Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Gen 2 Chapter 4: Orphaned

It's hard to describe what it feels like to have no parents living on this earth. And although many people cared, and reached out to me, there sympathies could only go so far. Although I had been a young adult for some time now, the only word to describe what I became when my mother died, is "orphan".
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That night was torturous. I got no sleep, hid in my room until time for work, and when I left for the bookstore, I was happy to be free of the place. There was no way I could come back here. Not right now. Everyone was shocked when I came in the bookstore. My boss begged me to go home, but I told him while fighting back tears, that I couldn't go back there right now and I told him I needed to be at work. He reluctantly let me stay, but watched me like a hawk the whole time. I did the best I cold and would run to the bathroom when the emotions would rise, and I would calm myself down, and go back to work. I could tell by the look in my boss's eyes I was treading on thin ice. If I didn't pull myself together, I was going to lose my job- the one thing I had that kept me away from my house, my main source of income right now. I couldn't lose this job.
When I finally stepped outside after my shift, I let out what emotions I had been stifling. But then I realized I was in a public place. Not Good. I needed to go somewhere, but where?
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I showed up on the twin's doorstep and just kept ringing the doorbell until they answered. Of course, they had heard and offered what comfort they could, and when I told them I couldn't face my empty house right now, they offered to let me spend the night there.
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They did their best to comfort me, and cheer me up, but eventually they had to sleep, and so I stayed up watching TV.
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I know I should be sleeping, but the time period between my head hitting the pillow and falling asleep I was none to anxious to face, so I just kept watching. I made myself some waffles.
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Then finally in the wee hours of the morning when I thought I would keel over in exhaustion, I climbed into the unfamiliar bed and tried to sleep. Just a few short hours later I heard the girls get up, and being tired of tossing and turning, I got up too.
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While in the bathroom,  I almost lost it again, and apparently Alayna heard, and came in to check on me.
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"Are you ok Mikie?"
"Yeah. It just hurts to think about her right now."
"Of course it does, Mikie, but you know, remembering her can help too."
"Eh. I don't know."
"Come on, try it. Tell me about your mom. You know, I only met her at the party, I haven't heard her story."
"Really? Well, Ok. My mom was.... amazing..."
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I went on to tell her about how my mom raised me on her own, tried her best to be there for me, believed in me and my dreams, would let me sleep in her bed if I read a book that was too scary, and how cool it was to ride in  the tour bus with her around town when I was a kid. And you know what? She was right. It did chase some of the sorrow away.
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I decided I had imposed on the girls enough, and felt ok about going back to my house. at least it was daytime, and I had to work, so I wouldn't be there long. As soon as I walked into my bedroom, I fell into bed and slept hard. I slept all the way until the carpool was outside honking for me.
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My day at work was a little better, but only a little. I wasn't running to the bathroom near as much, but it was still enough for my boss to notice. He pulled me aside and said, "You know, Mikie, if you want to take an indefinite leave of absence, I would understand. You've got a lot to deal with right now."
I did everything I could to convince him that work was good for me, and I needed it. He told me he'd let me keep working as long as it didn't seem to be an extra burden on me, as he knew I needed employment now that I was providing for myself.
So, I escaped another day of work with my job still in tact. But I was really worried. I didn't want to get fired!
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When I got off work, It suddenly hit me how hungry I was, I had only had some waffles at like 3 in the morning, I was starving! I went down to the bistro, and as soon as I got my food, I lost all thought of much else and devoured it. It was so good it actually put a smile on my face.

It was getting late, and as I got up to leave, my grief hit me again. It was dark now, and I didn't want to go home. Where was I gonna go? Not home. Not to the twins, I didn't want to intrude on them another night. I actually felt a wave of adrenaline and relief when I thought of who it was I wanted, no needed to see right now. I just hoped she would want to see me too.
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I knocked on the door, and it was Jeanna who answered. 
"Mikie! Oh Mikie I'm so glad to see you!"
"I know it's late, I just- I needed someplace to..someone to..." 
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"Say no more, come in this instant!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the entry way. 
"Oh, Mikie, I've been so worried about you. I'm so sorry about your mom."
'Thanks Jeanna."
