Friday, September 27, 2013

Chapter 6-8: Mean Streak

                “Already working on your homework kiddo?”
                “Yeah, it’s easy though.
                “That’s good! We always knew you were a smart cookie.”
                “But that means it’s boring. Why do I have to do homework for stuff I already know how to do? Isn't homework supposed to be practice?”


                When Evangeline got home from work that night, she fell onto the couch, exhausted. She’d had a long day at work; the ovens’ temperature gauge had malfunctioned, causing the stoves to run hotter than the cooks thought, burning a lot of the food. An employee had been demoted several ranks for failing to perform up to par. Then, Evangeline had nicked her hand while chopping onions and the frustrated kitchen manager had intimated that Evangeline could be demoted next if she didn't get her act together. On top of it all, she had received a call from Flynn’s teacher, asking for a meeting with her and the principal the next afternoon due to some behavioral problems that needed to be addressed.


                “Are you feeling okay,” Renata sat on the couch across from her, already dressed for bed after putting the kids to sleep.
                “Just a long day. I wish I could be there for Gemma’s party tomorrow.”
                “She’ll see you when you get home. You shouldn't worry so much.”
                “I know. It just sucks that I’ll miss it.” She sighed, already dreading the next day. “I've got to call Miles too. I’ll need to discuss this thing with Flynn with him.”
                “Have you all talked to him at all lately?”
                “No, not since that disastrous moment at the party. He’s been out of town so we haven’t had to work out custody yet. But he texted me yesterday and he’s back now and wants to see the kids.                 Joy.”


                The next day, she arrived at the school just before her work shift. Luckily, the principal didn’t keep her waiting for long. She hoped she wouldn't be late to work.

                “Mrs. Avendale,” the principal begin.
                “Ms.”
                “Excuse me?”
                “It’s Ms. I’m not married.”
                “That explains a lot,” the cross woman behind her scoffed. Evangeline closed her eyes for a moment and tried to focus on why she was here. “Don’t blow up, don’t blow up.”
                “Your son is a menace. He rarely pays attention in class and he corrects me in front of other students. When I reprimand him, he sasses me. He has no manners and no respect for his elders.”
                “Ms. Avendale, your son has been sent to my office previously but he does not seem interested in behaving in class. That said, he is quite bright and has excellent grades.”
                “Have you tried giving him harder work? He told me that the work was too easy for him.”
                “When he’s in my class, he gets the work assigned to my students! I don’t give do special treatment!”
                “Mr. Sneed, I believe what she is trying to say is that she would like my son removed from her class. I’m agreeable to that solution as she doesn't appear to have the skills to handle a child with intelligence above her own. I’d like to get Flynn tested and see if he could possibly excel in a higher grade. If not, I’d greatly appreciate finding a teacher that has more patience and is willing to try to make the classroom more engaging for him. If your school doesn't offer that I’ll find a way to manage and get him and his siblings when they are school-age, into private school.”


                Gemma’s birthday was a small affair, attended only by family.



                When Evangeline pulled into the driveway, she noticed extra cars still there, including Miles’ car. She went in through the garage and caught Renata in the kitchen, cleaning up the remnants of birthday cake.
               
                “Come here,” she hissed. “What’s he doing here?”
                “Gemma is his niece and he wanted to see the kids. I can’t tell him he can’t see his children Evangeline. Plus, I know you wanted to talk to him.”
                “Not tonight!”
                “Sorry. It’s too late now though. Flynn saw you drive up so everyone knows you’re home.” Evangeline sighed and started towards the dining room.


                “Hey baby. Let me talk to your dad for a few minutes alone, then I’ll come up stairs and tell you a bedtime story. Go get ready, okay?”
                “Kay mom! Bye daddy!” Flynn hugged his father and raced up the stairs.


