We enter my apartment, and Dad looks around.
Kai: Nice place! It kind of reminds me of your first one back in Brindleton Bay.
Wade: Feels like I’ve come full circle.
Kai: Well, not exactly. A lot’s changed since then, right?
I treat Dad’s question as rhetorical, letting it hang in the air for a moment before sitting down on the couch. He joins me before I decide it deserves a response.
Wade: More than you know.
Kai: What’s going on, Dub?
Wade: It’s finally over, Dad. Maia asked for a divorce last night.
Kai: *shocked* A divorce? I thought you two were just taking a break.
Wade: I did too. We even went to couples therapy, and then—bam—she tells me it’s over.
I say it as if it were sudden, but deep down I knew it was coming. I’m sure Dad did too.
Kai: I’m so sorry, son.
Kai: So, what happens with Tami now?
I open my mouth to answer, but I’m interrupted by a text. I glance down—it’s from Tami, right on cue.
Wade: It’s her! Oh, wow… she’s asking if she can come live with me.
Kai: What?
Wade: I never expected that. I figured her living with Maia was a given, especially after what Maia said about me spoiling her.
Kai: What are you going to tell her?
Wade: I don’t know. My apartment isn’t big.
Kai: Sounds like you’re considering it. But given the history between you, do you really think it’s a good idea?
I feel myself deflate a little as I realize what Dad’s asking. He hasn’t said it outright, but I already know he believes Tami belongs with Maia. My finger hovers over my phone as I try to decide what’s best for Tami.
Wade: I’ll text her my address so she can come by. But she needs to stay with Maia. I’ll let her down gently when she gets here.
Kai: *nods in agreement*
I’m struggling after that brief excitement, followed by a crushing letdown. What was I thinking? If Tami lived here, she’d run all over me. It would be a surefire way to push her even further down a destructive path.
Needing a distraction, I get up and start making a place for one of us to sleep tonight. I pull out a foldaway bed I haven’t used in years and set it up beside my desk.
Wade: I can sleep here. You can take my bed.
Kai: No, this is good enough for me. I don’t want to displace you more than you already have been.
I plaster a big smile on my face to reassure Dad.
Wade: It’s okay. I’m fine.
Dad pauses, taking another long look at me. I’ve felt exposed since he arrived. It’s like he can see into my soul, and I’m left wondering what he sees. Is he as disappointed in me as I am in myself?
Kai: Are you sure? Most men wouldn’t be fine if they found themselves in your situation. You don’t have to pretend with me. Believe me, I know what a man in mourning looks and sounds like.
Dad’s words open a floodgate of emotion. I stand there, lips quivering, trying to hold it all together.
I can no longer hold back the tears, and honestly, I don’t want to. I’ve been putting on a brave face for everyone else for far too long. And for what? What has it gotten me?
Wade: *shuddering* I-I’m anything but okay. I’m a complete f-failure. Ma died seeing me at my worst. Part of me is almost glad she’s not here to see this version of me.
Tears roll down my cheeks and into my mouth, leaving salt on my tongue. The rest drips slowly down my chin.
Dad opens his mouth to speak, then seems to think better of it. Instead, he takes a step closer.
The next thing I know, I’m in his arms, soaking his shoulder with my tears.
Kai: It’s okay, son. You’re not a failure. Sometimes these things just happen. You’ll get through this—I promise.
I wrap my arms around him, placing my trust in his words. For now, it’s all I have to hold on to. We stay like that for a few minutes, his hand rubbing my back until my body stops heaving with sobs. I step back as the tears finally trail off.
Kai: You need to let yourself feel this, or you’ll never heal. Losing your Ma brought me to my knees more than once. There were days I spent hours in the greenhouse bawling until I damn near passed out.
Wade: You?
Kai: Yeah, me. I’m a Sim, just like you, with the same feelings and weaknesses. Getting older doesn’t change that.
I don’t know if Dad realizes how much I needed to hear that. I take another moment to compose myself while he shifts his gaze, as if handing me back a piece of my dignity. Then I move into the kitchen, feeling lighter now that I’ve let go of some of the pain.
Wade: Are you hungry? There’s a new recipe I’ve been meaning to try.
Kai: Sure, I can eat.
I head to the refrigerator and start pulling out ingredients for samosa soup. It’s ambitious, but I’ll use a few pre-made ingredients to make things easier.
Dad keeps me company, chatting and catching me up on how Mase, Zoe, and Serena are doing.
Kai: She’s getting so big now! And she’s the sweetest little thing.
Zoe and Mase are two of the kindest people I know, so I’m not surprised.
Wade: I bet they miss having you and Ma around to help.
Kai: I’m sure they do. But sometimes you have to stand on your own to really find your footing as a parent.
I finish the soup and set it on the counter for us to try. Dad grabs a bowl and takes a sip.
Wade: What do you think?
Kai: It’s good!
Suddenly, Dad’s face changes, and I see sweat popping up on his forehead.
Wade: You okay?
He can barely speak, and I swear there’s fire shooting out of his mouth. He coughs before the words finally come.
Kai: I think you went a little heavy on the cayenne pepper.
I see what he means a few sips later. My mouth burns, my nose loosens up, and I’m sweating like I do when jogging on a hot day. Fire shoots out of my mouth, too.
After the initial shock, we get used to the spice—or maybe our tongues are just too numb to feel it—but we sit down at the table.
Kai: So, what are your next moves?
Wade: You saw the barbershop downstairs. I was thinking about turning it into a man cave—somewhere guys can get haircuts, work out, play cards, and just hang out.
Kai: That’s a great idea.
Wade: Thanks. You inspired it when you took us to that beauty salon that day.
Dad playfully pats his own back.
Kai: Well, I’m glad I did. You’d be amazed at the difference a place like that could make for guys going through the kinds of things we’ve faced. I’m sure it’ll be a big success.
Wade: Thanks, Dad.
Kai: It’s late. I think it might be time to close these tired eyes. Traveling takes a lot out of me these days.
Dad finishes his soup and gets up to get ready for bed. I’m tired too, but there’s something I still need to do.
It’s time to get back to work. I enter my new office and start up the camera at my media center. After straightening my clothes, I step in front of it.
Wade: *to the camera* Hey SimTube, it’s your boy, Dub. I know it’s been a while since my last video. Some of you caught my livestream and have been asking for more—and I think I’m finally ready to deliver.
A lot has happened in my life since you last saw me. My wife asked for a divorce, and I’ve moved to a new place. So now I’m in the rebuilding process, like you may have seen in the livestream. If you missed it, there’s a link in the description.
I’ve been thinking about the steps I need to take, and that’s what I want to talk about today.
I’m calling this one Getting Back Up After an Emotional Fall.
Step one: allow yourself time to grieve… *continues talking*
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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