The first thing I do when I arrive home is hug my cat, Majesty. I’ve missed her, and she seems to have missed me too, but you never really know with her. I give her a few more squeezes before I put her down and head to my bedroom.
Stepping inside, I notice how small it is. It’s not like I haven’t paid attention to it before, but I suddenly feel like a little kid living in one room. If I had a boyfriend, there’s no way I could bring him here.
I sigh, change out of my funeral clothes, and put on an outfit I planned for Tomarang but never got to wear. Then, I slide into my desk chair and turn on my computer.
As soon as I log in, I see several DM messages from Enzo. I roll my eyes and scroll through them. Most of them are about how much he missed me, and the rest are asking if we’re going to hook up. Feeling some type of way, I block him, regretting that I ever considered giving him a chance after the way he treated me at prom.
That’s when Udom crosses my mind again. I pull out the picture of us in Tomarang and place it on my desk. Out with the old, in with the new, right? But the new lives in another country, and unlike Enzo, he turned me down for woohoo. Somehow, that makes him even more appealing, like there’s a mystery there for me to unravel.
Maybe I can’t see him when I want to, but there’s no reason we can’t stay in touch. I look Udom up on Social Bunny and send him a spicy message. I can’t wait to see how he responds, although part of me feels like he’ll just ignore it. Surely he has his choice of women out there in Tomarang. Why would he continue to waste his time with me?
I get up from my desk and look around the room one more time.
Something shifts in my mind, and I turn back to my desk to take another good look at the picture of Udom and me. His soft gaze calls me to him, but if he ever visited, where would I take him? If I ever brought him home, Mom would be all up in my business. But I wouldn’t have to bring him here. We own a second house next door. I could move there. I’d have an entire house to myself.
My eyes flicker up to the horse banner on my wall, and my excitement fades. Where would I put my horse, Finesse? Right now she’s still living on Mr. Xavier’s small ranch, but I want quicker access to her. She’s my horse, and she should live with me. Moving next door won’t do.
Daddy didn’t buy me a ranch for my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I can’t buy my own, right? I sit back down at my computer and search for real estate in Chestnut Ridge.
My search doesn’t last long, but in that short time, I find a promising location. I don’t know how buying a ranch actually works, but it can’t be that different from buying anything else, right?
It’s been a long day, and I’m starving. I head to the kitchen to see what leftovers Mom might have in the refrigerator. That’s when I spot the brand‑new pressure cooker sitting on the counter. Mom must have bought it after we spoke while I was still in Tomarang. I decide to try one recipe I learned on vacation, so I grab the ingredients.
Mom enters the kitchen soon after.
Maia: You’re cooking?!
Tambara: Why do you sound so shocked? I just wanted to use the pressure cooker.
Maia: Yeah, I bought it as a surprise for you.
Tambara: Thanks.
I pick up my prepared ingredients and walk to the pressure cooker. I can feel Mom smiling at my back, being all proud. It’s annoying, like I’m incapable of preparing a simple meal. It’s even more motivation for me to get my ranch.
I decide to wipe the silly grin off Mom’s face.
Tambara: Guess what, Mom! I’m buying a ranch.
Success. The smile melts like butter.
Maia: A ranch? When did this come about?
Tambara: Just now. I decided it’s time to move out because I can’t stay here with you forever. Where would I put Finesse?
Maia: That’s right, your horse.
I know the horse is a sore subject for Mom. She pauses and turns toward the table. Now it’s my turn to grin. I don’t know why this entire conversation is making me so happy. It’s mean, I know, but I can’t help it.
Maia: Have you really thought about what it takes to run a ranch? The land has to be maintained, and you have to generate income to afford the upkeep.
Income? Why would I need to do that?
Tambara: Yeah, but we have money.
Maia: Money doesn’t last forever, especially if you spend it with no plan to generate more. And then there’s caring for Finesse. Horses take a lot of time and care. And you’ll be shoveling manure constantly.
Tambara: That’s what ranch hands are for!
Maia: Which is another expense…
Instead of me bursting my mom’s bubble, she annihilates mine.
Mom surprises me with her next words…
Maia: I’m not trying to discourage you, though. I remember having a similar discussion with my father when I wanted to move to Brindleton Bay. If you want a ranch, get your ranch. Just do your research and visit first. And consult with your uncle Mase. Running a ranch probably isn’t much different from how he runs the farm. But remember that a ranch isn’t just a home — it’s a business designed to generate income.
I honestly didn’t know any of that. I just wanted a place for me and Finesse. But Mom makes a good point. If I’m going to take on a ranch, I might as well give myself the best chance of making it succeed. And building more wealth sounds good.
Tambara: I’ll talk to him.
Maia: Good.
I sit down to eat, thinking about everything Mom has told me. Suddenly, this ranch idea feels overwhelming.
We sit down to eat with the weight of my plans feeling much heavier. Mom stares at me for a moment while I do my best to look confident — the complete opposite of what I’m really feeling.
Maia: This rice is fantastic, by the way. You might have to give me the recipe for my food stand.
My mood lifts. Mom is actually complimenting something I made.
Tambara: Really? You like it?
Maia: Yes. And another thing, as long as you do your homework, you’ll be an amazing rancher.
Just the boost I need. I feel bad about being mean to her earlier.
Tambara: Thanks, Mom.
Mom and I finish our dinner, then she helps me clean up. I take her advice literally and grab a book about horse riding and care from the shelf. I’ve dabbled in reading it from time to time before, but if I’m going to do this ranch thing, I know I need to take it seriously.
There’s a lot to learn, and I’m going to need a ton of help to pull this whole thing off.
Maia didn’t lie to Tami just now at the table. She truly believes her daughter has everything it takes to be a successful rancher woman. But she did keep a few things to herself. Maia knows her daughter has traits and tendencies that could easily hold her back. Tami has never been one for manual labor. She hasn’t changed Majesty’s litter box once, and Maia can’t recall ever seeing her turn on a vacuum cleaner.
Maia also knows that things can change drastically when a sim’s feet are held to the fire. Tami will have a lot to learn about running a ranch, but she won’t have much of a choice but to learn it. Maia is sure of that.
Tami walks by as Maia turns on the vacuum to clean the hallway. She doesn’t glance at the mess or offer to help, but that’s no surprise.
Tambara: Good night!
Maia: Good night, see you in the morning.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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