Generation 8 - Chapter 22

Cherish made a point of spending more time with Mikey. In the past they hung out quite a bit, he was always nearby as she went about her day. But she had never actually trained him for anything. He didn't know any tricks. He never came when called and she had heard some dogs were good for hunting. She figured since Fatima was off being Miss Popular Student Body President, Mikey could fill in as bff.

He learned so quickly and was being so good she decided to reward him with a new squeak toy

(mostly I just love this picture and needed a reason to post it ^_^)

Snowflake day was coming soon and everyone was extra jolly. Cherish never felt jolly. Even though Fatima and GG were the only ones in the house besides herself, she was beginning to feel suffocated. They always wanted her to sing holiday songs with them or talk about presents or even help decorate. This year she just wasn't in the mood. This was Fatima's last Snowflake day before she became and adult and GG was going over board to the point where she seemed strained. Or maybe it was her interior design business? Or the fact that she was spending more time on her computer than before. Cherish was beginning to think everyone was acting weird but herself. 

To get away from all the forced happiness Cherish slipped out of the house and headed to Grandma Maya's. Maybe it was time to consider taking her up on her offer? It was winter. All her plants were dead or dormant so in the spring she would have all that work of getting things going again anyway. Maybe the extra work of moving them to a new place wouldn't make that big of a difference?

Unfortunately the house was much smaller than she remembered it from her childhood. Usually when she spent time with Maya and Ephriam, they came to her house. They had a nice fenced in yard but it was for their 3 dogs! It only had one bedroom and that obviously that was for her grandparents. Why on Simearth had grandma Maya offered her a place to stay in the first place? Did she think sleeping on their couch would be better than sharing a room with her former BFF? Gosh, if she really wanted to, she could have moved into Brenton's old room. It just sits there empty now.

She was happy to see that there were no decorations or holiday music. Grandpa Ephriam had a wonderful antique chess set so Cherish challenged him to a game. He wasn't much of a talker, which Cherish loved. He didn't try telling her what she should do or who she should be. He didn't even bring up her parents, the holidays, or tell any stories.

For hours and hours they played. What little talking they did do had to do with her plants, the game, and how she was tired of Wind's and Fatima's holiday excitement. It was nice to not have to keep up a conversation. Nice to have someone that just sat and listen if and when she did feel the need to speak.

"Have you ever thought about getting your own place? There are several cottages on the market right now. Have you  made enough with your business to purchase a house? I know your parents had a nest egg that Wind kept aside for your future as well."

"I..well....it's just...maybe? I'm not sure GG would like that idea. I think any money she set aside for me was to pay for uni."

"Maybe, but you're an adult now. Wind will get over it. I think she feels extra protective of you because of everything that happened when you were a baby. Try not to be angry with her for it. It's just how she is showing her love for you.
She has enough on her hands with Fatima, anyway. I know of a place that's coming up for sale that I think it would be perfect for you. Would it be ok if I give the owner your number?"

"Uh...sure?"

Cherish was not so sure about it but she didn't want to hurt Ephriams feelings. He was only trying to help. She had never really imagined herself living alone or owning her own place, and she had to admit that even though GG drove her crazy some days she knew it was out of love and concern. She just assumed she'd always live with GG Wind and Fatima.....but Fatima would be leaving for uni in another year or so.

****

later that night

It was late and the girls were in bed. Wind was cleaning up the kitchen before heading to bed herself. She was pretty sure Elgon and Brenton had never been so hard to keep up with. These girls and their unpredictable moods was enough to keep any parent up late. What was she going to do about Cherish? Was being a gardener enough? She seemed so content, unless she was brooding and being depressed. There was no in between for her. And Fatima! That child was hard to keep track of. All over town, phone bill through the roof! 

As she put the last dish in the dishwasher and turned it on to run overnight she got a text from Ephriam.

"Meet me at the festival grounds. I have news"

Running off to the festival grounds in the middle of the night was the last thing she wanted to do so she called him instead.

"What is going on? Can't you just tell me over the phone like a normal person?"

"I'd rather talk face to face. We need to compare notes and I don't want the girls to over hear you talking."

"Fine! I'll be there in 15."

With a huff she got dressed and left to meet the paranoid vampire

 "Thank you for meeting me so late. I just don't want to worry the girls unless we have to. Have you heard anything new? I got another email from Master Albert and things sound...concerning."

Fighting down the sudden icy feeling in her throat-

"Master Albert? N-n-n-no, I haven't heard anything new. How long has he been messaging you? The last I heard there had been a couple disappearances and a single body found floating off the coast."

"Master Albert has certain fears and has been requesting my.....expertise. He wants me to go back. He wants all of us to go back."

 For a while Wind stood there motionless. Her thoughts colliding like 2 freight trains at full speed.

"Are you sure he's not just over reacting? This has nothing to do with us. What could we possibly do anyway? There is no way we're going back! We left for good reasons. I for one am not getting dragged back into their politicking and I suggest you don't either. It's just drama." 

"I'm not sure that that's all that's happening."