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I felt the tiniest bit of peace in my heart, something I had not felt in the last 2 days. It was so overwhelming, I spent the next 10 minutes crying on her shoulder telling her how I couldn't stand being in my house, and I felt orphaned, and how worried I was about losing my job, and being able to support myself.
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"Mikie, there's something I need to talk to you about. I was just trying to figure out how to catch up to you, as you haven't been home. Did you know that your mom and my mom were very close before she died?"
"Um, well, I knew they knew each other, I guess..."
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"Well they were best friends. And your mom knew she wasn't going to be around much longer, and she had asked my mom to look after you after she passed, to take care of you, and make sure you were ok."
"Wow, she did? I had no idea." 
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"Yes. And my mom and I went to your house and then up to your work looking for you after we had got word about your mom. Your boss told us how concerned he was for you. My mom's heart went out to you, and she wanted to make good on the promise to your mom. Mikie, we've all talked as a family, and- Mikie, what would you think about moving in with us?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing! After the way I treated Jeanna lately, here their whole family was offering for me to live with them?
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"What? Your family wants me to-"
"Yes, Mikie. My mom has always felt like you were a part of our family, I mean you were with us your whole childhood. Look, if you lived here, you wouldn't have as much pressure to keep a job if you didn't want to, it would get you out of that house that you dread going back to, and you could have the whole attic to yourself, very private, it's own bath and everything. It could be as temporary or as permanent as you need to be. And, you would have a family to be a part of, my little brother says he's always wanted a big brother..."
"But Jeanna... what about us? I mean, although I've done a horrible job of showing it, I know before we were more than just friends, I mean not that I deserve anything more than that. But I don't want things to be weird between us. Are you really ok living in the same house as me?"
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"Look, Mikie. I've thought a lot about that. You have been and always will be dear to my heart. And I know a lot has happened in the recent past that has distanced us. But I still care about you, as a friend if nothing else. And it's more important that you are safe and secure and emotionally supported and stable that for me to put my feelings before your well-being. So if you moved in, we would remain friends, but for now, nothing more. Just a part of our family. Please, say you will come. We all want you to. My mom made a promise to yours..."
I didn't know what to say. This outpouring of love from a family I certainly didn't deserve it from won me over. "OK I will."
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That night, she, her dad, mom and I went to my house and packed it all up, and I moved in with the Stout family. In no time, I had taken over the attic and had my own space. I went to bed in my new room, completely exhausted.
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I had no idea what was to become of me and Jeanna, now that I lived here. But I did know one thing. Although the grief of my mom's death was still there, there was a new feeling swelling up within me. It was a feeling of being safe, belonging. I guess it was the feeling of Family. Home.
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*buckey's notes*-So, Mikie is now living with Jeanna, which SHE asked him to! I swear, that's only happened one other time in the whole history of me owning the game!! That's right, even after all that time of not seeing each other, and Mikie having no wishes involving her (the way I got her to Jeanna's house was because he wanted to work on his charisma skill *creative wish fulfilling, anyone?*) Jeanna asked him to move in. I thought that was so sweet, especially after how sad poor Mikie has been.
Oh, and I'll be trying to add some kind of something to the rules about collecting/selling items.. I'm still trying to think through exactly what's necessary and what isn't. So, until next time, thanks for reading!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Gen 2 Chapter 3: The Social Butterfly

Over the next few days, if I wasn't working on my book, I was hanging out with the twins, Alayna and Sierra. They were a riot, and we had a lot of fun together.
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What was great is when one wasn't available, usually the other one was, so I never had to worry about finding someone to take to dinner. It wasn't too bad to be seen around town with a beautiful girl either!
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I guess inspired by me, my mom started writing some books to in her spare time. She actually had 2 short books published!
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I was doing great on my book, I was about halfway done. I found out that I actually have 3 triplet half-sisters, along with my half brother. The publishing company was loving everything I sent them, and kept sending me advances, and I was really excited! I was actually getting fan mail from my other book, and was very anxious to get this book finished!
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One night when Sierra and I were at dinner, she came up with a great idea. She said I should totally throw a party and kinda promote the new book, I thought it was a great idea!
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I started inviting all my new friends I had made lately, and anyone else I came across too!
"Um, excuse me, are you.. are you Mikie Song?"
"Why, yes I am!"
