Deep down, Tami knows her mother doesn’t deserve all of her wrath. At least not the entirety of it. Her father deserves some too. He moved out last night without even saying goodbye. She doesn’t even know where he’s living. Sure, she could text and ask, but she refuses to give him the satisfaction right now.
She told her mother she wants to live with him, and that was only partially true. She said what she needed to say to feel better in the moment. Still, it’s nice to think she might have the option of staying with her dad for a while.
It’s all so much. Needing to escape her mom and the entire situation, Tami heads outside and hops on her bike. It’s one of those cloudy Bay Area days when the rain rarely stays away for long. But Tami doesn’t mind. It fits her mood.
Tami is less than a mile down the street when the rain begins pouring in sheets, making it dangerous to ride. The moisture causes her brakes to squeak, and stopping takes much longer than it should. She needs to escape the downpour, but going home isn’t an option, and she’d rather avoid the library too.
She spots the movie theater just ahead and heads that way.
It’s still early, so the theater is nearly empty. Normally, that kind of isolation would unsettle her, but today she welcomes it.
Tami scans her movie choices and picks one with a title that speaks to her: Princess Cordelia’s Pirates. It reminds her of a book her dad used to read to her when she was little.
She buys herself some popcorn and settles into a seat near the top of the theater.
The movie is sweet and sappy, giving her the perfect excuse to let a few tears flow. The story follows the usual pattern: boy meets girl, they fall in love, something threatens the relationship, but somehow they find a reason to stay together.
If only sim-life relationships were that simple. Why couldn’t her parents’ relationship survive the same way?
Tami leaves the theater and climbs back onto her bike. The rain is still coming down, so she has no choice but to head home.
Being around Luca and his family does a lot to lift my spirits and helps me forget my troubles for a while. My friend is having an alien baby. If he can handle that, I can deal with my problems.
After I return from the baby shower, I head downstairs to check out the barbershop and see what else is there. Not only is the barbershop ready for operation, but there’s also a gym—and enough space to offer other amenities. All I need now is to hire someone to finish building the place out, and I can open my business.
But how do I combine a barbershop with a gym?
I think back to when Dad took Mase and me to the beauty salon in Windenburg. What did he say again… that even men deserve to be pampered? Maybe there’s a need I can fill here. It might be time to start brainstorming.
With some fresh ideas in mind, I head upstairs to my apartment. I spent the entire morning feeling sorry for myself, crying about wanting to go home, but this is my home now. I might as well make it feel like one.
Empty frames still hang on the walls. I left my best family pictures behind with Maia and Tami, but I sort through the ones I have left. I find another copy of the large family photo of me, my parents, and my brothers, taken soon after moving to Brindleton Bay. I add a few pictures of Tami beneath it, carefully avoiding any of Maia. Those only stir painful memories of happier days. Seeing Ma smiling and looking beautiful is tough enough.
Now that the pictures are up, I make my way to the computer to start planning my business. First, I search the web for unique ways to make the most of the space.
My pictures aren’t the only things I left at the other house. My money tree is still there, and most of my other simoleons are tied up in investments under Tami’s name. It probably wouldn’t hit so hard, but now I’m facing bills and barely earning any royalties from SimTube. It’s been a while since my last video, and the revenue is fading. I need to get myself together and start generating income.
It’s a lot to think about, and hunger distracts me, so I close the laptop and head to the refrigerator.
Luckily, I stopped by the store for a few basics on my way back from Luca’s. I grab the simplest thing I can find—cold cuts. It’s not ideal or especially nutritious, but it’ll do. I put some ham on a plate and carry it over to the table.
I wish I could pause my thoughts, but they keep intruding, reminding me of all my mistakes and shortcomings. A wave of grief rises up, and before I know it, I’m standing there, crying all over the meat.
I’m a mess.
It’s a little gross, but I eventually finish eating the snack. While I’m still in the kitchen, my phone buzzes with a text. I check it and see the last person I expect—Dad. Apparently, he’s in town and wants to know where I’m living now.
What’s he doing here? Did he stop by Tami and Maia’s place first? If so, what did he think when he didn’t find me there? Dad’s dealing with his own grief, and I would’ve loved to postpone telling him about Maia and me, but he’s on his way now, so it’s time to deal with it.
Either way, I should’ve let everyone know I moved. I make a mental note to do that tonight and send Dad my address.
He texts back that he’s on his way.
Umbrella in hand, I head downstairs as a car pulls up outside. I look around for Dad, but he’s nowhere in sight. I can guess where he might be. Chances are, I left the barbershop unlocked.
Sure enough, when I walk in, Dad is standing inside with a suitcase by his side.
This visit is completely unexpected, but my heart opens with gladness. We embrace.
Wade: Dad, why are you here?
Kai: Your mother told me I needed to be.
I glance at him sideways. Is he finally losing it?
Wade: What?
Kai: I had a dream about her. She kept mentioning your name.
Of course she did. Even in death, Ma still takes care of us. She truly is a guardian angel.
I glance at his suitcase.
Wade: How long are you planning to stay?
Kai: Just a couple of days. Then I might head out to the CE to check on Drake. So, is this where you’re living now?
Dad doesn’t sound very surprised. Then I remember us discussing the possibility of my moving when we were in Henford.
Wade: Well, not here exactly. There’s an apartment upstairs. It’s not very big, but the rental is empty. You can stay there.
Dad studies me closely, and I feel self-conscious, hoping there aren’t any tear stains on my face.
Kai: No, I think this is where I belong.
I pick up Dad’s suitcase and lead him up to the apartment.
Wade: Okay. I’m sure we can find a place for you to sleep.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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