Tami hopes her parents don’t expect her to wait around while they waste time on their shenanigans. If they’re going to end things, they need to do it. Meanwhile, she has more productive things to do—like meeting Enzo and his sister, Kisha, at the library across the street. They’ve been texting all morning on Social Bunny. It’s time for a face-to-face.
Enzo and Kisha are standing outside when Tami arrives. Looking a little irritated, Enzo quickly introduces Tami to his sister, then disappears inside.
Tambara: Is it something I did?
Kisha: No, I was teasing him about you, and now he doesn’t want to talk to me.
Tambara: About me? What about me?
Kisha grins and avoids the question for now.
Kisha ends the mystery and fills Tami in as they follow Enzo.
Kisha: I think my brother really likes you. That’s what I was teasing him about.
Tambara: Why do you say that?
Kisha: I just know. When he said he wanted me to meet you, he had this goofy look on his face. I can see why, though. You’re cute! And your eyes are so pretty.
Tambara: Thanks. You’re cute, too.
And it’s true—Kisha easily fits the pretty girl category.
They find Enzo upstairs.
Kisha: I start at Westside High after summer break, but we should all hang out more before then.
Tambara: Yeah, we can go to the rec center and the water park. I have a few friends we can invite, so you’ll know some people before you start school.
Kisha: Cool.
Kisha walks away to use a computer, while Tami and Enzo begin their game of “I like you, but I’m avoiding you.” Tami pulls out her homework and pretends to study for exams next week, while Enzo grabs a book off the shelf and heads to a comfy seat in the corner.
Tami is hyperaware of Enzo’s presence, making it difficult to concentrate. She keeps peeking over to see if he’s watching her, but his head stays buried in his book. She makes subtle movements and occasionally clears her throat, hoping he’ll look up and make eye contact—but he never does. Tami sighs and wonders if maybe Kisha was wrong about him liking her.
She gives up, realizing she’s doing way too much for someone who won’t even glance her way. Tami puts her books away and wanders through the rest of the library until she stumbles upon a small study room filled with puzzles and games.
It doesn’t take long for Enzo and Kisha to find her there. But Tami suddenly isn’t feeling so well—her stomach is churning dangerously. Was it something she ate?
Kisha looks at the game on the table, and her eyes light up.
Kisha: Ooh, Thumbs Up—I love this game! We should play.
Tami ignores her stomach issues. She’s not about to let that ruin her chance to hang out and socialize.
Enzo grabs a card and places it on his forehead.
Enzo: I’ll go first!
Kisha: I thought it was supposed to be ladies first.
Enzo: That’s old school—it’s about equality now, right?
Enzo holds the card to his forehead without looking at it, while Kisha and Tami work on describing it without giving it away.
They play a few rounds until Kisha wins.
Kisha: I told you it was my favorite! I can’t be beat.
Enzo: You cheated! I demand a rematch.
Kisha: How did I cheat?
Tami chuckles at the banter between the brother-and-sister pair. She doesn’t care about losing, but a rematch sounds fun. Then she receives a text from her mother that instantly changes her mood. They’ve finished their therapy session and are on their way back home. The message reminds Tami of the tension between her parents, and her stomach pain returns.
Tambara: I think I’m done for now.
Tami gets up and sulks out of the room. Enzo and Kisha follow her.
Kisha: You okay? I’m sorry I beat you.
Tami sinks onto a nearby sofa, and Kisha plops down beside her.
Tambara: No. I’m just irritated by my parents. My mom is kicking my dad out of the house, and today—out of the blue—they decide to attend couples’ therapy. It’s a waste of time. I just wish they’d get the whole thing over with.
Kisha: Do you think they’ll divorce? Our parents did.
Tami perks up at this reveal.
Tambara: They did?
Kisha: Yeah, a few years ago.
Tambara: Did it make things better or worse?
Kisha: Well, things are calm now. And the best part is we get two Winterfests, and we get to celebrate our birthdays twice—once with our mom and once with our dad.
Tambara: Twice?
That doesn’t sound like a terrible deal, especially because it means double the gifts without the arguments.
Tami hates to end things, but this outing just isn’t as much fun now. She walks over to Enzo.
Tambara: I have to go. But maybe we can hang out another time.
Enzo: Yeah, okay.
Before parting ways, Kisha suggests they take some selfies. As she and Kisha stand close, Tami feels a flutter in her stomach—and this time, it isn’t the nausea. Out of nowhere, she isn’t sure who she likes more: Enzo or his sister. The feeling leaves Tami confused. She takes a selfie with Enzo and leaves quickly.
On the way home, Tami pulls out her phone and scrolls through the selfies, stopping on the one with Kisha. It’s cute, and the chemistry between them feels easy. She looks at the one with Enzo. They match and could make a great couple, but the connection feels awkward. Kisha is so much easier to talk to, and there’s no need for cat-and-mouse games—they can just talk. Things aren’t that easy with Enzo.
Does that explain the flutter? Then again, it could be nothing—just her stomach reminding her, once again, that her life is teetering out of balance.
Maia and I ride home in silence as I replay our therapy session in my mind. Surely she’s doing the same, though I can’t read it on her face. I was hoping to feel some clarity after spending 1,000 simoleons on counseling, but I’m just left with raw emotions dangling without a bandage.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I doubt that applies to Maia, but still, I agree—a separation might be the best thing. It’s time to find a new place to live.
I drop Maia off at home and arrive at the address I found online. The location is great: the rec center, the lake, and the water park are right across the street. I take out my phone and check the listing again. Not only is there a small apartment upstairs, but the bottom floor was once a business—and could easily become one again. Purchasing this place might be a good deal… and could put more simoleons in my pocket.
I pack away my thoughts about Maia and walk the property, giving it serious consideration. First, I check out the side yard. It’s the perfect spot to hang out and invite people over for get-togethers. I can picture Luca, my brothers, and me posted up here, drinking Barley Bales and talking crap.
I head over to the door of the downstairs unit and peek through the glass. Looks like it used to be a barbershop. There’s a lot I could do with that.
I go up the stairs to peek into the apartment. It appears to be move-in ready, which would explain the high price tag. Off to the side, I see a couple of doors—probably leading to the bedrooms. There are two. I could convert one into a media room.
So far, I like what I see. The place feels masculine and seems like a good fit. I’ll call the real estate agent and put in a bid.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
Thanks for reading! Please hit the “like” button if you’ve enjoyed what you read! Keep scrolling if you’d like to leave a comment. 🥰
