Chapter 2.11 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 2 Interlude 2

Generation Two: Brown

Appearance: Brown hair, unkempt clothing style
Traits: Loves Outdoors, Loner, Child of the Island
Aspiration: Beach Life
Occupation: Conservationist
House Goal: 20,000 worth

Bittersweet Teen

After such a great weekend, getting back to work and school seemed harder than ever. We all soldiered on, though, and the days went by faster than you can imagine. Between chasing a toddler, and making sure I didn’t neglect either of the other two kids, I had my hands full. I was especially glad that I had been promoted to the top of my career, because it meant I didn’t have to work as many days, and I could spend more time with my children.

Kali has been diligently trying to raise her Mental skill so she can be a Whiz Kid, but it’s tough on her, and I often see her frowning while just staring at the chessboard.

Jayce has been spending a lot of time outside, and tries to pretend he’s already a mermaid – or maybe a dolphin.. but I’ve never seen anyone swim so very strangely. He does get around, though, so I guess there’s that.

Finally, the day came that little Maricela was ready to grow up… and I baked her a special pink strawberry cake just for her. She was shy about blowing out the candles, however, so that took some coaxing. Eventually, she agreed.. and her journey as a child began.

She grew up to be a Genius, and wants to be a Whiz Kid like her big sister. How she seems to have missed that Kali is more into Art than Logic, I don’t know, but she’s convinced she can do it better. I don’t doubt it.

To help Mari on her aspiration, Aleki took some time out from doing commissions to read to her and Jayce. They loved it, and started making it a bit of a daily tradition for a while. At least until they got through the Lord Of The Swings book.

The family stopped over to bring an island feast again, and the kids all vied for grandma Corina’s attention. She lapped up all the love, and I don’t think I saw her without a smile once all evening.

That night, Maricela woke us up out of a sound sleep. Apparently when I ordered the furniture for her upgraded room, I forgot to include an Anti-Monster light.

… Which was a problem. So I did the right thing, stumbled out of bed, sprayed the monster away, and tucked Mari back in bed. A new light was the first thing on the list for the next day, however!

Tomorrow was Kali’s birthday, and she was terribly worried she wasn’t going to have time to finish her Mental Skill. So I agreed that she could use one of her vacation days to work on it.

I also Mentored her as best I could. (Oh, and yes, the paintings on the wall are Aleki’s doing – he’s been keeping more of his work lately, and seems happier for having them on the walls.)

After several hours of work, we finished her aspiration, and I got a huge hug for my trouble. I told her I really didn’t mind, but she knew I’d taken off work to do it, and she was especially appreciative.

The next day was the big day. After her last day of Elementary School, Kali came home practically bouncing off the walls. I can’t blame her – I still remember my teen birthday, too. She planned to invite the whole family, and I was making a huge tiered cake for the occasion. She had to supervise the whole thing, though, which I thought was quite funny. She knew I hadn’t made a tiered cake before, and she was terrified it would turn out green or something.

She then took the time to clear and set the table while I frosted the cake.

I then started making a group meal – Kali’s favorite, Grilled Cheese, while Kali, again, helped out around the house. Despite the fact that the mop was too big for her.

Then, we all changed into our party wear, and waited for the guests. Kali had to keep running into the kitchen to check and see that the “cake hadn’t fallen” yet. I tried to tell her it wasn’t going to, but she was convinced some disaster was going to happen.

When everyone arrived, Kali made the rounds and made sure to say hello to everyone. She was so excited to be a teen soon like her two cousins, and was practically bubbling over with energy.

Everyone gathered round, while Kali snuck a big finger full of icing, then got ready to blow out her candles.

Everyone made sure she didn’t forget to make a wish… and cheered as she blew the candles out.

… Why wasn’t I surprised by the rebellious, artsy clothes she had picked out. I rolled my eyes, and vowed not to say anything – at least not while everyone else was around. Personally, I wasn’t sure they were all that appropriate.. but I guess that means I’m getting old.

There was plenty of cake to go around, and everyone was getting settled….

when I suddenly heard a thundercrack that sounded so close it must have been in the next room.

It took us all a moment to figure out what was wrong. Tevin’s son Kyler was on the floor, clutching his heart. There was nothing any of us could do – although we did try to plead with Grim.

The party was ruined. Absolutely ruined. I had hoped that Kali would have a memorable birthday party – but I certainly hadn’t wanted to to be remembered for THIS! Everyone cried and comforted each other, but it was clearly time for the party to be over, and people started collecting their belongings and leaving.

The last I saw of Kali before bed was her angrily writing in her journal. I wasn’t even sure she knew the words she was uttering.. but under the circumstances, I didn’t think it was the right time to correct her. I left her alone, and made sure Jayce and Mari got safely into bed before curling up under the covers myself.

However, it turned out the evening wasn’t quite over yet. Before I could get to sleep, my phone rang. Tevin apparently hadn’t made it home. There’d been an accident, and he died not an hour after his son had. Whether the accident was his fault, or something else was “under investigation” – but the fact that it had caused fatalities was obvious. The other car’s driver had died, too. I didn’t much care what the authorities found – Tevin was still going to be gone. But tomorrow was soon enough to deal with telling the kids, and I was exhausted. I curled miserably up into Aleki’s arms, and we both fell asleep.

Bloopers:

“Oh, Mommy Dolphin will save you!!”

… That moment when you JUST HAVE TO HAVE microwaved nuggets. Even though you have Maxed your cooking skill. Way to go, Kimber.

.. Right before your sister’s birthday party? .. Sigh. There’s always one!

Chapter 2.11 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 2 Interlude 2