                “We need to consider private school for Flynn.” Evangeline relayed her meeting with the school to Miles, straightforward and all business.
                “Huh, okay. I guess we can swing that, if they can’t find a suitable place for him. Whatever is best. Can we talk about us, please?”
                “Miles, I've had a long day. A long week really. There’s nothing to talk about. What happened, happened and there’s no us anymore. No further discussion needed. Now I promised our son a bedtime story so I've got to go do that.”
                “Evey, please.”
                “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” She stood, the conversation finished. “You’re welcome to see them whenever you want. I know your place isn't big enough for them all but you can come get them any time you’re in town. Just give me some advance notice. Goodnight Miles.”


                “Gemma! Ewwwww!”
                “You walked in on me, get out jerkface!”


                “Flynn! I was saving that French toast for me!”
                “Your name wasn't on it so it’s mine now. You snooze you lose!”


                A few weeks into spring, warm weather without the rain finally made it’s way into St. Claire. Evangeline brought the children outside and settled onto a beach towel to read a book.

                “Watch where you’re throwing things! Don’t hit me or your siblings with those balloons Flynn.”
                “Kitty!”
                “Hanley, no! Don’t touch that sweetie! That’s not a kitty.”
                “Kitty!” “So much for relaxing outside.” Evangeline put her book up and sat, keeping a closer eye on everyone to ensure there were no bites or bruises.


                “Are you excited about your date tonight?” Suddenly, Evangeline remembered that a co-worker had asked her out. This would be her first date since breaking up with Miles and she couldn't help but admit that she was nervous.


                “This is so much more work than I remember.” Evangeline examined her face, realizing that she was slowly developing wrinkles around the corners of her eyes that no amount of make-up would hide.


                “And then, he said ‘what the cheese, doodle,’” Gerard paused, waiting for Evangeline to laugh. “Um, I guess you had to be there.” Evangeline just lifted her drink to her lips again, taking a long swallow, hoping for the night to be over.


                “Do you think our daddies will ever live with us,” Gemma asked Flynn as they shot hoops on the side of the house.
                “Maybe.”
                “Everyone at school lives with their mommy and daddy. We’re weirdos because our mommies live together instead.”
                “Who cares. Yes,” he exclaimed as he ball sank through the net. “I win again!”


                “Why didn't you help me,” Gemma thrust her finger at her cousin as soon as they got off the bus. “When I tripped down the hall you walked right by me!”
                “I was with my friends!”
                “So?”
                “So, I didn't want them to think I’m a loser like you!” He watched as her face fell but before she could cry, she turned and stalked off.


                Her babies were growing up. Evangeline could tell each time she picked them up or even looked at them that, soon, they wouldn't be babies any longer. Working the evening shift at the restaurant was tiring but it gave her alone time with Hanley and Hal each morning that she could spend reading with them and playing games.


                “Flynn, let’s place space adventurers!” All had been forgiven since the school incident. Gemma idolized her cousin and just wanted to be best friends with him which made forgiving him easy.
                “Sure, come on into my spaceship.” She grinned and headed over to the tree house. The park near their house was small and didn't have much but the tree house was the reason they always came here.


                “Oh no! Alien goo, watch out below!” Before she could even move, Gemma felt a cold gush of water whoosh over her. “Now you’re polluted with alien goo and you can’t come in the spaceship. You’d get the other astronauts sick!”
                “I won’t get you sick with alien goo. I promise!”
                “Yes you will. That’s what happens when you get infected. I can’t risk it.” Flynn might or might not have been watching a little too much tv lately.


                Gemma wandered, dripping wet, over to the swing set and plopped down in the rubber seat. She sniffled and tried to hold back tears. Flynn was so mean to her. Not all the time. He teased her or ignored her when they were at school. He does everything with me when we’re home. He’s just being a boy. Boys can be mean sometimes. Maybe tomorrow they could play space adventurers together, without the alien goo.


                “Which one of you did this?” Evangeline was the victim of a sneaky culprit’s trap on the sink and did not appreciate being soaked to the bone with a puddle quickly forming at her feet.
                “Not me!” Both the kids yelled in unison. She glared at them, trying to decide who would have done it. Both their faces were completely innocent so she just huffed off as she went to the bathroom to shower and dry off while Renata mopped up the puddle.


                What would the messes and pranks be like once the twins were old enough to contribute to the chaos?

