Walking around our new home in this new town feels strange, like I’ve encroached on someone else’s reality. I grab something to eat from the refrigerator and sit at the kitchen table, with the unease of someone who has broken into someone else’s house. I know we belong here, but it’s so different from where I came from. Henford felt nothing like this place – and neither did Brindleton Bay when I think about it. It’s like I’m an immigrant from a foreign land.
Maia is in her yoga room feeling something similar, yet very different from Dub. She grew up in San Sequoia but never dreamed of living in a nice place like this. Maia’s family didn’t have much money. They scraped and got by on what they had. Now, she’s in the part of the city where the ‘rich sims live.’ What would her mother have thought if she could have seen this place? She’s happy to be here, but something about it makes her wonder if she deserves to be. Maia has always prided herself on having her own money and making her way, but she hasn’t worked in months. She wants to get back to it as soon as possible. Maybe then, she can feel like she’s contributed to this lifestyle.
I sit in the living room, hoping to watch TV – but I can’t find it. There’s a remote, but I don’t see a TV. I look above the fireplace and see a painting. Could that be it? I don’t even bother turning it on to check. I’m here in a new city, wasting time at home. Maybe now would be a good time to grab Hiro and jog.
I find Maia and Hiro in the yoga room.
Wade: I’m taking Hiro out for a jog.
Maia: Please do! He keeps barking at the stereo and disturbing my focus.
I don’t blame Hiro for barking at the monotonous, overly simplistic music that Maia is playing. What is that I’m hearing – flutes? I’d also be barking, trying to get her to turn it off if I were a dog. But I know yoga is important to Maia, so I respect her wishes, change into my workout clothes, and leash Hiro up.
I leave the house at the perfect time because San Sequoia is showing off by welcoming Hiro and me with the colorful display of a Western sunset. The water, the bridge, and the warm hues painted into the sky by the sun take my breath away. If I were an artist, I’d try to capture it on canvas. But instead, it becomes the perfect backdrop to my jog.
Like Dub, the sun setting entices Maia into the backyard. Sunset has always been her favorite time of the day here in San Sequoia. ‘You don’t need money to enjoy nature’s entertainment’…that’s what Maia’s mother used to say.
Maia quickly checks on her frogs, happy they successfully survived the relocation across the country. She wishes she could have brought them all with her, but without completely changing the backyard plans – she only had room for her three favorites.
She stops at the bird feeder and fills it up. Maybe she can attract a few birds to the yard as she relaxes. After completing that small task, Maia lowers herself to her meditation pillow near the pond and closes her eyes.
I don’t even have the words to describe how different sims are here in the West. Brindleton Bay made me feel unwelcomed with residents who’d sooner give you a side-eye than to speak to you. Here, sims seem happier as they enjoy the nice weather. My jog is met with welcomed smiles and nods that make me feel more at home.
After thoroughly enjoying our lovely, vibrant neighborhood, Hiro and I return home- with him needing a bath. I don’t know what he’s gotten into since we moved, but he smells terrible. I take him to the downstairs bathroom and wash him with plenty of soap.
Maia sinks deep into her thoughts, relaxing each muscle of her whole body until she begins to feel a sensory-deprived sensation. Worried thoughts, anxiety, and fears melt away from her, making her feel as light as air. She’s never reached this level of focus and clarity before. She comes out of it briefly, peeks out of one eye, and realizes this isn’t just a feeling; she’s floating. Panic weighs her down like a stone thrown into the bay. She falls several feet out of the air and lands on her meditation pillow.
It’s not until she’s regathered her nerves that she understands what’s happened to her. She has reached a coveted level of meditation that few have attained. It’s a true testament to how much she has grown in her journey to wellness, making her believe that maybe this return to the Bay Area will be better for her mentally than she ever imagined.
Maia makes her way to the kitchen for a healthy snack but is interrupted by Luna. She picks her up and gives her a gentle squeeze.
Maia: *to Luna* It feels like I’ve been neglecting you these past few days, but you’ll always be my first love.
Luna purrs softly and leans into Maia’s love.
I’m relaxing on the bed, admiring our new bedroom design when Maia walks in. I have yet to compliment her on how well she worked with the designer to prepare our new place.
Wade: You did good, babe. The house looks fantastic.
I want to add that I’m glad she didn’t go the cheap route when picking everything out, but I keep that to myself.
Maia: The designer came up with all the ideas. I just had to approve them.
Wade: Either way, I love it!
That’s all it takes for me to get lucky with Maia in bed. Maybe I should start giving her compliments all the time.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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