Maia starts her morning feeling grateful to hear the news she’s been waiting for. She’s finally received approval to open a food stand at the Manzanita Public Market. Maia smiles as she enters the kitchen; even Tami’s teenage moodiness can’t erase it from her face. Tami joins Maia at the table. Tambara: *sarcastic* Does my…
I’m back home in Henford, with my dog Hiro, where my adult life started. Maybe something here will help me get back what I’ve lost. Dad rushes outside to greet me. I can see worry lines etched into his face. I know he wants to know what sent me back here, but he doesn’t ask…
I wake up feeling good about my decision to spend some time back home in Henford. But the tough part is I need to let Tami know. Hearing about me moving out hurt her enough, but now I have to tell her I’m also going away for a few days. I shower, grab my packed…
I can barely keep up with all my thoughts and emotions after Tami leaves. And before I know it, I’m sitting there in tears. What am I going to do without my daughter and wife? I pull out my phone, tempted to call Maia to beg and plead for her forgiveness. But I don’t want…
Tami’s next class is science. Once again it’s with Miss Gaston, whose fashion sense seems to have changed since this morning. Did she somehow see the note passed around in math class? If so, Tami is glad to have contributed to her slight upgrade. If only she could make these lectures less boring. Class is…
After Dub has left, Maia goes upstairs to check on Tami an hour before school. Maia: *calls out* Tami! Are you ready? You don’t want to be late on your first day. Tambara comes out of the bathroom in an outfit that makes her look years older. Maia: You can’t wear that to school! There’s…
Sleep doesn’t come easy in a strange house and bed. I wake after hearing Maia move around in the garage next to the master bedroom. I check my phone. It’s a little after 3 am. Maia isn’t normally an early riser. I leave the bedroom and listen at the garage door, debating if I should…
Dub isn’t the only one feeling like a fool. Maia feels the same, but for her, it’s deep-rooted and long-standing. The emotions that have come from being disrespected and disregarded have lasted too long. Something will have to change, and Maia understands that the change required will have to be significant and drastic. She has…
Tami blows out her candles and ages up to a teen. (Tambara’s Aspiration: Championship Rider Traits: High Metabolism, Mean, Cat Lover, Topnotch Infant, Happy Toddler, Cold Acclimation, Pack Animal, High Self Esteem) Tami celebrates by taking a few sad selfies. Wade: Why aren’t you smiling? Tambara: I’ll smile when my birthday wish comes true. I can already guess…
I wake up and step out of my room first thing in the morning to see Tami standing there, fully dressed—practically giving me a jump scare. Tambara: It’s my birthday, Daddy! You know what that means! So, she’s starting on me already. I know exactly what’s she talking about, but I play it off. Wade:…