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"Oh wow, I'm so honored to meet you! I loved your book, and I can't wait for your next one! My name is Lorelai."
"Well, it's nice to meet you too! You know, I'm having a party to promote my new book, how would you like to come?!"
"Wow, really! I would love to! Oh wow! Thanks a lot!"
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I gave her my address and told her what time the party was. Oh man, this party was going to be great! Everyone wanted to come!

Soon, it was the night of the party, and I was setting up a buffet table outside when the first guests arrived.
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Everyone was having a great time, dancing, eating, it was a blast!
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There was one person who I really wanted to see, and everywhere I looked, I couldn't find her. It was Jeanna. I had invited her and her mom, Lekeisha, (her mom and my mom were friends) and I caught a glimpse of her mother mingling, but I hadn't seen Jeanna. I was really excited to share with her everything going on in my life, I know I had been a jerk and hadn't called or hung out with her lately, but I still cared about her.
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Finally, someone told me she was on the front porch.
Sure enough, there she stood. Not really smiling, just watching all the people coming in and out, who were hollering, dancing, being silly. (did I mention it was an awesome party?)
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I hadn't seen her in so long, a wave of affection washed over me as I said, "Hey Jeanna! I was afraid you didn't come! Why didn't you come inside yet?"
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Although she returned my look of affection, her voice sounded sad when she said, "Oh, I thought about it. But I realized I don't belong here.. not anymore."
"What! Jenna! What do you mean? Of course you do, you're one of my closest friends! Look, I know I haven't called lately.. I've just been so busy with-"
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"It's ok Mikie, really. You don't have to explain or apologize. I've heard about how successful you book has been by the way. I'm so happy for you. But after looking around at all these new friends you have, I can see that I dont' fit in. I mean, look at all these pretty, skinny, party-people. I'm just not one of them. You deserve a cool crowd like this to hang out with . I just don't fit."
"That is crazy talk! Jeanna, I don't feel that way at all! I know I have some new friends now... but that doesn't mean--"
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She was smiling, but her eyes started to swell with tears..."look Mikie, I really don't wanna make a scene and start crying in front of all these people. I'm going now. Congratulations on your book. I'm so proud of you..."
By then, people were all over the front porch, yelling at each other, talking, laughing, and Jeanna slipped away before I could stop her.
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Suddenly, I wasn't in such a partying mood, and luckily, after some guests started cat-fighting with each other, they all started meandering back to their cars to go home.
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I cleaned up and went straight to bed. I was exhausted, and didn't want to think about all the things that Jeanna said. At least, not right now.
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I woke up with an achy feeling... not in my body, but in my heart. I remembered my conversation with Jeanna, how she felt like she didn't belong in my life anymore, and felt horrible, because I knew I had caused her to think that way. I felt like such a jerk for not even making an effort to talk to her lately. She must think I'm such a creep for kissing her on my birthday, then hearing nothing from me. Of course, I hadn't heard from her either, but knowing that she felt I didn't want her around, I guess I could see why she wouldn't have called me.
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The problem was, my deadline for my book was fast approaching, and I really needed to get another section of it into the publishers. As much as I hated to, I couldn't deal with the Jeanna thing right now. As soon as I was done with my book, I would go hunt her down and beg her forgiveness, do whatever it took to make things right. But right now, I just couldn't do that.
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As I headed off to the library, I asked mom if she wanted to come with me, as she had been using the library to write her books too. She said she wasn't feeling well, and was just going to stay home and work on her book today..
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so I left and was soon buried in my work at the library.
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Little did I know, what was coming. Little did I know, that was the last time I would see my mom alive.
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*buckey's notes* So, I can't believe at only 89 days old, Honeybee is gone! She never even got to see Mikie get married (one of her wishes) or have grandchildren. :*( 
And Jeanna really did stand outside for the whole party. Thank goodness Mikie wanted to work on his charisma skill, so I could have him talk to her. He hasn't rolled any more wishes to see her. :*(
Oh, and I don't know why some of my pics are small. I've tried to re-upload them, and it's just not fixing anything. Maybe be the time I publish this, they will be the right size...
One last thing, Mikie is up on the exchange now if anyone wants to download him! Here's the link!
Download Mikie Song