Wade: I told Ma I was considering moving to a bigger city.
Kai: Where?
Wade: San Myshuno
Kai: Whew – that’s a long way.
Wade: I know. But I’ve been doing some research. Ma—I emailed you a list of some places I found.
Ma pulls out her phone to access the email. She reads through the list for a few moments.
Melisa: Some of these apartments are very expensive, Dubbie.
Wade: I know. There are some cheaper ones in the Spice District in San Myshuno.
Melisa: The Spice District is kind of rough.
Wade: But it’s the only place I could afford on my own.
Kai: That sounds like the move, then.
Ma turns to Dad.
Melisa: I don’t know about that, Kaby. Being from Newcrest, we heard many not-so-great things about the Spice District. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him being there alone.
I was hoping Ma would say that.
Wade: Well, the further you get from that part of town – the more expensive they get. I even looked in Evergreen Harbor, and everything there is out of my range, too. I also found a house – a converted factory located in Brindleton Bay. But I’d need you and Dad’s help to afford it.
Kai: By help, you mean you’d need us to buy it.
Wade: Yes, but I’d contribute as much as I can. I already have a job that I start today.
Kai: Well, that’s good, but we need some time to discuss this.
Wade: Okay. I need to get started with my duties for work anyway.
Kai: You do that, and we’ll let you know what we decide.
Wade: Okay
I get up and walk towards the stairs while crossing my fingers, hoping they decide in my favor.
Kai: *To Me-Me* Forward me that email so I can see what’s what.
I slow my pace to hear what the two of them are saying.
Kai: *opens the email and looks over the list* Wow! Is that the price of apartments nowadays? I don’t see how kids can even afford to move out.
Melisa: Most can’t – not without roommates.
Kai: What do you think?
Melisa: Well, I want him somewhere safe. My dad grew up in Brindleton Bay. It’s a quiet, small town, and I know he’ll be alright there. I’m not too fond of him being in a big city like San My.
Kai: Didn’t your brother Jay move to San My after high school?
Melisa: Yes, but with two friends. He wasn’t alone. But Lia moved to Brindleton Bay, and she was just fine there.
Kai: Do you think he’s ready to take care of a house on his own?
Melisa: Were we?
That’s all I manage to hear before I arrive at the stairs and begin to climb up. Sounds like I was right; Ma will be my best advocate. My fate is in her hands -time for work.
My first assignments are so easy that I almost can’t believe I’ll get paid for them. All I have to do is watch funny Sim.tv videos for two hours, then work on my charisma skills. Browsing the videos is entertaining, and working on my charisma is no problem because I got a big head start yesterday.
As I’m finishing up my work day – my phone rings. I look down and see that it’s Perla. Shit – I almost forgot all about her. I answer the call and put the phone to my ear.
Wade: *on the phone* Hey, Perla! What’s up?
Perla: *on the phone* Nothing much. Why didn’t you call me when you got back from Batuu?
Wade: Sorry about that. Our dog got sick, and I had to take her to the vet, so I didn’t get much of anything done when I returned.
Perla: Is she okay?
Wade: Yep, good as new.
Perla: *on the phone* I saw your Simtube video. You said you were leaving?
I feel bad that she had to find out that way.
Wade: *on the phone* Eventually
Perla: You said you were leaving soon on the video.
Damn, I did. I do my best to backtrack.
Wade: Yeah, but I’m still working that out with my parents.
Silence
Wade: Uh, I owe you an explanation. Are you busy right now?
Perla: No
Wade: Can we meet for coffee or something?
Perla: Where?
Wade: I’ll come to you. See you in a few?
Perla: Yeah, okay. See you soon.
Wade: Yep
I end the call, realizing I have no idea what to say to Perla. In Batuu, I told Mase that I’d end our relationship. I mean – we didn’t really have a relationship, but I still need to let her down easily, right? Do I also need to tell her about Inata? Inata’s not my girlfriend, so maybe that’s something I can keep to myself. I have until I get to Windenburg to figure it all out.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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