It’s moving day. Mom and I spend the morning watching our things being loaded into two small moving vans. Mine is headed for Chestnut Ridge and hers for Brindleton Bay. Once everything is ready, she pulls me into a tight hug that feels like it’ll last forever and whispers that she loves me. I tell her I love her, too.
Now, a little over an hour later, I stand outside the gate, staring at all the land surrounding my new home. I did it. I bought a ranch.
Everything seems bigger and more open than the last time I was here. My nearest neighbors are across a bridge over a creek, and I can barely see their homes through the trees. Feeling like the last sim in the entire Sim World, I finally open the gate and watch Maj disappear beyond it, most likely in search of warmth.
I’m glad Mom warned me about the weather. It’s cold here, a sharp contrast to the spring-like temperatures we were having in San Sequoia. This will take some getting used to, but I’m ready to finally experience full seasons.
As I take my first steps onto the land, I remember to pull out my phone to announce the move. I’m sure the responses will roll in, a bunch of fake friends congratulating me as if it’s a surprise that I’m doing something great. But there are only a few I actually care about.
Although I haven’t seen the inside of my new home beyond photos and a virtual tour, I decide to head to the barn first to see how Finesse has adjusted to her new stall.
Panic settles in my gut when I see her curled up on the ground. Is she sick? I’m a little worried, but as I get closer, I realize she’s just asleep. I still wonder if she’s sad about losing Mr. Xavier. Does she even realize he’s gone? This is a big move and a big change for all of us.
I give Finesse some space, allowing her time to rest. I step through my new garage and enter the kitchen of my home for the first time. Although the house was already decorated, I still requested a few personal touches. I’m pleased with the results, but once again I’m hit by how big the place is. It feels huge and almost too much for just one sim with its four bedrooms. From the listing, I remember it has a master bedroom, a guest room, and two smaller undecorated rooms. It also has double the number of bathrooms we had in San Sequoia. Will I ever need all of those bathrooms?
I go straight to the bedroom and sit down on the bed. As happy as I am to be here on my new ranch, I can’t shake the heaviness of the big, empty, quiet space. I’m alone, more alone than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’m used to my mom and dad’s bedroom being next to mine. If anything happened and I suddenly became afraid in the middle of the night, I could call on them and they’d come running. Now there’s just Maj. Who will I call if I get scared?
I’m an adult now. I don’t need to call on my parents. I own a ranch, and I can do whatever I want with it. If I want to strip and run around naked, I can.
I strip off my clothes, but not to dance around in the nude — just to change into some workout clothes. I return to the barn to check on Finesse. She’s finally up and about, which makes me feel a lot better. I’m happy to see her playing with her ball, which is her normal behavior. I walk over and pat her nose, getting reacquainted with her.
Tambara: I’m sorry about what happened with Mr. Xavier. It’s you and me now.
She nods as if she understands. I can only hope she does. I tighten the straps on her reins and saddle and hop on. Finesse seems calm, and I feel right at home being on her back again.
We leave Finesse’s stall through the gate. There’s a pasture across from the barn with two barrels set up. Finesse and I are more experienced with barrels, so I guide her over to practice them. We do a few rounds until the chill in the air catches up with me. I’m going to need some thicker winter clothes.
Maj approaches and meows as if I’ve offended her. This is my chance to introduce her to Finesse.
Tambara: This is your new sister, Finesse. Finesse, this is Maj. The two of you will need to get along because we’ll be spending a lot of time together.
Maj keeps meowing, and Finesse turns away as if she’s not interested. Oh well. Everything takes time. They’ll eventually get used to each other.
It’s been a long day and a lot of change for all of us. To avoid overworking Finesse too soon, I take her back to her stall. It’s too cold out here anyway, and I’m ready to get back inside. As I’m leaving the barn, I spot someone walking toward the house. Maybe they’re used to the place being empty. I should let them know that’s no longer the case.
With my heart pounding, I hurry over. The person turns, and my body relaxes with familiarity. It’s Juanita, the lady I met when I first came to look at the ranch.
Tambara: Oh, it’s you. Hi.
Juanita: Hey there. I see you managed to purchase the ranch. Congrats. It’s nice to know this place will come alive again.
Tambara: Thank you. Yeah, I just got here this morning.
Juanita: How are things so far?
Tambara: Good. It’s so big and beautiful. I can imagine making a home here. The weather will take some getting used to. It’s much colder here than on the West Coast.
Juanita: You’ll get used to it. I’ve been here so long that I barely notice the cold anymore.
I glance at her practically bare arms and shiver at the sight. I know Chestnut Ridge is a friendly place, but I doubt Juanita’s here for small talk.
Tambara: So, what can I help you with?
Juanita: Well, last time we saw each other, I mentioned I worked here on the ranch keeping the place up.
Tambara: Right. I remember.
Juanita: I just wanted to let you know that I’m available if you need help around here. I can garden, clean the stables, and take care of your horse for you. I even know a bit about nectar-producing. The last owner ran a pretty solid nectar side hustle.
Juanita is throwing a lot at me right now. I haven’t even been here long enough to know if I need any help. And honestly, I’m a little annoyed that no one seems to think I can run this place on my own.
Tambara: Uh, okay. That sounds like a lot. I just got here, but I think I can handle things for now.
Juanita: Are you sure? Running a ranch is a huge task. All the ranchers around here hire ranch hands. But I wanted to come to you before looking for work on one of their farms.
Okay, what is that supposed to mean? Is it an ultimatum — hire her now before it’s too late? I don’t need another person telling me what to do on my ranch. I just got out from under that with my mom.
Tambara: Do what you need to do. I’m not like most people. I’m sure I’ll be just fine running my ranch on my own.
My tone is calmer than I wanted it to be, but I guess it still landed harshly in Juanita’s ears.
Juanita: Whoa, I’m sorry if that came across wrong. I’m not saying you can’t handle it. I just figured you might want a little help.
My cell rings. I look down and see that it’s Daddy, which gives me the perfect excuse to wrap things up with Juanita.
Tambara: That’s my dad. I need to take this. You can see yourself out.
Juanita: Sure thing. My contact info is on all the community boards if you change your mind.
She’s persistent. I’ll give her that. I watch her leave through the gate before answering Daddy’s call.
Tambara: *on the phone* Hi, Daddy.
Wade: *on the phone* Yeehaw. How’s my cowgirl?
I know he’s teasing, but the words sound so weird coming from him, and it doesn’t help that I’m already annoyed.
Tambara: Don’t do that, Daddy. I’m not a cowgirl.
Wade: Okay, okay. You’ll always be my princess, anyway.
I sigh as Daddy continues.
Wade: So, how are you enjoying ranch life?
I tell him basically what I told Juanita earlier, the place is beautiful and big, but I haven’t been here long enough to know how I feel about it yet.
We chat for a while, Daddy asking me a thousand questions about the ranch and annoyingly comparing everything I say to Gran and Pop-Pop’s farm where he grew up. He ends by telling me he’d love to visit within the next few days. I let him know he’s welcome to the guest room, and we say our goodbyes before ending the call.
It feels like I’ve lived two days in one, and I’m starving. I might as well use my new kitchen. Luckily, Mom insisted I take all the food from our refrigerator in San Sequoia with me. I reenter the house and pull out the pressure cooker she bought me. I throw in the ingredients for another recipe I learned in Tomarang, and before too long, I have a meal.
As I sit down to eat, I wish I had another sim to talk to. The silence fills the empty chairs around me like an unwelcome guest. Maybe I shouldn’t have turned Juanita away so quickly. Revisiting her offer might not be a bad idea after all.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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