Chapter 6.7                                                                                                                                                     Chapter 6.9

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I'm back-ish. It was really, really hard to get back into this story for some reason. For some reason, this generation is just giving me troubles now that they're "on their own". There is still some story left for our adults but there will be a lot more focus on the kids. I'm hoping to get the heir vote up fairly quickly, probably two more chapters. Though, with me, that could be months out. LOL.

Special thank you to Buckley who's a great sounding board for working ideas out!

11 comments:

  1. That teacher was a stuck up so-and-so, I'd hate to have had anyone like her teach me! I feel sorry for Gemma, her cousin seems to spend a lot of time picking on her while she idolises him :(

    Did Evangeline ever tell Miles why she was angry with him or why she was breaking up with him?

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    1. Yes, that teacher is pretty awful. Luckily, they were able to find a solution for him and no private school is needed for now.

      Evangeline and Miles didn't ever actually talk about things. She just told him she knew what he did and that was that.

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  2. phew! Evangeline sure has her hands full! Between her son's teacher, coworkers, boss, another ex, dating, twins, friends, wow! Gemma grew up really cute I can't wait to see her as a teen. Though is it alright if I hope that once she's a teen she'll start giving Flynn a little of his own medicine back?

    I loved the shot of Evangeline reading to the twins too. And Hanley petting the "kitty" made me giggle. Lou used to do that, too. Only she'd be chasing the squirrels in our backyard instead of chipmunks. lol

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    1. Geez, when you list it like that, it does seem like she is incredibly busy! Personally, I thought Gemma was more adorable as a toddler but maybe she's just in an awkward stage and will grow out of it. I think it's fine to hope for that. She either needs to push back or stop spending time with him if she wants to avoid hurt feelings.

      I wish sims could read to both children at the same time. Or play with animals. Both of those shots are just clever moveobjects shots. As she gets older, she's probably going to be chasing a lot of animals around, whether they appreciate it or not. Squirrels are cute so I don't blame Lou one bit. I brought home my fair share growing up.

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  3. Ha! Evangeline handled that parent-teacher meeting perfectly! Flynn and Gemma have a really stressful relationship, especially for Gemma it seems :-/ She just wants friends and acceptance, but Flynn really is a little menace!

    The twins are cute, especially Hanley.

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    1. Evangeline has gotten better with her temper and has learned to control her outbursts some. Flynn's not always a menace but yes, he certainly can be!

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  4. Gemma turned out lovely! But I feel sorry for her, seing how much she looks up to Flynn and he doesn't seem to care. :-( Flynn sounds like he's going to be a handful, especially as he grows older. Oh, and that shot where Evangeline reads to the toddlers is really pretty!

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    1. Yes, Flynn definitely is a handful; not a bad kid but he isn't an angel either. I feel bad for Gemma too. And thanks! I like to play with moveobjects a lot, especially since there really aren't any multiple specific interactions in the game.

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  5. Haha--I loved her date. She looked so thrilled! Lots of great little moments in this chapter. Her lying on the blanket reading while the kids are playing nearby. Her reading to the twins. It's too bad that Flynn is being so mean, but I think Gemma will have enough of him one day and pop him one, lol :P

    Though I have to confess, I'm curious about what went on behind the scenes, things this chapter hints at but doesn't say for sure. Like, what's going on with Gemma's parents. Are they still a couple? Why did Miles cheat (if he did cheat, maybe he had a party and some guests made use of his bed, lol :P )

    Great chapter, I enjoyed reading it! =)

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    1. There were a lot of "every day" moments that make for sweet shots. And yes, her date was not what she was expecting. Despite her somewhat questionable loyalties in university, she's really never actually dated so trying to get out there now is difficult.

      This chapter did kind of dance around the edges, didn't it? All shall be revealed in time. ;)

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  6. Heehee, she might not have that in her. She needs to figure something out though so she doesn't always get her feelings hurt.

    Perhaps private school would be best. Evangeline would like to avoid that though since it can get really expensive, especially when you factor in three children, four if Gemma is included.

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