Maia has spent the better part of the evening packing up her belongings, preparing for her move back to Brindleton Bay. She will be returning to the small homestead she rented after leaving San Sequoia. But this time, she will own it.
And just like when she packed up to leave her father’s house all those years ago, this moment is bittersweet. Her life has gone full circle, like a do‑over, and she is ready to embrace it. Only now she is older, wiser, and has learned so much more about herself.
But there is still much to do. All the small personal items are boxed away. Some of them will go to Tami and her ranch, and the rest will go with Maia to Brindleton Bay. The furniture will be picked up and donated to a local shelter.
Maia looks around to make sure there is nothing she missed before heading toward the kitchen to vacuum the leftover mess.
I can hear Mom in the kitchen with the vacuum when I wake up and get dressed the next day. With my room packed and ready for the movers to arrive tomorrow, I head to the kitchen to talk to her.
Tambara: When do the movers come again?
She can’t hear me over the vacuum, so I tap her on the shoulder. She turns, switches it off, and follows me to my bedroom.
I repeat my question.
Tambara: When do the movers come again?
Maia: Around 7 in the morning. *pause* Did you hear about…?
I finish the question for her, already knowing what she’s about to ask.
Tambara: Mr. Xavier passing away? Yeah, I got a text this morning. I guess this move is coming at the perfect time.
Mom sits down next to me on the bed.
Maia: Yeah, I guess so. Where’s Finesse now?
Tambara: She’s being moved to my ranch. She’ll be in her stall when I get there tomorrow.
Maia: Well, it’s good to know she’s somewhere safe. Oh, I need you to text your Dad and let him know there’s a box of his stuff in the garage.
I pull out my phone to text Dad.
I put my phone away, but Mom doesn’t leave, which lets me know she has more she wants to talk about.
Maia: So this is it? We’ll be going our own separate ways, Tadpole.
Tambara: Tadpole? You haven’t called me that in years.
Maia: I know. I figured this would be my last chance for a while.
I can feel Mom getting sentimental, so I do my best to reassure her before she continues.
Tambara: Brindleton Bay isn’t too far from the Ridge. We’ll still see each other. There’s a guest room at the ranch. You can come visit any time you want. Maybe I can teach you how to ride a horse.
Maia: A horse? I don’t know about that.
Tambara: It’ll be fun. And of course, I’ll visit you. It’s about time I get to see where I was born.
Maia: Yeah. I’ll still miss you.
A knock at the door finally pulls Mom out of her nostalgia. She gets up from the bed.
Maia: That should be your Dad. I still have a few things to pack up in my room.
I heard her packing all night, so I know she is using that as an excuse to avoid Daddy.
I get up and head downstairs to open the door for him.
Tambara: You could have just come in. You still have your key, right?
Wade: I don’t live here anymore, so I still have to be respectful.
Tambara: I guess. Come on, Mom says your stuff is in the garage.
I step aside to let him enter.
Tambara: Did you hear about Mr. Xavier?
Wade: No. Why, what’s up?
Tambara: He passed away this morning. Finesse is being moved to my ranch as we speak.
Wade: Crazy timing. I’m sorry to hear that. He was a good guy.
Tambara: I guess he held on long enough to make sure Finesse would be okay.
Dad follows me to the garage. Once we enter, he suddenly turns and gives me a big hug.
Wade: Speaking of your ranch, congrats. I’m proud of you for taking such a big step.
Tambara: Thank you. It feels big, and Mom keeps talking to me about generating income.
Wade: Of course. But she’s not wrong. Have you thought about opening an investment account? It’s a good way to grow your money instead of letting it sit in the bank. It’s a great passive income, and it doesn’t have to be too risky.
Tambara: I’ll look into it.
I can feel Dad’s energy shift.
Wade: Good. While I’m here, there’s something I want to tell you.
Tambara: What’s that?
Wade: Remember the lady I told you about? Kalani from the SimTube show?
Tambara: Yeah, I finally watched it. She’s pretty. What about her?
Wade: You did? Well, we started seeing each other again and made it official.
Tambara: So she’s your girlfriend now?
Wade: Yeah, basically. What do you think?
Tambara: I guess it’s none of my business. What do you think Mom would say?
Dad flinches, like he’d rather avoid thinking about that.
Wade: I’d love for you to meet her.
Tambara: So I guess it’s not just a hookup?
Wade: I think it can be a lot more.
I’m a little surprised to hear that.
Tambara: Just let me know when you want us to meet.
Wade: Cool. I better go. I was about to head over to the Murillos’ when you texted me.
Tambara: Tell Desi I said hi.
Dad grabs his stuff and heads out. So he has a girlfriend now? I’m still wondering how Mom will take the news. And he wants me to meet her. From watching the episode, she seems okay, maybe a bit too bubbly. But I guess I’ll be okay meeting her.
Maj slips into the garage through the pet door, looking for attention. I don’t have anything else to do, so I pull out her favorite toy, the laser pointer, and spend some time watching her chase after it.
Mom walks in a few minutes later.
Maia: I see your dad got his stuff.
Tambara: Yep. You just missed him.
Maia: How’s he doing?
I know I shouldn’t mention anything about Kalani, but I can’t resist.
Tambara: Wonderful now that he has a new girlfriend.
I can almost hear Mom’s sharp intake of breath, but she keeps her voice cool.
Maia: Girlfriend, huh? Good for him.
Her words don’t match her tone. I keep entertaining Maj while Mom quietly gets to work emptying the dryer. I’m sure she has a lot going through her mind right now.
The conversation could have stopped there, but I figure Mom deserves to know the whole thing.
Tambara: Yeah, he met her on some mid online dating show, something about blowing out the candle. She’s really pretty.
I guess I didn’t have to add that last part.
Maia: You watched it?
Tambara: Yeah, the other day. He wants me to meet her soon, so I guess it’s serious.
Mom slowly walks over to Maj’s litter box and starts shoveling the mess into a plastic bag before heading out of the garage.
I guess it wasn’t the nicest way to deliver the news, but at least she knows. It’s better than her accidentally running into them one day or seeing something about it on SimTube. Either way, it’s between them now. I have other things I need to take care of.
I want to look into the investment accounts Daddy mentioned, but I suddenly remember that my computer is packed away. So I head across the street to the library. I find a quiet little corner and start searching. It doesn’t take long to find a few websites I can sign up for.
I regret not asking Daddy a few more questions, but I figure I might as well get started. I can ask him the details later.
I find a couple of options that sound promising and deposit a few simoleons. It’s not enough to worry about if I lose it, but it’s something. Now I just have to watch it and see how it goes.
When I get back home, I find Mom sitting in the hot tub. She’s had plenty of time to stew over the news about Daddy dating again, so I change into my swimwear and join her, wondering if she’ll bring it up. She does, but not in the way I expected.
Maia: I hope that what happened between your father and me hasn’t jaded you on finding love.
It’s an interesting thing to say. It’s not exactly a question, and it feels like I’ve been dropped into the middle of her thoughts. She continues.
Maia: It didn’t work out for us, but that’s not everyone’s story. I hope you know that. I’m glad he’s found someone new.
Tambara: Do you think you’ll ever date and marry again?
Mom seems to think about it.
Maia: You never know. But I’m okay spending time with myself for a while.
I have more questions, but before I can ask them, Mom climbs out of the hot tub and heads inside.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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